Althea

Moths and Reading

Farida: unique one
Origin: Arabic

We sat in silence for awhile, not saying anything, just staring at each other. I could tell that he was struggling not to say anything; he was chewing on the side of his cheek. I could also tell that I had hurt him somehow. It surprised me how deeply he cared, how strong his sense of loyalty and duty were. Those were rare traits. I certainly never saw much of them among the simple farmers of my rural community who were more often than not loyal to nothing but their animals and families, and who's only sense of duty fell in line with their loyalties.

"Can we, uh, keep going?" I ventured tentatively. Solomon nodded, clearly grateful for the change of subject.

"I saw the musicians go through that door at my first ball." He said, walking briskly to the other end of the ballroom.

"What door?" I asked, trotting after him. Solomon started walking backwards so he could face me. He seemed to radiate warmth and light even in the middle of the ice ballroom.

"Exactly! It's perfectly hidden in the wall!"

"I love secret passages, count me in!" I said, grinning, mostly because he was happy again. I didn't know it was possible to smile so much; my face was starting to feel as sore as my legs do after a long day of chasing the new lambs.

When he pushed the door open, my eyes first met a massive, silver piano on tiny crystal wheels that didn't look like they should be able to support its weight. Beyond that, I didn't recognize any of the instruments in the hidden storage room. Solomon picked up the closest instrument to him, and began plucking at the strings that were stretched across a wide, round, tube that looked like it had been cut directly out of a tree. A deep thrum came from it, and the music reminded me of humming along with the cicadas on warm summer nights, the sounds vibrating through my whole body. I picked up a dainty little flute like instrument, and blew in the end of it. What came out sounded like the birds that I would wake up with in the morning. It was a sweet, quiet trill that somehow made even the cloudiest days brighter.

"These are amazing. I am suddenly far more excited for this ball. I'm glad you forced me to stay." I joked, nudging his arm with my elbow. He smiled, but it wasn't sincere. It was more disappointed and petulant. Luckily, my stomach broke the silence with a loud, angry growl.

"I'm hungry, can we go find some food?" He nodded.

"Your desire, my duty. Luckily, I know just where to find the kitchen."

He led me back to the barracks, and from there I swear he could find the kitchen blindfolded.

"I thought you didn't know anything other than the barracks and the one ballroom." I questioned, eyebrows raised. Solomon looked vaguely bashful.

"I mean it's the kitchen." He protested. "I got hungry so it was my first priority around midnight my first day here. Anyways. It's ball day which means the cooks will be in full swing and full rage mode. If they catch us in the kitchen we will get beat over the head with a frying pan, possibly two. I'll have to be fast. Stay out here okay?"

With that he crept towards the half door at the end of the corridor, pausing occasionally to listen intently. When we reached the door he peeked over the top of it briefly and when he ducked back down, he gave me a thumbs up, and carefully slid the door open just a crack. Solomon squeezed through the slit and disappeared silently. I waited for a few tense moments, straining for any sight of Solomon. Before long there was an angry shout and suddenly Solomon burst through the kitchen door, a look of pure terror plastered on his face.

"Run!" He screamed, clutching two loaves of bread to his chest. I didn't question him, I just took off. As we were running a skillet bounced past us and a jug shattered on the wall just beside my ear. I yelped, and pumped my legs faster. When we reached the barracks again, Solomon slammed the door, locking it in place. We leaned against it, breathing heavily.