Alternate Realities

Green Eyes

Chartreuse. Forest. Emerald. Each swatch brought into the light and set aside until she found a blend of kelly, hunter, and golden rod. Gisa Barrow had never acted out of selfishness before, but she never had felt so heartsick with the double-hit of her sister's impending departure and Kilorn's sudden twist of fate. If anyone could save him, it was Mare. Sometimes, Gisa would put her hardest effort into her work only to watch a silver lady turn up her nose. And if it went unpurchased, she had to unstitch every strand and set the cloth aside for planer, red clothing. She often marveled at her sister's consistent plunder. Mare made a better thief than she did a seamstress. But her embroidery was her salvation and it kept her out of the choke. Besides, she had improved a lot since getting her apprenticeship.

She felt funny thinking about giving Kilorn a memento to remind him of home, of her. But he was supposed to be her consolation. Mare would leave and he was supposed to stay. He'd come around looking for letters and news, fretting like the rest of them and years would open possibilities.

She hushed her mind. Kilorn had no shortage of prospects among the girls closer to his age, if he ever gave up on Mare. But what if? What if those golden green eyes brought more than just an occasional fish and a mind full of her sister? What of someday... No. No more. Kilorn would be on a transport to the choke or Mare would shuttle him out with the money she stole. Either way, he would be gone, Mare would be gone. And she would be alone with her parents waiting for.... for.... terrible things and bleak, gray moments before she too would be dead. Better that he leave with something besides his lost ambitions.

She matched the brown thread to offset the green and call attention to the gold. It didn't take her long to stitch the boat, switch to bright blue and highlight the surf, add dark blue to bring depth, and then red sails. Not red like blood, but red-orange like the locks she kept tied up and out of the way. And below, the rainbow shimmer of fish scaled to be flecks under the water.

A crash outside startled her. She tied off her last fish and quickly swept the threads off her space, hiding her piece against her breast. Her mistress barreled through to the window and gasped. Gisa swallowed hard and joined her. The stampede of scared reds and pursuing silvers brought her attention to her sister. Mare didn't know the city. She prepared to leave.