Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 26: The Seasoned Healer - Part 3

Tessa takes a few bowls for herself while Marlina carefully carries hers to the courtyard. As she approaches, Mordecai and the twins race across the vast courtyard. Neterion's the fastest, followed by Natalia, with Mordecai just a step or two behind, darting back and forth to one edge of the courtyard multiple times.

While Neterion's already finished, jogging over and panting as he approaches Marlina to grab a bowl, the other two still have half a lap to complete.

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

Once Natalia follows, she places her hands on her knees before taking a bowl. "Good morning, Marlina. Thank you for bringing breakfast."

Mordecai, the last to arrive, stretches his back before sitting down with the other two on the ground. After taking a few bites, he turns to the twins.

"Don't think you two are off the hook yet for involving Marlina in your snooping. I won't make you 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 in unison.

Marlina believes it's pointless for them to make the sleds spotless, given how frequently they are used, but perhaps that's the purpose of the punishment.

Neterion reaches into a small breast pocket and holds a piece of paper to Marlina. "If you're going to Tessa, could you give her this, too? It's for your section in the Chronicle."

Marlina leans in for a closer look. It's a well-executed lead sketch of her, and although her expression is blank, it's highly detailed. She then recalls the skull she saw the night before and wonders if he has done the same for the remains that she and Elek found.

"You draw exceptionally 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 goes to the infirmary. She peeks into Tessa and Elek's room, where she sees Elek sitting on their bed and eating. 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's usually closed near their bedroom stands open, and Marlina glances inside to find Tessa at a manually operated machine.

Its structure is made of wood and is quite large, around the size of a four-poster bed, featuring a table that rests beneath a tall rectangular frame and a crank. In front of her is a metal plate with hollowed sections where she places small cubes with embossed letters. The table has dozens of drawers labeled with a letter or symbol, and she refers to nearby sheets of paper to count how many of each letter she needs, taking what's necessary. As she places the letters in reverse, it takes Marlina a moment to notice that the top of the plate reads 'Do you know me?'.

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

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

"What kind of details?"

"I don't want others to see me as a Construct or as some lost property."

Tessa nods in understanding. "So we'll leave out your body and the purple flower. Is there anything else you'd like to include besides your general information?"

Marlina reflects on this for a moment. "Ultimately, in addition to wanting a home, I seek answers. Naturally, I can't pose the questions I have in your newsletter without making it obvious that I am a Construct. I believe it's best to remain vague, and anyone who comes forward with information will be asked my questions."

Tessa nods and begins writing on the paper. "So I'll just note 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 recognize you. Does that work?"

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

"They can send a letter through my contacts or come here themselves if they truly want to. However, I suspect we'll take you to them to ensure that nobody is 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 greatly appreciate that."

Tessa smiles back and asks Marlina to hold a segmented tray so she can gather the letters she needs and arrange them. With each click and slide of the cubes, Marlina observes as Tessa constructs the entire column about her, using the drawing to leave an appropriately sized space for it later.

Once finished, Tessa coats the plate with ink and secures it in the machine. Then, using the crank to lower and press the plate onto the paper, it emerges clean and legible once lifted. Taking a large envelope, she slips in the sheet along with the drawing and other information columns that she plans 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 look of shock. "You really weren't kidding when you said the flower is gigantic."