Of Spinning Gold and Song

| Four | The Departure

It felt like my eyelids had just fluttered shut when a completely unpleasant shaking startled me from my dreamland. Squeezing my eyes tighter, I tried to roll over, convinced that if the shaking would go away if I willed it hard enough. Unfortunately, that particular tactic didn't seem to be working.

"Sparrow," whispered Bradyn. "Come on, time to wake up. The rain stopped and Augustin's crew will be setting off any moment now. We don't want to get left behind."

In response, I burrowed further into my blankets, enjoying the warmth they gave me. I was contemplating putting my head under as well, weighing the pros and cons of a loss of air versus more warmth when with a sigh, Bradyn said, "Rosie."

That one word was enough to send the events of yesterday racing back to me. I supposed that was why I wanted to remain asleep: there I could pretend it was all just a bad nightmare. The real world was cruel. But then again, I already knew that.

Bolting upright, I opened my eyes wide, all traces of sleep gone. My eyes darted around the darkened bedroom. Bradyn was just a shadow in the haze, standing a little impatiently over my bed. "One second," I told him. He took that as his cue to leave the room.

I ran to my chair and grabbed the clothing the two of us had set out yesterday. Boy clothes.

I hadn't worn boy clothing in many years: not since I was a small child. Back then it had been frowned upon, but that hadn't stopped me from donning breeches and racing to the woods. They were, after all, far more practical for climbing trees and blazing trails than skirts. Skirts were always getting stuck everywhere; they were far too constricting.

After I'd stepped up as leader of our family, I had lost all time for such childish antics. Although I had hated it, the pants had had to leave to make room for proper dresses along with my detested spinning.

Last night, Bradyn had brought me some of his clothing. We had decided that it would be far more practical. After all, he had always been with me when I explored like a little rascal some ten years ago. I had also stashed a couple day dresses for when I needed to be more proper when we finally met up with Augustin and the rest of the men, but for the first couple of days we figured on being alone. At least until we got far enough from town that they wouldn't risk sending us back.

I knew that Augustin didn't want me in danger. That was why he wouldn't let me come. And I was sure that if we were with the men, Augustin would send us right back. But skies knew he didn't trust Bradyn and would think it even less chivalrous to send a damsel back by herself than let me come along.

Creeping out of my room, I discovered Bradyn was holding a knapsack with our clothes and food. He was gesturing at the door impatiently with his head when a thought crossed my mind. I had to do it. I couldn't just leave.

"I have to do something real quick," I informed him.

"Your mam?"

I was always astounded by the way he seemed to read my mind, and always know what I was thinking. Then again, I supposed I did it too. It must be a side effect of growing up together.

With a brief nod, I turned and ran back through the hall, pushing open the door to Mam's room and blazing through. Bradyn had promised that his own mam would look after mine. To be perfectly honest, I hadn't thought I cared. Skies knew she wouldn't care if any of us died; she was the least family-like family I could fathom. But apparently blood ran thick because I found myself unable to just leave.

Even after what had happened yesterday. Maybe especially after what had happened yesterday.

"Mam," I whispered, shaking her awake. Her eyes flew open and stared at me with an unexpected intensity.