The Charlatan

19. An Arm and a Leg

Safiya stared out at the grand port of Mor from atop the platform of the major train station just outside the gate. The archway glowed white against the reflective surface of the sea, which opened up on the shoreline in the center and revealed the lift that ferried visitors underground – underwater, Safiya corrected herself. It was a marvel, and the twins were content to stay still and gaggle at it for a short while. It was very unlike the impressive fortress that was the Citadel, which was all jagged edges while this gate was smooth as ivory, but it was just as grand. The colours were simple, but not harshly industrial like Velt's. It was inviting. Safiya could feel some of her apprehension dissipating, and with a deep breath she pushed Priyanka's wheelchair slowly down the platform slope.

"It's very beautiful," Priyanka remarked as the twins neared the queue for the lift. Translators speaking the various languages of the continent milled around the queue enthusiastically, and the sisters soon received their own translator, pleasantly surprised that someone so far north could speak Dehic. The language of Mor seemed to be one that was signed using the hands, which Safiya instantly found so fascinating. This was something she wanted to pick up. When the shops were noisy and her voice hoarse, signs would be the perfect communicative tool.

"It developed out of necessity," their translator explained when Safiya shared her curiosity. "The Morian community grew out of about a dozen persons who all carried a trait of deafness, long ago. Not all of us anymore are non-hearing, but most who lay claim to true Morian ancestry are. Signing was a natural mode of communication, and even as our community grew to include hearing folk, the constant diving we engaged in on the coast made signing the only feasible mode of underwater communication."

"It looks very smooth," Priyanka commented as Safiya pushed her a few paces forward in line. "As if you've practiced underwater. Your language reflects its history." Their translator raised an eyebrow, but seemed pleased.

Soon, Safiya and Priyanka were stood on the lift with a few dozen other travellers, and their translator instructed them on safety precautions during their descent. As the giant platform began to move, the bright sky and its puffy clouds disappeared and were replaced by cool white walls. The temperature seemed to drop a bit, and Safiya shivered. Her arm began to ache. Her injury had mostly healed by the look of it, but Safiya thought that perhaps it was memory that prevented it from ever feeling perfectly normal again. It was a burden, a reminder from the gods that pain and suffering still existed while justice was not served.

The descent lasted a while, and the time was mostly filled with the quiet chattering of the people around. When the lift finally stopped and clanged in place, the twins' translator lead them off the platform and into a grand foyer behind them. It sparkled. The area was bright, mostly shades of white, and the entire ceiling was a glass dome shape that exhibited the wonders of the sea: bright-coloured fish and corals that seemed to sway as waves disturbed the glass. It was a marvel; Safiya had never seen anything like it. Priyanka gasped.

Their translator smiled and let them look around the impressive display for a minute longer before Safiya piped up. "My sister here is in need of medical attention," she grimaced, "I am not sure what you can do for her, as she was not treated right away... The damage may be permanent..."

"It's okay, Safi, just as long as we can make sure there aren't any more complications," Priyanka interrupted softly. Safiya pursed her lips. The twins' translator looked at them with concern and pity.

"Of course. I can lead you to our local medical facility. There is likely a waiting list, I warn you, but you come at a time of year that we are not as busy. It may also be expensive; our services, especially powering our equipment, require more hands than is traditionally custom, but we are recognized as medical leaders across the continent, so I assure you that you are in good hands."