Weathering Storms

by Taborri Walker

  “Me?” the girl smiled down at Sesha. “Sh… ow what’a do?”

  Sitting again the woman pointed to each note and its corresponding key. Then she played the tune while Sesha looked from sheet to fingers until it was done.

  I can do it now… the reason the words are jumbled is because Humans use the words as a place-marker for certain musical sounds. Might be decipherable, though, if we could see enough of this.

  Will see what I can do, dear Shni.

  Look behind you, Sesh… the place has filled up. Act a little shy, need some encouragement to continue.

  It took Sarah and Delia standing on either side of the instrument, with Beulah’s hands on her shoulders before Sesha could ‘relax’ enough to continue. While she could, after Amelia played each one, play it as well, she was absorbing the language.

  This particular language was one that had not evolved over the centuries as almost every other had; because it was based on music as well as words, there had been no real need of adapting. The species adapted around their language. Sesha had taken it up as a challenge years ago, learning much of it in TravelSleep, it was that hard. But she got it, as fluent in it as she was in any other.

  So Sesha started a tune of her knowledge. She enjoyed listening to it, despite the sprightliness of the air it was relaxing to her. A cyclic tune, she soon petered out for lack of a second player, and turned to Amelia.

  “I know not this piece,” she was apologetic. “My… Grandmother might, but she be in the Elder’s House. Whilst she forgets much else, her fingers always move as if playing. But,”

  Before she could finish, Allway interrupted. “Send Brother Darren and William to the house. Fetch the woman, but gently. Mayhap she hear the tune t’will know it.”

  Sesha saw the glances Beulah and Sarah exchanged. This was something more to ask about. But she kept playing the sheet music Amelia showed her until the men returned empty handed.

  “Lady Esther did pass on two nights ago and was interred the same day. I doth greatly apologize for breaking this in such manner,” Darren laid a hand on Amelia’s shoulder, daring to give the sudden-stricken girl a moment of comfort. Amelia fought hard against the tears and finally nodded.

  “It be the way of life; shalt see Grandmama in Heaven.”

  Sesha played the alternate to the tune then, showing Amelia, then she played her part and the girl came in when Sesha nodded. Supper was basically forgotten until Sesha couldn’t sit anymore for the pain. She wouldn’t let Amelia leave though, but had the girl come with her so she could weep in peace, then be comforted.

  “That was quite the performance,” Beulah tched at Sesha’s back, almost purple with fever. “Can you really?”

  “No… it was Shni.” Sesha sighed with relief as Florence came in with cold, wet towels and laid them on her back. Sarah handed in a bowl with fruit and a biscuit, so Beulah sat on the floor to feed Sesha and tell her of the plans for tomorrow, Friday.

  “A prayer time? Using oil? I guess I’m just a bit ignorant here,”

  Beulah smiled and popped in another berry. “It’s hardly ever used; this congregation never has. It’s going to be long and tedious; they will pray over your back, pour oil, perhaps wine and will gently rub it in.”

  “You’ll be there? I’m not going in that group alone, Beulah. And when?”

  “I will be with you, yes. And they plan it for after breaking of fast; that way you’re refreshed from sleep and, as they believe, still at ease since the day is just beginning. You are to be awakened late here, fed with soft foods and lightly dressed. Don’t worry, Sesha dear… I honestly think for once Peter is sorry for someone being hurt, and that is you.”

  “Wasn’t his fault, though… it was Hosea’s doing. Besides, my back is improving,” Sesha wasn’t exactly lying, it was more a hopeful exaggeration of the truth.

  “Oh, really?” Florence’s voice was amusingly cutting.

  “Well, I mean, despite the yanks from moving wrong, or aching from sitting straight up too much, yes, it is,”

  “That is why we have to keep changing your bandages, why your skin be hot to touch, and why you keep putting your hand behind? Yes, ‘tis healing,” Florence lifted the towels and pressed on several spots, making Sesha hiss with the pain.

  “Peter’s believes all here be under his responsibility; an’ they sin it is a personal mark against God gives him, which is why those he believes sin are punished so harshly. For him to be pure enough to sit on God’s right hand, as he believes is his place, then all souls here must be pure. So he is making amends for Hosea’s rough treatment of you. He wishes to try and make the incident be a non-occurrence by performing this ceremony. Sleep sweet, my dear…Tomorrow is going to be a trying day.”

  Unable to sleep, Sesha was awake before the first ones to rise for chores. Florence gave up on her sleep as well and she and Sesha talked, exchanging tales of life their world, work and love. For the first time in her life, Sesha was very honest about what she was like before this happened.

  “So… if this were to happen again and you know the outcome, would you go through this a second time?”

  Sesha didn’t pause a moment. “Yes, I would. To know Beulah, you, Grace, Sarah and more, absolutely. I would do every bit again, even if only for you. I just wish if I can affect the repairs that you’d come too.”

  “It is tearing me apart, dear, but like you I think about what my people need. If they are to ever mature enough to live in peace the way your worlds do now, I must plant the seeds today. Except for the time Beulah and I were apart for the argument we had concerning Peter, this will be a permanent separation, as I doubt your ships will come back this way again. I shall miss my niece terribly.”

  “I’ll do my best to help a little there,” Sesha smiled, “even if it’s frowned upon. I’ve already done enough rule-breaking; what’s another?”

  “Perhaps the one that pushes you over their limit?” Beulah came in with a set of clothes for later. “I would not like for myself and all of us to come to your worlds and have you not remember us or what we are. So go carefully, child? And why aren’t you still sleeping? Tis two more hours till breaking the fast.”

  “Knowing all those creepy men will be touching my skin has me more awake than I can imagine,” Sesha shuddered. “Is Hosea going to be there?” she asked, and Beulah nodded. “I’m not sure how to act this time… any suggestions?”

  “Cling to me the moment you see him… I’ll shield your eyes and walk you up. Once laying down, I’ll stay. He’ll be the beginning one and leave then until the final prayer, and be gone before you get up. Act a bit afraid,”

  “That I don’t have to act,” Sesha admitted, and Beulah pressed a kiss to the top of her head as she tucked the blanket around Sesha’s shivering body, more from the fear than cold.

  “Then you will nap after. So what to do before the meal?”

  “A bath,” Florence recommended. “I want her back soaked and any oozing pressed out before the men’s filthy fingers touch her; they will not wash, I am sure. Then a soak after.” So Sesha was settled in the deep tub the infirmary had. While she soaked, several children were brought in and Sesha got to help bathe them. The upper waters were cooler so the children sat on Sesha’s knees and she held and assisted. It made for quite a party when the tub was crammed quickly to finish the last child before the water got cold. Everyone on the outside of the huge container got as wet as those inside.

  Treated, fed and dressed, Beulah put Sesha in her chair. Pushing, she talked calmly, as if nothing could possibly go wrong.

  “There is much that goes on here that is not right, but I doubt Peter will dare do anything immoral. As far as I know Japheth and Amos haven’t been initiated into the rest of the plan; actually I think Peter had them ‘trained’ when two others died. They knew all the Reverend’s sermons by heart, they displayed eagerness to follow in the footsteps of the Ministry. Personally, Jesus had 12 disciples and Peter desired that many too. Now then dear, you
have that little tube?”

  “Firmly fastened on the inside of my thigh.”

  “Keep your legs together then, firmly. Do your best to not be tempted to use it, sweet child,” and then they were in.

  “There is a cot here,” lo, adopted father Darren was standing in the front, waiting by the furniture he’d brought in.

  “Papa!” Sesha was thrilled to see him as she didn’t want any of the Monitors – except the youngest – helping her lay down and they would not be allowed. Sesha lifted her arms and was gently lifted and sat.

  “Fold thine arms across front, new daughter God has given me,” the man managed to take a bit of control before Allway could, and the Reverend glowered for a moment. “I shall turn thee; that’s my girl. Reverend,” as the man stood up, a full head taller than Allway, he smiled what appeared to be a gentle one, but underneath was the protective fire of wrath that would burst out if needed, “be thou gentle with the child. I shall wait outside; call if the lass needs assistance up.” He left before Allway could come up with a negation to the moment.

  Time now seemed to stand still for Sesha. She was shaking – truly shaking with some fear and unwillingness to allow so much skin to be exposed to people like this – while Beulah unbuttoned the blouse top to bottom, undid the skirt waistband down to the edge of the wounds and draped a blanket on and all around so only the wounds showed.

  The 13 men all gasped; while being told the extent of the injury, none but Allway had actually seen how large and bad they were. For the Reverend, it was worse as the wounds were ‘fresh’ then. Now they were some scabbed, parts open and seeping, the skin through and around purpling from fever and the growing threat of infection. Beulah sat nearby and held her hand, noting a tray with several glasses of wine sitting on it, just out of her reach. One cup held a thin hollow reed the same as they used to feed babies – and Sesha – when they could not drink on their own. Another wine cup had a ribbon tied about the stem, making it look pretty.

  The first Monitor, Hosea, let his hands rest on her back even though she squirmed her shoulders trying to shake them off, her shaking doubled as he started his prayers.

  “Our Lord most High, did you not say “I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee?” Then we ask that you keep your Word as we follow your commands “and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine and took care of him…” on and on he went until Sesha got totally bored. When he was done, he poured some oil, then wine on her back and rubbed it in. The next man moved in and with relief, the door opened, letting in a flash of daylight, then closed. Hosea was gone but Shni was alarmed.

  Sesh, his hands were filthy… something oily rubbed on them that’s harmful to you but there wasn’t enough to get a good reading. The wine he poured on you though, has the same poison in it that Beulah has in her system… it’s from the glass with the ribbon tied on it. I was watching out of the corner of you eye and saw him switch which glass he used to get the wine from!

  I’ll get Beulah to put a hand on you; you tell her and maybe we can figure out something to stop that. I’m betting Allway doesn’t know that part of it!

  Sesha caught Beulah’s eyes as she squeezed her hand tighter; there was a burning sensation on her deepest wound. The next man, sermon and prayers were already in progress. Beulah shifted hands holding hers and laid her hand firmly over the bracelet. By the time Shni had told her, Monitor Ezra had finished his speech and picked up a small bowl. It was almost a panic until Shni told them it was fish oil.

  “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Ezra rubbed it in gently and rose, moving back.

  “P’ease, dwink?” she whispered. When Allway rose to fetch the ribboned glass, Beulah did instead.

  “I shall tend the lass whist you and the Holy Men continue in prayer,” in her best submissive tone. The skirt concealed switching glasses after untying the ribbon and swiftly tying it onto another glass. Using the straw, a tiny drip of it on the bracelet told Sesha it was all right so she took a sip off the end and Beulah returned it to its place.

  Monitor Seth now began; Shni reported that the wine dribbled on her back was from the exchanged cup, just fine. The oil too, so as the next Monitor, and the next went on Sesha relaxed enough to doze off a few times, to be awakened by a pinch on her hand from Beulah so she could thank the man who’d just finished preaching and praying. After two and a half hours of this repetition, it was the Reverend’s turn.

  “Most Holy God of the Old Testament, in your book of Jeremiah, chapter 30, the 17th verse, you said “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is one, whom no man seeketh after.” God of all, is this not what our Dear Sesha is? She is an Outcast, Most Holy of Holies, and none of her family or people seeks after her. But we have found her Most High, and now we claim your promise, God of Gods.” Then he poured a small amount of oil onto her back and began another long, boring monologue.

  “Oh Most Heavenly Father, I come to you like the Centurion in the book of Matthew…” his voice took on the tone he used when reading his Bible, “saying, Lord, my servant lies at home, grievously tormented.” And did you not answer, saying “I will come and heal him?” You did, Most Holy Father and Son of God, and you did heal the servant!” He kept up this sort of litany but Sesha again didn’t hear for falling asleep. She woke to the coolness of the wine and his hand again rubbing. Beulah’s eyes and tight smile told her it was almost over.

  At last they were to the final prayer. Sesha stayed awake through it. The final piece of preaching was “And they anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” Sesha just laid still until again the door opened and closed. Now it was finished. As a final act of the ritual, the Reverend rubbed the last of the oil into her back injuries, but gently, and had Beulah button up her dress. That gave her time to fully gather her thoughts.

  Okay, Shni, now we know that one of the Monitors for sure is trying to get me out of the way; are they all still here? I want to be sure I don’t do anything with Hosea at least.

  He went out but I heard the side door open. There’s only four Monitors here right now, one is moving the tray. I think you or Beulah will be expected to drink with them… not entirely sure and neither is Beulah.

  The woman gave careful instructions to her husband who wanted to be the one to help Sesha up and to both of their surprises, he followed the directions well and in moments she was sitting on the very front bench – a ‘pew’ Beulah called it.

  “Woulds’t thou partake of the wine with the Men of God who dids’t pray, Sweet Sesha? Would be a good way to express thanks.

  “Not tas’e good,” she mowed her face. “bu-t I say ‘gwa-marcy to all, not hims,” she pointed at Hosea, off in the back corner. “’Till mean’a me… hims take mens same same an’ go ‘way.”

  “Sesha,” Beulah was handed the glass with the straw and she took it, “the Word of God says there is a time for everything; a time to plant and a time to pluck up,”

  “Yes,” she interrupted, still casting angry looks that way.

  “Child, it goes on. A time to kill and a time to heal, to break and,”

  “Bui’d,” she finished, discerning the logical conclusion.

  “That’s right!” Allway’s face lit up at understanding her higher level of thinking here. “To weep and laugh, mourn and dance, embrace,”

  “Eh?” she pretended to not know that word.

  “To hold someone close to you, as Beulah does.”

  “Ho-zah I no no em-bwace nev-er,” she snapped. “No him, no him, him, him,” she pointed the other three especially cruel men. “Dey allus be mean ever’body.”

  “Dear child, it is not mean to correct someone doing wrong, that is all they do. The Word says there is a time to love and a time to hate; now is the time for love as they sho
wed that to you. A time of war and…” he waited to see if she could finish that.

  “No,” a wry look at Beulah was unseen by others. “’kay, I be nice’a men.” She stood carefully and picked up the tray, almost every cup still on it and walked slowly to the group.

  “Gwam-a-cy fo’ pway, for fee-ah bed-der. All’a ya-oo mens,” and she lifted the tray just a little so they picked up the cups. Hosea’s, Sesha knew, was the one with the poison. She was sure he knew it too and if he dumped it in some fashion, it would tell her for sure this man was plotting several crimes. If someone else prevented him from drinking it, there’d be more to investigate. But he, like everyone else, raised their glass.

  “The Lord Bless and keep thee, Miss Sesha, and heal thee.” Allway and Beulah joined them and the group drank, draining the wine. Really, no one had a choice here whether the sub-plots were known or not. Beulah though, gave a bit of a grimace, her hand pressing her tummy gently. A bit of a twitch touched Hosea and Titus’s faces while Caleb and Philip looked away a moment.

  “We may go now? The child be trembling, lord, and need of food and drink,” Beulah knew appealing to Sesha’s needs would get the results.

  “Mays’t,” Allway started, but Sesha surprised everyone.

  “Pee-ter, si’ down p’ease,” and he did, wondering. Sesha bent in as if an innocent child, her arms around his neck and she hugged, then kissed his beginning jowl. “Dank ‘oo ve’wy much,” she said quietly and as she did, her fingers did something else. One flicked into her lower lip, scooping something out and that hand rubbed against the back of his neck, under the shirt collar. It was a slightly longer than approved of embrace but Sesha made sure the tiny listening device was firmly set against the cloth. She knew each person wore the same clothes for three or four days in a row so there would be some secrets to learn before the shirt went to the laundry.

  “We will get you into a bath; this past mid meal but I’m sure some was set aside for us. You need to relax, child… the shaking continues even though you are holding your chair whilst walking.”