As A Stranger Or A Friend?: The Swallow And The Drowned Sailor

Axtapor - 10 Sun's Dawn, 1246 A.D.

"I cannot say that I am glad to hear that you are leaving, but I am glad to see you in better spirits, hatchling. Though I hope it lasts, you are more changeful than the wind." My grandmother said with a sly smile as she sipped on her tea.

I laughed. "Aye, I be."

"My! One might believe you to be a bridegroom with how easily you admit your own faults!" She exclaimed.

"Ye will know when I marry proper. Would no do somethin' as so 'hind yer back." I replied with a chuckle as I took a drink of tea.

"When may I meet her?" She asked, leaning in my direction with a hopeful look.

"There be nary one to meet." I replied, waving my free hand dismissively.

"Then I suppose this sudden about-face is due to finding Kava's love in your heart?" She asked with a scoff.

"Aye, Kava loves me." I barked a laugh.

She laughed along with me for a moment, then calmed with a sigh. "Well, I do wish to meet her, your star...she must be someone quite extraordinary."

As her words settled between us, I tapped the table with a single claw.

How strange it was to have to silence the singing of my heart and to have to pretend that Mariel didn't exist. It was unexpectedly painful, and the longing from before we'd been reunited returned in full force, though only for a few moments. Still, those short moments were enough to make me crave being in her arms once more.

My grandmother gently took my hand in hers from across the small tea table. "The beauty of stars, hatchling, is that they shine whether we can see them or not. They do not disappear simply because the clouds pull in."

"Aye." I whispered as I squeezed her hand and tossed her a tight-lipped smile.

I could not tell her anything about Mariel, at least not yet, but perhaps one day I would be able to. They might even be able to meet. If they ever did, they would surely have much to say to one another. I frowned slightly. I would, without a doubt, be their topic of conversation, if only because they had no other common ground. The idea of both of them teaming up against me was not at all appealing because while Mariel might appear innocent enough, I knew her to have something of a mischievous side, understated as it might be. That, combined with my grandmother's unabashed frankness, would only be a recipe for my own destruction. Perhaps it was better that they didn't meet just yet.

We talked for a few minutes longer while I finished my tea, then said our goodbyes. I left her on the sunny terrace, enjoying one of her homemade blends with a serene smile and a lightness to her shoulders. The creation we enjoyed had been robust, tasting of cinnamon and cloves, decidedly warm, just like her and my Mariel. I smiled at the realization, then went to my chambers to gather the last of my things to prepare for our departure. Once I was sure I had everything, I made my way about the rest of the house, looking for my sisters so I could say my goodbyes to them.

"What do you think about this color? I quite like it in the linen, you know, for the girls? And maybe this one for the boys." I heard Ulsei speaking from a nearby room.

"Yes, that one is lovely. I remember Mama saying this sort washes easily too." Egra agreed.

I slowly came to a stop and leaned against the wall beside the door, deciding to listen for a few moments instead of interrupting them.

"Oh, well, I won't be doing any sort of washing..." Ulsei retorted.

"Well, maybe not, but you should want to keep your slaves happy." Egra mused in response.