by Varian Morn
With the sand and wind followed the struggle of moving from the healing buildings to the storage. Fighting against the sandstorm, I hurried without much vision. I dared not open my eyes; I was in no mood to lose my sight for the next few days just because some hot-headed soldier's son thought himself one of the great warriors of old.
Upon nearing the storage building, I had to risk a look to make sure I opened the right door. Opening the wrong door during a sandstorm would only get me killed. Right before I opened the door, I stopped to wipe the bowl clean. I barely needed to scrape the bowl too heavily with sand thanks to the heavy wind. The sandstorm had been more than happy to do most the work for me on the way here.
Once I was sure the bowl was clean enough, I pounded on the door and waited.
It didn't take too long for it to open, and I hurried in. It was closed behind me so quickly that if I had stumbled or tripped, they might have shut it upon me. It was rude of them, especially since there was an elderly woman in the healing rooms still nursing a broken leg from such an event.
“Telleya? What is it, why are you running around during a storm?” Marli asked.
The young girl had a soft smile to accompany her question, but I wasn't in the mood to ruin it. I quickly glanced around and found that there were two others in the entrance, two men. Guards, or at least... men who believed themselves to be.
Unlike the young Marli, the men knew full well why I was here... and their faces told me I shouldn't ask it.
But I had to. If I didn't, then when the man died people might blame me, or my mother.
I had no choice.
“I'm to ask for water, if it can be given,” I said, gesturing to the bowl.
My request had been a simple one, and the answer was obviously apparent... but the young girl mistakenly thought my request was worth repeating to those in charge.
Her soft smile became one of full concern. “Let's go ask right away!” she ushered, gesturing deeper into the building.
For a brief moment I wondered if I should say anything, but one of the guards behind me snickered before I could. “Water for a dying man?” he disdainfully laughed.
Marli, with all her youth, barely noticed the man's meaning and instead chose to ignore it. “This way Telleya,” she hurried.
With no other choice I solemnly followed Marli as the two guard's remained near the door. By custom, at least one of them should have joined us deeper into the storage room... But neither of them wished to be present when my request was made to the distributors.
Like always the Sands were cruel, choosing Marli to be the one to hear my request. Why couldn't it have been one of the elders, or a male? They could have simply denied it and that would have been that...
“Who was hurt Telleya?” Marli asked as we walked the halls.
“Kleevin's son,” was all I said.
“Oh...” she didn't ask more, but I knew it wasn't because she didn't wish to.
After all, by now even she has probably heard of what happened. And even one as young as her knew not to bring it up. At least not aloud, and not within the very halls of the Derri.
Reaching a large doorway, Marli paused near the entrance and gave a small bow to those within. I waited before the entrance, waiting for Marli to be allowed entry.
“Enter,” a gruff voice said, and I allowed a small breath of relief to follow. He was old and full of tradition, but at least it was he who was on duty. He'd not reprimand Marli or myself for this, although he may grumble and growl over it.
For a moment I listened to the muffled voices of Marli and the others, but didn't try too hard to make them out. The roar of the sand outside was still strong enough to make it not worth the effort.
“You can enter and make your request Telleya,” Marli appeared and said, giving me a small bow.
With her bow, I noticed her stoic face. She must have been growled at, but at least she didn't seem fearful or in tears. A verbal warning was all she must have received.
Stepping forward, I made sure to walk formally as I entered, holding out the bowl as if there were riches within and I was about to give it as tribute.
“I cannot give you water, Telleya... if you've already used your allowances, there is nothing more that can be done,” the raspy voiced man said from behind a table.
“I understand sir. The lad's life depended on it, and as a healer it was my duty to ask,” I said calmly.
“Indeed. He will die then?”
The old man was like his voice, rough from the long years in the sand. And like most elders, the sand and heat didn't just toughen and darken his skin. A calm white eye peered at me as his other good eye focused on his work, writing whatever it was that he always wrote.
“He will sir. He may well be dead already,” I said.
“Just another grain of sand,” the elder said softly.
Coming from one of the head counters of our house, it was rather morbid.
“I shall return then, and see what more I can do,” I said with a small bow.
“I will have Marli prepare the burial,” the elder said, then waved me off.
Marli followed me out of the room, and I hid a sigh. That had gone far better than it should have.
“Sorry Telleya,” Marli whispered as we walked back towards the entrance. Our pace was slower now, especially now.
“It's not your fault.”
“Would water have saved him?” she asked.
Glancing to the young girl, I felt sick when I realized why she was asking... and why she had been so hopeful.
The poor girl had known the boy.
With this new knowledge, I decided to lie to my fellow daughter of the house of Derri. “No. His wounds had been too severe... more water would have only slightly dampened the suffering.”
Marli only nodded, but said nothing. She remained silent all the way to the door, and her head kept itself low as I bid her goodbye.
The sandstorm had weakened, but it was still enough to cause discomfort as I headed back to the healing rooms. Although not in a hurry, I was also not in the mood to get burns or scrapes from the hot sand, so I did run.
Pushing aside the healing room’s leather straps, I immediately noticed the lack of screaming. Brushing aside sand that had accumulated upon me; I headed deeper into the rooms to find my mother.
Only my mother however, and she was no longer attending the man in the corner.
He wasn't moving anymore.
I didn't need to inform her we had been denied, though I noticed her pained face when she watched me place the empty bowl back along the rest.
It was a sad sound, in truth. The dull clank the bowl made as I placed it with the others over a large barrel was somehow tauntingly cruel.
Though I could barely remember what the barrel sounded like when it had been full...
“He died shortly after you left,” Mother explained, writing into the journal of death. The large pen she wrote with was rather dark, and I could see the glint of fresh blood upon it. It was tradition to write the names of the deceased with their blood.
“So they killed all four then?” I asked.
“Yes,” mother said.
Four sons of the house of Derri... there was a time where so many deaths at once wouldn't have even been noticed.
Today however...
Although I knew the young man had joined the Sands, I still glanced to him to make sure he couldn't hear me before speaking, “How many soldiers are even left mother?”
“How many children of Derri are there?” she whispered back.
Sickened by her answer I chose to let it be and return to my duties. I was in no mood to contemplate the perilous situation we had found ourselves in.
After all, it was obviously not going to get any better... only worse.
Far worse.
“We'll prepare his burial once the sandstorm is over,” mother said once she noticed I was already in motion.
“I need to keep busy,” was all I said as I
started preparing the body.
Preparing a body for burial was no longer that hard of a job. Ever since it became impossible to properly clean them, and make them presentable, all that was asked of us was to wrap them so they could be burned or buried.
Many preferred to be burned nowadays, liking the idea of their relatives rejoining the sands properly in the form of ash.
The wealthy houses have even begun the tradition of combining their fallen brethrens ashes into sand and turning them into glass work.
Although I've not seen it myself, the House of Hombil is said to have entire roofs and walls covered in colorful glass made from such methods.
It was probably a sight to behold... especially when the sun was allowed in.
But such sights are things I'll never get to see as a Daughter of Derri.
For just like this young soldier, I too was simply another grain of sand.
A grain in a sandstorm.
Chapter Two – A Commander’s Day
“It has to be it, commander,” Jamthi said, allowing his hope to override common sense, as usual.
“Could also just be a giant shiny rock,” I said and turned away from the window. No one else around cared to comment… probably not caring if it was our destination or not.
They didn't really care after all, why should they? We always reached our destination... at least, we always will until we finally won't. Then it wouldn't matter anyway.
“To be honest my bet was like the rest, that this was going to be just another failed venture,” my cousin spoke with impunity, as usual, while he still studied the far off shining object.
“I'm glad to know my own cousin bets against me and my ventures. But I wouldn't say you've lost your wager just yet Jamthi,” I said.
“Please. His map was pretty clear. A town in a sea of sand. And we're nearly drowning in the stuff.”
While I headed off the bridge, I wondered if he was right. Jamthi was still young and quite an optimist, but there was a reason I had him as my quartermaster. And it wasn't because he was family.
“What were the odds anyway?” I asked as I waited for a pair of deckhands to carry repair supplies into the bridge. The long metal pieces were rather clean, reflecting the Front-Line's azure glow. They must have polished it before bringing it in.
“Pardon us commander,” one of them said, and I had to stop myself from going to assist them. Not only did I not have the time, I'd probably only get in the way.
“Not that bad actually, considering we came all this way based off an old scribbled map from a madman,” Jamthi teased as we exited the bridge.
“He wasn't mad... just a little different,” I complained, and hated how little belief was in my own words.
“Compared to you maybe.”
“Keep it up and you'll go swimming,” I grumbled. Not that I could toss him out from here even if I wanted to. We were a ways from the nearest exit or window.
The Front-Line was one of the larger Lines, but I had constructed it for purpose more than pleasure. The hallways were large enough for several to walk comfortably, or carry items if need be, but there were no windows or décor. It was sometimes regrettable, since I've been on several Lines that were far more luxurious.
“I assume we're headed to see the new Medical Officer?” Jamthi asked.
I paused for a moment, noticing his tone. He nodded and gestured to a hallway that I had almost passed. One that would lead us farther down, to the deeper levels of the Line.
“Why down?” I asked.
“She's currently performing the final rites, should be nearing the end by now,” he explained.
For a long moment I glared at him, but his wry smile didn't falter.
“Did we lose anymore since this morning?” I asked, returning to walking.
“No. I'm told Kaving may not last the week, but he has a chance. It's a small one though.”
Probably as small as the poor man's ability to breathe. He had been very unlucky. Normally in combat ready positions, everyone remained in secured rooms and stations where it was safer. He however had been in transit, and had been in a small chamber right as it had been crushed by the large creature the other day. The fact he had survived the initial impact and the many hour process of being pried and cut free from the crushed metal was a miracle all in itself.
I had asked if the man wanted to have the pain ended, or if he wished to keep fighting, and he had chosen to fight. It was a respectable choice, and one I would honor. His death was inevitable, but we'd spare no expense to make his death as peaceful and pain free as possible.
Thanks to the size of the Front-Line, it took some time to find the Medical Officer with us just searching her out. Normally I would have summoned her, or had her position told to me, but it was the duty of the commander to pop in unannounced occasionally.
As Jamthi had said, she was in the last motions of the final rites for the half dozen people who had died a few days ago.
She and a few other medical corpsmen were finishing up the preparations to burn the bodies. A nearby furnace, one used explicitly for our lost, was already hot and waiting.
It pained many to not be able to properly bury or care for the bodies... but we had no choice but to dispose of them this way. Disease was the last thing we needed.
There would be a proper send-off in time, for the family and friends of those who died... one where even I would make a speech as necessary, but not until the Front-Line came to a stop. We were still in alert. We did not have the leisure to do such things now.
“I'm told she's very good, and will more than fill old Tom's shoes,” Jamthi whispered.
“Doesn't look like she can even fill her own,” I said, noticing the loose clothing slung around her thin body.
“Just the way she is I guess, I worried over it too when I saw her a year or so ago. It's not a sickness,” he explained.
“Long as she can do the job,” I said.
“Yes, yes, commander,” Jamthi sighed.
I glanced at him, but his eyes remained on the woman.
I knew better than to judge him for his look. He wasn't looking at her out of concern, but necessity.
One of the dead had been a very close friend of his. The type of close that made me unsure of what to do or say to him.
“You can wait here Jamthi,” I said.
“You know... I think I will. Sorry,” he said with a nod.
I gave my cousin a light pat on the shoulder as I left him behind. Many other commanders of the Front-Line probably wouldn't have wanted such an emotional quartermaster, especially during moments like these... but personally I could think of none better.
After all, I needed someone to counter-balance myself.
“Commander!” one of the younger corpsman noticed my approach, giving me a salute. It didn't take long for the rest, even the new Medical Officer, to give me one as well.
“At ease. They deserve your attention right now, not me,” I said, trying my best not let my voice sound too much like an order. I was sincere in my wants, but I didn't want them to do it just because it was an order. I wanted them to understand.
Although uneasy, they all returned to work as the Medical Officer stepped away from the bodies. She pulled back a small mask as she did so, and I noticed that even her cheekbones were somewhat noticeable. She looked as if she was starving, but Jamthi wouldn't have lied about such a thing. She must simply not eat much.
“Hello Commander,” she greeted.
“Kana. I commend you for your diligence, but you have many duties,” I said to her.
She nodded, and I noticed the twitch from the internal flinch. I had chastised her, and she was now worried. I had not meant it that way.
“I know. I'm sorry commander, I just thought... well... My first duty, and...” she stopped speaking, as if she didn't know how to properly phrase it.
“It's fine. Just remember in the future to prioritize as needed. Although the dead are to be handled with as much care, th
ey do not take precedence over the living,” I said.
“Yes, Commander.”
Studying her for a moment, I knew that I had made my point clear... but also didn't quite know what to say next. She was rather young to be a Medical Officer... Old Tom had been thrice her age, and had been the Front-Line's second Medical Officer. Considering the first had only lasted a few years, one could say he had been in that position from nearly the get-go.
She had a massive role to fill, and I wasn't going to be able to treat her like I did Old Tom. It was going to take her time to adjust.
“I came to ensure everything was going smoothly. And to let you know personally that I'm looking forward to your insight,” I said to her.
Kana shifted a little, and I wondered how light she were. She was nearly as tall as me, which was probably why her thin body was so noticeable. “Thank you. I too look forward to my duty. Tommy had enjoyed his position beyond explanation... I know I'm not him, nor do I have the age or experience but I will try my best to not make you miss him too much,” she said with a small bow.
Tommy...? “You knew him well?” I asked.
“Huh? Oh... yes sir. The last few years, since our trip to the Salt-Islands I've been working... or had been working directly under him. You didn't know?” she asked.
I kept my composure as I smiled. “I see. He had mentioned you, but I had not known that it was you who had replaced him. I simply thought he had taken someone else under his wing. I'm glad. I'm sure we'll get along just fine then.”
Before she could say anything else, I pointed to the hallway where my cousin was still hiding. “You know Jamthi?”
“Of course sir,” she said with a matter of fact tone. No surprise, everyone did.
How was it that foolish cousin of mine was more well known than me half the time? “I want you and him to have daily briefings for awhile, just until things become routine. I know you don't need to, nor have the time, but I need it done. I did it to Tom too when he first started... though it hadn't been Jamthi but myself at the time,” I said.