The Isle of Fairies

The Unison Star - Eleanor

As I closed the door to Father's study, leaving him and Mother behind, I pressed my back against it, looking directly down the stairs of the estate that led to the decadent foyer.

This was all going to be a distant memory after I became Viscountess of Foliogg. The way my feet always felt chilled in the mornings when I awoke and placed them on the floor, the tea I would often sneak with Phillipa, the housemaid I came to call friend, the way the salty ocean smelled when I would step outside into the open air on the terrace. I could feel another tear threatening to vacate my stinging eye, which I promptly wiped away as my lip unintentionally curled into a pout.

I had always known that this was my duty. To marry a man, have my father approve, and live with him away from my family. I just never thought that it wouldn't be for love. I began to think of Mrismah and Elias, and how wonderful they were together until tragedy struck and left Elias lifeless and Mrismah with terrible superstition attached to her that left her without a suitor to call upon her. But if he hadn't passed...

I immediately scolded myself for thinking such thoughts. There was no good world where I would push blame on the dead... Or my sister, for my misfortune.

My chest felt heavy, the way it would when you lost a loved one and couldn't bear the grief... Mourning. That's what the feeling was; I was mourning the loss of my freedom here.

With a shaky inhale, I pushed my back off the door to walk to my room down the hallway, the only sound being my heels dragging against the red runner.

I took my time returning to my bedroom, which I supposed now would be solely Mrismah's bedroom... I was only that much more grateful that Father was allowing me to bring her with me on the journey.

Running my hand along the doorframe to round into the room, I saw Mrismah sitting on the windowsill in the padded seating area where we often conversed. This time though, she had a makeup-stained cloth that was pulled to her face, drying the dampened corners of her eyes that looked bruised due to the smudged eye makeup that fell victim to her tears.

Presumably sensing my presence, Mrismah paused mid-sob to look up at me in shock, the black eye makeup running down her under-eyes. "Nell!" She sniffed embarrassedly, frantically attempting to wipe the remaining smudges away from her eyes.

I frowned, sharing in her sympathy before I trotted over and sat on the floor by her feet, placing my hands on the knees of her dress. "Oh Mrismah..." I couldn't stop the tears from finally flooding my eyes, as if they had been waiting to be released. She didn't waste any time to lean down and wrap her arms around my shoulders, resting her head on mine, her mahogany hair blending with mine.

We spent so much time that day both letting our tears free together and packing for the journey that would separate me from my family.

I never thought about how many material things I had until Father ordered our help to begin loading them into the cargo ship. Not everything was going along with me, such as my bed and its dressings, my wardrobe cabinet, my vanity, and such, but in a way, I was astounded by how many items I did have that needed to be carried along with me. But the most important thing I had coming along with me was my dear older sister. Although she seemed as sorrowful as I, she was my support throughout the dwindling hours until I had to depart. Her, and Mother who came to check on us multiple times during the day, who I was positive was making sure we weren't scheming to run off into the night.

Now that I was brushing my hair before I would take my final rest in my childhood room, I heard a knock on the door. I glanced at Mrismah, who was already going to open the door. I would have been lying to myself if I hadn't hoped it was Father coming in to say that this was all a terrible idea and that I could stay.

Mrismah opened the door, and I could only see her stoney expression as she looked to the other side of the open door masking my view of who was on the other side. "Is she here?" I heard Father's voice whisper in caution as if I had been asleep. My comfortable nightgown flowed around me as I arose in surprise. "In here, Father," I called, dearly hoping that my wish had come true.

Mrismah backed away to her bed that sat opposite mine as Father entered our room to greet me. "Everything is prepared for your journey tomorrow." He spoke now in a louder tone that he realized I was not asleep just yet. Just like that, my hopes were dashed and my smile faded. "Oh." Was all I could muster.

Father looked into my eyes knowingly through his spectacles, to which I looked away to the floor, my hands finding one another behind me. The deafening silence made Mrismah peer up. Father usually always had something to say, but this time, he was rendered speechless, it appeared. "Your Mother would be so proud of you if she were here with us today." He murmured, gently lifting my chin. I blinked in astonishment, my mouth partially agape from his statement. He rarely brought up Mother. This moment of compassion brought a small grin to my pink lips.

"Thank you, Father." I nodded slowly, rocking on my feet. Mrismah had her hand on her bedpost, looking on in dismay.

After clearing his throat as if to cleanse the air from any tender moment that may make him appear less than what he's made himself to be, Father looked to Mrismah, then back at me. "The Vessel you will have passage on is named The Unison Star. I will be with you both tomorrow to make sure you board the vessel properly and speak with the Captain personally to ensure your safe voyage." He explained to both of us.

The Unison Star. I distinctly remembered it as Father's first vessel, the one he named after my birth mother. "The ship seems fitting for us on our journey." I tried to make light of the situation before Mrismah spoke up softly, to not get another rise out of Father. "Earlier you mentioned Pirates. They will not be a threat on our journey to Foliogg will they?" She asked tentatively, to which Father pursed his lips. "I have made sure that they will certainly not be. The Unison Star is stocked with new cannons and rifles for the men aboard." He said more sternly, which made me feel a twinge of fear for something other than my life as a Viscountess.

Father's attempt to reassure both Mrismah and I only seemed to worsen our fears... It was not that there were Pirates out there on the seas on our journey, but rather that their strength scared Father so terribly that he bought new artillery for the men to secure our safe passage. Not to mention, the explanation from Father that the Viscount was losing the war against the Pirates did not fall upon deaf ears.

"You both will be safe. No need to worry." He grinned weakly, as he looked out of our window that faced the docks. The confidence in his voice allowed my shoulders to relax, but my anxiety was raised once again when I saw a bead of sweat sitting upon Father's forehead as he gazed out to The Unison Star.