Emma Steeg
Chapter 8: In Which I Am A Fish Out Of Water
Chapter 8: In Which I Am A Fish Out Of Water
I had never set foot outside Trifecta. Never. Not once. In fact, until today I don’t think I’ve made it past the fields, there was simply never a reason to. Entering the Starlands now, all I could do was compare.
Where Trifecta simply existed, the Starlands seemed to circle around the castle. Where out houses were simple lumps of stone, theirs were brick and clay.
And everyone seemed to be staring. I suppose it is natural to stare when a king passes, but all of their eyes seemed to be on me. I was the sore thumb, and they were all wondering what a commoner was doing among nobles.
It appeared I did have something in common with them.
The castle itself was a marvel, huge stone turrets flying a stitched star so close to the real ones in the sky. If you think that sounds impressive, you should see the inside.
The treasures in the bag in my basket that I had marveled at seemed dull in comparison to the treasures that adorned the walls and ceilings of the castle. Paintings masterfully crafted of different subjects, and there was a huge silver oil lamp chandelier lighting the room instead of the small tin ones I was used to. My footsteps echoed in the great entry hall. I shifted uncomfortably when I realized that I had tracked in dirt.
King Peter didn’t seem to notice, as he was saying something to a servant woman who then scurried off. Even the servant looked fancier than me.
“What might be in your basket?” he asked, noticing it for the first time.
“Er, food sire.” I told him. “I was at market when the thief stole my coins.”
“Hmm.” he nodded, observing me as I looked over the entry hall again.
“Your palace is lovely.” I said in an attempt to be polite.
“Thank you. I always found it rather empty however. There’s no one to share it with....”
I looked down. “My apologizes, sire –”
“No, no, none of that. You’re mu guest, I’ll not have you apologizing for everything you say.”
“Yes sire.”
“Peter.”
“I’m sorry?” I frowned. I had to have heard him wrong.
“Please, call me Peter.” he said kindly.
I was stunned. Me? Address a king like an equal? Had I landed in another world?
King Peter only laughed at my expression. “I’ve sent one of my servants to prepare a room and clean clothes for you. And I invite you to join me for supper.”
“But si– er, Peter, a common girl shouldn’t dine with a king”
“You are no common girl, Avaká.”
The servant from before came back then. She curtsied to Peter before she spoke. “Sire, the girl’s room is ready.”
“Excellent! Show her to it and see that she is able to wash up for supper.”
She nodded and was by my side in an instant, pulling me away.
I felt overwhelmed. I felt dizzy. I felt ill.
In the span of half a day, I had stolen a thief’s stolen goods, I had left Trifecta for the first time, I had met a king who wanted me to address him so casually, and now I was being lead to a room that turned out to be bigger than my whole house and told it was mine for the night.
“There’s hot water in that tub there.” the servant pointed to a wooden tub that rested in the corner. “I’ll leave you to clean up.” then she curtsied and left.
I took a moment to stand there frozen. I had just been curtsied to. Like a noble. Like a princess!
I flopped back on the bed, my brain exhausted, but the bed was another wonder, making me moan at how soft it was. How could something like this exist when I slept of hay with scratchy wool wrapped around it?
I ran my hands over the perfect velvet of the sheets and wondered why one bed needed so many pillows. The dirt embedded on my skin had never bothered me before, but I suddenly felt very unclean. Everything in this room was so perfect, and I just.....wasn’t.
I stood and made my way to the tub, leaving my basket on the bed. There was a perfect yellow sponge floating in the perfect clear water, and two perfect blue towels hung from the handles on either side, folded up so that they didn’t brush the floor. A small bottle of soap balanced on the ridge that upon further inspection smelled like the expensive blossoms at the flower seller’s cart.
I tugged my clothes off and scrubbed till I was red. My dirty brown skin turned a soft peach color. Wrapping one of the towels around my body and using the other to rub at my now smooth hair, I made my way to the side of the room where a wardrobe and vanity stood.
I examined the vanity first, peering at my reflection. Was that clean, peachy girl really me? I shook my head, refusing to dwell on such a matter when there were more wonders to be discovered.
I found what I thought was make-up, but I didn’t know how to use it, so I left that alone. I found a silver comb and brush, each heavy set with jewels, and what might have been several hair accessories. I wouldn’t know, I’d never had any.
For a moment I stopped worrying about how out of place I was and wondered how the world worked. Why could one person have all this, and probably more, when another had so very little? How did fate choose who would be better off? Why were such fancy things I couldn’t name needed for here, when I’d made along fine without them my whole life?
I sighed. So many questions and absolutely no one to answer them.
It was no matter. I had to prepare to have supper with the king.
Now there’s something you don’t often get to say.