Saarebas - "The Dangerous Thing"
Chapter 3:
Out in the fields I saw my fellow students and co-workers clustered around one plant in my row. I followed them. Mayflower stood off to the side. When saw me coming, she smiled.
"Whistler, what did you do to get this plant to respond so quickly?"
"Nothing Ma'am."
The people that had been blocking my view shifted and I saw that the seedling was now nearly in full bloom, ready to produce. I walked closer for a better look. Not only was it almost fully grown, but its green sheen made all the other nearby plants look pale in comparison. I turned back and tried to explain it further to her.
"Really, I did nothing that you hadn't taught us to do. You observed everything that was done. If this plant responded over the others it must have been during its initial growth. Maybe the seed itself was special."
"Yes," Began Mayflower doubtfully, "I'll have to look into that. Still, none of the seedlings appeared any different from the others. I'll have our researchers, the Ashkaari, study this plant. If this truly is some sort of mutation in the strain, it should be cultivated."
She called one of the other Athlok over to carefully dig up the plant. The others stood by and watched until she turned to them and clapped loudly.
"Now, now. There's nothing to see here and much work to be done in the next field. Let's use our time productively while we walk in that direction. I'll tell you about the selective breeding process of our horticulture and how crops like this must be noted."
She began to speak but for once I wasn't listening. That had been the plant I'd been sitting beside as I looked up at the stars. I could even see where I'd been sitting the night before. Odd that out of all the plants to rapidly grow, it'd been that one. I was called back from my musings by a sharp tone.
"Whistler!"
"Yes?"
It was Mayflower. "I was asking what the term for mutations in crops was called."
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, I don't know."
"That's unlike you. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I just slept poorly last night, that's all."
She gave me a long look. "Perhaps you should see a healer about it?"
"Yes, if it continues I will. Thank you for your concern."
She began her lesson again, and I focused with all my might on what she was saying. Best not to let the mind wander away from my purpose. If anything, I should be elated, so why do I feel so… off. I didn't have long to think about it as we were all put to work tilling the soil. Nothing's better for a troubled mind than hard labor. Before I knew it, I'd left those thoughts behind and was able to focus again.
Days passed, and I'd all but forgotten about the strange plant. Today, we were on yet another field, this time growing grain for the purposes of feeding livestock. It'd been a particularly enlightening session as this had all been new to me, which is why I hadn't noticed the person approaching our teacher until they interrupted her.
"Athlok, may I have a word with you?" Said a horned Vashoth woman.
"Certainly. Class, we will continue this discussion momentarily."
Their discussion was too brief for me to even turn and make a comment to one of my fellow students before she was back.
"Whistler, the Ashkaari would like a word with you. Will you please join her?"
"Certainly."
For an unknown reason, my heart began to beat hard against my chest. Maybe it was the way that she walked away from the lesson without addressing me or asking me to follow her. I kept pace. When we were about a quarter of a mile away, she turned, sat on the ground, and beckoned me to join her.
"Come, Whistler was it? Join me."
I did so, more or less stumbling to the ground. I was unsure of her name and rank, aside from her acting as an Ashkaari, so I kept my voice polite.
"What may I do to assist you Ashkaari?"
"Well now, I would like to talk to the young man who planted a certain crop that was almost ready to bare produce a day after it'd been planted. What can you tell me about it?"
I played for time. "What exactly to you mean Ma'am? I'm not sure how to answer that."
"No need to be frightened child. I'm only here to gain information. Just tell me about what you can remember. Was there anything unusual about the seedlings or the soil you planted it into?"
"Not that I noticed, but I'm still learning my position."
"Yes," She began, and gave me a small smile. "Your teacher tells me that you show great skill and dedication. You are doing the Qun a great credit."
She stopped speaking abruptly and stared at me. The silence stretched on.
"Um… thank you, Ma'am, but all that I do is to strive for perfection." It came out halting.
"Is everything alright, Whistler?"
My heart drummed so loudly against my ribs that I feared she could hear it.
"Yes, thank you for your concern. I'm just unaccustomed to speaking with an Ashkaari. Please forgive my lack of manners."
She blinked and went on. "Does my position make you uneasy? What do you know of the Ashkaari?"
"Only that you are in charge of research, science, philosophy, and have found enlightenment."
"Yes, that is correct, so there's no need to feel uneasy around me. If it helps, you may call me by my nickname, Scribe."
Meaning she was known for her writing. You got a nickname like that only under special circumstances. She probably knew Qunlat. This somehow made me even more nervous, but I did my best to master it.
"Yes, Scribe. Is there anything else I can do to assist?"
"So there was nothing unusual about it; the plant, I mean."
"No, nothing." I waited, but she didn't go on. "Did you find something unusual about it?"
"No, we didn't. It appears to be a completely normal plant, aside from the fact that it grew overnight. We've tried to cultivate it by planting its seeds, but so far none have shown similar properties. What would you say to helping me in my research?"
Unbidden, my voice cracked. "Me? A-am I to be re-educated as an Ashkaari?"
"Calm yourself, child. Nothing will be asked of you that will not be for the good of the Qun. I only ask that you spend a few days with me as we look into this. Perhaps your views on agriculture can shed light on this. You have nothing to fear. We'll visit your fields and take samples, that's all. Can I count on your assistance?"
Thrum. Thrum. Thrum. She must notice the way my chest pounds. I take a deep breath. "I will do whatever is asked of me, Scribe. Thank you for taking such an interest in me." I paused. "Has my teacher, Mayflower, been informed that I will not be returning to classes?"
"Don't worry, we will make arrangements. This need not be a permanent change for you, Whistler. I know you're eager to learn. I'll do all that I can to assist you in that. Come now. We will speak with Mayflower and let her know."
And so she did. I stood by as my classmates watched me, the weight of their gaze settled over me like a heavy winter blanket. Before I knew it, Mayflower had turned back to the others and was continuing to talk to the class about chaff and other feed as I was being led away by Scribe.
"For now, I'll ask you to stay in my quarters. I'll find your presence and conversation comforting and would like to know more about you and what you have learned as an Athlok."
I swallowed hard before speaking. "Yes, Ma'am."
I'd forgotten her name, and had reverted to formalities. Neither of us spoke after that. My mind was on other troubling matters as something I was unaware of tickled at the back of my skull, but what was it? Probably just nerves. I was too nervous to probe anymore at it and instead followed along behind the Ashkaari whose name I was too frightened to recall.