When Violet awoke the next morning, it took her a moment to remember where she was. The slight rocking of the boat on the water had given her dreams of sleeping in a canopy high in the treetops. She felt well rested despite the discussion that went late into the night. She stretched her legs and rolled her ankles about, checking for any pain from her strain before standing. The muscle had only the slightest feeling that anything had ever been wrong. There were no windows to indicate the time by daylight. She hoped she hadn't been let to sleep too long. She could hear commotion on the deck above and Katia's bedroom door was open and empty. She quickly washed and changed into a loose pair of tan linen pants and a gold top before heading upstairs. Of all the things they had discussed last night, and it had been quite a lot, what to do next had made her the most eager. They were headed north. Katia thought she knew where they would find a working set of portal rods that could get them close to the Oracle's location.
She blinked rapidly as the door creaked open at the top of the stairs and the sun hit her face. It was her momentary blindness that allowed her to be caught off guard by the boys. Wyeth's arms wrapped around her waist and he spun her through the air. Sawyer merely blushed when she returned his bright smile.
"Morning! We have been waiting for you get to up. There are so many plans to make," Wyeth said brightly.
"Breakfast is on the table," Sawyer added just as brightly, but with a little less enthusiasm.
"Mama Kat made it very clear that she was to eat first, Wyeth. Nothing until after she 'fuels up,'" he added in his best impression of Katia.
A small wooden table had been made with crates and wood planks. Two hammocks were still hung on the side of boat and blankets draped out of them. She peered around. There were several other small boats with patchwork sails and brightly colored wood adorned with shiny, metallic chains all caravanning up the river. The water was calm and sparkling a crystal blue. The trees lining the river were varying hues of bright green and swayed ever so slightly in the light summer breeze.
"Where is Katia?" Violet asked sitting at the table in front of an unused plate.
"She had to meet with with the other boat mistresses to discuss the alteration of our course." Sawyer said, putting a tray of steaming hot food on the table. "She's already steered us north toward Adlegaurd, but Mama Kat doesn't like to just make decisions for the fleet without meeting.
"Even though she could," Wyeth added, picking up an apple and taking a bite. Sitting across from her, he leaned back in the chair and kicked his feet up on the table. Violet scooted the tray of food clear of his heels with the raise of one eyebrow.
"It's wise to allow consultation with your crew, even if your mind's made up. She seems like a very astute woman and a good leader. I assume she is the leader of your group?"
"That she is," Sawyer beamed pridefully. "She's the Guardian of the Fleet. It's a very prestigious title.
"If gypsies cared much for titles," Wyeth chimed in. "It just means that she calls the meetings of the mistresses of each boat and has final say. She settles any disputes between the boats and makes sure everyone follows the code. There aren't a whole lot of laws when it comes to the gypsies, mainly customs and old traditions. We like our freedom."
"The mistresses of the boats?" Violet asked in between mouthfuls of food. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until her first bite.
"Each boat has a mistress in charge of its course, cargo, and family. Each runs her own ship with her own rules. While the fleet usually stays together, technically anyone can go their own way, except the Guardian that is. Wyeth makes light of Mama Kat's role, but really she is what holds this group together. She runs a tight fleet and there hasn't been a single unsettled discord as long as I can remember. She's tough, but fair." Sawyer said, taking a seat next to her and knocking Wyeth's feet so hard he fell backwards in his chair, hitting the deck.
When it was clear he was not injured, Violet giggled softly along side Sawyer's more direct laughter. Wyeth jumped up and with a surprising agility, sprung over the table and toppled Sawyer from his seat. The boys wrestled around the deck, Wyeth clearly overpowering his brother. Sawyer was clever though and used the rocking of the boat to guide the struggle towards the edge where he ensnared Wyeth in a pile of loose ropes. The boys laughed raucously as Wyeth flailed and landed himself even more entangled than his original snare. Violet ran to his aid.
"Oh, stop thrashing about, you're only making it worse," she said amused and attempting to unknot the mess that was Wyeth and the ropes. It was hard to tell where one began and the other ended.
Sawyer leaned delighted against the railing. "It's not often that I get one over on you, brother. But when I do...boy, what a mess you are."
That afternoon, Katia had filled the hours with chores for the boys. Their normal fare so Violet had been told. She sat with her legs dangling over the edge and playing a game with herself. She counted the number of trees she did and did not recognize. There was one tree in particular, with its large, heart shaped leaves, red and copper and green blending into one magnificent shade that reminded her of home. She enjoyed being on the water, but she missed being high above in the canopies. The trees were her home. Leaves rustled and a blue bird flew from an unseen branch. She was beginning to get used to being grounded, but that did not mean she did not envy that sweet, little creature. She closed her eyes and recalled the feeling of spreading her wings and ascending into the sky. She remembered an afternoon of flight, skimming her toes across water, much like this, and then soaring up into the sky, far above the water and far above the canopies. She recalled the view from above, the feeling of boundless wonder she had at the compelling beauty of nature every time she pushed herself higher, pushed herself until her lungs began to tighten and she had no choice but to lower herself from the immense heights. She gasped as she returned to her body and the boat. She looked back to the shore and added another tally to her recognized column.
The next month of travelling was much of the same, a mixture of playful antics and bustling chores during the day with long discussions over dinner that lasted well into night. Katia taught her a bit about herbs and potion making when she found a bit of free time. And, the boys took any opportunity to show off their tricks and abilities, as limited as they were. Violet settled in comfortably to the group dynamic. It did not take long at all for them to feel like old friends, trusting and unreserved.
They were on a trajectory, but they could not push the fleet tirelessly. Once a week the boats docked in a town for supplies and at night the gypsies had wild and carefree parties with feasts and music and dancing.
By the third week Violet had earned a small sum of money from her work on the boat. The gypsies did not give handouts and Violet had to earn her keep. She was a beautiful dancer and had earned a few coins at the docks dancing for small crowds. She especially loved to dance with the children and found she earned a few extra coins from the parents for keeping their children happy and out of trouble. She bought a few treats for herself and a new book and thought she might head back to the docks to catch a bit of quiet. She had just returned to the boat when Mama Kat came up from below. It was rare to find Katia on the boat in port. She rarely missed the opportunity to spin a few yarns for the townspeople and oversee the trading by the boys. But here she was nonetheless.
"Ahh, perfect timing. Did your ears itch?" Katia asked.
"My ears? Well, no...my ears are just fine I suppose." Violet said, confused.
Katia laughed merrily. "Ah well, I was just thinking about ya is all. I've been working on a present for ya and I've just finished it. I wanted to have it done by tonight. Come down and see." She gestured for Violet to follow her below deck. Lying across the couch was a beautiful dress made of green velvet interwoven with gold silk. Violet ran her fingers along the material. It was soft and delicate, much fancier than anything Katia herself wore. Katia was prone to wearing bulkier fabrics, skirts and blouses made of cotton and linens, as was the style for most of the gypsy women.
"This is beautiful, but far too generous of a gesture. I don't deserve such a kindness." Violet said softly.
"Now, now dear," Katia said lifting up the dress and handing it to her. "I've only got boys and if I'm going to make a girl's dress I'm going to do it right. Besides, whether you know it or not you've done me quite a favor. My boys have never been better behaved as they are with you on board."
Violet's eyes widened in disbelief. "This is them behaved?" She chuckled.
Katia nodded. "I've had extra time to myself without having to discipline those two. Now go and try it on. I'll see if we need to make any adjustments."
Violet went into Katia's bedroom and closed the door. She slipped easily into the dress and took a long look at herself in the freestanding mirror in the corner of the small room. The dress fit perfectly. The thin straps widened in the back just at the place where the outline of her wings began. Intricate gold needlework edged the deep green neckline that plunged slightly to accentuate her figure while still maintaining her modesty. The dress snugged her waist and hips with the same intricate gold design and then freely flowed into slitted layers of gold, green, and cream about her legs that came to rest, barely brushing the tops of her feet.
Katia wrapped softly on the door. "Ya decent?"
Violet flew to the door, threw it open, and wrapped her arms around the woman who stood startled in the doorway. She couldn't hold back the tears. Katia held her affectionately for a few moments until she seemed to regain composure. Katia pulled away slowly, lifting Violet's chin with one finger.
"Now, now dear, what seems to be the matter?"
Violet smiled meekly and wiped her eyes. "This dress...your kindness..." Katia patted her cheek. "I just got overwhelmed for a moment. I'm alright now."
Katia pulled back a fraction further. "Well, let me see then. Oh, it does fit well. What a lovely figure ya have. I used to have a figure like yers. O'course that was many, many years ago now. But I remember it well. I had all sorts of fellas trailing after me like...well, like my boys trail after you." Violet blushed and opened her mouth, but Katia went on. "Oh, it's harmless dearie. It's just how boys are with girls. They just don't know any other way."
That night the party seemed livelier than ever. The lights shone brighter and the music was merrier. Violet felt glamorous in her new dress. She laughed and danced well into the night, spinning from one person to the next. Sawyer and Wyeth both took their turns twirling her about. They laughed gaily when she blushed at their arms around her waist. Sawyer whispered in her ear that she looked beautiful and brushed the hair from her face. All in all, it was a lovely evening.
When the crowd had thinned out and lamps had been extinguished, Violet found herself alone on the deck of Katia's boat. She draped her arms over the railing and dangled her legs over the edge. Tilting her head back she stared up into the night sky. The stars dusted the darkness and twinkled from far off distances. She took a deep breath, trying to relax the butterflies flapping in her stomach. She felt torn between two worlds.
"Did you have fun tonight?" Sawyer's voice rippled through the darkness. He took a seat beside her, letting his bare heels kick the side of the boat with a slight thud.
"I did. It was a beautiful evening," Violet responded, not taking her eyes from the sky.
"Then, what's wrong?"
Sawyer was content with her silence, waiting patiently for her to collect her thoughts.
"Do you think my home..." she hesitated, "where I'm from...is up there?
He looked up, tracing her gaze. The stars were countless, dusting the vast, dark sky.
"I don't know," he whispered, shaking his head lightly.
"Do you think my parents are looking up at this same sky wondering where I am and if I'm okay?" Subconsciously she fingered her mother's necklace.
Sawyer didn't know how to respond. He took her free hand in his and interlaced their fingers. She smiled sadly and laid her head on his shoulder, letting her free hand fall from her neck.
"Am I interrupting something?" Wyeth's voice came from behind them, a hint of jealousy pushing through.
He sat on the other side of Violet and seeing the tears on the brim of her eyes, dropped the pretense and silently took her other hand in his. She shuddered as a burst of what could only be likened to electricity raced through her. She said nothing to the boys, only squeezed their hands and added this new sensation atop the pile of questions she knew might never be answered.
It was quite some time before any of them spoke.
Finally, Sawyer broke the silence. "I never asked what it as like. Where you're...we're..." he cleared his throat, "where we're from. I'm sorry. I should have."
Violet looked at him searchingly.
"It's okay. I understand. It must be painful not even knowing what it is you're missing." She released their hands and crossed her arms across her chest, curling in on herself. She dragged her toes across the top of the water. "It's different there. When magic and special abilities are involved...like, science. It's so interesting the way your books talk about science. Basic things are the same, atoms, molecules...but your laws of, I think you call them physics, don't completely apply to us."
"Oh, sure, physics, right..." Wyeth chimed in, running his hand through his hair and nodding fervently, his voice full of a false sense of self assurance. "Of course."
"Electricity is especially fascinating," she added with a smile.
"Wait, you don't have electricity?" Sawyer asked incredulously.
She cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "We don't need it," she smirked.
"Right, of course not," Sawyer responded sheepishly.
"But that's what's so incredible to me, all the things this world has accomplished without magic. Is it true that you can hold a device in your hand and have information from all over the world right at your fingertips?"
"Well, for most people, yea, they've got phones and computers and stuff," Wyeth said. "Tech's always been tricky for people with magical lineage though. It's like the magic interferes. I don't know why, but even the simplest things, like, I can't wear a digital watch."
"Digital?" Violet asked.
"It means there's a little computer running it instead of gears," Wyeth went on as Violet nodded.
"They just don't work on me. Within minutes they've stopped completely."
"Strange," she added, shaking her head.
"In the grand scope of things," Wyeth flashed a large grin, "it really isn't."
She chuckled and looked back up toward the sky. "I wonder what this world would have been like had it stayed whole, had humans and magic lived side by side. Could you even imagine what they could have accomplished?"
"So, if it's different from here, what is it like then?" Sawyer prodded.
She thought for a moment about how to answer. She stretched her arms behind her and leaned back on them, still skimming her toes across the clear water. "It's brighter somehow. There are so many possibilities. I never really realized it until...anyway, my house is high up in a canopy. My whole village is in the treetops, in fact. We have a beautiful view of the Callesty River. It shimmers day and night. I can see it sparkling from my bedroom window, like a glittering nightlight in the distance. We live a little differently than you do. My village, at least, is more of a community. While we do have separate houses, we have common areas for cooking and dining. We all pitch in to help each other out. It's more similar to the way gypsies do things than regular humans. I used to teach the youngest classes flying tricks. There are woven rope bridges connecting everything until they really get the hang of it." Her voice began to build in excitement as it took on a slight instructional tone. "It's a pretty incredible design actually. The village was built hundreds of years ago by a man named Devlin Conswarch. He was a brilliant architect. He designed a lot of the villages in my area, as well as Callesty Proper, the central town for our region. It was named after the river, not vice versa. Oh, a central town is like your capital, I suppose. In the center is this magnificent citadel. It's built completely out of moonstone. Almost everyone had a hand in building it. Fairies and goblins created the stones together. Elves actually constructed the formation.They are very good at building things. It's one of the most beautiful examples of magical cooperation in existence. It unified all the people in the region. Not just because they were all represented in its forming, but because it was a common place for them all to work and mingle and learn from each other. My father used to tell me the story of when it was built, long before his time, of course. But, he knew all about these things. He was full of stories and I loved hearing all of them. Anytime we went anywhere he would regale me with the history and I would memorize every fact and every anecdote. But that didn't stop me from asking for the same ones over and over...and he never tired of telling me, no matter how many times I asked. I thought his job was so fascinating. He works in the tallest tower of the citadel. It holds the Chronicles and he is a Keeper, kind of like a historian and a scholar...and an advisor of sorts. It's a very prestigious position," she added with pride. "But, of course, he's a humble man." She looked at each of them quickly and blushed. "I'm sorry. I'm blathering on."
Sawyer patted her on the shoulder. "I'm glad you can finally really talk about it. Go on. You're always playing with your mother's necklace, she must have been very special to you."
Violet shut her eyes, tears welled up without warning and Wyeth gave her knee a light squeeze. "Only if you want to," he said softly. She smiled and nodded.
"It's weird to miss someone so terribly, and at the same time not be sure if seeing them again is worth losing what you've found." She couldn't make eye contact with either of them. She stared into her lap. "I love my mother and my father and my friends and my home...and...my world...but...I don't know..."
The tears began to flow freely and she buried her face in her hands. Wyeth and Sawyer looked at each other over her back with panicked expressions, neither knew what to say. After a few moments, she scoffed at herself and sat upright, straightening her back and pulling her hair from her face. She brushed the remaining tears from under her eyes and rubbed the back of her neck. She looked at her friends from her peripheral vision and chuckled softly at their dumbfounded appearance. They returned her gesture with awkward, but genuine smiles.
"I'm fine boys. But, thank you. You're concern is..." She could not contain her laughter. She shook her head in amusement and patted them both on the leg. "You have no idea what to do with a crying girl!" She gushed.
They gawked at her, mouths open, brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry," she managed to get out between bouts of giggles. She tried to catch her breath.
"Your faces though!" She erupted again and fanned her heated cheeks. "It's too much!"
After a few minutes more of trading teases and nudges back and forth, the three finally settled back into staring up at the sky. They laid back against the wooden deck and clasped hands again, feeling a new connectedness. And that was how Katia found them in the morning, lying on the deck, asleep, still clinging to each other.