Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp: 24 Preparing the Fields

Following Tessa to the plot of land she'd spent some time preparing, she managed to create half an acre of space cleared of sand, revealing more of the barren soil beneath. A few-foot-tall wall of neatly stacked stones encompassed the space to keep as much sand out of the plot as possible. Trenches as deep as two feet reached from one end of the plot to another, leaving paths between them.

Nearby stood the crate filled with volcanic soil, which they opened together. Tessa reached into her pack and pulled out a pair of hand-shaped clay gauntlets that slid onto her hands like stiff gloves. The palms of the gloves had her circles carved into them as she stood next to the crate, facing the plot.

"Stand back for a moment," she warns Marlina as she sinks her hands into the soil, filling the engraved symbol before placing her palms atop it. When she lifts her hands, the soil follows, spilling into a large pile at the end of the trench. Kneeling at the edge, she digs her hands in and pushes outward, allowing the pile to spread and distribute itself throughout the trench.

Marlina stared in awe, particularly aware that Tessa didn't control an element but manipulated it as if it came naturally. "Incredible, Miss Tessa! You're as talented as any other Urushian I've seen."

Tessa looked at Marlina, placing her hand on the ground near the crate and shifting it to move it to the next trench. "Figured out an element didn't choose me? What gave it away?"

Marlina then realized she had misspoken, looking a bit sheepish. "Sir Mordecai told me that he doesn't have a gift and mentioned you as well."

A twitch appeared on Tessa's brow upon mentioning Mordecai. The next trench was filled with the same motions as before, but with a hint of aggression. She took a breath to calm herself and prepare for another trench.

To distract her thoughts from Mordecai, she focuses on Tessa. "Is that why you draw those circles and use those hands?"

Despite the lingering twinge of irritation, she resolved not to let it show in her tone towards Marlina. "That's right." She filled one more trench before slipping a hand out of the gauntlet and extending it toward Marlina. "Can I see that seed of yours? You mentioned it's flower is gigantic, right? I considered planting it in the garden, but you said it was huge and you awoke from it, so it probably wouldn't fit or might harm the vegetables. If it's what made you, maybe it can help you."

Marlina wasn't sure if it would work, but it was their only lead toward helping her. Letting the seed drop from her leg, Tessa picked it up and buried it near the end of the trench, using some water from her canteen to sprinkle over it. "Hopefully, with this soil, it'll grow fairly quickly." After taking a few sips from her canteen, she filled the rest of the trenches with soil before resting on the crate. "I have to say, using the circles takes a lot out of me." She pointed to an odd tool resting against one of the walls. It was a rectangular-shaped frame made of metal, with large hekoska teeth attached to the bottom pointing toward the ground. "While I rest for a moment, can you use that to poke deep and shift the ground every few steps? It'll help with water seepage."

Marlina nodded, eager to help. She looped her arms through the frame and carried it to the first trench. After placing the teeth into the soil, she shifted just the surface. Tessa was about to get up to assist her when Marlina stepped onto the frame to push the teeth deeper, then hopped to sink them to the bottom. Tessa smiled, realizing that she had figured it out, and decided to rest a little longer before following behind Marlina and planting seeds.

While Marlina was sent to the courtyard with two buckets hanging from a pole to collect water, Tessa sprinkled charcoal over the trenches to benefit the crops significantly. Once the water was brought, Tessa drew a water scribe on one of the buckets using the water and tossed it, causing the water to disperse like rainfall over half the field.

"If I may ask, Miss Tessa, how do those circles work?"

"Always so curious, aren't you?" she asks with a smile, picking up the second bucket. "When an Urushian bonds with an element, it's almost like an extension of themselves through the life energy of the person and the element. The body is the physical catalyst connecting the soul and the element." Soaking her fingers in the water momentarily, she draws a basic circle. "For Urushians, commanding that element is as easy as moving an arm or a leg." Inside the circle, she creates symbols. If one looks closely enough, they resemble rainfall. "For me, it's about understanding the element more detailedly, knowing its limitations and how it shapes. Using the circle like a body, I channel my energy to create the connection and infuse my will." Placing her hand on the circle, it glows briefly before she tosses the bucket, scattering the water that rains down into the trenches. "That should do it for now," Tessa declares, wiping the sweat from her brow, hands on her hips, impressed with their work. "With all of this, everything should grow in no time."

It's intriguing to consider that all those transactions occur almost instantaneously when any Urushian uses their element. According to Marlina, Tessa can utilize all the elements. If someone who cannot bond with a single element can achieve this, then any other Urushian, regardless of their element status, should be able to do the same. However, from Marlina's observations in Urush, the divided territories recognize that one element is not superior to another, but their differences could lead to chaos.

"If you can use any element, even if it's not the same as other Urushians, why are you here? You could live anywhere in Urush and flourish within that community."

Tessa shakes her head as she places her hand on Marlina's shoulder. "Sadly, that's not the case. No gift means there's something wrong with you. To them, it signifies that the Gods don't see you as worthy. They believe any association with us means forsaking their wishes, and having children with us will deem them unworthy of an element." She trails her fingertips over the circle as she looks at the clay gauntlets resting on the crate. "My circles are viewed as imitation or stealing what doesn't belong to me. That's why I was banished from Urush. I refused to accept that the Gods who have given us life, the land, and the means to thrive would see any of us as less than worthy. At least here, I can use my skills to create a home for everyone."

Marlina smiles as she places her wrist on Tessa's hand. "I'm grateful for yours and everyone else's hard work."

Tessa smiles back. "Well, thank you, hun, it's nice to hear that." She claps her hands together. "Now that it's warmer, I should head inside to start breakfast. We also need to work on that section of the Chronicle about you to add with Elek's findings for the next issue. Mind giving me a hand for a little longer?"

"Not at all, Miss Tessa."