Chapter 7 #2
I was going to miss Luminaria, flaws and all. The city itself had never treated me badly. I wondered where I’d go, and if anywhere could replace the sense of whimsy that seeped from every nook and corner of Sídhe’s capital.
The sounds of cheering erupted from the square, and I shot my attention towards it just as a white fabric was ripped away to reveal a marble statue. The cheering intensified as a voice boomed through the streets, “All hail King Sydian. Long may he reign.”
I grabbed Osta’s elbow and pulled her deeper into the anonymity of the crowd as I held back a grimace.
It was no secret that the residents of Sídhe shared common devotion for the monarchs. King Sydian was revered as the greatest ruler in a millennia and had achieved the impossible: an era of near-universal prosperity.
Poverty and hunger were rarities. The Crown, through its royal delegation, ensured everyone had access to basic necessities. Yet, true equality remained elusive. The class system persisted, albeit with a less rigid division between lower and middle.
A silence hung over the origin of this newfound wealth.
Throughout his reign, the harvests became more than bountiful, livestock thrived, and nearly extinct species rebounded.
Even Aossí vitality was affected. Our normal two century lifespans seemed to stretch on, with some elders nearing the age of two-hundred and twenty.
It was as if the realm itself had become somewhat of a miracle.
Those who still worshiped claimed it was a blessing from the Esprithe.
Osta and I spent most of our day hopping between vendors, taking samples and exploring the labyrinth of artisan wares.
One tent in particular caught my attention. I approached it, eyeing the most detailed and immersive tapestry. Sprawling hillsides and rocky beaches were painted expertly. It almost seemed like I was looking through a window to these places.
I had never been outside of Luminaria’s borders. My eyes locked on a scene of perfectly tumbling storm clouds encroaching on snowy peaks. It was the most vibrant thing I had ever seen.
“That’s the Radianthian Mountain Range,” a woman’s voice said from across the tent. She must have been the artist. I gave her a smile before turning back to the tapestry. For a moment, I tried to picture my life there amongst the foothills.
“It’s so… vivid. It feels like I’m looking at it in real time. Like I’m there,” I mused.
The woman let out a small laugh. “Well you can thank my focus for that. Turns out my gift is painting in hauntingly true detail. It all just kind of spills out of me.” She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m surprised the Nobility hasn’t tormented you relentlessly. It seems like a focus they would deem invaluable,” I observed.
“Oh, they’ve tried.” The woman laughed. “But I value my freedom far too much. Although I’m available for commissioned pieces, for a price.” Her eyes lit up as they traveled across her work.
“So you refused them?” I asked, “You felt comfortable turning them down?”
“Of course. We all take our own path. Mine was never meant to be contained. Limited.” She sighed. “Some things are just meant to run free. Some things cannot be tempered–forced into a box of someone else’s making.”
Pausing, I ruminated over her words. Her situation didn’t exactly apply to me. I highly doubt she committed murder with her paintbrushes. They had no leverage over her. No material for blackmail.
“Well, you’re extremely talented, as I’m sure you know.
I’d love to buy one of these some day. My roommate and I–” I stopped, turning around to find Osta.
She was over at a fabric tent striking up a conversation with the salesman.
We certainly didn’t have the funds for something like this.
A part of me sank. It would make a perfect parting gift.
“We love tapestries. Are you selling here often?” I asked.
“Only in the summer. I travel for the rest of the year, seeking out inspiration from the northern countryside.”
I nodded. “Well, I wish you safe travels. Perhaps we’ll be able to see your adventures next summer.” I smiled and took a few steps toward the main path but stopped when I caught a glimpse of some rolled parchment in the corner of her tent.
I pulled one from the bucket and slowly opened it, making sure to do so gently. A painted compass rose became visible on the page, The Isle of Sídhe was written in calligraphy at the top.
A map.
“How much are these?” I turned back to her.
“A copper will do, dear.” She smiled and approached me. “A new little project I’ve been working on. My cartography skills sure don’t match my paintings, but I find joy in it.”
I dug into my satchel, pulled out a copper coin, and handed it to her. I would certainly need a map if I was going to begin planning my escape that night.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, eyeing the land mass. It didn’t look like any map I had seen before. It held a more personal touch and artistic flair. Even if it might not be perfectly to scale, it would work.
“Perhaps it will aid you on any travels you embark on. After all, it was born from mine,” she murmured, walking back to her seat behind the desk. I smiled, giving her a slight wave before wandering back into the chaos beyond her tent.
Now that Osta was occupied, I could finally do what I had come here to do. I reached into my pocket, feeling the gold bracelet within. My fingers grazed the engraving upon the surface and pushed away the sadness that threatened to seep in.
I made my way through the masses, stopping just before the wooden wheels of a covered wagon. I walked to the front to find an older, common man.
“Anything to trade?” His gruff voice called out into the groups of people passing by. He opened the front of his jacket to reveal that it was lined with jewelry and odd trinkets.
“I have a gold bracelet,” I said, and his eyes shot towards me, looking me up and down.
“Show me,” he said, closing his jacket and coming to lean against the side of the carriage.
I retrieved the bracelet from my pocket, but hesitated, rolling it through my fingers. I didn’t want to do this, but I didn’t have a choice. I needed coin for the road. Especially since I didn’t know how long it would take me to find work. Or if I would be able to find it at all.
“I ain’t got all day, miss.” He tapped his foot against the cobblestones.
I reached out slowly, placing the bracelet in his outstretched hand. He pulled it close to his face, examining it.
He shot me a suspicious look. “You sure this ain’t fool’s gold?”
“You’d be the expert,” I said in a voice just above a whisper.
He bit down on the bracelet a few times.
“Seems real enough.” He reached into a chest and grabbed a magnifying glass, inspecting the gold once again.
“Where’d you get this?” He asked. “Steal it, did you?” A hummed chuckle escaped his throat as he narrowed his eyes at me.
“I’ve had it since I was a child,” I said, irritation lacing my voice. “Do you want it or not?” My strength to rid myself of the little gold band was lessening with every moment I stood there. He placed it on the edge of his wagon and grabbed his coin pouch. My stomach turned.
“I guess I can melt it down,” he said, and it was like the final nail in the coffin. Quickly, I grabbed the bracelet and turned, racing back to the center of the market, my breaths heavy and my head light. I shoved the bracelet back into my pocket.
“Hey, where you going?” He spat from behind.
I couldn’t do it.
It was the only thing that was truly mine. The only thing that had come with me from my home in Riftdremar. I felt shame creep into my bones at what I had almost done. I needed to get out of here.
I found Osta, her arms now full of fabric samples.
She handed me a few bags of groceries. Well, nearly all of the groceries. “Where did you run off to?” Her smile was beaming, and I knew she was in her element. I didn’t want her to sense how shaken I was, so I kept my tone casual.
“Just looking around. Should we grab a bottle of wine to drink once we get home? I’ll need help winding down after all of this stimulation,” I remarked, hoisting the bag of goods higher onto my hip .
“I have an even better idea! Let’s go to Talia’s! It’s just around the corner and they should be offering specials right now–”
“I am mentally depleted. Let’s just go home and share a bottle there.” I couldn’t risk losing any more time. I needed to get home and start packing. I also needed to figure out how I was going to explain this to her.
“You know that it’s not the same. It’s still the middle of the afternoon, so it won’t even be crowded–and you owe me a drink, Fia.”
It had been years since I’d accompanied Osta to her favorite haunt.
Five at least. I was shocked she even asked me.
Her boldness was really standing out today, almost like she knew something was about to change.
Guilt resurfaced in the back of my head, and I hoped she wasn’t reading the situation for exactly what it was.
One of the reasons I came today was to give her a perfect final memory of me.
“Osta, you know it’s not a good idea,” I murmured, shifting on my feet.
“Fia, you’ll never get over your fears if you continue to give into them every time. You’ll have me. And we can sit on the patio. It’s usually empty, and it’s private. Come on, I know everyone that works there. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
I wracked my brain for any other valid excuse to not go, or at least, one that would make sense to her, but I fell flat. If this is what she really wanted, and it was our last day together, perhaps I could try. For her. I let out a loud sigh and looked down to see Osta smiling triumphantly.
“This way!” She commanded with a cheer, now walking with a revived energy. I groaned.