"To Fly on Ruby Wings"
Chapter 4 (The Stone)
Breakfast consisted of a bowl of oatmeal and fresh-cut peaches. Talin did not feel her usual hunger as she watched her brother gobble down his share of food. For a six year old, Sig had an enormous appetite. He already ate two bowls and was starting on his third. Talin almost envied her little brother.
He
doesn’t even act like he will miss me.
You
will be gone at most a week. That
is not a long time.
But…he’s
supposed to be my little brother! He
is supposed to miss me.
Not
if his father is always on trips that last months.
But I
am his sister!
Talin was annoyed when her other side did not answer. She actually enjoyed having arguments with herself.
And
you think you are not crazy.
Hey!
Hehe.
Hiding a smile, Talin handed Sig her share of the oatmeal.
“Tal, don’t give him anymore. Otherwise, he is going to have a stomachache soon. Besides, you will need the food. You know you are going to have to walk quite a bit, don’t you?”
His mouth full, Sig reluctantly handed back the bowl to Talin. Laughing out loud, the latter fondly ruffled her brother’s tawny hair.
He is
just so adorable!
He IS
your brother, you know.
Ignoring that comment, Talin picked at her food. She just isn’t used to the idea of her going alone, without either parents, on a three-day journey.
You
are not journeying alone, and three days aren’t that much.
But
it is a change, and I have the feeling that the change is not going to end with
my finishing this journey. What if
Diara is right, and this is THE journey?
Then
all the better, and you will find out what is the sound that is always bothering
you.
You
are a part of me, right? Then, you
know that something is different about this trip.
I can just feel it. Something
is pushing me to advance, and I am afraid that there is no going back.
You
feel that, I feel that. Still, it
isn’t an excuse. Fate doesn’t
wait for you, it decides for you!
You
sound like my mother.
That
was a quote from one of the lectures your mother gave you.
How
come you always remember the scolding she gave me?
Because
you are too irresponsible.
Talin was about to retort when her mother broke through her string of thought.
“Here’s some food for your trip. I think I hear Bonba coming, so stop mooning around and get ready.”
“Yes mother.”
Talin picked up her bag and stuffed the wrapped food packages in it. Then, looking around for a final time, she made for the front door.
“Tal!
Tal! Wait!”
It was Sig as he came running down the steps. Talin was so intent on her argument with herself that she did not notice her little brother going up the stairs.
“What is it, Sig?”
“Here, this is for you. It is my lucky stone.”
Talin felt tears filling up in her eyes, but all she said was,
“Thanks, Sig. I’ll bring you a different stone when I come back. They should have some nice ones up in Cynth.”
Why
are all the people around me so fascinated in stones?
First is Sig with his pebbles, then Diara with her talking rock!
Nevertheless, Talin was touched. The gesture was enough to make her want to cry. After all, she knew how much Sig’s “lucky” stone meant to him.
“Morn’n Tal. How yer doin’ Siggie? Is yer mother there? She told me to come early to’ay.”
“Oh, hi Bonba! My mother is in the kitchen. I’ll go get her.”
Somehow, Talin thought it was best for her mother to explain her task.
Mrs. Von Treb came almost before her daughter had a chance to turn.
“Good morning Bonba.”
“Morn’n Mrs. Von Treb.” Automatically, he took off his crumbled hat and stood his straightest.
Smiling, Lidora continued,
“Damik is a little sick and I have a few things that I want to bring to him, so I am sending Talin along. Would it be trouble if you travel with her? It is her first time going to Cynth, and I am not very at ease with her going alone. You have traveled a lot, and it would be a great thing indeed if you can go with her.”
“Well…” Bonba scratched his head, “I’d love to help, but as ye very well see, I’ve got to herd some goats, o’ mother at home won’t have much to eat o’ live on.”
“If it is your job that you are worried about, I’ll send Sig around to herd the goats. He’s been with you often enough to know how it is done. Besides, he needs some responsibility now. As for the wages, is this enough to pay for your fare?”
Bonba’s eyes popped wide open when he saw the glittering coins that Mrs. Von Treb was handing him.
“Now Mrs. Von Treb, don’t ye be kiddin’ my poor old soul. That’s more than I earn in a year. Why, it is just too much. It ain’t right that I take so a lot for such a small job. Really, ye’r testin’ my conscience.”
“Dear Bonba, why would I waste my time testing your conscience when I trust you! Now, be a dear and take Talin with you to Cynth.”
“Well… I trust Siggie with the goats, but I sur ain’t gonna take all this money.”
“Alright, take half then, and get going.”
His face lighting up, Bonba took half the coins and bowed to Lidora over and over again.
“Thank ye, Mrs. Von Treb, thank ye and bless yer soul!”
“Have a safe trip then!”
Hugging her daughter, Lidora bid farewell to both of them. At the door, Sig suddenly ran to Talin and hugged her. The latter hugged back, barely withholding her tears.
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