“I think I'll stay back,” she murmurs, smiling softly before looking back at me. “Rhenor did promise we weren't finished this morning and I want to make sure he is a man of his word. He looks like a man on a mission.”
We all burst into laughter. This is what I'll miss the most when I leave to go to Shaston. The familiarity, the friendships, the feeling of being home.
The markets on the middle ring are bursting with colors and smells. Roasted fish along with kelp that is slightly salted and turned into holders for the fish are the most fragrant. It makes my mouth water even though I'm not the slightest bit hungry. The awnings, now faded from being in the sun, were once as bright as the rainbow that once circled the sun. The canvas flaps in the soft breeze, brought in with the soothing swish of the ocean waves greeting the shore.
Thylas is a living shadow today. Walking in step with me, to what has become our normal, a lack of conversation between the two of us. He exhales deeply in annoyance every so often due to my inability to sit still or make his job easy, his eyes rarely strayfrom me. I curl my toes, feeling the gritty sand between them as the awkward silence between us grows.
“Princess Carnaxa, can I interest you in something new for your wardrobe?” a vendor, Ilis, asks as she sidesteps to let me see behind her. She sells the prettiest silks and dresses from the Southern Continent. Ilis’ sons are known to go there to trade, and her daughter Vailles, who was a member of theShayi Makabefore deciding she wanted to pursue other things, helps her around the shop. The woman knows I will always purchase something when she's open, her asking is just a formality.
The sun hits the tent and casts a blue glow over everything inside as we enter. Her silks range in colors. I let my fingers graze across the fabrics, touching them and the variety of textures.
“See anything you like,su kechni?” Vailles stands in front of me, her round belly stretching her grey gown taut. I smile at the old term, one of the few I know of Antihana that means ‘princess.’
“I see many things I like, as always.” I sigh, as I let a silk fabric slide through my fingers. “How many more moon cycles until your sweet one is here?”
“About three, and it can't come fast enough. She's our third, so I know what to expect and I'm ready for it to be over.”
I smile to myself, I have never met her husband or the other two children in theirShæwi Koki, but the way Vailles speaks, she seems happy. While some Antalians have twin drops, there are times when two people marry thinking they are, usually those in the throes of their first love, and it isn't until they meet their actual drop that the true connection happens. In this case, sinceNoko Makialready happened, they createShæwi Kokior family units. It must be agreed upon and is just as lasting a pledge as a twin drop. It also seems to provide significant comfort as theelders in theShæwi Kokiage, always having friends and loved ones around even as the children leave the home.
“Are you so sure it's a girl?” I smile at her coyly.
“Well, no … but the last two were and Elian has two girls as well. Our husbands feel blessed by the Goddess each time we have one. Although, our men wouldn't mind having at least one boy.” She laughs and rubs her palms lovingly over her swollen abdomen, smiling down at it. She looks behind me and smiles. “You know, Captain Thylas, if you ever want a woman, Elian has a sister who would be a perfect companion. She’s currently attending training for theShayiand I think you would like her.”
I hear him scrape his boots across the dirt, a nervous gesture he's had since we were little. “Thank you, but no. I plan to see if the Goddess will bless a foreigner with a drop instead.” His eyes flutter to mine and I see the softness in them as he studies my face. Many would say that look is because he loves me, but it is one of pity, at the fact that I will never have the choice of a twin drop once I make Shaston my home.
“Well, it worked out well for me, not having my own drop. I love having our large family, I'm not sure what I would do without any of them; and should I ever find my drop, I know we will all be thrilled to let them join ourShæwi Koki. If you change your mind, let me know. I'm sure she would be thrilled to get to know you.”
He grunts a response, “If you don't mind Princess Carnaxa, I'll wait outside for you.”
I nod toward him and continue my way around the tent. My eyes focus on something I've never seen before. A white wrap in the corner of the shop and my fingers itch to touch it. The thick fur runs through my fingers and I chuckle at the rough, yet soft feeling of it. “Vailles, what is this?”
Ilis walks toward me, bringing the wrap down and placing it on my shoulders. Its golden clasps close at the base of my neck.“This is called a stole, it's a wrap worn around the shoulders.” Instantly, sweat dampens my brow and the heat of it makes me uncomfortable.
“Why would anyone need such a thing? It's impractical given the temperature here.”
“My sons tell me, not everywhere has such lovely weather as we do here in Antalis. They say most of Shaston is so hot water evaporates as it touches the ground, however, at the northern end of Shaston it's so cold water freezes before it makes impact with the ground.”
“I vaguely remember the stories from my tutors about such. Can’t even imagine it. Vailles, have you ever witnessed the land freezing over or do you still claim your mother makes up strange tales?” I smile at the old woman. She once told me, had the Goddess not blessed her with children she would have considered becoming a priestess. Ilis is known for her stories and myth retellings as much as she is for her silks. When Vailles had children of her own, she realized her mother had been twisting stories to threaten obedience when she and her siblings were younger. Had Vailles known her mother wouldn’t have been able to follow-through with her creative punishments, she would’ve raised a lot more hell; fabricated consequences or not, her mother is a wise woman.
“She speaks the truth, I've heard talk of Shaston’s extreme temperatures. I've never seen it, but ask your groom, I'm sure he has,” Vailles speaks and as she does a hush goes over the tent. Another reminder that my time here, in my home, is limited.
“I am just telling you what I am told, Your Highness.” She takes the stole from my shoulders and studies me before saying, “Why don't you have this?” She looks at her daughter who smiles back.
“Ilis, it’s beautiful! How much is it?”
“It doesn't matter, just take it as a gift. Something this rare shouldn't be for just anyone.”
“And what makes it so rare?”
“Simply because of the fur. It’s said to be from one of the lastpeshohaving graced Midaeliea.” She runs her hand through the fur. “Thepeshowere seen, before The Great Wars, as a sign of new beginnings and luck.” She shares a look with her daughter. “And I think it befits you.”
“Thank you,” are the only words I can come up with as Vailles removes the white fur from her mother’s hands and begins wrapping the beautiful garment.
“I’ve watched you grow up and you will be missed when it is time for you to go. It’ll be nice to know you have something from me, even when you are far away.”
I simply nod, and take the bag from her. It seems that I’m not the only one who is not pleased with my upcoming nuptials. Except my father, the one who agreed to this arrangement. No. I can't dive into those thoughts, the pain. He's doing this for the betterment of our people, and I have to follow suit. To maintain the peace. It doesn’t change the fact I would prefer a life living in Antalis.
Leaving the tent behind, I notice Thylas crouched just outside. His eyes squint as he looks toward the sun where a little girl has called his attention. Her pale white hair glistens. She's playing some game with him, laughing as he throws a rock into a circle trying to knock her rock out. He glances back toward me when he hears the flap of the tent open and sighs, “You win again Lauralie, as always. Now I have to go do adult things.”
