End of Summer 212
Maiden’s Drink
It’s the best day of the week. Today, she gets to go over to Aunt Leona’s house for a few days.
She used to be allowed to walk there on her own, but after she got caught sneaking off to the beach and the docks for the third time, Mother and Father now strictly require an escort when she leaves the house.
Fortunately for her, they are far too busy to accompany her themselves. So, the task falls to the most important person in her world. Aunt Leona.
Astarael sits up in bed with excitement, knocking her collection of shells and stones on her window ledge askew.
Oops.
She makes her bed, and begins to pack. From her hiding place, she digs out a tunic, pair of pants, and a small dagger, all gifted by her aunt. Mother and Father would be very upset if they knew she had those. They’re very unladylike things, apparently.
Astarael rolls her eyes at that thought, and spies the latest embroidery sampler on her bedside table. She sticks her tongue out at it, and quietly mimics the voice of her mother, making a grumpy face in mockery.
“Fine young women are well behaved and polite. It’s not ladylike to swear. It’s not ladylike to climb walls and trees. Astarael, stop staring out the window and work on your needlework!”
She lets out an exasperated sigh, packs up the treasures on the windowsill with her clothes, and dons a suitable day dress.
Astarael heads off to the dining room, where her father is having his usual breakfast. He’s in the process of downing his morning tea with haste as she walks in.
“Good morning, Father.”
No reply. As usual, his free hand not holding the cup is busy making notations in a sketchbook. He puts the cup down to eat some toast. She sits next to him.
“I was hoping to speak with you about something important, Father.”
No response.
“I really rather think my talents are best suited for becoming a cliff diver.”
Nothing.
“So, I was thinking of going down to the docks and volunteering for a ten year voyage.”
This evokes a reaction from him. “Now, Astarael, you know your mother and I said you’re not to go down there! The docks are too dangerous for a young girl.” He doesn’t even look up at her to see that it was said in jest. She doubts he heard anything other than “…down to the docks…”
He closes the notebook and shoves it under his arm as he strides from the room. “Your aunt will be here soon to collect you. Be sure you’re ready.”
He leaves her to eat her toast in sullen silence.
Her parents sole focus is on their business. Nothing in this world is more important to them than that, and their reputation. As long as Astarael stays out of the way, away from the townsfolk, and out of trouble, they are satisfied. Lately their work has been attracting the attention of some minor nobles from a nearby city. Astarael and her family will be travelling there soon to meet with them.
She’s not sure why she has to be dragged along, but at least she gets to spend some time with Aunt Leona before she goes.
At her Aunt’s house, she has freedom. And more than that, her aunt is full of interesting knowledge and skills, which she happily teaches to her niece. (In secret, of course!) Fun things, like how to speak Halfling, or play cards. Practical things, such as climbing, hunting and preparing food. Together they sneak off to visit Leona’s friend, Captain Ververe, when his ship is in port. They teach Astarael about the parts of the ship, and the important jobs of each crew member. Together they climb the rigging, and spend many a candle diving off the side into the cool water below.
Those are the best days.
On the way back, they stop at the top of the cliff outside of the village, and sit for a while, staring out into the sea. Often, storms are visible in the distance.
They are frequent in this area, and always have been, but there is talk amongst the sailors and townsfolk that the storms are getting worse.
Astarael does her best to avoid such people. They often stop and stare as she goes by. They whisper as she passes.
People say she is responsible for it. The damage, the lives lost at sea. It is her fault. She is cursed.
Sometimes Astarael would get upset, and noticing this, her Aunt would comfort her, and lead her away. Back to that spot on the cliff. Together they would breathe and feel the wind. Focus on the taste of the salt in the air. The sound of the waves.
Doing so always makes her feel better. And calmer.
Astarael is picturing this place, when she realizes she can hear voices from the room next door. Her mother, and her aunt.
She’s here already?
Astarael moves to the door, but as she does so, she notices the tone in their voices. They’re arguing. She freezes, and creeps closer to the open door frame to eavesdrop.
Her aunt’s voice.
“I can’t believe you would do this. You promised me I could look after her!”
‘That was before! Things have changed. She’s getting out of hand.”
“If you bothered to spend any time with her and actually pay attention, you’d know that’s not true! She’s fifteen now! This is normal teenage stuff. Not…”
Leda cuts her off.
“NO. They’re right, it is getting worse. And there’s nothing you or I can do to help.”
Her mother’s voice drops to a lower tone. It’s harder to hear.
“They said … can help. … if we just … with her, … it doesn’t have to be like it was with … don’t have a choice anymore. … has to go. … have a chance.”
Leona’s voice, loud and clear.
“I don’t like it. Just because they give you good money and prestige doesn’t mean they have good intentions, Leda! I don’t trust them.”
“The matter is settled. It’s no longer up for discussion.”
Astarael is startled as her mother rounds the doorway, nearly bumping into her. She does her best to compose herself and make it look like she was just walking out of the dining room, and not lingering to listen.
“Astarael. Where is your father?”
“He left for work already. I’m ready to go!”
“I’m sorry Astarael, but you can’t go today. Something has come up.”
Astarael sends a distressed look in the direction of her aunt, who has just appeared behind her mother. Leona looks as confused as Astarael does.
She says, “What do you mean she can’t go?”
Leda turns. “We have things to attend to. You can come and collect her as usual next week.”
She turns to Astarael. “Change into something more suitable, then come and join me in the study with your needlework. You will have your regular lessons today.” She leaves.
Aunt Leona grabs Astarael’s shoulders and pulls her into a hug.
“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine. Do as your mother says. I’ll see you soon.” She kisses the girl on the forehead. “I love you.”
Astarael bites her own lower lip, trying to contain her anger.
“I love you too, Aunt Leona.”
3 days later
Astarael is in the middle of packing for their trip. She’s currently considering sneaking her blade into a hidden compartment in her bag, when she hears someone at the door. She panics, and stuffs the small knife down the front of her dress.
Her father’s voice is slightly muffled by the heavy wooden door. “Astarael, please come downstairs. We need to speak with you.”
He never comes by her room. This must be serious.
“Yes, Father. I’ll be right there.”
Outside the window, thunder booms.
She finds them in her mother’s study. Both are sitting quietly on the settee. Not an unusual place for them to be, but what is strange is that neither is working on something. Her mother’s hands are folded in her lap, rather than stitching away on a customer’s commission. Her father doesn’t have his head bent over a sketchbook.
This IS serious. What did she do now?
Now she notices her mother’s tears. She’s always so composed. This isn’t good.
Her father speaks. “Astarael, perhaps you should sit.”
As if pulled by a magnet, she drops into a nearby chair. Her usual spot. Today it feels hard and foreign.
“Astarael…” his voice trails off, and he swallows. Her mother puts her face in her hands and begins to sob. He puts an arm around her, and tries again.
“Astarael, there’s been a terrible accident. Your Aunt has died.”
She stands with a jolt. Her voice cracks with panic, a lump in her throat. “WHAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE’S DIED? NO. THIS CAN’T BE. NO!”
BA-BOOM. Thunder cracks again.
Her father stands, starting to cross the room. “Please, Astarael. I know you’re upset. Calm down. Please.”
There’s urgency in his voice. She’s too distraught to recognise it, but beneath that, there’s a hint of fear.
Astarael lets out a cry of anguish.
BAA-BOOOOM.
Before they can stop her, she turns, leaves the room, and runs out the front door.
She’s not paying attention to where she’s going. Her feet are carrying her all on their own. Her vision is obscured with tears, staining the sleeves of her dress as she wipes them away.
BAAA-BOOOOOOM.
The first drops of rain hit her. The wind is picking up. It’s going to be a big storm.
As she turns onto a wider road, a strange sight catches her eye.
A crowd of townsfolk. Not at home, hunkered down to stay safe. But out, together. Carrying…weapons?
No one seems to see her, and they are headed away.
She does not notice that they’re going in the direction she came from.
She turns and makes a beeline for the stone archway, the main way in and out of Maiden’s drink. It’s large wooden gates are open. She doesn’t notice the guard, staring at her as she runs by him.
Astarael is winded by the time she makes it to her spot by the cliff. It’s not too far from the town entrance, but she ran as fast as she could. She drops to the ground, and begins to sob.
BAAAA-BOOOOOOOOOOOM
Lightning cracks across the sky in the distance, but Astarael does not see it. She’s on her hands and knees now. The rain becomes torrential, soaking her through. She hears noise. People approaching.
She gathers a handful of loose earth in her fingers in anger.
NOT NOW. LEAVE ME ALONE.
The sounds are coming closer.
IT’S NOT MY FAULT. IT’S NOT MY FAULT.
The wind whips around her as she rises. The voices of the wind, always present, speaking louder. Voices only she can hear.
She ignores it. The crowd has drawn close. They look angry. Some are shouting, but she can’t hear what they’re saying over the pounding in her ears.
They’re pressing in. Seeming threatening. She’s scared. Angry. She just wants to be alone.
She shouts, “LEAVE ME ALONE!”
And lets out a high pitched scream.
BAAAA-BOOOOOOM
A bright flash of light shoots down from the sky. First her vision is a field of white, then goes black.
She wakes up on the ground. Beneath her, a strange smooth pattern, dark, and glassy. It branches out from her like the bare limbs and twigs of a tree.
Clutched in her hand, is a small smooth stone, the same material as below her. She looks up. Around her, the villagers who were standing nearest are lying on the ground.
Some she immediately recognizes. The young man, Revve. The baker from down the street. The grumpy old sailor who hangs out by the 4th pier. And others. All people who have lived in Maiden’s Drink her whole life.
They look dead.
The ones still standing look terrified and angry, and are backing away.
She sees an opening in the crowd, and takes advantage of it. The storm raging above, Astarael runs away.
The dark glassy stone is still in her grasp.
Episode navigation
Previous
Previous:
UnluckyNext
Next:
The Boy in the Tavern
Back to: