Grains of Sand
Page 27
“Rules,” Yevin said, but I couldn’t tell if he chastising me or agreeing with me.
“One more,” I said as I pulled up the second to last panel. It had several large cracks running down its base.
Yevin, with his bare hands, grabbed the panel and then tossed it over into the large circular drum. A great burst of steam spewed from it as the panel of crystallized ice came into contact with the Front-Line’s internal core.
While Yevin handed me the final panel, I studied the giant man’s face. He wasn’t angry… nor disappointed, but he was annoyed.
Sliding the panel into its slot, I sighed and stood away from the wall of panels. With a weary wave, I had the thick wall of hardened alloys slide close, hiding the panels from view.
Removing the large gloves, I tossed them to a nearby work station and pointed at myself. “Well? Say it already.”
“Whose will is choosing?” he asked.
For a long moment, I stared into the eyes of my closest friend… no, my only real one.
“There’s only one will, Yevin,” I said softly.
He nodded, keeping his eyes on mine.
“I cannot invite her no more than any of you can. You know that,” I said.
“It’s not your lack of invitation that is bothering everyone, Noth,” he said sternly.
The giant of the man wasn’t speaking loudly, but even in this engine compartment, he could be heard clearly. How his voice rumbled so, would always baffle me.
I chose to remain silent for a moment, instead I rounded the large bar that separated this platform from the one he stood on, and then slid underneath it so I could fall next to him.
Landing, I took a moment to feel the core of the Front-Line that rested beneath me. It was full, and hot. Hotter even than the sand being blown wildly by the storm that arrived this morning… Almost as hot as the sun that burned those very sands and air they flew in.
“I don’t hate her, Yevin,” I said honestly.
“Exactly,” he argued.
“Nor do I worry that she’s another you, or Jamthi… or any one of my people,” I reasoned.
“Then…?”
Heading down the panel-ways, I glanced down each one and was pleased to reaffirm that all seemed fine.
To only have a dozen panels crack since embarking on this trip… our luck was good.
It meant the Front-Line hasn’t been pushed past her limits even once so far. We’ve not had to overheat the core at all, and have been in respectable temperatures for the whole trip.
Such a thing was rare, especially for such a long venture such as this.
Pausing at the giant circular door that led to the section of the engine that held the normal rooms where everyone else could go and work I sighed.
Only Yevin and I could enter this room, at least able to enter and live long enough to speak of it. So I didn’t need to worry about anyone hearing what I was about to say.
“She scares me, Yevin,” I whispered.
Luckily for Yevin, no one could hear his hearty bellow of a laugh as he doubled over and grabbed a nearby railing.
“It’s not that amusing! If anything that should terrify you too,” I grumbled as the giant of a man laughed his heart out.
“Scares you!” his great bellows quickly turned into deep rumbling chuckles, like always his laughter never lasted long.
As annoying as his reaction was, I couldn’t help but smile at my friend’s display of emotion. It was a rare sight after all.
“Indeed it does. I fear her. I fear the situation. I fear my weakness.”
Yevin’s great smile as he shook his head told me just how foolish he thought I was being.
“She’s not that madman,” he said.
“Even if she were, I’d not make that mistake twice,” I said.
“Not willingly,” Yevin noted.
I started pacing near the giant circular door.
Wanting to speak, not just of my concerns but my frustrations, I grumbled when no words came. What to say?
Yevin, like always, was more than willing to wait for me to find my words. As patient as a stone, he stood and waited with a smile.
Finally waving at the room around us, I nodded. “You can be here,” I said.
His smile softened, as he nodded. “I can.”
“Even Jamthi and Sarley are able to open the drawers and cupboards in my office,” I said further.
“And those in your study and room, by the way,” Yevin added, his smile growing.
I groaned, wishing I had forgotten that.
“That’s already three too many…” I said, coming to a stop. I had to lean up against the door as if I was suddenly weak.
“Not so, Noth. Not when those three are worthy of it,” Yevin said.
Shaking my head, I knew I was being stupid. Yevin was speaking a truth I knew full well. One I completely agreed with.
Yet…
“Tiana. She the one?” I asked.
Yevin nodded. “She is. You’ve been telling me to find one,” he said.
“I have. And I’m glad. Introduce her to me, will you?”
He shrugged, and I could tell he most likely wouldn’t for awhile still. He was weird like that.
“First Old Tom, then you. There’s an order to things, you know,” I commented.
“He died early,” Yevin said, his tone changing.
Staring into my friends eyes, I knew exactly what he was saying.
“Indeed. Still, just in case…” I didn’t say anything more, and Yevin nodded.
“Time always wins Noth. Not even you will defeat it… it’ll just take you longer than us, is all,” Yevin said.
“I know.”
Tapping the Front-Line with my foot, I listened to the echo it brought. Not even Yevin’s heavy footsteps could make such a sound.
“This wealth will cause problems, Yevin,” I said.
“Already prepared for it,” he said.
Keeping my eyes on his, I was glad he was so steadfast. “I’ll handle as much as I can… but I can only…”
Yevin only waved me off, telling me it was all handled already and nothing more needed to be said.
I nodded, thankful.
For a long moment we stood I silence, listening to the distinct rumble of the Front-Line’s core. It hummed softly, yet harbored a great shaking.
Many likened it to a sleeping volcano. But those hissed more than roared, so maybe that was more metaphorical than anything.
“Just talk to Jamthi, Noth,” Yevin broke the silence, which was unusual for him.
“He’s really that bothered over it then?”
“How could he not be? He sees himself in her,” he said.
“Ah… Of course,” I nodded, hating how I had somehow missed such an obvious thing.
Although he had been on my end, it had been his family who had truly betrayed and abused him. Not the one he was to marry.
“She does seem to have disdain for her family,” I noted.
“Seems to?” Yevin stated, as if annoyed at my phrasing of it.
“You think it’s worse than that?” I asked.
“Her eyes prove it. That little woman could kill, surprisingly,” Yevin said.
I noted his comment, especially since it was an appraisal coming from him. If he said she harbored such hate and capability… then she did.
“She’s not the first to despise her home and run away. Why would Jamthi relate so deeply to her then?” I asked.
“Because she’s related to you, obviously.”
“She’s not my wife,” I stated.
Yevin’s eyes narrowed a little, but said nothing.
“So… what am I supposed to do then? Formally accept her into the Front-Line? Is that what he wants? He knows I can’t. She has to be the one to do so,” I said.
“I believe he, like many others, believe you’re so annoyed by the situation that you’re being unnecessarily cruel to her. They think you’ll deny her, even if she asked.”
“Everyone else doesn’t see it that way,” Yevin said flatly.
“Everyone else wasn’t there!” I groaned and walked around Yevin, tapping one of the nearby handrails in frustration.
“Would you have said yes?”
I stopped, and was glad Yevin was behind me, so he couldn’t see my eyes. “Probably. Maybe. I’d like to think I would have,” I said.
“Exactly. You would have said no. So… I’ll ask again. Whose will brought forth that answer? Yours or…”
Looking at the great engine core around me, I knew I didn’t need to speak the answer aloud. Yevin already knew.
“Magic doesn’t pity, Yevin,” I said softly.
“Nor should it. This world would be far crazier than it is, if it did.”
Turning to him, I looked into his eyes and nodded. “The Front-Line would have not allowed her to board,” I said plainly.
Yevin, for all his firmness… actually had to look away. “But why? What could possibly…” He went silent; as I knew just like myself he could think of a few reasons.
“Find out,” I ordered.
It was cruel to make him to do it. Some things were better left unknown.
Some secrets should not be known.
And I knew that Yevin truly did like her. For whatever silly reason, he had a soft spot for that strange desert woman. Maybe it was his apprentice; she was a young woman too…
But I knew only Yevin could find the truth, and do so without others finding out.
“I’ll find it. And I’ll fix it,” he said plainly, heading for the door.
Following after him, I silently hoped he wouldn’t.
For if he did…
No matter how much anyone wished it, the will of the Front-Line was adamant.
Not even I could bend it.
Chapter Thirty Seven – A Sandy Plot
My tiny room was empty.
Now, I never had much stuff in the first place.
A small bundle of cloth stacked over filled sandbags. A lopsided table that was missing the drawer piece it once had. The few articles of clothing I owned and my sandstorm cloak that were usually hanging up on the wall to my left…
Even though my room didn’t even have a door, in all my years I’ve never had anything go missing before. No one’s ever stolen from me.
Yet…
They were all gone. Missing. All that remained was the small layer of sand on the floor.
Even the small pot that had a dead tree sapling was gone.
Who would take my measly belongings? Just because I’ve been gone for a few day’s as well?
Surely by now some of the wealth given to us by Noth would have been dispersed a little, if anything as a show of regained strength… So who would…?
“Telleya!”
Looking to the young guardsman, I noticed his clothing was fresh and similar to the Front-Line’s. As I had expected.
I didn’t remember his name, but I remembered his misshapen beard. It looked silly. “You’ve been summoned, by Grandfather Jorma,” he said calmly as he approached.
“I see. Do you know what happened to all my stuff?” I asked.
“Your stuff?” the guard drew closer, and peered into the small room. “No? Please hurry, it took me awhile to find you,” he said, hurrying to lead the way.
I followed after him, but didn’t hurry as much as he. I was annoyed, and for some reason didn’t care if he or I got in trouble just because I was slow to respond.
Really… who would take my stuff? Nothing was valuable at all…
Where was I going to sleep then? On the ground? Directly on the sand? Did they want their supposed Bride of Derri covered in sand mite bites during the wedding? Foolish.
My anger fumed and shifted like the hot sands, all the way until I entered the old distributor’s office.
The old sunblind man was sitting down in a large chair, one that was quite obviously from the Front-Line.
Its bright green color was not something found here in the City of Sand.
“Leave us,” Jorma said, waving away the guard who had escorted me.
As the young man hurried out of the room, shutting the door in the process, I took in the sight of all the treasures scattered about.
Usually this room was full of desks and crates… mostly paper work.
Now it was littered with magical catalyst crystals, jars of seeds, and had several pieces of furniture stacked in a corner…
And none of it looked like stuff he was going to distribute to the rest of the House.
This was all his personal plunder. He, alongside the rest of the Elders must have already picked through and looted what they thought to be the most valuable items.
“Sit, Telleya,” Jorma said, and I noticed it wasn’t really an order.
Maybe they’d be kinder to me, since I was one of the pawns that aided in this scheme.
Sitting down in one of the chairs across from him, I made sure to pick one of our own and not one from the Front-Line.
Jorma noticed my choice, but said nothing. “Tell me, what is the Front-Line like inside? Beyond the simple rooms and hallways we’ve been allowed to see, at least,” he asked.
I noted how quickly he went to his demands. Usually he’d at least ask if I were hungry, or thirsty first.
Was he becoming complacent with his newfound wealth and power already? Or maybe he was getting antsy… or worried.
“It’s all rather plain, to be honest. There are a few rooms that are… fancier. But most are just as plain as the rooms you’ve probably seen. I think it’s more for function than anything else,” I said honestly.
Although there were indeed beautiful rooms and very neat items to be found within it… the general structure was rather plain. Such a thing wasn’t a lie.
“Were you able to see the storerooms within? How much more do they possess? How many crates of seeds and magic?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I saw some of the rooms where our goods, and other Houses goods, were stored… but none of theirs,” I said.
I didn’t care to mention that the room where ours were stored barely took up half of it. And other Houses had been filled to the brim.
“How about their numbers? How many people are on board the Front-Line?”
“Thousands, I think. Six thousand? I think Noth mentioned in passing,” I said. I only remembered such a thing because of how amazing such a number were.
“That’s all?” Jorma asked, startled.
I said nothing as I nodded. After all, I couldn’t believe his shock. He was surprised it was so few? I mean, yes that was only a smaller household… but to have that many on a Line of all things…
Traveling such long distances…
For a long moment Jorma was silent… his sun blinded eye remained on me, but his good one closed in deep thought.
“When the Sand Worm had come, many of us thought the Line would leave. Too bad they didn’t…” Jorma mumbled as he sat back and relaxed.
If they had left, I’d have been taken with them…
Such a scary thought. Especially when I thought of what they’d do once they figured out what I had done.
Or at least, had tried to do.
I wanted to groan, but kept myself silent as I squirmed in my chair. Jorma was still lost in thought, but so I didn’t worry over being seen. Even if he did, he’d just think I was unsure of myself and what to say or do.
While I contained my own emotions, I noticed the lack of feeling under my feet.
Looking down, I was surprised that I hadn’t been imagining it.
There was no sand.
They had yet to remove, or replace, the rug that had always been in here… but now it seemed clean.
How they had done so, was unknown to me. Maybe magic, but there indeed didn’t seem to be any sand to be found.
I still wore the shoes given to me by the kind people of the Front-Line, but I knew even if I removed them and walked barefoot as normal it wouldn’t matter. At the very least, there was no sand in this room.
“It’s an old magic. One that used to be commonplace when I was younger, far before you were born. In a few days all buildings of the House of Derri will be covered by the catalyst, and we shall no longer find grains of sand within our homes,” Jorma spoke up, his voice filled with pride and joy.
“I… I had not known such a thing was possible,” I said honestly.
Is this why, and how, the Front-Line didn’t seem to have any sand within it either? I had thought maybe it was simply because it hasn’t been here long enough.
“Indeed. Much is possible with magic… much indeed…” he went silent again, staring at me.
Something told me most of the magic he was thinking of, weren’t ones of utility like the one that kept out the sand.
“And this is accomplished thanks to your assistance Telleya,” Jorma then said.
I nodded, but knew better than to take his statement to heart. It was a hollow compliment.
“Don’t look so stiff. We’ll reward you well. We’ll have to, after all… if we want the city to believe this farce. If you returned to being such a lowly healer after being married to a Line Owner, then everyone would instantly see through it,” Jorma spoke, but all I could hear was complaining. He was annoyed that they’d have to reward me.
“All for the House of Derri,” I said plainly.
“Hm,” he nodded, agreeing.
Jorma’s white eye moved a little, finally looking away from me. I wondered if he could see anything at all from it. Or if it was just darkness.
“A low Derri girl, married to a Line Owner as powerful as him… Legends will exist because of it… it makes me wonder just how many other legends we possess, that were just like this. Pure fabricated schemes,” he wondered.
I kept my eyes on him, but my vision blurred. Legends?
About me?
I hadn’t even thought of it… but it was true.
A poor girl, from a falling household… Marrying a great and powerful monarch from afar, bringing back wealth and prosperity to her house.
Disgusted, I had to dig my nails into my palms as to stop myself from throwing up.