by Varian Morn
“Yes sir. I understand,” she said, and I could tell she wasn't too insulted by my order.
“Good. I expect great things from you, greater even than old Tom probably did,” I said as I turned away.
“That's quite a hurdle,” she laughed, and I was glad to hear that her laughter had been genuine.
Saying no more, I left the new Medical Officer and the dead behind. I had other places to be, others things to inspect.
The dead were dead. Checking on them was an insult to the ones who were still alive.
“Well, did she pass your stupid tests?” Jamthi asked as I neared.
“Stupid? They're not stupid... and no actually, she didn't,” I said.
“Really? Which one did she fail? Did she not flirt with you or something?” he asked.
“Why didn't you tell me she had been Tom's apprentice?” I said upon entering the hallway.
“Thought you knew. He didn't tell you? He's been training her for a few years now... or had been at least,” my cousin said, catching himself.
Picking up my pace a little, to keep my cousin from being able to see my face, I kept silent.
No. He hadn't.
Tom hadn't ever mentioned her.
Years? He'd been training her for years... to be his replacement, for the inevitable, and he never once told me.
His commander. His friend.
“Is she like him?” I asked.
“Personality wise? Somewhat I guess. She can get stubborn, but she's got a massive heart. It was actually a concern to Catherine.”
That made me pause. “Why?” my question was a swift one, and made me rather concerned. The head surgeon had a problem with my new Medical Officer? That should have been the first thing brought to my attention.
“She cares too much. She'll fight for a life even after it's lost,” Jamthi said softly.
I sighed, and wished I hadn't asked. Now that I knew, I'd have to chastise her for it when it caused problems... sometimes it was better to just not know a person's odd flaw such as that.
Better I hadn't known, now I'd have to be the bad guy. “Better to have one than not, I guess,” I said.
“Coming from you that's quite a statement,” he teased.
“Enough. Now I'm to assume that if I go to the Engine Office I'll find Mark and the rest?” I asked.
“Why wouldn't you?” he asked back.
Giving him a look, he smiled and nodded. “Of course. Everyone is where they should be, currently... except us. Though I guess in theory you can be wherever you want to, and that position is in fact where you should be since it's where you will to be,” he rambled.
“You're never where you should be,” I said as I headed deeper into the Front-Line.
“If I was where you wanted me to be, I'd probably still be back at home,” he laughed.
“Oh, I could think of a few better places.”
While I went down an imaginary list of said locations, I also ran through the mental checklist of the Front-Line.
It was one I really didn't need to think of, having done it so many times before... but I still did it.
I had to check on the people, the injured, the supplies, the repairs, the fuel...
Plenty to do in very little time.
“Not to sidetrack you... but what if we are nearing this supposed city of sand?” Jamthi asked.
“Why even ask? We'll do what we always do.”
“Ah yes. Trade, profit, survive and maybe even conquer. Such a myriad of choices,” he said.
“You'd have us face tribulations?” I asked.
“Of course not... but there's a new bet going around, now that we're nearing a possible city. On what you're going to do. After all, you've not actually said you know.”
“I haven't?”
“Nope. Only that we're following the map of a madman,” he laughed.
“Ah yes... And because we're following the steps of a madman, no one cared to know more,” I said.
“Can't blame us. We've ventured out into the world on nothing at all and had more confidence than this journey. It's kind of funny if you think about it, knowing nothing is better than knowing something from someone deemed crazy or incompetent,” Jamthi said.
“Wisdom,” I said.
“If only. So? I lost the last bet; I'd really like to win this one.”
“Why should I help you? You never give me a share in any of your winnings,” I said.
“Ha!” Jamthi laughed so sharply, a nearby cadet had momentarily looked our way out of concern.
Nearing the Engineer Office, the sound of magical steam started to become more apparent. The soft sound was normally everywhere, but usually never noticeable. It was only in certain parts of the Front-Line that it actually became so loud.
“Oh well, I'll just bet on us finding treasures. Usually a safe bet,” Jamthi said.
“Deserts are known for their jewels,” I said.
“And sand.”
“That too,” I agreed, and entered the Engineers Office to continue my check of my Front-Line.
Chapter Three – A Seed of Hope
“A creature, maybe,” someone whispered, but I knew better than to allow whispers to terrify me.
After all, there were plenty of things to truly be scared of... no need to waste my time on whispers, when so many better things to be scared of existed.
“First a sandstorm that lasts a moon and now this? What are we going to do?” an older woman nearby asked the Sands.
A small glance to her showed the crest of another house, one much larger than my own, and it made me shiver.
If even her house suffered horribly from the sandstorm, how bad was the city as a whole?
“It draws closer!” a child shouted somewhere down the wall, and I alongside many others turned to watch.
Sure enough off in the distance, the shiny object seemed to turn... though it was still far enough away to be impossible to tell just where or how it had done so.
The Sands played tricks on one's eyes, and I knew better than to make hasty judgment. The thing was still very far away, such a distance that there was no way anyone could make out its actual shape or purpose... and may not be able to for some time.
It did indeed seem to be growing closer, however... Just this morning, alongside the rise of the suns it had been visible as a far off speck of glittering color. A strange sight in the sands. A peculiar sight that one rarely saw, so all had noticed.
Now though the thing was definitely larger. My outstretched arm, holding a thumb out, barely covered it.
The oddest part though, was the lack of the sands around the thing. Usually large creatures created great clouds of sand around them, like miniature sandstorms... yet none could be seen as of yet.
Maybe it was flying then, and only looked to be on the ground thanks to the distance and the sands tricks.
Getting enough of the sight, I decided to leave the wall. Like the rest I had been unable to contain my curiosity, but now it was time for me to fulfill my duties. If the thing was approaching us, no matter its size or speed it'll be some time before it reaches us... and...
If it was as massive as it seemed, there was most likely nothing that could be done about it anymore. The houses that still possessed the might, or the resources, to combat such creatures were few. The House of Markith most likely still had enough soldiers, but the odds of them still possessing enough magic to actually face off such a creature was small.
The only chance our city had against such a creature was if each house gathered all its resources and banded together... with Houses compensating what their neighbors lacked, and vice-versa.
But sand did not stack. It did not come together like that. It trickled like water in-between fingers when grabbed.
No House would work together, even against such a fate.
So... If it is evil... and is of ill omens, then at least our end will be swift. Better to die now than to be slowly buried.
Though it did not
matter. Even if a great battle waged, and the Houses banded together and were victorious... my House had little hope still.
The House of Derri had neither soldiers, nor resources. We'd be more trouble than we were worth.
“Telleya!”
Glancing around, it didn't take long to find the one who had called me out. Everyone else was still staring out to the sands, at the far off glittering dot.
Squeezing through a small crowd, I made my way towards the stairwell and the person waiting for me.
She smiled at my approach, and her sunburned face glowed even brighter. “Even you came up here to see it huh? Quite a surprise,” she teased.
“There wasn't this many people at first...” I grumbled.
“Ah, that makes sense. So? What do you think it is?” my former sister asked.
“Probably just another grain of sand, of course,” I said.
“It'd be funny if it was... just imagine, a giant grain of sand! Bigger than us!” she held her hands out as if to reach out and touch it.
“So... a rock,” I said.
“A sandy one,” she added.
Heading down the stairs alongside my former-sister, I noticed the way her braided dress flowed as she walked. It was something that even after a whole year I had not grown used to seeing upon her.
After all, it was something she'd never have gotten to wear as a Daughter of Derri. Even if she had married one of the more prominent members, it would have still been beyond her reach.
“How've you been Telleya? Still a healer?” she asked.
“Obviously. How about you Sarn?”
“I clean. Clean, clean, clean,” she groaned, but her voice didn't sound too pained or weary... chances were she was just being kind, and not telling the truth.
“I'm glad you're doing well,” I said honestly.
She paused for a moment, but didn't allow herself to become sentimental. I was glad for it, since in the beginning she had been very emotional... almost causing problems for us.
A daughter of a more powerful house crying in front of a daughter of the House of Derri was not a good thing. It drew attention... it created rumors...
It made guards and soldiers of more powerful houses ask questions, questions I couldn't answer... or at least, couldn't risk answering.
As we reached the end of the stairs, and began walking on the sand covered stone, I noticed something that I should have seen immediately.
“Sarn... You're pregnant?” I asked.
She really did pause this time, giving me a huge smile as she nodded. It was quite obvious now that I had seen it, and I could barely believe I hadn't noticed it earlier. She wasn't just pregnant; she was near the end of her pregnancy judging by the size of her belly.
“Congratulations!” I said, and really meant it.
After all, even though she was a child of Derri... hers would not be. And that was indeed something to celebrate.
“Thanks. I'm sorry I couldn't let you know earlier,” she apologized, and lost that great smile she just had. I quickly shook my head and wished she'd be less kind.
She truly deserved to be happy after all
And had a right to be. After all, a child born into the house of Brillo would not know the feeling of an empty stomach or sand-burns from sleeping in the hot sand. They'd grow up and have a future, have a chance of one at least.
“What'll you name them?” I asked.
She shrugged, and I regretted asking it. Just because the house of Brillo was wealthier, didn't mean it was any different.
“If it's a daughter I might get to name her. Probably after my mother or grandmother, or his,” she said with not much care.
I nodded, and looked around to make sure no one was watching us. Luckily everyone's attention was on the strange distant object, and no one noticed two young women talking leisurely.
No one noticed two women of enemy houses speaking like friends.
Sarn as well glanced around, and became more aware of herself. “How about you Telleya... I've not heard anything about our sisters lately,” she said.
“Not much to tell. There aren't many of us left, after all,” I said.
She flinched, and I could tell my words had hurt her. I had not meant them that way, however... but there was no point in saying that.
“I... I can ask my husband if there's another who needs a bride? You turned me down before, but have you changed your mind?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No thank you. I appreciate it though,” I said.
She nodded, seemingly understanding. Or maybe she didn't, but at least she tried to.
Even if there was another looking for a bride, they'd not want one from the House of Derri. Especially not one of the lowest caste.
Who'd marry the bottom of the smallest ladder?
“Once the child's born I'll be stuck inside for awhile... We probably won't get to see each other again for a long time,” Sarn said softly.
“Each time we meet might be the last,” I agreed.
“Just grains of sand,” she whispered.
“Soon one more though,” I said, pointing to her stomach.
She laughed, and I loved the sound of it. It was a sound I hadn't heard in a very long time... and may never hear again.
“You should go Sarn... Blood was spilled between our houses the other day, it's one thing for us to suffer... but you have another to think about now,” I said to her.
She hesitated, and the tears that quickly came to her eyes only made me more firm in my decision.
“I miss you guys,” she said.
“I miss you too. But this is a small price to pay,” I said.
She nodded, and then took a deep breath. She was on the verge of crying, and I knew it'd probably come eventually. I had to separate us before it came.
Better she cried at home, alone, than on the streets with me.
“Goodbye Sarn,” I said firmly.
“Bye Telleya... May the winds blow us together again.”
Sarn stood there as I walked away, and I hoped no one from our Houses noticed her.
Luckily there weren't many children of Derri walking around anymore... but the house of Brillo was full and growing.
And her house would not be kind to her, even if she was carrying one of their children.
“Goodbye,” I whispered again as I kept walking, keeping my back to her.
She had been my little sister, so it was my job to be the elder. To do what hurt.
Thanks to the sandstorm ending, many were now out and about. The first time in a full moon turn we were able to safely venture outside the safety of our walls... so I didn't blame them, but it made traversing the city difficult.
“Telleya,” my name was said in passing by a guard of the House of Derri, and I made sure to nod in return. He tipped the short spear a bit in kind gesturing as we passed one another.
The man was one of the older ones, and was one I rarely saw in the healers hut. Most likely one of the last remaining soldiers of worth our house possessed.
But even he looked haggard and exhausted.
I could remember a time when I had not recognized each guard, there being so many. Today there were so few, that not only did I recognize each one, but they recognized me.
One of only five healers the house of Derri possessed.
Glancing at the people I passed, from those venturing to wherever they were headed to those sweeping the sand or having conversations... I noticed how many people were here on this small street.
One street of many in a large city.
Just a quick look revealed more than half a dozen different house members. Chances were me and that guard were the only members of the House of Derri upon this whole street.
Most houses had members all throughout the city, scattered here and there performing their duties. But chances were the Derri symbol was a rare sight in most of the city.
If it only took a few years for it to get this bad... would we be completely gone in the
next? Would I see the fall of Derri with my own eyes?
Would I even live to see it?
“Derri girl!”
I stopped, since I knew full well I was the only woman of Derri around. Being called out again so quickly was an odd thing, but the old man who was waving me over was a relieving sight.
Good thing it was him and not someone else.
Kicking up a little sand as I hurried off the road to the large bathhouse, I made sure to not stumble thanks to the haphazard piles of sand.
“Were you just up on the wall too?” Bormor asked as I approached.
“Only for a short time,” I said.
The old man was not of my house, but I didn't need to worry over anyone seeing me speak to him. His house was not only the most powerful in all the city, it was the only house we of the house of Derri still retained some manner of relations with.
He was also a prominent elder of his house... few could chastise him even if they wished to.
And more importantly, he was a long time friend. “I'm told it's drawing towards us, whatever it is.”
“So people assume,” I said.
Bormor scoffed, as usual putting little to no faith into other people's assumptions.
“Glad I caught you, child. I have a job for you,” he said with a gesture to the buildings behind him.
“Surely they aren't ready already?” I asked while trying to imagine just how much sand was piled inside the massive baths.
“Ha! Funny. That's the job. Help us clear out the sand and you get free entry for a week,” he said with a smirk.
Returning the elder's smile, I couldn't help but be thankful. A little cleaning in exchange for that? Cleaning sand of all things?
“Deal,” I quickly said.
He nodded, knowing full well I'd never say no. “Come on back later then, a bit before sundown. Shouldn't take us too long, we fixed the shutters before the storms hit.”
“Alright. Thank you Bormor,” I said and gave him a small bow.
“Feh. Go bow to the Sands. Food will be given too, so make sure to come hungry,” he said as he waved me away.
Giving him another small bow, I wondered if I truly looked that hungry. He normally didn't feed people for a few hours of labor.