Chapter 15: When progression moves us forward

--SABLE--

The seasons were passing quicker than I could realize, for each time I ventured outside of the canopy of trees, I was shocked to see the changes that normally I would be able to determine when I had been living a more wild life on Hira. Yet, I was becoming more confident in my abilities to adjust to a functioning society, delighted to feel accomplished as Lord Orvin was only praising me, and I was constantly surrounded by Tamarines who respected and treated me as an equal within the upper levels.

Even Lillie was becoming more accepting, and we argued less about the position that was providing her the freedom to do as she pleased rather than suffer every day to make ends meet. Whenever Mortiz would hand me the coin purse full of Den, I would take it home to the library and give it to Lillie who would then help pay Historia whatever fees needed to be covered, or whatever food needed to be secured. Jamie and Lara would occasionally visit in the evenings, bringing bread and music, but Jamie had become increasingly popular amongst other social groups. Occasionally, I would bring fish when requested, and still took the time to plunge into the lake waters while summer was slowly turning into the cold autumn months—however, I still yearned to take Lillie with me.

She had settled into a simple routine working alongside Historia, and occasionally with Jadis, who hadn’t been much help with seeking information about magic, and soon, it felt as if Lillie had become complacent with never knowing anything further, accepting that perhaps it wasn’t all that important. She had also refused to return to the estate, even for a simple afternoon, claiming that she was working with Grandfather Maggie on something special she was keeping a surprise from me.

However, Jamie often came to the estate, and whenever Lord Orvin requested my presence at a dinner event as his esteemed guest, Jamie was often there, fluttering around and singing his songs. My presence in the estate grew exponentially, but I would attempt to still return to the library for sleeping with Lillie and listening to her tell me about her day running errands, writing for Historia, and scavenging for food in the forest. Although Historia had convenient arrangements with the tavern owner that kept them from having to risk going to the allotment, Lillie had told me that going to the forest felt rejuvenating, and was something she preferred to do daily. Sometimes I had wished to also join her, but Lord Orvin expected me to be ready for his tasks each morning, which often led me to wait until he was ready—sometimes the whole day.

“What is Lillie making up in the attic with that ol’ Geezer,” Jamie asked as I stared out the window in the hall just outside of Lord Orvin’s office where he was having a private meeting.

“She hasn’t told me,” I replied and watched as the gardeners were tilling the soil after removing the last of the summer vegetables.

“Ah, and here I thought you two told each other everything,” Jamie teased as he slid closer to my side, touching our arms together as he bobbed his head around. “What are you looking at that is so interesting?”

“The gardeners grow so much food in such a small space. I’m wondering how to also establish a garden for Lillie. I think she would like that. It makes sense to grow your own food instead of scouring the entire forest. It would be more efficient.”

“Yeah, but who’s gonna till the ground? You?”

“I would, if it means that Lillie and I can live a peaceful life. I’m thinking about how to build a house near the meadow. Maybe we could turn the whole clearing into a garden space and grow whatever we want.”

“You really like to limit yourself, don’t you?” I scowled down at the short man who cast his silly grin, rounding his rosy cheeks. “Ah, I’m just teasing. Just find it odd that you’d want to leave all this behind to do hard labor. Good thing you never got caught up with the mine propaganda—those guys are ruthless. So! You and Lillie should have whatever tickles that broad chin of yours, laborious and peasantry alike, and I’d follow you right over the edge of oblivion.”

“You sure like to live impulsively.” Before Jamie could respond, the door to Lord Orvin’s office swung open and a group of ministers exited while swaying their capes dramatically as they all spoke in low voices. The footmen soon escorted the group of Tamarines as Lord Orvin emerged from the office and spotted me.

“Sable—my dear, I have your next task already,” he said while holding a folded paper, and I quickly stepped over to him while Jamie lingered by the window. “It’s time for you to fly to the farmlands of Chaar. Ask Mortiz for its precise location, for this is your first time, yes, I assume?”

“Yes,” I replied, and took the envelope and placed it into my leather satchel already at my waist. I eyed the group of Tamarines turning the corner down the hall, and looked back at Lord Orvin. “Have you been speaking to them about the safety measures for the mine?”

“Oh, yes, that did come up in today’s discussion, I assure you. Much is needed to be done to bring everyone into agreement—don’t worry, my dear noble Sable. Time will reward us.” He placed a hand upon my shoulder and slowly drifted it down to my bicep, but then paused as his eyes darted over to Jamie. “I see your little friend likes to keep you company while you wait. He really is quite loyal to you.” My eyes glanced over to Jamie who was picking at the hem of his short jacket, but his blue eyes shifted as he obviously was aware of our gaze.

“I saved him from the mine, and he has declared now that he owes me his life.” Lord Orvin chuckled a smooth, low laugh, then leaned closer to me, whispering in my ear as he placed his hand upon my lower back.

“If only Lillie would also show the same devotion.” My neck tensed as his warm breath cast upon my skin, and he slowly moved away while eying me with his piercing yellow eyes. “Now—do you have plans for dinner? Today will be extraordinarily exhausting for I have meetings upon meetings, and would like to have a quiet night. Would you join me for dinner?”

“I suppose—will others be there?”

“I would prefer it just a quiet evening together—for, you give a peaceful comfort and I never have to worry about what I say around you. Do you have any special requests for dinner? I’m sure you’ll be quite tired yourself, so I’ll make sure there is a warm bath and clean clothes for you after your trip. Say, Mortiz will be quite happy to avoid the journey, for he always hated traveling out to Chaar. With you, you’ve made all our lives more comfortable. Does that please you?”

“Yes.”

“Splendid, then, be on your way, and I’ll see you in the evening unless you have any more questions for me.” I shook my head, and then Lord Orvin smoothly glided around as he entered the office again, closing the door quietly, and I turned to look at Jamie.

“Can you tell Lillie that I won’t be home for dinner tonight?” I asked, and he looked up at me.

“Uh—why not just swing by the library and tell her yourself?” he asked while his eyes nervously darted down the hall. Although I found his hesitation odd, I suddenly thought of the idea of asking Lillie to join me on my trip to the farmlands, and I quickly moved down the hall in search of Mortiz.

Jamie quietly followed me, asking why I never gave anyone my opinion on food preferences, stating something about taking full advantage of my privileged position as Lord Orvin’s favorite servant of the house, but the thought of taking Lillie with me excited me more than whatever Jamie was attempting to convince me of.

I found Moritz barking orders to a group of house maids polishing plates, realizing how his position was much more complex than just a messenger, and he led me to the storage room, all the while Jamie followed us. Mortiz pointed upon the map of the farmlands location, which was well past Hira, on the other side in which I had never ventured to as a resident of the mountain. The idea of flying close to Hira felt risky, and wondered if taking Lillie was a wise decision after all, especially if the Sage or others from the colony were to spy us together.

Maybe I could just fly low. It should be fine—I shouldn’t live in fear of those who have abandoned me.

“You will be taking the message presumably to Keeli Vambrok,” Mortiz said as he rolled up the map. “Take heed that he usually is in the fields, but depending on when you arrive, he may be in the village.”

“Okay,” I said, feeling nervous about going somewhere without Mortiz helping directly, but, as he placed the map in the drawer, a slight smile crossed his face.

“They’re pleasant people, unlike residents out here—they should help you find Keeli if you cannot,” Moritz said and Jamie peered up at me.

“Yeah—just tell them you’re a helpless big oaf who loves to solve other people’s problems but is unable to even help himself,” Jamie teased and patted my chest, and Mortiz scoffed rather loudly. “Oh—so squishy.” He squeezed my chest as his eyes widened, and I shoved him away, causing him to falter into Mortiz’ arms.

“Don’t do that,” I said, and Jamie lazily leaned into Moritz’ grasp as the servant helplessly stood holding Jamie up. “I don’t like people touching me like that.”

“Sorry, dear master—just needed to feel those tiddies at least once in my life,” Jamie said smugly, then smiled as he then straightened up.

So, that’s what tiddies are.

“Yes—sorry, big fella—those are for Lillie, right?” Jamie jeered as he elbowed Moritz while snickering, and proceeded to say something else I didn’t care to hear. I spun around, leaving the storage room, feeling agitated at Jamie’s remark, but also wishing that he was someone I could speak with about the matter of love and affection, for I was beginning to wonder if my desire for Lillie to touch me was something—well, wrong.

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Lord Orvin did say to follow my instincts—and those never proved to be wrong.

I wondered why so many people around me felt entitled to touch my body, while the one person I wanted to do so, was keeping her hands away from me. Although I initially liked people admiring my hard-earned sculpted body, their intrusive behavior was becoming more bothersome each day, and I wondered if there was any way to peacefully combat this undesired attention that wouldn’t cause harm to others.

I returned to the library, and entered through the red door, hoping to be greeted by Lillie, but was instead by Historia.

“Hey! What are you doing here so early in the day?” Historia asked while carrying a large stack of books. “Or, do you have a message for me? You can tell Lord Orvin I’m not interested—I have already enough on my plate.”

“I’m heading out to the farmlands of Chaar,” I said. “Where is Lillie? I wanted to ask her to join me.”

“The farmlands? Really? That’s a bit of a ways.”

“Not for me. Where is Lillie?”

“In the attic. They’re inventing something together, Grandfather and Lillie. Do you know what is? Either refuse to tell me, which is rather odd considering Maggie loves to spew all kinds of nonsense towards me. Have hardly heard a word of his opinion as of late.”

“It is the same for me—Lillie says it is a surprise. Can you ask her to come down?” Historia set the pile of books upon the front counter, causing a waft of dirt and sweet musk of paper to fill the air as she wiped sweat from her forehead. She agreed after requesting that I organize the books, but laughed as she stating that it was only a joke, then disappeared up the stairs.

I gazed at the pile of books, suddenly wondering if learning to read would be useful after all, and I opened the first that was filled with scribbles that caused my head to swirl with questions. I had begun to recognize some letters through Orvin’s messages, names and places, including signs, but within the pages of the books, I could hardly wrap my mind around the lines that compromised words that people like Lillie could decipher.

Maybe it’s time for me to learn how to read like her. Oh! Then I could spend more time with her.

As I waited, I continued turning the papers of each book, until one in particular caught my attention with sketches of sheep—a creature I had never seen before and wondered if they would be out in the farms where I was heading for that day. I thought about the idea of learning to tend a garden so that Lillie and I could grow our own food, allowing my mind to slip into the daydream of a quaint future.

I flipped the page, examining the sketches of various tools possibly used to shear the creatures for wool, and thought about the material used for clothing that I had been accustomed to wearing.

Hmm. I wonder when Lillie will make me some clothes—maybe I can find some sheep farmers today that I can—

I paused my wandering mind as the next sketch was one of a Tamarine holding a sack and giving it to a—a Teragane!

There was no doubt. A tall, dark figure with wings could only mean one thing.

“Whatcha looking at?” Lillie asked, causing me to flinch as I frantically pointed to the page.

“Lillie! Look!” I shouted while tapping the open book as her eyes narrowed. “What does it say? What does it mean?”

“Let me see,” she said, and leaned her arms next to the book as she began reading to herself.

My heart raced as my mind swirled with all my wandering thoughts, for I knew that the Sage of the Teragane had spoken of written works to be forbidden, stating that our culture must be preserved only by the works of the Sage, kept hidden from anyone beyond our colonies. Yet there I saw with my own eyes something distinguishing a Teragane. Was the rule only a tactic to keep others ignorant of our existence and place in the world?

“How interesting,” she said, finally returning to the Teragane sketch after she had scoured the rest of the book for more details.

“What? Tell me,” I cried while grabbing her waist from behind and looking over her shoulder. “Tell me what it says.”

“So, the book is about caring for sheep. It’s very informative. Historia must of pulled it out for me after I told her about wanting to make clothes for you with wool. But, there’s this small segment about the history of some farmers trading sheep wool with the Teragane people of the mountain. This just solidifies the stories in which I heard when I was younger.”

“What does it say about the Teragane?” I asked.

“Not much,” she replied, then looked up at me. “Hey, I thought written works weren’t allowed to exist?”

“That’s what I thought, for that was what I had learned a very young age. Yet, here it is.”

“What can’t exist?” Historia asked as she entered the library once again. Lillie flipped the book and pointed to the sketch of the Teragane and the sheep farmer. “Yeah? And? Looks a bit like you, doesn’t it Sable?”

“In my culture, it is forbidden for writings to be made of the Teragane people,” I explained. “Where did you get this book?”

“Oh? Is that why it’s impossible for me to find anything about them?” Historia rhetorically asked with a loud laugh. “Honestly, I picked up that book ages ago in a small village just outside of where my brother Piya lives. The owner was throwing it away, stating that it was a bit outdated, for it was written several decades before I was even born.”

“Do you remember when I wanted to write a book about Sable?” Lillie asked, and Historia nodded, causing the chains on her ears to sway. “When we were just kids, he told me that it was forbidden and took my book away. I felt so embarrassed, so I didn’t tell you. Especially since he burned it.”

Lillie shot a disgruntled expression up towards me, and I nervously grinned.

“Really? How dreadful—it’s never a good sign for a culture to ban books,” Historia said, and both Lillie and I grunted a confused sound, and she continued. “Books are knowledge, written works preserve culture, and pass down understanding that could be easily lost through spoken word—or manipulated by those in power. Are the Sage so against preserving anything about their people?” Her large brown eyes peered up at me as I nudge my face against the side of Lillie’s head, and I shrugged.

“I have no idea,” I said, and hung my head, but Lillie patted the side of my cheek with her hand as she shut the book closed with her other.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Lillie softly said. “I’m sure they just had some stupid reason to keep information from being provided.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Historia quickly retorted. “I bet they have good reason to hide themselves. Like I said, knowledge is a very powerful tool and can keep people in control. It’s why I stay here in Cedrus City amongst the power-greedy folk who would prefer to keep resources to themselves. It’s why I’m sure Sable keeps working for Lord Orvin, for it is quite a noble position, if I do say so myself.”

I raised my head, suddenly smiling at Historia’s high praise as she dusted off a book upon the counter, but Lillie slightly groaned while I kept her trapped in my embrace.

“Say,” Historia continued as she tapped against a book. “Lord Orvin said that the Teragane were spirit guides in the past, yeah?” I grunted.

“They have knowledge of magic, which I am assuming is in relation to the concept of spirits,” she continued. “So, perhaps they are also keeping all knowledge of magic away from others as well, which is why we cannot find much information about it—at least here.”

“So, how will I ever find the answers to my questions?” Lillie asked while gripping the book against her chest, and Historia grinned while eyeing the simple sheep farming book in her hands. “I just continue looking for clues written by unlikely authors within books?”

“Right-o, kidd-o,” Historia chimed, then looked up at me as she adjusted her spectacles. “Obviously, in the past, you stood by the rituals of secrecy. How about now? Still want to keep your people a secret? Or, would you want to begin creating your own book so that we can finally learn more about the Teragane now that one has reentered society beyond the mountains?”

“Me?” I asked, and Lillie jolted forward, but spun around as she looked up at me. The glistening to her excited eyes had returned, and I felt my heart race as both women looked at me with eyes filled with adventure, desire, and utmost excitement that I hadn’t seen in quite some time.

“Of course, Lillie and I would help you,” Historia added with a flick of her hand. “Perhaps you’d like to learn to read and write, too? Oh! We can collaborate writing a decent book, using as much information as you know, and perhaps finding more through various methods. Who knows, we could even look for answers from sheep farmers. We could even take a trip to visit my brother Piya, scour the nearby villages and ask them questions. What do you both think? The world needs more people writing about their cultures. What do you say?”

“Yeah!” Lillie shouted, but then her eyes softened as she glanced around. “Only if Sable agrees, of course.”

“I—uh,” I mumbled, and looked down, and grabbed the leather satchel at my side that contained a single message. I had nearly forgotten why I had returned to the library that morning in the first place. I felt conflicted, remembering the last words from the Sage who had banished me, informing me how much shame I had already brought upon my people by forming a relationship with a Tamarine.

I kept the ways of my people to myself, but was it truly a shameful act to write about them? Why? And, how much was the ritual only to separate the Teragane from the Tamarine? Was this truly right and justified? Was my interaction with Lillie and the people of Cedrus City already my final agreement that I no longer would abide by the laws of the Teragane? Was it even necessary to begin with, or completely outdated by predestined ancestors who seemingly saved my people from hardships long before society among the low-lands had been established?

The image of the black and white sketch of the Tamarine exchanging wool with a Teragane overwhelmed my mind as my heart beat fast. Who was that Teragane? Did they know such an image was created? How could they? And, even if I did agree to help Lillie and Historia write a book, how would the Sage find the work we were doing?

The book resting in Lillie’s hands was proof that someone else interacted with Teraganes, and perhaps was simply writing out their daily experience—about a world where Teraganes did exist with those around them. Lord Orvin had spoke often about creating a new era where Teraganes re-enter society—maybe this was my chance to continue that work, but with Lillie and Historia.

Maybe this was part of the progress in which I was destined for all along.

“Yes,” I finally said while glancing up at the two women staring at me. “I want to help.”

“Brilliant!” Historia shouted and Lillie threw her arms around me. I hugged her tightly, feeling grateful of her sudden affection, but she then spun away and began telling Historia about her ideas for our future book, and travels beyond the city to visit the sheep-farming brother.

It had been so long since I saw Lillie’s natural excitement and luster for life, and I happily watched as they spoke elaborately about accomplishing their goals, and the concepts of discovering more about life while journeying to another part of the province.

I didn’t have the heart to ask Lillie to join me to the farmlands, afraid I would dampen the light igniting her joy, but instead stated that I had a lot of work and wanted to say goodbye if I were to be held overnight.

“Oh, then, let’s celebrate tomorrow, yeah?” Lillie asked as she patted my chest, and I placed my hand upon hers, holding her palm against my body for a little longer. “I’ve always wanted to travel—perhaps you can speak to your ma—Lord Orvin about letting you have a break so that we can travel together.”

“I’ll be sure to do that,” I said with a smile, and stroked her skin with my thumb, and moved my lips upon hers. While Historia chatted about making plans for traveling in spring, I closed my eyes and savored Lillie’s flavor as she indulged in my affection a little longer than usual.

I liked the idea of traveling with Lillie and Historia, conceptualizing the adventure of seeking out information while still holding a strong position in a place I thought all three of us could impact and make a better place to live.

Even well after I bid farewell, and left the city, flying over the towering cedar trees and towards Hira, I thought about my idea of building a house for us in the meadow, or at least near it, and enjoying a peaceful life where we both achieved what we wanted and sought to make our life beautiful, free, and ever so wonderful as we embraced the joys of being united together as the first Tamarine and Teragane in the new era.