Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 45: Welcome to Volkaunus - Part 1

The next day, mid-afternoon:

The closer the trio approaches the Wall, the larger the towering volcano appears, and the thicker the tension feels.

Aurea is at the helm of the sled, her expression showing deep uncertainty. For the first time in all her time on this continent, someone has asked for her. Urushians are certainly less than welcoming; Aurea learned that when she reached Urushian shores after leaving the iceberg wasteland that is her homeland.

Her radiating cold made it difficult to keep herself hidden from their ire. Even staying in a cave for one night would turn all the moisture around the area into solid ice, including the puddles and ponds. Any crossings through fields, unless done in haste, would cause nearby plant life to begin withering and browning. From what she has learned of Urushian culture, any unnatural force that disrupts the 'natural order' created by their gods is always met with animosity.

With that in mind, Tessa confirmed that the insignia branded to the letter on the twins' last delivery was the symbol of none other than the Urushian God of Fire—a brand that only they used when they last lived amongst people centuries ago. By all accounts, Aurea expected the letter would be a threat or a demand for her to leave the continent. However, after reading it multiple times and asking for input from the others, it sounded more like an invitation to a celebration.

Regardless, the letter brings Aurea nothing but unease; her only comfort is that Tessa and Mordecai are with her. To her, despite the two of them lacking an element, they are still Urushians with whom she has fought beside and lived with for some odd years. It may not be long, especially to a being who has been present for at least a century, but they are all she has to show good faith.

Sitting in the middle of the sleigh, Tessa clutches the letter. Reading it repeatedly, she is baffled that the God of Fire has called for Aurea and everyone else from Englias: herself, Mordecai, Elek, the twins, and even Marlina. Shockingly, some of their full names are listed.

Out of the group, only Elek knows her first name, Tesslyn. But there it is, Tesslyn Genadieva. Elek and the twins' last names are also present, and Aurea is addressed as Chief Aurea. For Marlina, it makes Tessa wonder if she has a last name. Considering how she came to discover her name in the first place, it remains unclear.

Then there is Mordecai, just Mordecai. Knowing their culture, Tessa knows that Mordecai is not his real name. Urushian given names, as part of their pride, are like medals of valor. When an Urushian is banished, their name is taken from them, and they are forced into a new one. A few times, Tessa attempted to coax Mordecai into revealing his Urushian name, but to no avail. Even through drunkenness or days without sleep, he remains Mordecai.

Looking up from the letter to Mordecai, who is sitting at the back of the sleigh, his leg bounces as he huffs nervously on his pipe. Earlier, he was chipping away at that chunk of obsidian, but now it seems that isn't enough to distract him, as his gaze is fixated on the volcano. Tessa's expression shows sympathy as Mordecai stares at the volcano as if it were a gate to the underworld.

Between the two of them, Mordecai holds tightly to Urushian beliefs, particularly the negative aspects of them. Although she has taught him how to use elemental circles, he is reluctant to use them. He will only use them in extreme circumstances, such as when he cauterized himself to save his own life. He barely did that, if at all. If he had moved from where she found him, he would have started bleeding again at the slightest movement. He could have done more to help himself, but he didn't.

While he no longer makes a fuss about her using the circles, despite still believing the elements are not theirs to use, he greatly emphasizes his disgust when he uses them. She is sure he is cursing himself now as he clutches his side from his wound. It must be hurting him since he has refused additional treatment after she helped him in the cave.