Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 26: Crafting a Column

Tessa took a few bowls for herself, and Marlina carefully carried hers to the courtyard. As she approached, Mordecai and the twins raced across the large courtyard. Neterion was the fastest, followed by Natashia, with Mordecai just a step or two behind. They had run back and forth to one edge of the courtyard multiple times.

While Neterion was already done, jogging over and panting as he approached Marlina to grab a bowl, the other two still had half a lap to complete.

"Thanks for the food. And for last night too." Neterion pants as he sprawls on the cold ground to cool off, shoving all his slices of meat into his mouth once he catches his breath.

Once Natashia arrived, she put her hands on her knees before taking a bowl. "Good morning, Marlina. Thanks for bringing breakfast."

Mordecai was the last to arrive, stretching his back before sitting down with the other two on the ground. After having a few bites, he turned to the twins. "Don't think you two are off the hook yet for getting Marlina involved in your snooping. I won't make you two sit in the hot sun, but I want each of those sleds polished and spotless, completely free of sand before I return from giving those gentlemen a ride back to the Colonies. And no asking Marlina for help."

"Yes, Mordecai," the twins groan together.

Marlina thought it was pointless for them to make the sleds spotless, considering how often they were used, but perhaps that is the point of the punishment.

Neterion then reached into a small breast pocket and held something out to Marlina. "If you're going to Tessa, mind giving her this too? It's for your section in the Chronicle."

Marlina leaned in for a closer look. It was a well-done lead sketch of her, and although her expression was blank, it was highly detailed. She then recalled the skull he had the night before and wondered if he had done the same for the remains that Elek had found. "You draw very well, Sir Neterion."

Neterion lightly waves his hand in response to her compliment, rolling and tucking the picture into one of her gaps so she doesn't lose it.

Leaving them to enjoy their meal, Marlina makes her way to the infirmary. She peeks into Tessa and Elek's room, where she sees Elek sitting on their bed and eating breakfast. Nodding in greeting as she passes by, he points toward a room next door to indicate where Tessa is, aware that they have things to do. A door that is usually closed near their bedroom is open, and Marlina glances inside to find Tessa at a manually operated machine.

Its structure was made of wood and was quite large, about the size of a bed, with a table that rested beneath a tall rectangular frame and a crank. In front of her was a metal plate with hollowed sections where she placed small cubes with embossed letters. The table had dozens of drawers marked with a letter or symbol, and she referred to nearby sheets of paper to count how many of each letter she would need and took what was necessary. As she placed the letters in reverse, it took Marlina a moment to realize that the top of the plate said 'Do you know me?'

"Ready to create your column, Marlina?" Tessa asks as she grabs the reference paper containing the details about Marlina, including her hair color and height, which she had already filled out.

Marlina nods, extending her arm with Neterion's drawing tucked into it, which Tessa took. "As I decided when Sir Elek suggested it, I want to keep many details omitted."

"What kind of details?"

"I don't want people to perceive me as a construct, as some property that was lost."

Tessa nods in understanding. "So we'll keep your body and the purple flower out of it. Apart from your general information, what else would you like to put?"

Marlina considers this for a moment. "In the end, besides wanting a home, I want answers. Of course, I can't ask the questions I have in your newsletter without it being clear that I am a construct. I think it's best to keep it vague, and whoever comes forward with information will be asked my questions."

Tessa nods and starts writing on the paper. "So I'll just mention that you've been traveling through Urush for the past few years, dealing with what I can only describe as amnesia, and now you're here in Englias searching for your home and anyone who might know you. Does that work?"

"Yes, that should suffice. With Sir Neterion's sketch, anyone who knows me will surely recognize me. And all they have to do is contact you?"

"They can send a letter through my contacts, or come here themselves if they truly want to. But I suspect we'll take you to them so that nobody is put in danger. If you need one of us to stay until you feel the person recognizing you is legitimate, we can."

Marlina smiles. "I would truly appreciate that."

Tessa smiled in return and asked Marlina to hold a segmented tray so she could collect the letters she needed and organize them. With each click and slide of the cubes, Marlina watched as Tessa constructed the entire column about her, using the drawing to leave appropriately sized space for it later. Once completed, Tessa coated the plate with ink and locked it into the machine. Then, using the crank to lower and press the plate onto the paper, it came out clean and legible once lifted. Taking a large envelope, she slid in the sheet along with the drawing and other information columns that she intended to send.

"I hope this helps me. Navigating this world hasn't been easy for me." Marlina says.

"I'm sure it will," Tessa says supportively, resting her hand on her shoulder and giving her a gentle shake.

Elek knocks on the door, peeking his head in with a shocked expression. "You definitely weren't kidding when you said the flower is gigantic."