Maji Born

15 - The Queen's Suspicions

The next few days went by slowly. It turned out that there was very little to do while at sea. Lavinia mostly slept, but she did make it up onto the deck on the third day.

She briefly stood on against the rails, feeling the breeze whipping through her hair, before being led back below by Eirian. She was having trouble navigating due to the knotwick, which she was taking frequently, though she had let it wear off briefly when the storm had quieted down. It had been manageable but extremely uncomfortable.

When the rain had begun again she had taken more. Each drop sounded like a rock smashing a glass windowpane and she couldn't take it.

Eirian and Devarak took helped the sailors with some of the chores, mending nets, mopping the deck, as well as fishing but mainly they sat at the front of the ship talking about Zedar.

Devarak explained to Eirian all the inner workings of the political structure.

"There's a council, they were created to replace the monarchy who came before. They were overthrown by the people..." Devarak paused, considering what else to tell her. Eirian passed him an apple, but stayed silent, waiting for him to proceed.

"The council was made of the top members of society. One from each of the trades. Though wealth does tend to factor in too. The people, or at least those who attend the University vote them in." Devarak took a bite out of the apple, the juice ran down his chin, he took a moment to chew, thoroughly uninspired by the lack of flavour.

He continued, "The council votes on policies and requests for new infrastructure. But really the inner circle has the most sway. It takes ages to pass anything but it kept Zedar honest and equal." He finished.

"It sounds more functional then Midais," Eirian said, leaning over the railing.

"A bit. It has its issues." Devarak said with a shrug. "You'll like it I think." He gave her a shrewd look. "How are you feeling about all this?" He turned to face her properly.

From where she stood, leaning against the railing, Eirian had to gaze up at him.

Devarak was much taller, and for a moment she was taken aback by how mesmerizing his eyes were. Then she shook herself.

"I'm alright. There's a lot of changes." She looked out at the water. "A week ago I would have been scrounging for money and worrying about my mother. Now I'm far away and headed for a new life. It still feels unreal. Like a bad joke. I'll wake up to my mother slurring curse words at me and be forced to face reality." She gazed out at the water not really seeing it. "It would have been much easier if I'd have been born normal."

She sighed.

"Would it though?" Devarak asked, "I mean. You'd still have been poor and by the sounds of it your mother would still not have been a very good person."

"I made her that way. She drinks cause of me. Cause I have maji and was born different."

"No, she drinks cause she's unhappy," Devarak said with a sigh. "Believe me. I've met a lot of unhappy people and no matter how much you blame yourself you can't change another person's outlook. She would be unhappy regardless." He said.

Eirian pondered it. He had a point though she was reluctant to accept it.

"She's in the past. Leave her there. You don't have to worry about her anymore." Devarak said. "You're getting a fresh start don't let her drag you down."

They stared out into the depths, watching the frothy water hit the sides of the ship. After a few minutes of silence, Devarak spoke again.

"I've been meaning to ask. What happened to your father?" He said this casually but he was clearly wondering about her majik.