I slowly open my eyes, blinking the sleep from them. The sun shines brightly behind the curtains, letting small beams of light inside the room, right in my eyes. I’ve barely had any sleep tonight, and I’m not going to get anymore this morning. Not because I don’t want to sleep anymore, but the loud crash and the subsequent “Fuck!” from the hallway is a good indication that my sleep time is over.
I yawn once more for good measure and get up out of bed. I’m about to open the door, but think better of it when I feel a slight breeze going between the legs. Nightrobe first. I put that on and step outside. Both doors of the rooms my guest were in are open, indicating both might’ve already left. But alas, the commotion is coming from halfway down the hall. With her knees on the ground I spot Avy, she’s furiously trying to contain a large puddle of water on the floor with some kind of large cloth. Now that I have a good look at her, she’s mostly drenched herself. Next to her lays the likely source of all this water. A large bowl, empty of its contents.
I walk up to Avy while she’s trying to contain the water, while continuously saying all kinds of profanities. She’s so busy with the puddle she doesn’t notice me approaching. I stop right at the edge, a few paces away from Avy, but still I go unnoticed. She just keeps furiously scrubbing the ground. I wait there, quietly observing how she’s making the mess worse over time while she herself gets even more drenched. It is quite the amusing sight. Amusing enough to take some of the worries and stress of last night away, which I’m thankful for.
Now, it wouldn’t do for me to keep her going like this. Thinking about it, at this rate she’s bound to be late for class. Since she seems to be too oblivious to notice me, I’ll have to grab her attention myself. “Ahem.” She finally realizes I’m standing her as she immediately shoots up on her feet, staring right at me with wide eyes. “M-m-Mirilly sir!”
“A good morning to you Avy. May I ask what you have done here? I’m sure I didn’t leave the hallway like this last night.” She looks down at the floor, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment. “I-I’m sorry, sir. I tried getting some water to washup, but I was too hasty because I slept in and was going to be too late for class and then the bowl got caught on the corner and now this mess.” I look down at the puddle, stretching from wall to wall. It’s going to take some time to clean this up. I look back at her, seeing her standing there fidgeting a little. A complete opposite of her demeanour yesterday at dinner. “Didn’t Anaron wake you?” She flushes again and looks at the ground. “H-he did. I just fell asleep again. Normally one of the servants pulls my bedsheets from me to force me out of bed….”
I let out a sigh, thinking I really am too nice for this world, before stepping in the puddle and taking the cloth from her, which I now recognize as some bedsheets. “Go. Get changed and head to school. I’ll clean this mess up.” She quickly bows at me while saying “Thank you, sir.” Before turning around and running towards her room and swiftly closing the door.
It takes exactly five beats for the door to open again, avy’s standing there with her now somehow dry clothes and a small bag slung over her shoulder. It almost seems like there is a little steam coming from her, but that must be imagination. “Once again, thank you for forgiving me and even letting me stay here.” I wave at her from the side of the puddle. “Don’t mention it. I do expect to see better of you following yesterday and this morning, but we can work on that.” She nods furiously at that. “Yes sir! Then I’ll be off. See you later!” And she darts, leaving me standing here with wet feet and a mess to clean.
====
I step out of the Cathedral with a basket full with dripping wet sheets. Standing right next to the door is Syphil, looking at me with confusion. “A good morning to you, Syphil.” She looks down at the basket then back at me. “Uhm. Good morning sir.” She points a finger at my head. “What’s with the rag on your head?” “Hmmm? Oh, right. I completely forgot about that.” I reach the basket over at her. “Could you hold this for a moment?” She eyes it for a beat and then takes it so I have my hands free to untie the rag. Syphil takes this moment to ask her question. “Were you cleaning sir?” I pull the rag loose and throw it in the basket when I answer her. “Yes, one of the students had a little accident this morning. As you can see, I’m going to need a little help cleaning that.”
She looks at the basket then back at me. “I can take there of that. I’ll have it delivered back to the front door when they’re clean.” I nod my head at her. “Good.” I start walking into the camp. Syphil files in right beside me. When I look at the tents none of them seem to be too damaged from the storm last night. “Did you have any problems with the storm?” She shakes her head. “No sir. Other than a few snapped poles due to the water. But nothing too serious.” “Hmmmm, that’s good to hear. When you have time I’d like you to take a count of what repairs are needed and deliver that to me.” “Very well sir. I’ll deliver these for cleaning now.” I speak up just before she turns a corner. “Ah. Remember that we have a shipment coming in today. It should arrive sometime after lunch.” She turns her head a little while continuing to walk slowly “Yes, I remember. Then if that’s all I’m going to head off. See you later, sir.” That should be good then so I wave her of. “Hmm till later.” And she’s off.
That talk reminds me, I need to do inventory today. But first I’ll finish my round through the camp. It’s a flurry of activity, with children playing and elders watching over. The adults are busy working all kinds of odd jobs, from repairing tents to sewing clothes. All in all it’s very peaceful with people staying hopeful that they are eligible for asylum. Even after five years on this island they still hold on to that hope. It is a slow process for most. But not impossible, since every week a family or two gets accepted into the city. But it is not enough to stifle the growth of the camp. Not nearly enough.
It does give me time to get familiar with most face, and immediately recognize if someone new arrives. Like this family of four in front of me who is busy setting up a new tent. They seem to be a fairly young couple with a brother and sister of about six years old as their children. The father sees me looking at them and comes walking up to me. I give him a friendly smile as he approaches. “Good morning. Are you new arrivals?” He looks a bit embarrassed at me, which queues me in on that I’m using the wrong languages for them, so I switch over to Amanthian. “Sorry, force of habit. I said good morning and asked if you were new arrivals.” Relieve washes over the man’s face as he seems to understand me now, even through my rusty use of their language.
“Aah, a good morning to you too. Yes, we arrived this morning right after the storm.” The mother keeps on setting on the tent in the background, but every now and then she gives a sideways glance our way. “Ah, I see.” I put my finger on my chin and start tapping. “Have you been given the rundown of this camp yet?” He shakes his head. “Alright then, allow me the honour.” I look beside him and make eye contact with the wife, who quickly looks away. “You too miss. It makes it easier if you listen as well. And not like that, hiding away in the back.” Her tail starts swishing and her cheeks turn a bit red, but she does approach as well.
I start giving them the rundown of the camp. “Okay. Meals will be served twice per day. At midday bread will be served. I isn’t much, but you’ll at least have something for the day. In the evening dinner will be served. This will consist mostly of vegetable stew and porridge with once in a while a piece of meat. All of it will be available at the mess in front of the Cathedral” I point towards the Cathedral. They children also stopped playing and are now listening to me.
“For what you can do while you wait on the acceptance of your asylum request. There are multiple workshops going on through the day with other fenerin. From wood working to sewing, there should be enough to keep you occupied. If you aren’t certain you can ask someone in front of the camp at one of the stands by the Cathedral.”
“As for your children they can mostly play around, as long as they don’t make a scene. There are some elders who watch children while the parents work, if you want to leave them with some supervision. After lunch there’ll be lessons given to children in front of the Cathedral. These range from language lessons to basic arithmetic and history.”
“Finally. Every evening there will be lessons for adults to learn New Krakanian. These lessons will be given by Syphil, a fenerin woman with almost white hair and a black streak on her right ear. You can’t really miss her. She’ll be standing at the front of the Cathedral sometime after lunch.” They all nod in understanding, the children following the lead of the parents. “Now then, if there aren’t any question I’ll be going back to my rounds. If you do later come up with a question, I’m sure the others will be glad to fill you in.” The father motions to speak up so I allow it. “Thank you. Uhm, what do we call you?” I can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself. “Ah, of course. I am Priest Mirilly, but everyone just calls me Sir. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more business to attend.”
They thank me again and wave me off before the return to what they were doing. I finish my round with no further holdup and then make my way towards the back of the Cathedral. Here is a hatch down towards the storage cellar, guarded by two large fenerin. Large for fenerin terms at least, they’re about the same height as me. “Good morning boys.” They give a respectful nod back at me. “Good morning sir.” They open the hatch for me and I enter, closely followed by the two men. It’s dark inside but a quick turn of the lantern hanging from the ceiling lights the cellar right up.
Two large crates stand in the corner. The only remaining ones. We walk closer and I open the lids of both, they are filled with bread. The final remains of last weeks shipment. It should just be enough to feed everyone for lunch. I let out a tired sigh, the worries of last night coming back to me. We just made it with last weeks shipment. Just. If this weeks is somehow less we will have to start cutting in meals. Even after I just promised it wouldn’t come to that. I close the crates and again and turn towards the boys. They stand there with a neutral look, but I’m sure they’re just better at hiding their worry than most. “Come. We’ll get these ready for lunch.”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
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Lunch comes and goes. The bread had gone slightly stale, because it’s been waiting down there for a week and who knows how long before that. But, that doesn’t take away that most people are walking away satisfied. Most people are walking back to what they were doing, but a lot of children remain here. I do a quick count and come up just shy of 200. Not all of them, but most of them. And to my surprise the newly arrived children are here as well.
I stand before them and clear my throat to grab their attention. “Now, let’s start shall we. Children who still need to learn the language on my left. Children who can follow it and are ready for something else to my right.” Soon enough the have formed two groups of about the same size. The one on my left visibly younger than the one on my right. I first address the group on my left. “Alright. You’ll stay here at the staircase with mister Serran. Listen to him well.” I point to the man standing beside the two groups. He gives a quick wave and smiles, having done this for two years now, so he definitely knows what he’s doing by now. I turn my attention to the group to my right and switch language to New Krakerian. “The rest of you can follow me to the river.”
As I start walking away Serran takes my place “Right everyone, take a seat on the staircase then we’ll begin.” I’m really glad I don’t have to do this by my own. Even if I’m not familiar with a subject there are always the students who can teach it at the end of their school week. I guide my group along a gravel path towards a grassy field lined by a stony beach on the banks of the river Neu at the northside of the island. The grass is still a bit moist, but it should be alright.
I turn around and wait until everyone is standing on the grass and has their attention on me. “Well then. Now that we’re all here, I want each of you to gather about twenty stones large enough so you don’t loose them in the grass.” Most children look like they want to rush in with their tails wagging and some of them even bouncing on their feet, hoping to get the best stones for themselves, which turns a smile on my face. “Go!”
As one they charge onto the beach, each of them quickly but carefully searching for the perfect stones. While they scramble around on the beach I sit down on a large piece of driftwood and admire the scene with a content smile. The sun shines brightly overhead, a complete contrast to yesterday. Seeing the children playing and laughing on the beach with the busy river Neu on the background and behind that the tall buildings of the city itself is a beautiful sight.
While I admire the from some of the children return with their arms full of stones, but most are still scurrying along the beach, some of the more daring individuals closing in on the river. It’s not like the river Neu is deep around this part of the island, ten paces in and you can still stand, but it’s better to be safe. So I stand up and shout their way. “Don’t get too close to the river! If you have twenty stones, come back so we can begin the lesson!”
After a moment more everyone is back, all of them a pile of stones at their feet or in there arms. “Now. All of you take a seat in the grass. We are going to do some arithmetic’s!” Some of the children groan, apparently not very fond of numbers, but they all take a seat in the grass with a pile of stones in front of them.” I give one look over the group before I start my lesson. “Now then, who of you is familiar with multiplication?”
====
The class is reaching its end. They children are sitting in the grass gathered in group of five or six with one or two children in each group who are familiar with multiplication. They work with the piles of stones to visualize for the others how multiplication works, letting them teach others so they’ll learn it better themselves. I walk between the groups, giving some direction here and there, but most of all keeping it challenging.
A pair of footsteps on the gravel path pulls my attention away from the children and to the approaching Syphil. She is not happy, concerning scream from her face and flattened ears. She locks eyes with me and slowly shakes her head. The worry which had tempered throughout the day comes flooding back in me. I turn to the children, trying to not let my current emotions spill over in my voice. “Alright children, that’s the lesson for today. Please put the stones back on the beach and then you can return to the camp.” As one they say “Alright sir!”, stand up, grab their pile of stones and make their way to the beach.
While the children do that Syphil approaches me. “Sir, you really have to see this.” My heart sinks in my boots. “What, what’s wrong?” She shakes her head with some defeat in her voice. “It’s really better you see this for yourself.” I take another look at the children, who are now making their way back to camp. Only some remain playing on the beach, but I spot an elder on the wall looking over. He locks eyes with me and gives me a slight nod. I nod back at him, glad to have someone to supervise the kids. I turn back towards Syphil who is still worriedly shifting her weight on her feet. “Alright, let’s go.”
She heads back up the path and I follow her. We pass in front of the Cathedral, where the other class is also finishing up. We go right passed it and make our way around the corner towards the opening of the cellar where four other fenerin stand and wait, including the two from this morning. They do not look happy, not happy at all. They see us approaching and when we reach them give is a nod in greeting. One of them motions toward the open hatch. “You’re not going to like this sir.” I hold my heart and make my way down the stairs, closely followed by Syphil and two of the men. When I reach the bottom I can see the cause of their worry.
Standing in the corner are four crates. “That’s all sir.” I whirl around to Syphil who just said that. I start to speak, failing to hide the disbelief in my voice. “You can’t be serious.” She looks at me her expression slowly turning hopeless. “I am sir. This is the whole shipment. Three of them are filled with bread, one is filled with taters.” Unlike Syphil, though, I’m going beyond hopeless. I’m quickly turning angry. “A day. They gave is a day’s worth?! What about the rest of the week!?” The others are surprised at my outburst. I always try my best to hide my worries from them, but today is the day I fail in that.
A stew for only a moment then turn my attention to Syphil. “Is the ship still here?” Syphil seems hesitate to answer me, but does so nonetheless. “It should still at the dock yes. What are you going to do?” I walk past her and back up the stairs. “I am going to have a friendly discussion.” I head straight for the docks followed by Syphil and the two men who were with us in the cellar. I see the ship still docked there, almost ready to depart. We rapidly make our way to it, and when one of the sailors sees us approaching he shouts at us. “Is something wro..” But I rudely cut him off. “Get your captain here right this instant.” He seems like a smart man who doesn’t want any trouble as he immediately heads toward the back of the ship.
A moment later he comes back with a large woman following behind him. She looks annoyed, and doesn’t take any measure to hide it when she speaks to me. “What is the meaning of this?” But I am unfazed by her demeanour. “I could ask you the same. Where is the rest of the shipment?” She sighs and looks at the list she was holding. After only a moment she turns her direction back to me. “What you got is it. Four crates with leftovers to deliver to the Cathedral.” She taps her list once to make a point. I raise my voice, because she must be wrong. “That can’t be it, there should be at least twenty!” She waves a hand half-heartedly. “Sorry pal. If there aren’t any leftovers, there aren’t any leftovers. Nothing I can do about that.” “What do you mean with that?” She sighs. Most likely annoyed that she’s having to explain to me. “Some company bought most if not all of the leftovers yesterday morning. It caused quite the buzz across the market.” Really, and yesterday of all days? I try my best to stay civil “Do you have a name for this company?” “Something with Corrin I guess. Now, was that all? I have more to do this day.” I look right at her, holding her eyes for a moment. The annoyance slips from her face as I hold her eyes uncomfortably long. When it’s enough for her and she turns away, I too turn around. “Yes, yes that’s all. Good day to you.” And start walking back to the Cathedral without looking back.
I step into the Cathedral with only Syphil following me. She shuts the door behind us while I start pacing around the altar in the middle. Syphil walks up to me and stops at the end of the isle. “What do we do now sir? We can’t even make dinner like this.” I turn on her, trying my absolute hardest to remain calm. “I know Syphil, I know. But what would you have me do? I can hardly go to the market and demand they give us food!”
She looks to the ground, defeated. “Is there really nothing?” I stop dead in my tracks as realization dawns on me. The letter. If they didn’t lie, that could be our saving grace. I look up, just now registering the presence of two of the student. “Remon, Shirin. Perfect time. I want you to go up to the attic and look for a large flag of Her. It should be in a marked crate. When you find it, I want you to hang it from the spire and then come back to me.” They both share a confused look, annoying me. “Today please.” They both stand up at that and quickly make their way up the stairs.
Syphil looks at me with confusion. “What’s that for, sir?” I take a seat on one of the front pews lining the isle. “Hopefully, a solution to our problem.” She doesn’t say anything more and takes a seat on another pew. We both remain in silence. Only the periodic bonk from something above, probably those two in the attic, disturbing that quiet.
After a while the two return, just as Avy steps into the Cathedral. She takes no time at all to walk up to me and ask her question. “What’s with the flag sir?” I let out a defeated sigh. “The answer to my current problems and the source to many future ones.” She gives me a long look. “Alright, that seems like a you problem. I’m going to start cooking.” I slump further down on the pew. “With what? There is nothing.” She shakes her head as she walks toward the kitchen. “Are you going senile already? There’re carts full with crates at the bridge.”
That pulls me out of my depression real quick. “You’re not joking right? Please tell me you’re not joking.” She turns back around with confusion. “Why would a joke about that? If anything I’m happy someone seems to care that we have food here.” I don’t need to hear any more, neither does Syphil. We both jump up from the pews and dash out of the Cathedral. We rush across the road towards the bridge. And low and behold, piles of crates line the bridge. There must be at least 40. All of them marked with the letter T. Syphil stands there with her mouth wide open, astonished at the sight. “How?” She looks at me. “Who?” My legs get unsteady so I sit down, emotion becoming too much for a moment. That’s just the moment Anaron comes walking up from behind a crate, holding a letter in his hand. He walks right up to me and hands me the letter. I look at him and he pulls up his shoulders. “Was on one of the crates.” My name is on it so I quickly open it to read it.
-
Mirilly,
You’ve made a wise choice today.
You won’t have to worry about food for a while. Isn’t that wonderful?
Just don’t forget your part of the deal.
Until next time,
T
-
I fold the letter and throw to the side, after which lay back on the road and spread my arms, staring right up at the clear sky. Anaron bends down to pick up the letter and reads it. When he’s done he looks right at me with concern all over his face. “What have you done sir?!” I look right at him. “Only what was necessary, dear boy.” I shake my head and let out a forlorn laugh. “I do hope selling my own soul is enough.”