Jeiliscia's Stories: It was there all along
An Epilogue to 192-mozel-tov-its-the-valusia-yalowitz-wedding
Meleinia Valusia, First High Sister, sat on the floor of an empty and mostly dark passageway onboard the crippled USS Hornet. The ship was stable but nowhere near mission capable. She was still in her bridesmaids gown, though it was torn, bloody, and dirty, and she had long ago lost her heels in an effort to move quicker.
She had been crying, but it seemed, for now, there were no more tears left. She just stared at the wall in front of her, trying desperately to process the day’s events.
How many had injured people did she move from triage to the medical bays? How lived? How many died? Is this the way the world is outside of the royal court fantasy?
“Hey, sister,” a voice spoke in Orionii, waking her up from her trance. It was Jeiliscia, her younger sister. Jeiliscia was clad now in ill-fitting, blood-stained scrubs, and wearing a pair of clogs. She still had their mother’s crown on her head with the veil ripped and pulled back, and she was holding two drink bags. Her face, which was at best usually regarding Meleinia with suspicion, was now filled with sympathy.
Jeiliscia sat down on the floor next to Meleinia and handed her a juice bag and then gave a smile.
“How are you holding up?” Jeiliscia asked.
“I am fine, thank you,” Meleinia said while taking the juice. “I guess.” She took a sip. “How do you do this?” Meleinia asked, in a very soft tone. “Is it always like this?”
“It is not always like this,” Jeiliscia answered, placing an arm around Meleinia and pulling her close. “Sometimes it is, though.”
“But, how does one do this?” Meleinia implored, sinking into the embrace of her once hated rival.
“You just do, Mel. You just do. You remember that these are people. They are lives that are in need. You keep in mind that the Mother Goddess gave us the ability to help them. You just know that this is what you should do.”
“Why would you, though? What does it bring you? There’s no money? No reward? It seems, there is only watching people suffer. What does it do for you?”
“To know that I have saved lives, that is an endless treasure. It is more valuable than all the gold in the universe. To save lives is more powerful than any queen or empress.” She pulled Meleinia in closer and held her tight.
“I think, Mel, our people have forgotten this. We are so focused on wealth and power, manipulation and control, hedonism and vanity, that we forgot the Mother Goddess’ teachings hold life to be even more valuable than anything.”
Jeiliscia began to chant in High Orionii;
“The Mother Goddess: Her will is final.Our desires: Second to her will.
Our bodies: Her holy instruments to spread pleasure and beauty.
Our lives: Her greatest blessing above all else.”
Meleinia relaxed further on her sister’s bosom. After a pause she finally asked, “How many died?”
“Twelve total.”
“Why? I thought if we could…”
“Because Mel, sometimes the Mother Goddess calls us home. There is nothing, no advancement in medical science that can belay her wishes. When we are called home to rest in her warm embrace, no matter how hard we try to resist, it is her will.”
“Do you really believe that, Jee?”
“I do, Mel. I do.”
“So why do you bother if it is her will? It seems so hopeless… so pointless.”
Jeilisicia paused for a moment and thought carefully about her next answer. Why bother indeed if it is nothing but an unending battle against death? She remembered the lessons of her first mentor, Dr Litkallie, a kindly Rigelian doctor that took her in from the streets and showed her the healing arts. The healing arts aren’t necessarily a battle against death but a fight for life.
“Because, for every one we lose, there are more that can be saved. We, those who are gifted with the courage and the desire to heal are tasked with this. It is our oath. It is our life. The Mother Goddess gave us death so that we value life, and she gave us knowledge to fight for it so that we can show her that we do value it.”
“Sister,” Jeiliscia continued, “today you transported sixteen injured people to Dr Greene and me. Do you want to know how many of those are going to live?”
“Not really,” Meleinia said, “but.. yes. How many?”
“Fifteen, dear sister. Fifteen are going to recover, and that is thanks to you. I am so proud of you.”
“I tried to get the one there. I did.”
“I know you did. Rhea told me.”
“He was in pain, and he asked me to hold his hand. So I did, and… and looked at me, calm and smiling, and said thank you… and then… he… “
“You brought him peace in his final moments, sister.” Jeiliscia said as Meleinia cried on her chest.
After a while, Meleinia sat up and cleaned her face with the hem of her dress. She gave Jeiliscia a hug around the neck.
“What else can I do?”
“What do you mean, Meleinia? What do you mean, ‘What else?’”
“I mean, how can I…,” Meleinia was not sure what to ask. “I want to help people. I never knew about all this.”
“In courtlife, we were very removed from the suffering of the common folk,” Jeiliscia responded.
“I am not as smart as you. I am not as smart as Sher, or Marrack, but do not tell him I said that. I do not think I could be a doctor like you, but I want to help people. If I cannot be a healer, how can I help the healers? Tell me?”
Jeiliscia thought for a moment. “I really do not see you being a corpsman. Sherrishia would have a fit as that is an enlisted role. Is there anything that needs the attention of a court sister at home related to the medical arts?”
“Wait, I remember! Sherrishia was having pushback from the counsel regarding a hospital upgrade and healthcare expansion program. The lower houses saw no need since it was directed at the commoners. I did not pay much attention at the time. Maybe that is what I need to do. I need to lobby for that. I think I remember her complaining that the common people have few options for treatment. If they are like these people, then they will need help.”
“I think the Mother Goddess has called you. I think that is what you need to do then,” Jeiliscia replied. She smiled. Before any further discussion could continue though, a shipwide announcement came through.
“Captain Vel to all crew, the hangar fires are out. Focus on providing aid to the wounded and getting them to medical facilities if they are not already there. Would Jeilisica and David please report to the bridge”
“Well, it seems I am needed on the bridge.” Jeiliscia stood up and stretched. “Will you be alright, Mel?”
“I will, Jee.”
“Are you going back to the Blessed Fortune?”
“No, not yet,” Meleinia replied, standing up. ”I am going to see if there is more assistance I can offer. There is much more to do.” She leaned in and gave Jeiliscia a hug and said, “Thank you.”
Jeiliscia gave her a kiss on the cheek, left the embrace with a smile, and walked onward to the bridge.