Leaving

Early in the morning, before the day had fully started, I crept downstairs and grabbed a towel and a bar of bright blue soap. Then I crept out the door. Heading to the woods, I mentally went over what we were doing today. I was rather stressed, and thinking over things always helped me. Okay, first, I thought, we get packed. Second, we go to the dock and board the boat. Third, we sail. As we draw nearer to the mainland, Lu and I will get dressed in our nice dresses for our public appearance when we get off the gangplank. Then our carriage will take us to the palace. Even as I thought it out, some of the worried nots in my stomach relaxed

            Satisfied with my planning, I sped up my pace. I was heading to my family’s spring to bathe. Every family had at least one spring, in their own part of the forest. They were used for bathing, and, so we didn’t have to boil gallons of water, laundry. Since this was such a tiny little island, plumbing and tubs were out of the question. (We had wells for drinking water.)

            As I walked deeper into the forest, it seemed to me like the island was waking up. The Siva birds whistled and fluttered merrily above, the naralins called, and noise started to come from the little village. 

            Soon, I slipped into a hidden clearing, and there was our spring! Warm, clear water trickled down from rocks into a deep, wide pool, which also had a waterfall trickling down. I made sure I was alone, then slipped off my clothes and hung them on a tree. My long, loose hair tickled my back as I grabbed my blue soap and towel. Then I slid feet-first into the bubbling water of the pool. It felt absolutely wonderful. It was everything a good bath should feel like: hot, steamy, and comfortable. For the next quarter hour I bathed, then I clambered out of the pool, dried off with my towel, and headed back home.

✽         ✽         ✽

            “Min!! Grab my bag! No, no, not that one, the other one!!! Hurry!!” My house was a flutter of nervous energy. We had taken about two hours to pack our things, and were now loading our trunks on a cart that was going to be brought to the dock. But there were a few last things! I ran and grabbed the beaded bag in question, snatched it, and threw it onto the cart.

            “Thanks!” Mama answered, and then motioned to us. “Girls, come here please.” Once me and Lucia came, she took two woolen cloaks out of a closet. One was a light, pretty, violet the other a bright shade of blue. She draped the yellow one around Lucia’s shoulders, and the blue around mine. Then, to our surprise, she pulled out two jeweled pins from her apron pocket. A large pearl, set in yellow gold, fastened Lucia’s cloak. The most beautiful opal pin, set in rose gold, fastened mine. “Now you’re ready,” she smiled. “It’s so very windy today, and these pins were made for you. A journey to our palace and an appearance in front of our people seems like a good occasion to wear them, don’t you think?”

            “Yes,” I breathed, “thank you, Mama.” I leaned in and gave her a big – but gentle – hug. Lucia nodded. “They’re beautiful!”  Then Dad appeared at my shoulder. 

            “Everybody ready?” He asked. We all nodded. “Then let’s go!”

            Finally, we headed out of the door. Wind buffeted us from our back. Hopefully that meant a good sail and quick trip. Some of the deckhands for our ship pulled our cart. The path to the dock was paved with smooth gray stones, the only such path on our island. Passing the limgena berry fields, houses, and the occasional shimmering waterfall, it displayed the most beautiful parts of our island.

            After ten minutes we arrived at the dock. A large, elegant ship, with billowing white sails and a silver naralin figurehead. Our official royal ship, the Lady Naralin. She was the most excellent ship I had ever had the pleasure of sailing on. But to my surprise, she wasn’t all that was waiting for us. Anika’s family was right by the dock!! I ran off the path to greet them. Anika saw me and beamed. “Min!! You’re here!”

            “Anika! You’re here?” I shouted rather stupidly. Of course she was here; she was standing right in front of me!

            “Of course we’re here! We came to see you off!” She tackled me in a huge hug. Painful realization crashed over me. I wouldn’t see Ani for at least two and a half months. Yes, it had happened before, but I had been so busy thinking about the coming baby that I had forgotten about not seeing Anika. Tears rushed to my eyes and I squeezed her even tighter.

            “I forgot,” I confessed, my voice choked.

            “And that’s understandable. You’ve been busy,” she murmured. I started to cry a little harder.

            “But I’m going to miss you so much!”

            “Me too. But it’s not for forever,” she answered, starting to sound a little teary herself. I clung to her until I felt a tap on my shoulder. Mama stood there, her face sympathetic. 

            “Minni, darling, it’s time to go.”

            I nodded. “Goodbye,” I whispered to Anika.

            “See you soon,” she said, smiling bravely. I went along with Mama towards the ramp. Dad and Lucia joined us, and we walked up the gangplank. Then, as a family, we stepped on board the ship.