"To Fly on Ruby Wings"
Chapter 5 (Bavoth)
This is so boring. Now I
know why I didn’t like the idea in the first place.
Only boring people get bored.
But what is there to see?
There is life all around you. You
just don’t pay attention to it.
“Tal…”
“Yeah?”
“If ye gets tired, we can sure rest some. It’ll be ‘nother hower before we be near Bavoth.”
“No, I am not tired. I want to get to the city as fast as possible. I haven’t been there in weeks.”
“Yer right, if we be dawdlin’, the ship migh’ leave us. Those yonder cap’ ain’t as pa’ient as they used ter be.”
Long before noon, the city of Bavoth came into view, its dirt walls reflecting the simplicity of its people. From far away, it looked just like a pile of earth. Talin sighed inwardly; she never liked the city. She wondered if all cities were like this. Her teacher had once told her that this was merely a town, and that it was called a city only because it was the largest gathering of people in the area. Looking around, Talin took in the familiar image of wagons with leather coverings and women in dull dresses carrying buckets of water from the well.
Wrinkling her nose at the smell of sweaty horses, she quickened her steps as she followed Bonba into the city of Bavoth.
It was still mid-morning, so most of the markets were still up. The sound of chickens and other animals filled the place. Yet the people were the loudest of all. Everywhere she looked, someone was trying to sell their merchandise, whether if it was coarse fabric or freshly picked fruits. She watched with disgust at the shrewd old spinsters as they cheated grains out of an old farmer.
Suddenly Bonba tapped on her shoulder.
“Look yonder, Tal, its Master Jhan!”
A smile immediately came over her face as she greeted her teacher.
“And what brings you to this humble little town, Talin?”
“Mother wants me to bring something to father.”
“Is he here?” Jhan looked surprised, for he hasn’t seen Damik in town, and his eyes rarely missed anything.
“No, Bonba and I are taking the ship that came here yesterday, to Cynth.”
“Ah, I see. Wait here a moment, for I have something I want you to bring to your father.”
In a few minutes, Master Jhan came back with a bundle and a staff of yew wood. His learned and handsome face beaming with mischievous hazel eyes.
Talin’s heart raced, for the staff was what she had always wanted. Every morning, for the past few years, she had worked hard to try to earn it. Finally, now it belonged to her.
“Here, take these to your father. Just say it’s a gift from me.”
Why doesn’t he just say it is for me?
Stupid! No one knows about your skills, so wouldn’t it be
suspicious when they see him giving you something you don’t need?
Oh, I forgot.
Besides, all you have to do is ask your father and he’ll give it to
you.
“Then I will thank you for him.”
“You are welcome. Well, have a safe trip!”
With a graceful bow, he turned and disappeared into the crowds. Sometimes Talin wonders why he chose to be a teacher in this mud hole. With his talents and looks, he could choose any position he wanted in far greater cities. If rumors were true, then he was once a nobleman and was engaged to some princess. However, Master Jhan never gave any indication that those tales were true, and Talin never asked.
The ship they were to take was of medium size, with few sails and lots of creaking planks. After some haggling that even Talin had to admit was amazing, Bonba secured them a place on the vessel, amidst all of its cargos and barrels.
The captain was a portly man with sun-tanned skin and rough hands. His voice was carried all over the ship, instructing the rowers and the loaders.
“In two howers, we’ll be going.” Bonba said from Talin’s side.
The girl nodded, looking around. Nearby, a few fishermen laughed, their faces sweaty as they bragged about their catches. Beyond them, the Great River seemed to stretch on endlessly, like an ocean. Its water was a strange aquamarine as it glittered in the sun. Talin realized that the heat was really getting to her. Going beneath the deck, she found her room, a rickety cabin that was more like a closet. Lying down, she decided to rest for a while.
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