The Tanins of Deserta: Vesta

Vicki E S Biggs

CHAPTER ONE

Sergeant Vesta Tan arrived as dawn approached. Soon after, the local guardsmen opened the enormous gates of the walled oasis township of Tabol. Her eyes darted everywhere as she walked through the opening. It was her first time visiting the second settlement of her home planet, Deserta. A smile lit her face as she gazed around the city.

Over the past 2 ½ years, she had visited all but one township. And in her opinion, Tabol was the prettiest. Though not as lovely as her Tanin homeland. Still, the structures displayed an attractive design. The buildings were in various pastels. The gentle colors soothed her eyes after the harsh, unending blue sands of Deserta's outlands.

As the moist coolness of the Deserta oasis swept over her, her tense shoulders relaxed. Overlapping lavender palmate-shaped leaves of the 100-foot-tall Mombia created a protective umbrella of lilac-tinged air. These trees had black trunks and grew in groves throughout the oasis. They were a feature of every oasis on Deserta. And they sheltered the township from the sun's intense heat and radiation. Her broad-brimmed hat had provided shade for her eyes and kept her head cool. But it had been a lengthy, sweltering walk from her last stop. The soothing air was a welcome relief.

As she looked about the courtyard revealed once she was through the gates, her pleased smile slipped into a frown. Something about the scene seemed off. This was usually the time of morning when townspeople shopped for their daily meals. But only a few people were about.

Putting aside her unease, Vesta looked for signs advertising the main Market Place. Ready for fresh food, she hoped to find at least a few open eateries. She had been hiking through the arid outlands for days with only journey provisions. Her stomach growled. In anticipation of reaching the oasis today, she hadn't eaten her morning meal of dried fruit. And she was hungry.

She was eager to explore the oasis township and find a bathhouse. One where she could wash the grime of her weeks in the outlands from her body and her clothes. Vesta had been dreaming of submerging herself in cool water for the last few days. She hoped to be refreshed and fed before her meeting with the Guardian of Tabol. He was the Tanin Warrior who acted as the constabulary and nominal mayor for this oasis township.

She smiled when she spotted a promising sign for the main marketplace. Definitely, food first. But a frown soon replaced the smile. She had a bad feeling that her plans were about to be changed. Subtly, her eyes tracked the trim form of a middle-aged man heading her way. That he wore the white tunic and white pants uniform of a Tanin Healer was her first clue. The half blue and half white bars on his shoulders indicated he was a journeyman healer. That he seemed on a mission was her second clue.

This does not bode well, she thought.

Her third clue was that his anxious expression seemed to ease when he saw her. When he altered his path to meet up with her in the middle of the open plaza, her suspicions were confirmed. It was Vesta he was looking for, and she was certain that the healer she vaguely recognized was about to pull her into a medical emergency.

There goes my cool bath, she mourned.

“Thank the Darkness you have arrived, Master Healer Tan. We have been fighting a losing battle with a new illness. This disease is beyond my ability to heal. Master Healer McDonald assured me it is well within yours.”

Although she wasn’t here as a healer, her first instinct was always to provide aid. She sighed, regretful that she had not gotten her meal and bath first. “Of course, Journeyman Healer Brady. Lead the way. Did Head Healer Carroll send you to find me?”

“No. She fell ill early on during this epidemic and is in a coma.” Brady signaled for Vesta to follow, then returned the way he came. After a moment, he finally seemed to notice that she wore the blue-colored uniform of a Tanin Warrior. His forehead furrowed in bewilderment, and his forward march slowed. He turned to face her.

“You are Master Healer Vesta Tan, correct?” He hesitated before adding, “I thought I recognized you from a meeting of healers a few years ago.” He waved his hand at her attire. “Yet you are wearing the uniform of a Tanin Warrior. Did I mistake you for someone else?”

“No,” said Vesta with a rueful smile. Her automatic ire eased as soon as she realized his uncertainty was because of her choice of uniform. It was not because of her sex or her age, which she guessed was likely 20 years younger than his. Having reached the skill level of Master at a much younger age than him could have caused jealousy or doubts about her skills. On her Time of Journey, she had often encountered disbelief, even anger at her perceived presumption of having the skill necessary for the quest. And all because she was the first female to undertake the dangerous endeavor.

But in this case, the mid-level healer was expecting a Master Healer. Instead, he faced a Tanin Warrior wearing her warrior blues. When she let her logic rule, and not her emotions, his confusion was understandable. “You did not make a mistake,” she smiled wryly. “I am Master Healer Vesta Tan. I am also known as Sergeant Vesta Tan.”

"Oh, good,” he said, his worried expression easing. “We desperately need help. A virulent malady has been devastating Tabol. I requested aid in finding a cure for it from the Tanin Master Healers. They assured me that you would be arriving soon.” He hesitated before adding, “They didn't explain why you were already in the area.” He gave her an inquiring look, which Vesta ignored.

“I understand. I did not know of this emergency as the Master Healers have not yet contacted me.” When she noticed his surprise, she explained, “There is only limited communications in the outlands.”

Brady nodded, but still seemed confused. “How long were you in the outlands?”

This time, she answered his question with a succinct response. “I am on my Time of Journey. For this quest, transportation is not an option. And traveling through the outlands takes a lot longer when hiked.” Done with explanations, she urged, “Why don't you give me a briefing on what you know about this illness as we walk.” Ignoring his stunned expression, she motioned for him to lead the way.

Brady shook off his astonishment and quickly agreed. Turning, he began his report as he headed for his overloaded infirmary.

She followed him through the streets toward the medical center. As they walked, she pulled the white tunic of her Healer's uniform out of her journey bag. It was a deceptively thin brown pouch that was slung over her shoulder. Without breaking stride, she handed her bag to Brady before tugging the tunic over her blue shirt. She didn't want to give her new patients a reason to fret about why a Tanin warrior was treating them.

Brady almost dropped the bag. He stared at the slender figure standing just below his shoulder in amazement.

When she observed Brady's strained look out if the corner of her eye, a mischievous grin spread across her own face. “Yes, it is heavier than it looks.” She took her bag back. “I keep my travel supplies and clothes in it.” At his doubtful glance downward at the bag, she smiled with amusement. Then added. “It also holds my healer tools and warrior weapons.”

Brady eyed her, then the bag thoughtfully. “Does your journey bag have a cure for this disease in it?”

Vesta shrugged. “Maybe. I collected a lot of new plants and minerals during my travels. However, I won't know if any will help with the disease afflicting the residents of Tabol until I examine your patients. Without a lab, I could only run limited testing while I was traveling. Though based on the preliminary results, they might help. Some plants showed a lot of promise for curing certain diseases I was doing research on. Hopefully, one of them will work on the illness afflicting your township.”

Brady's face brightened with hope, easing the strain lines that had aged him.

CHAPTER TWO

Upon entering the dimly lit open area of the medical center, Vesta stopped in dismay. Seeing row upon row of restless and miserable people on narrow cots was disturbing. The moaning was eerie and seemed unending. Worse, though, were the many beds where the patients were silent and laid too still. She engaged her healing eye to confirm their status.

She released a soft sigh of relief when she determined they were not yet dead, only comatose. With her healer’s senses, she detected that the sickness was suppressing their immune systems, though she didn't know how. She would need more data.

Vesta sensed Journeyman Healer Brady watching her closely. She was grateful that he said nothing to disrupt her examination. Tanin Healers could tell when others of their kind were using their extra senses to judge an illness or injury. Not all healers had this talent. Also, her level of talent was why she was a Master at twenty-five and Brady was still a journeyman.

When her vision refocused from inner sight back to normal, Brady lightly touched her arm. After he got her attention, he pointed to Carroll's bed, which was set away from the others. Brady only confirmed what Vesta had already guessed. The way the medical staff kept anxiously staring toward that bed had been telling.

“Those in a coma seem near death. How many townspeople have died?”

“Too many. Hundreds.” A haunted expression swept over Brady's face.

Vesta gripped his forearm in sympathy. “Do you have any blood samples of the virus?” she murmured.

“Yes. Head Healer Carroll insisted on collecting samples from both her and every other patient.”

“Excellent,” Vesta said, nodding in approval. “Please lead me to your apothecary workroom and give me the samples in the order you took them. That information will be very beneficial.”

Brady gave a quick nod and hurried off to gather the samples. He stopped briefly by a healer apprentice in a blue tunic over white pants. He pointed to Vesta and appeared to give some instructions.

The apprentice dipped her head in agreement and hurried over to Vesta.

“Master Healer Tan, I am Susan,” said the young girl breathlessly. “I am to provide you with any assistance you need. But first, I'll take you to the workshop.”

“Thank you, Susan,” said Vesta with a gentle smile intended to put the young apprentice at ease. She was likely only a little older than Susan. Still, she hoped she exuded a confidence she didn't actually feel yet. She was pleased when the woman's shoulders relaxed.

Vesta's stomach rumbled. Reminding her, she still needed to eat. Embarrassed, but realizing she couldn’t ignore it any longer, she said, “Sorry, I haven't eaten my morning meal yet. I could use some vegetable soup and bread, if you have any. No meat, please.”

Vesta tried to restrain her shudder at the thought of eating any creature. She could communicate with most animals. She couldn’t bear the thought of eating someone she could talk to.

“Oh, certainly, Master Healer.” Susan bobbed a curtsy and turned to the opposite corner of the room from the Head Healer's bed.

With a hopeful expression, Vesta asked, “I could also use a refresh room. I've been traveling the outlands for days.”

“Oh, of course.” Susan pointed out a door next to the room where she'd been heading.

Vesta smiled gratefully. Then made use of the facilities to relieve her bladder and clean up. She also removed her warrior uniform. She replaced it with her healer whites. Feeling better prepared for the long hours ahead, she returned to the hallway. She found Susan waiting near the door. With a wave of her hand, she motioned for Susan to lead. She followed close behind to the medical center's apothecary.

Vesta quickly settled in front of a long table full of various medical apparatuses. Susan scurried out of the room to hunt down the requested meal. While she awaited the apprentice's return, Vesta explored the equipment options. The level of quality and advancement of the workshop impressed her. It was clear Healer Carroll appreciated a well-equipped lab.

When Susan returned, she had a bowl of warm vegetable broth with a buttered roll and a glass of cool mint tea. She set the tray of food on the table in front of Vesta and stepped back.

Certain she had little time to find a cure, Vesta quickly consumed the food and drank the tea. Brady arrived with a cart full of samples just as she was finishing. His timing was impeccable. Because once she started studying the blood samples, she would have forgotten all about being hungry. And she knew she needed that meal to give her strength for the hours ahead.

First, she examined each specimen with the microscopes in the lab. Then she studied the blood sample for Carroll again, but with her healing eye. Nodding, she took out some plant samples from her journey bag. Separating out two distinct species from her stash, she set to work, creating a tincture.

After testing the potion for over two hours, she looked up. She stretched her neck and rubbed her eyes. With bleary vision, she tried to find Journeyman Healer Brady or Susan. She found both hovering near the lab's door. Smiling, she held up a vial of blue-green liquid. “I think this will cure our patients. We should test it on those in a coma first.”

Brady rushed into the room. “Do they ingest it, or do we inject it?” He looked back from his position in front of a cabinet of supplies.

“Injection is best. It will reach their immune systems faster via their circulatory system than from their digestive systems,” said Vesta.

Brady nodded and pulled out the appropriate medical apparatus and handed them to Vesta.

Vesta quickly made twenty-five doses of injections. She based the doses on the number of coma patients. She took fifteen, leaving ten for Brady. “Susan, lead me to those patients who have been in a coma the longest, but start with Head Healer Carroll.”

Brady nodded. “I will handle the rest.”

Vesta held up a syringe. “If this doesn't work, we may start losing patients. Head Healer Carroll is only alive now because she is a healer. Though soon even her great immunity will fail.”

“I understand,” said Brady grimly.

“Let's do this then,” said Vesta. She signaled Susan to lead the way with a sweep of her hand.

Upon reaching the bed of the head healer, Vesta took the older woman’s hand and gave a gentle squeeze. “Head Healer Carroll, I am Master Healer Vesta Tan. I believe I have a cure for the pathogen attacking your immune system. May I inject it into you?”

Susan gave Vesta a puzzled look. Vesta could guess what the young woman was thinking. Her training probably hadn't advanced enough. She likely wasn't aware that a coma doesn't necessarily imply unconsciousness. Also, Susan couldn’t know that one of Vesta's greatest strengths was that she was a powerful telepath. Few could match her exceptional mind-to-mind communication skills.

“I welcome you, Master Healer Tan,” said Head Healer Carroll. “Please do whatever you deem necessary.”

It troubled Vesta that even the healer's mental voice was weak. But her optimism remained high as she sensed that Carroll's will to live was still strong.

Vesta immediately injected the tincture into the too thin arm of her patient. Handing Susan the used syringe, she reclaimed Carroll's hand to give a reassuring squeeze. Then she repositioned her grip on the patient's wrist and began monitoring her pulse. She engaged her healer vision to observe the effects of the medicine on her patient's immune system. Vesta nodded in appreciation of the strong will she sensed. Especially when she realized that the ailing woman was also augmenting the potion with her talent.

Within minutes, Head Healer Carroll's pulse grew stronger. Vesta's healer vision confirmed that the older woman's body was mending. A soft sigh of relief escaped her before she turned to Susan and beyond her to Brady. “It's working.”

The atmosphere of the room lightened. The healer staff felt encouraged and highly motivated now that they knew they had a cure. They immediately went to work injecting their patients with the tincture. There was a lightness in their expressions and in their walk.

They had a cure! They were on the cusp of ending the deadly epidemic that had haunted them for weeks. It was the miracle they had been praying for. They could finally breathe easily again.

CHAPTER THREE

Hours later, Vesta finally made it to the Municipal House to meet with the Guardian of Tabol, Seamus Kimmins. Exhaustion made her head throb with a dull pain, and her eyes felt gritty. Sometimes medicine was the answer. Sometimes, only rest would ease the pain. Still, she did not feel she had time to do either. Her duty as a Tanin warrior on a Time of Journey demanded she keep her meeting with the Guardian. As soon after her arrival at an oasis township as possible. So, here she was, keeping her appointment.