The Lost Voices (OLD VERSION - New Version to Come)

CHAPTER 10... THREADS (PART 1)

Journal Entry 60: Words

8-21-1620 A.R.

Location: The Mergin Express, Terrarin 

Xiajem could see the bobbing tips of fedoras, gaudy hats, feathered headdresses, and other random headwear when she attempted to peak over the edge of the seats across from her. When no more conversations existed to eavesdrop on, she would find herself smirking at Terrarin's fantastic little oddities. 

She did intentionally keep it to a minimum since Ytrieda had been quick to jump Xiajem's case whenever she found her gawking at something, or someone, by accident. When people-watching led to a sideways glance from her mentor, Xiajem stared at Terrarin's everchanging landscape as they journeyed across the states. 

Demnuk, or "The Hillheights" state, was where Brickshaw got its valleys and mountainous scale. The waves of earth seemed to expand beyond the sunlight's reach and their transformation into fall was more gorgeous than ever. Auburn glints dotted the great hills like fiery raindrops against tanned leather and the apricot leaves in between were reminiscent of wilting flowers in a verdant sea of chilled gardens. Crisp, yet shining, as though the life within was being crystalized for the world to one day break open again when the time came.

As the hours peeled away, the next state, Ebonite, was revealed to be similar. It was simply filled with more farmland, harvested crops, and intricate mills. Dusk's cool light still revealed the world and from the train's elevated stone tracks, the lands interconnected system was plainly apparent. Cattle grazed in square-like frames beside vibrant orchards with fruits still breaking from their stems, and it all seemed held together by an organized array that hovered far above Xiajem's head. 

Finally, the collective rows of reaped vegetables wove around the lands in seemingly deliberate lines and she could only admire the people who were clearly masters of this agricultural spread. It was all so fascinating and plainly wonderful. Of course, she'd seen this same work in Impatra, but never from this perspective or with these same animals and vegetation to fawn over.

Occasionally, her eyes would rest upon a castle estate. Mansions interlocked with massive stone frames and delicate courtyards with attendants still moving about in their formal atmosphere. Lamps surrounded the property with a golden frame, distorting the dusk's eyeline. The homes of people with more money than Xiajem even cared to imagine. 

In some ways, the lives of those wealthy lords and ladies was satisfying to picture. Being surrounded by comforts that few could afford, being invited to luxurious parties, and talking about matters that most people aren't even aware exist. However, as the daydream marinated in her mind, she distanced herself further and further from it. 

Of course, the comforts would be nice, and Xiajem couldn't deny that, but she was too transparent and curious to live such a deliberately quiet life. It was a feat to even sit still on a simple train ride. Glancing over, Malien appeared to be spacing again and Jack's head was leaned back, as though he were resting. 

Idly, Xiajem smirked, and then her eyes found an intricately built dome atop one of the castles with a mechanical cylinder peeking through the roof.

Pointing at it through the window, Xiajem asked her mentor, "What's that, that dome-like tower?"

Ytrieda squinted as she scanned the estate. "Oh, that's an astronomist's watchtower. They're people who study the cosmos: stars, planets, and space. They devote their lives to understanding its scope, how it all interacts together, and what it is..." She trailed off. "...a magnificent profession, if I were to give my thoughts."

Xiajem had never seen her mentor appear so absent. "Have you ever wanted to be that? Someone who writes about the stars?"

A thin sigh escaped Ytrieda. "Maybe...but, even if, we can't always have what we want." Xiajem nodded, but a pain hung in her mentor's reverberated phrase.