Fallen Kingdoms And The Ones Left Behind

Chapter Four

It's been three weeks since Gari left. He has sent me letters from every town he and the other recruits have stopped at. He promises to send me another once he reaches Diamo; Renoi's capital.
"Api Foya Viro!" My mother turns my attention back to her plans for the wedding next week.  She is wearing a silvery dress, sleevless, with an empress waist. We sit at a small table in the sitting room of her home.
"We can go to the church in Hi'et. The chapel is gorgeous. Then we can have a celebration! We'll invite the whole town. Just think. My daughter marrying Orin Hei!"
I sigh. "Mother, I told you already. Orin and I just want a small wedding. Besides, we can't afford getting married in the Hi'et chapel."
Mother shakes her head. "Fine, you're right. Its just that my dreams are..."
I tune her out. Her dreams. That's right, my Mother just wants the wedding to be her way. I just want to have a quiet wedding in Yopha's small chapel, and want to wear a traditional dress. My Mother? She wants me to get married in the largest chapel in Southern Renoi, wear the fanciest new wedding dress, and have a huge celebration afterward. None of which I want, even if we could afford it.
"...What do you think?"
"Hmm?" I ask in surprise.
My Mother sighs. "Api. Please focus."
"Mother?" I say. "Do you want to hear what I want for my wedding?"
"Yes. Of course," she says, surprised.
"I want Orin and I to get married in Yopha. I want to wear the same dress I've been planning on wearing for weeks. The one I've been making for months."
"And the celebration?" My mother asks weakly.
"None."
"But dear-"
I stand up from the table and give Mother a frown. "I'm not going to Hi'et. I'm not wearing a different dress. I'm not having a celebration." I nod curtly and walk out of Mother's beautifully decorated house, and onto the main street of Yopha.
I sigh, and walk towards the outskirt of town, carefully avoiding Orin's home. It's still another week before I'll see him.
I follow the path that leads to the edge of the forest, and follow it into the woods. It is nearing winter, and the temperatures are plummeting. The leaves have all turned brittle and brown; they crunch under my feet. Despite the cold, I find a tree just off the path and climb it. I sit on the branch nearest the ground; which is still pretty high. My fingers go into the pocket in my red skirt, and close around the most recent letter from Gari. I pull it out, and read it for the fifth time today.

Dear Api,
The letters just get longer and longer as I get farther away. It'll be almost time for the wedding, or the wedding will be over by the time you get this. Congradulations in advance, or is it belated? Anyhow, I'm glad you and Orin will get married. You are definately perfect for each other. I've noticed that, even since we were kids. I remember how you would tell Mother and Father that you were going to marry Orin someday; you were quite serious.

I had to pause here and laugh to myself, then wipe a tear from my eye.

He is a good man. You'll lead a comfortable life, I suspect, him being the son of a merchant and all.
We've almost reached Diamo, and we'll start training once we get there. I suspect we'll arive there tomorrow. The man that recruited me, his name is Johnathan Hardock Jr. He is very strict, but seems to have a soft spot for me. I have no idea why; all the other recruits are not much different than I. Anyhow, send me a letter soon. Please discribe the wedding. Have Orin put in a word, okay? Love, Gari.
P.S: Mrs. Hei, don't forget to send letters more often! I've only recieved two.

I folded up the letter and smiled. Just like Gari to call me Mrs. Hei. I leaned against the tree, and closed my eyes. Somehow, I managed to keep my balance, and cried myself to sleep.