Evelyn opens her eyes, the light from the windows filtering into the small living quarters. She looks across from her to see Emily’s cot is empty. Looking outside, she sees the sun already above the tree line. She had spent the better half of two candle marks telling Em about her day. Throwing her legs off the side of the bed, she stood to find where Emily had wandered off. If she is lucky, she can get some answers out of her. She changed into a brown and black dress. Grabbing her sunhat, her arms voiced their displeasure as she tucked the crimson locks away. Her sister’s candidacy will have everyone’s attention; there's no point in trying too hard. Not while she’s still in the dark on what led her to failure.
Seeking out her sister, Evelyn stepped into the quiet morning air, the grass no longer slicked with dew. It was warm outside. Careful not to step into the path of a driverless carriage, she crossed the road and followed the buildings until she reached the provision house. Through the window, she could see her sister sitting on the bench and chatting with Sister Rivka. Em’s shoulders were straight, and her energetic voice carried even through the door. Pushing her way in, the chime rang to announce her arrival. Emily turned and stood suddenly.“Finally, I almost left without you.”
Her yellow straw sunhat cast shadows on her shoulders. The light falls short beneath the brim.
Avoiding the bait, Evelyn stepped around her to speak to Rivka. “What are you needing today? It isn’t yellow roots, is it? They are always surrounded by thorns and a pain to grab.”“No, the yellow roots are fine. I need a couple of baskets of Lightfruit.”
Immediately relaxing, Evelyn nods.“The two of us can do that. Right, Em?”
A bony finger pokes her in the side. The top of Emily’s hat comes into view as she steps up.“Depends, are you going to fall asleep and have me carry you?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes and smirked.“Maybe YOU don’t sleep enough. I still haven’t heard the rooster.”Rivka reached down and lifted two empty baskets, setting them on the counter. Emily’s hand was already on hers before Evelyn’s hand began to move. Does she ever think before acting? Evelyn shakes her head, grabbing the basket.The chime overhead rang as Emily opened it and called back.“We will keep the baskets safe! Be back soon!”Descending the creaky stairs, Evelyn watched as Em bounded forward. Her hand reached out to brush the side of a passing carriage. What’s her secret? How does she just… move like that? Evelyn followed her sister’s steps into the path, reaching out to stroke the same carriage. She retracts her hand with a hiss as it catches a splinter. Bringing it to her lips, she bites at it, only managing to break the part sticking out. She spits it out and moves to keep stride with Emily.The two of them walked straight down the rows of trees. Mid-morning rays cut through the canopy, beaming against the low-cut grass. Evelyn tilts her head back to look at the gap between the branches, each branch stopping before invading its neighbors’ space.
“Brother Karn lost both his roosters in a fight. He has not gone to the city to get another.”Lifting her head, she looked at her sister holding her palm to the sky as a bright yellow Lightfruit detached from the tree’s highest branches and dropped into her hand. Her stride had not wavered. That was so effortless. What’s her secret? Switching baskets to her other hand, Evelyn began to collect the orange Lightfruit from the lower branches.Ignoring the splinter, Evelyn took a few quick strides to return to her sister’s side to answer.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.“Yes, I’m aware. That was random.”The glint in her sister’s eyes and upturn of her lip made Evelyn’s rise in turn.“Something funny?”“Your excuse was bad is all.”Another Lightfruit landed in her sister’s palm as if the wind brought it to her personally.“It is almost afternoon, but you blamed the rooster for waking late.”By the 5th fruit fall, Evelyn holds up her hand as well. Locking her gaze onto a bright yellow fruit. Okay tree. Drop it. Cut the stem. Let go of the branch. Passing by the target without so much as a wiggle, she grabs another orange one within reach before replying.“I said I didn’t hear the rooster, not that I blamed it. Conflicting ideas can be true at once, you know.”Watching her sister’s ponytail sway as they walked. The rhythmic swish, the same steady steps. Unwavering. Evelyn closed the distance with a few faster steps.“How did you get through? The trial, I mean. You had daggers, too, right? Moving in a blur between you and the exit. What was the trick?”
Emily paused her stride, reaching high to pluck a leaf. She immediately drops it, and it falls toward Evelyn. Drifting straight at her face. As she reaches up to intercept it, the leaf twists on the breeze and blows past her hand and face without colliding.“I kept walking. Either they were not real or set up so they would not harm me. I just trusted The Elder’s intentions.” Emily turns and continues to walk, a gust of wind blowing leaves off the branches, and they fall around her. None of them reached her.Coming to a halt, Evelyn gaped at her reckless sister. Of all the stupid.“Trusted?! You could have been hurt. Killed. What if you were wrong?”“But I wasn’t.” Her voice called back, as if that was enough to stake one’s life on.As their baskets began to fill, Emily paused and stared at Evelyn’s raised hand, then peeked at the orange-filled basket of bitter Lightfruit. Her mirth fell away as her smile flattened out.“You think too much. You should just trust it.” Her hands cupped together as if to offer a wounded animal a sip of water. A bright yellow Lightfruit dropped in her palm as if it belonged there all along.Looking through her fingers, Evelyn’s focus grabs a golden one directly overhead. Okay. I want that one. Can you detach and fall to me?
The branch sways with an unseen wind, the fruit bobbing ever so slightly as if scared of heights. The sphere of honey, tantalizing as it faces its fears by rocking slightly, tests the edge of its plunge.Then it is as if the coward refused. The branch stiffens once more, and fruit returns to the safety of its mother’s embrace.No effect.Why not? Is there something I’m missing?Relegated to plucking the lower fruits, Evelyn’s basket reaches its peak with the inclusion of the last sun-starved light fruit. Emily also finished collecting the sweeter variety.As the two of them turned to make their way back to the provision house, Evelyn’s shoulders slumped as she looked at her unappetizing fare. What am I doing wrong?
Emily stepped closer, plucking a few yellows from her basket and trading them for a few oranges. After approximately half are exchanged, she reaches up and pokes Evelyn on the forehead.“You think too much, Eve,” her voice but a whisper.“Yeah. Okay.” Evelyn’s throat tightens. It threatened to choke her as she swallowed. Does she see me as a burden? Another failure. Someone who needs to be coddled?Clearing her throat and shifting to take the lead. “Thanks, Em.”They approach the Village, mixed baskets in tow. The day is in full swing as people move about, already hard at work. Their Brothers are laying feed for the livestock, the aroma of the midday repast sullied by the animals’ droppings. The knowledge that their Sisters are in the kitchens cooking hearty meals brings a smile to their faces regardless. Emily climbs the steps to the provision house, her hand grabbing for the door before she even stabilizes. Evelyn pauses before the window, her green eyes full of the curiosity she keeps getting burned for. With a sigh, she follows Em, and Rivka’s voice rings out.“Oh! You are back so soon. A good haul too.” She took the basket from Emily with a smile for the younger girl. Offering her own harvest, Evelyn hears the chime once more as Emily steps outside.Rivka’s face frowns.“Did you have to get so many orange ones?”Lowering her head, her eyes drop to her finger where the splinter is still lodged and beginning to swell, she nods. Still needed more.