Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 24: The Seasoned Healer - Part 1

Before the sun rises, Marlina hears voices below. Peering from the perch, she sees Mordecai and the twins standing in the courtyard, dressed in their uniforms. If Marlina didn't know their relationship, she would guess they were just fellow soldiers based on how they stand. A sharp whistle from Mordecai prompts the twins to start drills and exercises with him, just as Marlina has seen him do every morning.

As they transition from one drill to the next, Marlina heads down for a better view. By the time they reach the final drill, Marlina has reached one of the outpost's upper-story windows to observe. Unlike when Mordecai did these exercises alone, once they are finished, they begin sparring hand-to-hand.

It soon became apparent how Neterion easily tackled and pinned Marlina the night before. They didn't hesitate to lock each other in their grips by any means necessary. Watching them pry or slide out of their holds makes her wonder if she can learn to defend herself that effectively. She wishes she had the skills they possess in Urush; it certainly would have been helpful.

As Marlina studies their movements, she occasionally mimics them and hears a giggle behind her. Turning around, she finds Tessa awake earlier than usual. Although she wears her typical gentle smile, her eyes appear to sag from a lack of sleep.

"Oh, Miss Tessa, I didn't see you there. Good morning," Marlina says as she bows to her.

"Good morning, Hun. Could you help me today? I want to start preparing the field and plant seeds."

Marlina doesn't know anything about farming, but she can't refuse to lend a hand. "Of course, Miss Tessa, I'll help with whatever you need."

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

Nearby rests the crate filled with volcanic soil, which they open together. Tessa reaches into her pack and pulls out a pair of hand-shaped clay gauntlets that she slides onto her hands like stiff gloves. The palms of the gloves have her circles carved into them, and she stands 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 stares in awe, now even more impressed, since Tessa doesn't control an element but manipulates it as if it comes naturally.

"Incredible, Miss Tessa! You're as talented as any other Urushian I've seen."

Tessa looks at Marlina, pushing sand into the circle's crevices before placing her hand on the sand near the crate, and the sand moves it to the next trench.

"So, you figured out that an element didn't choose me? What gave it away?"

Marlina then realizes she has misspoken, looking somewhat sheepish. "Sir Mordecai informed me that he doesn't possess a gift and mentioned you as well."

A twitch of Tessa's eye occurs upon mentioning Mordecai. The next trench is filled with the same motions as before, but with a hint of aggression. She takes a breath to calm herself and prepare for another trench.

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

Despite the lingering twinge of irritation, she resolves not to let it show in her tone towards Marlina. "That's right." She fills one more trench before slipping a hand out of the gauntlet and extending it toward Marlina.