Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 25: The Seasoned Healer - Part 2

Tessa takes the lead, asking Marlina to hold a basket as she collects vegetables from the garden. The kitchen, situated near the infirmary, is at the center of the outpost, surrounded by walls to keep out the sand. A large stove and several clay ovens, equipped with cast-iron plates for improved heat conduction, stand in the center of the small room. Using ash, she draws fire circles into the crevices as a heat source before placing dried palm fronds and neatly stacked chopped wood.

Everything is arranged methodically, from the jars of spices on the shelves to the dry ingredients, all separated in pairs. At least, some items Marlina recognizes are goods from Urush, while the others most likely come from the Colonies.

"It seems you acquire supplies from both sides of the land."

"Of course, it aids in trade and community. If we want this to become a neutral town someday, having the advantages of both homes is beneficial. I learned everything I know from my family. My father's a trader, and my mother's an artisan from the Earth Potreros."

"So, you were allowed to be with your family even if you don't have a gift?" Marlina asks.

A slight grimace crosses her face. "For a while, but not forever. My oldest brother was killed protecting our village from a beast from the Urushian Wilds. My other brother, who bonded with Water, was sent elsewhere. My parents, with my Earth-gifted older sister and me, traveled all over to keep the Divining Elders from finding out about me. My parents couldn't bear to have any more children taken from them. If anyone suspected, my family used their gifts to make it seem like I was like them. The circles I use are for children with gifts to help them get accustomed to controlling their element until they can do it without the array. My parents encouraged me to study all the circles, hoping that my gift might have been buried deeper and, with practice, would bring my element to the surface."

Pulling out the necklace, she reveals an oval-shaped turquoise pendant with swirling lines that look like multiple hearts. "Once I was caught, my parents were arrested."

"Miss Tessa... I'm so sorry. Is your family alright?"

Tessa's silent for a moment, gazing at the pendant before tucking it away. "They were forced to work in the capital's mines after Latos had taken the throne by force. I've been trying to think of a way to get them out for years, but it becomes harder the longer Latos is in control."

Marlina's uncertain whether to mention Latos now, but she feels the need to know. "If he's so cruel, how can he be Emperor? I've witnessed Urushian's disdain for him firsthand."

Tessa places some sweet potatoes into the oven and pulls a crate with the hekoska meat slices that had been kept in salt, starting to brush away the excess.

"Just one vow—a vow that the Royal Family made to the people when our world was in danger long ago, long before the Siege of Maydra. They vowed to be our protectors until the end of time, and if any of them were to falter in upholding that promise, then that warrior would take their place to protect the people. Latos had challenged and defeated the young prince and won."

Marlina's astonished. "Anyone can claim the throne with just one battle? Just like that? That's ludicrous."

Tessa smirks a little at Marlina's frustration. Even someone like her can recognize the glaring flaw of a foundation that has been integral to their culture for ages.

"If only we had thought the same back then. But at that time, Latos vowed to rid the land of the Colonials once and for all to reclaim what they took from us, while the Royal Family showed stagnant complacency. Our culture frowns upon inciting great violence; we use our strength only to protect our homes, which we did during the Siege of Maydra. However, our hatred for the Colonials runs deep because of what they took from us."

She begins slicing the meat into strips, her cuts swift and deliberate as her tone grows more heated.

"The battle was fought, and Latos attacked the Prince after everything was said and done, throwing him into the river that runs through the capital. Then he killed the Emperor and Empress to secure his position. When Latos tried to make the Princess his bride, she refused, knowing it was only a political move." She places the strips of meat into a flat, hot pan as they begin to sizzle and crisp.

"When that didn't work, he rallied the Giftless Republic to destroy a Colonial base south of here called Ebonsea Garrison to keep his promise and gain some acceptance from the people. Even when the God Fire themselves came to stop the violence, it only proved that his reign on the throne was wrong. At that point, Latos realized that anyone with an element is his enemy and ordered the brutalization of anyone who opposes him."

Framed that way, it clarifies why Tessa asked Mordecai if he was involved in these acts. It would not have been easy to accept if he had answered yes.

"I was banished from Urush for my circles before Latos took the throne. My family lives in constant fear as they are worked to the bone in the mines. Latos's men could interpret any misstep by those with a gift as treason against him, so they have to act obedient, or else..."

Marlina has seen firsthand how brutal Latos's men can be. "Being giftless, do you think you'd be allowed to return? Perhaps negotiate their release?"

"I can return if I no longer use my circles. Even if I were to go back and be given more leeway, being giftless, I refuse to join the Giftless Republic. That would mean treating my own family and any other Urushian like dogs. It would mean abandoning Elek as well. I want to bring my family here if I can make this desert safe. But there might be a chance to end Latos's hold..."

Marlina not asking another question for clarification only confirms her suspicions that she was eavesdropping on them.

"So it was you last night. Let me guess, the twins put you up to it?"

Marlina sheepishly nods. "I wonder how Sir Mordecai will handle what he plans to do."

Tessa begins filling bowls with food. "I'm not sure what he's planning, but whatever it is, I refuse to let Elek be dragged into it." She stacks a few bowls separated by plates, helping Marlina cradle them in her arms to hold them. "Can you give these to the three of them? I'm still upset with Mordecai and need some distance from him. If you could meet me back in the infirmary afterward?"

"Of course, Miss Tessa, I'll be there shortly."