Sacrifice

Chapter 20 - The Gallery

Kalli had struggled for days with the decision to accept Bhirdan's proposal. Did she dare? Did she dare to refuse? But come sunrise she was out in front of the Imperial Gallery. Part of it was curiosity, but mostly, it was loneliness. Life without Adir was more painful than she had expected.

She found Bhirdan in the entry hall; he smiled and crossed it to greet her.

"I wasn't sure you would come."

"Neither was I," she admitted.

"Well, I'm glad that you did."

He presented his arm to her and escorted her to the gallery entrance. She came to a stop when she saw the first painting. Set apart from the others it hung on a huge wall, which was normally dedicated to murals glorifying the Empire's prowess in battle.

"But Before the Spring belongs in one of the back galleries, not in the place of honour," Kalli said.

Bhirdan shrugged. "I had it moved for you. The lighting is better here," he watched her eyes rove the canvass. "What is it you like about it?"

Kalli smiled, still mesmerized by the canvas.

"The woods and the fields in the scene are awful. Not a speck of green or touch of blue sky. It doesn't even hint at the majesty of a winter wonderland. The whole thing looks dead until you see the red bird in the corner."

Kalli took a step closer to the bird in question.

"And you can't help but to see the bird, the whole canvass draws your eye to it. The bird hints of life, of possibility, of hope. Even in a world that seems completely dead, the bird promises that good things will return."

Kalli came out of her reverie and addressed Bhirdan.

"Why do you like it?"

# # #

Bhirdan considered saying something intelligent about the composition of the lines but then opted for honesty. "I like the look on the bird's face," he answered. "He looks like a kamikaze pilot about to make good on a bet."

Kalli burst out laughing.

Bhirdan grinned. He had never enjoyed making someone laugh as much as Kalli.

Kalli managed to resume some semblance of dignity. "Very true, my Lord Prince," she said solemnly.

Once again he offered Kalli his arm, and they set off through the galleries. At some paintings they would stand and discuss for a period, others they simply enjoyed in silence. One of the furthest galleries from the entrance was the gallery of royal portraits.

Bhirdan hesitated at its entrance. "We can skip this one if you wish," he told Kalli.

She shook her head. "I've never spent much time in the portrait galleries; I would enjoy seeing what they offer."

So they entered, and Kalli stopped short at the entrance. A painting of Emperor Hammir covered the far wall from floor to ceiling. It was a very high ceiling.

"Ostentatious is it not?" Bhirdan asked.

Kalli considered it for a moment.

"Perhaps," she replied cautiously, "but whenever the Emperor is seen on holidays, he always seems larger than life. In a way, you couldn't expect less from a portrait of him."

She continued to consider the impressive man in the painting.

"What are you thinking of?" wondered Bhirdan out loud.

"I was wondering what the Emperor would be like as a father," Kalli answered; then she blushed. "My own was never around much, so other fathers make me wonder."