Realm Leaper, page 8
The idea that good memories were lurking somewhere in that brain of hers had Sage up and out of bed in a hurry. The sun hadn’t risen, not yet illuminating the town below, and Sage rushed to get ready for the day.
She rummaged through the closets and got dressed. She brushed her hair, opting to leave it hanging down today, the better to cover her rounded ears. With a final look in the mirror, Sage gave herself a final mental pep talk to boost her confidence. She was nervous about leaving the tower, but the nerves rode atop a wave of excitement and curiosity.
Sage rushed through the hallways, quietly tiptoeing down the stairwell. She hoped she wouldn’t regret this.
Hyacinth was busy, stirring what looked like ground meat in a pan over the fire, and occasionally checking flatbreads in the oven. Her bronze hair was tied up in a bun on her head, and her cheeks were flushed from the activity.
Sage cleared her throat, “Can I be of any help?”
Hyacinth paused in her tracks, turning to stare at Sage. After a moment, the pop of the meat in the pan brought them both back into focus.
“Yes. Thank you. I assume you can keep bread from burning? Just keep an eye on those breads, and slice those oranges. If you don’t mind.”
Sage got to work slicing several bright, fragrant oranges while keeping a close watch on the breads.
She quietly observed Hyacinth who was clearly in her element preparing the meat and putting the finishing touches on an egg pie that had been cooling on the counter.
A strange air of familiarity hung around Hyacinth, so much so that Sage forgot to watch the breads. Hyacinth yelped as one caught fire in the stone oven. Before Sage could react, Hyacinth summoned a ball of water and expertly smothered the bread encased in flames, leaving the coals on the bottom of the oven unscathed before sweeping in and scooping the remaining breads into the safety of her basket.
“Well, I suppose we should have stuck with one task at first,” Hyacinth said to Sage with a side-eye.
“Sorry. I’m out of practice, I guess,” Sage replied.
“Not to worry. Get those oranges in that bowl over there. Petra will be here any second to take all of this upstairs. Will you wait in that back room until she’s gone?” Hyacinth pointed to the room Sage had seen her come from the day before. Sage nodded as she passed the bowl of oranges to Hyacinth, and headed for the back room. She was surprised to walk into a makeshift, slightly rustic bedroom, complete with a bed, a small table for dining or writing, and a vanity holding a wash table. The space felt unfinished, but somehow inviting, cozy even.
Moments later, Sage heard Petra enter, and Hyacinth directed which dishes were to go upstairs to the others.
“She’s gone. You can come back in now,” Hyacinth called out a few moments later.
Sage stepped back into the kitchen, where Hyacinth was fixing two plates of food. A second egg pie had been held back, and Hyacinth plated a slice of it for each of them, along with a few slices of fresh sweet peppers, oranges, and unburned bread. Sage’s mouth watered, realizing how hungry she felt as she took in the spread. She couldn’t help a wary feeling from climbing up her spine. “Are you sure Petra won’t be back down here?”
“She won’t make her way back here for a while. But I wouldn’t worry about her if I were you.” Hyacinth patted a stool, gesturing for Sage to have a seat.
“Why does she bother coming down here for the food anyway? Can’t you all use magic to move the food like dinner the other night?”
Hyacinth exhaled loudly, “Well, I suppose it's just an excuse for Petra to come check on me, without seeming like she’s actually checking on me. Now, sit. Let’s eat while we have the time.”
As Sage sat on the stool at the kitchen island, Hyacinth placed a teapot and two mugs down before taking a seat next to her. The two females sat in silence, staring at each other for several long moments. Hyacinth cleared her throat and poured tea into the two mugs, before gesturing toward Sage’s plate of food.
Sage smiled, “Why did you want to see me? Petra seemed to believe you’d want nothing to do with me, or any of the others.”
Hyacinth paused, her eyes sliding away from Sage like she was considering how to answer the question. Sage got the impression she was trying to decide how much to tell her.
Still not meeting her gaze, Hyacinth whispered, “You look just like her. I thought at first you might be her, somehow, but when I got close…your scent was all wrong, and your ears.”
Sage felt her cheeks redden. She wasn’t sure she had ever felt embarrassed about her ears before. A quick look at Hyacinth, grinning sweetly, took the sting away from the comment. Still, Sage untucked her hair from her ears, letting her locks drape over her rounded ears.
“You are so much like Celia, my sister. You have a similar sense of humor, too. You know, we were in the work camp with Petra. The three of us, we were close. We looked out for each other. Petra hadn’t seen her family in decades when my sister, Celia, and I arrived at the work camp. We shared sleeping quarters, and we became each other’s family.”
“What happened to her?”
A long moment stretched between the question and Hyacinth’s answer, “I was a willful prisoner, I routinely challenged our guards. I would make trouble whenever and wherever I thought I could get away with it. Petra did, too, and we often worked together to cause dissent among the other prisoners. Petty things, usually. I would over-salt the guards’ food when I had kitchen duty, or would purposefully use food that had expired. Petra would leave burn marks on uniforms when she was sent to manage the laundry. Celia would egg us on, but wouldn’t often join in. She was smart enough to fear the guards and their thinning patience.
“One day, Petra and I decided if enough of us prisoners joined together, we could overthrow the guards. They were in the middle of shifting units, so the full force of Rankor’s men weren’t there. We all had bands of iron soldered onto our wrists to keep us from using our powers, but many of us still had some access. Petra’s powers were the strongest of all of us. So we laid plans to break out and make our way to the allies who were beginning to join up arms against Rankor.”
Sage had been carefully taking bites of the egg pie, which was delicious, and set her fork down, “So you guys broke free?”
Hyacinth shook her head. “One of the prisoners had befriended some of the guards. I guess she got special treatment. I hadn’t actually ever met her before, but she heard of the plans from someone else, and she informed the guards. They were waiting for us as we set our plans into motion. They put us down before we even got started. As punishment…” Hyacinth took a deep breath and stared at Sage. “Instead of punishing me and Petra, they stripped my sister and dragged her to the center of the work camp. They beat her. They held me and Petra down and forced us to watch. And then…then they executed her.” Hyacinth looked away again. “They wouldn’t even let me bury her. They tied me to the wall, and forced me to watch for days as the birds picked her body clean. Petra, too.”
Sage pushed her plate away, the horror she saw in Hyacinth’s eyes taking away her hunger. “Gods, Hyacinth. That is the most…I’m so sorry.”
She wanted to cover her face, her body. Gods, why would she land here? Where she would force these people to relive such awful memories.
Sage didn’t know what else she could say, and instead reached for Hyacinth’s hand. “I’m so sorry. I wish I knew why I was here.”
Hyacinth smiled, “You know, Petra is not so thrilled with you here. I reckon she will never forgive herself for what happened to Celia, for not being able to save her. But…just the other day, it struck me…I was beginning to forget her. Her face…I had a hard time remembering details about Celia. I couldn’t remember her smile. And then there you were.
“The Goddess blessed me. I know you aren’t my sister, but just seeing your face…it brings a little bit of peace to me.”
Tears lined Hyacinth’s eyes, and Sage wiped at her own, realizing she was crying, too. “I think I had a sister, too. I think you could have looked very much like her,” Sage whispered, searching Hyacinth’s face, her heart squeezing at the little details that reminded her of the girl from her dream.
They smiled at each other, and Sage surprised herself by reaching forward and hugging Hyacinth. They laughed at their mutual surprise, and as they parted their smiles lingered as they finished their tea and breakfast.
“Did the rest of your family survive Rankor? What about your parents?” asked Sage.
“My parents survived. They had actually been visiting some extended family in the Maracadian Islands, my mother’s family is from there. The islands are enchanted. Rankor was never able to breach their defenses. They tried early on to find a way to free us when we were captured, but it was impossible. They settled there, but I haven’t been able to force myself to go to them. Not yet. I write to them, though. I get to tell them about serving the Royal Family. I tell them all about Veritasailles, even if I don’t venture out into it. I haven’t figured out how to go back into the world after everything.”
“Gavin is taking me into the city today. Would you like me to bring you anything?” Sage offered.
Hyacinth beamed, “I know I could ask Petra for this, but she does so much already… They’ve started selling art for the Queen’s birthday. I would love a commemorative banner. I won’t go to the celebration, but I will see it from the window in my room.”
Sage grinned. She didn’t have any money, but she would figure out some way to make that happen. She hugged Hyacinth again, “You’ve got a deal,” then hopped off her stool before grabbing the plates and bringing them to the sink in the corner.
Sage was washing their dishes when Petra returned, carrying the dirty dishes from upstairs.
“I thought I told you—“ Petra began.
“She’s my guest, Petra. I invited her,” Hyacinth cut in.
Petra glared at Sage as she dropped the dishes on the island, then exited with a swoosh of her skirts.
Hyacinth rolled her eyes, “It will take some time for her to get used to this.”
Sage shrugged. She didn’t really care if Petra ever came around. It wouldn’t change her situation.
Sage had just finished washing the last plate, preparing to start on the pie dishes left on the counter when Gavin walked in.
“I heard you’d been put to work down here,” he said, grabbing an apple off the shelf.
Hyacinth’s face went white and she scurried into her room.
“Aren’t you supposed to stay out of here?” Sage glowered.
“Sorry, Hyacinth,” Gavin called in the direction of her room. “Should I stay and help?”
“Just go back upstairs. I’ll be up there in a minute,” Sage said, sharply, shooing him towards the door.
She was looking forward to her tour of the city, but felt protective over Hyacinth’s space after hearing her story. Well, maybe she and Petra had some common ground after all.
“Sorry,” Gavin replied, palms outstretched, as he backed out of the room. “Meet me on the balcony.”
“He’s gone,” called Sage once she was sure Gavin was out of earshot. “He shouldn’t have barged in here on you.”
“It’s ok. He means well. The first month he was here he tried every week to come help down here. Zeke had to threaten him with night sentry duty for a month to get him to stop. He means well, but… he just doesn’t seem to understand,” Hyacinth shrugged.
Sage finished with the pie pans, and drying her hands on the towel hanging by the sink asked, “Should I come back tomorrow morning?”
“If you’d like. I’d like that very much. Maybe I can teach you how to bake bread without burning it,” Hyacinth teased with a smirk.
“Look out ladies and gents, she’s got cooking skills and a sense of humor,” Sage drawled before exiting the kitchen. “See you tomorrow.”
Sage headed up to her room to tidy up before she went to find Gavin. She was just exiting her room when a whispered “There you are,” had her almost jump out of her skin.
Sage whirled around to find Gavin grinning, like sunshine incarnate, his hand outstretched in invitation.
✧✦✧
“Ready?” Gavin extended his hand to her. Sage laid her hand in his, and he guided her up the stairs towards the open balcony in the center of the Obelisk. “I was waiting on the balcony when I realized you probably didn’t have a clue where it was.”
“Thanks,” she replied softly.
She was wearing one of the pants one-pieces popular in Veritasailles. The dark cream color complimented her sun-kissed skin, and Gavin couldn’t help but appreciate the way that the pants emphasized her lean legs.
He cleared his throat when she caught him staring and asked, “How much do you trust me?”
Sage replied with a grin, “You? Hardly at all.”
“Well, this is going to be a test for us both then,” said Gavin.
Before her eyes, Gavin shifted, flexing his shoulder muscles and extending his white feathered wings, tipped in black, on either side of him. Sage opened her mouth as if to say something, blinked, and shut her mouth again, taking a step backward.
“What is that for?” she said, pointing at his wings.
“This is how we get down there,” said Gavin, pointing to the city below. “Here,” he pulled Sage towards him, “hold on here. I promise not to drop you.” Gavin put her arms around his neck, and after gathering her legs into his arms, ran and leapt off the balcony.
Sage buried her face into his neck, “No, no no no no….Gods, oh my…” she whispered to herself. Her breath hit his neck in quick pants, and he squeezed her a bit tighter to his body.
Gavin couldn’t help but laugh, “You mean fireball girl can’t brave a short flight, with someone who knows what they’re doing, mind you?”
Sage just gripped his neck tighter in response.
“Sage, trust me. Look,” said Gavin. Slowly, she peeked her head out from his neck and gazed out at Veritasailles as they flew over the city.
The city glittered before them; dome-topped buildings glittering in the sun like jewels washed ashore from the sea. People below, dressed in chitons, tunics, and robes, went about their business, unbothered by one of their fellows flying above them. In fact, several other fae sported similar winged physiques, some of them calling out in greeting to Gavin as they passed by. Gavin noticed Sage smiling softly as she gazed at the city flying below them.
Gavin found an empty courtyard, and landed softly, gently placing Sage squarely on her feet and encircling her waist with his arms. She stood there, gripping his neck for a moment before taking a deep breath and taking in their surroundings, then stepping away from him and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I guess I prefer flying to falling, but I can’t say I don’t prefer solid ground,” Sage said.
They had landed in a courtyard centered around a fountain. Floral vines grew around the walls of the courtyard. Several gated, open archways offered glimpses to the city beyond.
“Where are we?” Sage asked.
“This is one of the gardens on the outside of the palace. We’re close to one of the markets; I thought you’d like to start there,” Gavin explained and led Sage through one of the archways.
Sound and sunlight flooded his senses as they stepped through the opening and Gavin led Sage down the cobbled streets flanked by stables, trades booths, and sentries walking their routes.
Gavin waved politely to a few sentries and gently nudged Sage through the increasing crowds as they approached an intersection of roads. The outlines of the market were becoming visible, and the sounds and smells of bustling commerce increasing.
Even after nearly a year of living here, the abruptness of the street turning into a marketplace surprised and delighted Gavin. He smiled at the look of awe on Sage’s face, mirroring his own feelings. The market was vast; what felt like an infinity of covered booths and stalls, selling handmade housewares, foods, spices, jewelry, clothing, upholstery, art, books, and anything else a fae could imagine or want stretching before them.
Gavin grinned; this was his favorite market in the city. It wasn’t the busiest, definitely a plus, and it featured his favorite tavern, which offered a rooftop patio and musicians at most hours, day or night. The plan for the day included a stop there. He hoped she would appreciate the atmosphere.
They began their trek through the market by stopping by one of the abundant clothiers, where Sage ran her hand along the fine clothes, and admired the myriad of colors. A quick stop at a booth selling handmade jewelry then led the pair into a housewares shop, where Sage remarked at the artisan clay pots, hand-carved spoons, and glass jars used for preserving spreads.
“Gods, everything here is so beautiful. The small bits I remember of home can’t compare to this,” Sage remarked while admiring a set of copper mugs.
“What kinds of things do you remember, ” asked Gavin.
“I remember things being made for efficiency, not beauty; where I come from, things are…colder.”
They exited the housewares shop, and walked down the street again, occasionally pointing at something that caught their interest. As they walked, Gavin noticed the way their hands bumped against each other; he could have sworn he caught a touch of blush on Sage’s cheeks when he noticed her staring at him in one of the market stalls.
They made it to the tavern, and Gavin gestured to it, “Would you like to stop? We could grab something to eat if you’d like.” He could already hear the musicians on the rooftop and hoped he hadn’t overstepped with this suggestion.
Sage nodded, “That’d be great…oh, but I don’t have any money. We should probably just head back.”
Gavin laid a hand on her back, “Nonsense. Allow me, please. My treat,” and led her into the tavern and up the stairs that led to the rooftop patio. The barkeep greeted Gavin from behind the bar as they made their way to the stairs. They found a seat on the outer edge of the patio, a bit removed from the musician, to allow for conversation. A tavern maid met the pair at their table, and Gavin ordered some ales, bread, and asked for a small spread to be shared between them.
