Sacrifice

Chapter 5 - The Paper

Two weeks later, in the early morning, Kalli headed down cobblestone streets towards the market. This was normally the time of day when she sent Feylanna on errands so that she could work on her science paper in secret.

But today was not a normal day.

Vendors were opening their booths and shops as people headed to work.

"Pretty trinket for a pretty lady?"

Kalli turned to look at the pendant vendor who had called out to her and saw a familiar figure down the street.

The vendor took her moment's hesitation for interest. "I have a new shipment in from the far west, very exclusive. This broach, for example, is one of a kind, and if I may say, my fair Lady, it brings out your eyes."

Kalli smiled and stepped beneath the vendor's brightly coloured awning, keeping her eye on the street behind her. She listened patiently to the flattery and then paid for the expensive broach that brought out her eyes by pressing her thumb against his computer screen.

When she started moving along the street, again she saw Adir pull away from the arched stone doorway where he had been watching her. Kalli kept glancing back until he caught up with her.

"I thought you said we shouldn't be seen together in public," Kalli said softly.

Adir spared her a glance. "We aren't together. We just happen to be walking down the same street." And with that, he sped up and disappeared into the crowd.

Kalli knew that there was no point trying to keep up with him, so she continued towards her morning's destination.

She let herself into the shaded grove, which was the final resting place for the city's rich and went in search of her family's private plot. Sitting on the bench beside her mother's tomb was Adir. She joined him.

"Thanks for coming," Kalli said. "I thought your duties at the North Gate would keep you away."

"I made arrangements to take the day off. You shouldn't have to be alone on the anniversary."

Kalli forced a smile. "Father may come at some point."

Adir made no comment to Kalli's weak protest. Looking at the smooth marble marker, Kalli remembered a question that had been haunting her.

"Do you remember her?"

"I'm only two years older than you Kalli, and it's not as if I spent much time away from the kitchens when she was alive."

"You must remember something about her," Kalli insisted. "The memories of a seven-year-old are much better preserved than those of a five-year-old."

Adir sighed, "I remember my mother telling me that your mother was the height of fashion and the most glamorous woman she had ever met." He waited quietly as Kalli processed this information.

"Do you think she'd be proud of me?" Kalli asked wistfully.

# # #

Adir watched Kalli, knowing that she still held on to childish fantasies but that someday she would need to hear the truth.

"I think she'd have had trouble understanding you," he answered slowly. "But that is not necessarily a bad thing. You've grown up to be a lot more than she probably ever dreamed of."

Kalli's shoulders slumped. "In other words, I'm strange."

Adir smiled. "You're special," he corrected, "and those of us who are lucky to see the real you are proud of you."