Inheritance: Scales of Change

Chapter Nine - The Doctor

    You and your father rode together this time, ahead of Raxe and Caspian. Aside from the obvious limit to exposure you were glad to have taken the route along the shoreline. It was much more scenic, and you saw a plethora of strange animals you didn't even have a name for. There were giant turtles, as big as boulders, walking around the tree line, munching on leaves and fallen fruits. Strange, large, black lizards sat sunning themselves on rocks. Birds of all shapes and colors, ones with big rosy breasts, and others with blue feet. Your favorite however were these funny little ones that wore black and white suits, They waddled around very ungracefully squawking and arguing with each other, and it was quite comical. You also recognized the tall pink birds with strange legs that Vorsud had at his estate, and you had to assume this is where he stole them from. Not even the animals are safe from Calomenes slave trade.
    You were only able to travel a few hours before the sun began to set, as you had reached the Doctor's village a few hours past noon. You all decided to make camp for the night, finding a nice spot near the tree line where you could hang the tent across. You elected to go find fresh water, found a spring nearby, and a few trees that bore those fruits you noticed the giant turtles enjoying. You bravely tried one off the tree. It had a hard greenish-yellow skin that you found inedible, but the light orange colored flesh was delightful and easy to bite off the skin. You gathered a few to bring back to camp.
    The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when you returned, and they had a fire going already. You told them to try the fruits, and placed them down. Then went to help Raxe, who was untacking the horses. One of his bags made a musical pinging sound when you placed it on the ground.
"What was that?" You asked, looking down at the bag.
"Oh, it's probably the gift I found for Roisin in the palace market." Raxe responded. "Careful with that bag, I don't want it to break."
"Aww you got her a gift?" You cooed. "Can I see it?"
"Yea, alright." He shrugged and continued with pulling the saddle off.
    You dug through his pack until you found a little cloth package tied with a bow. You unwrapped it carefully and there stood the most beautiful little box, adorned with tiny little seashells and abalone.
"Oh this is so pretty. She's going to love it."
"Turn the key in the back a few times." He smiled knowingly.
You flipped it over, and indeed there was a key sticking out of a small hole. You turned it to the right, and heard a little cranking sound. You turned it a few more times then waited for something to happen.
"Open it." Raxe laughed.
    You carefully lifted the lid, knowing Raxe you expected something to jump out at you, but you were delighted to hear music begin to play the moment the edges opened. It was a little waltz, but instead of being performed by an orchestra, it was a single playful pinging note over and over in different sequences and tones.
"This is so cute!" You exclaimed. "What is it?"
"The merchant said it was called a 'music box.' Appropriately. He had a few that played different songs but this one felt...right."
"How amazing." You watched the little metal cylinder rotate while a pin hit different raised nodes, seemingly making the sounds.
"I thought so. I wanted to get a second one but I didn't have enough coin."
    The music attracted the attention of your father and Caspian, and you excitedly showed them both. Forgetting your silent argument with Caspian for a moment. "That's the most whimsical little toy I've ever seen." Caspian smiled and took it from you, examining it. The music finally stopped, and Raxe wound it again a few more times.
"May I have this dance, My Lady?" Your father bowed dramatically to you.
You giggled and took his hand, as he led you around the sand in front of the fire, spinning and twirling you gracefully.
"May I cut in?" Caspian suddenly appeared, surprising you.
    Your father nodded in a smile, and you looked up sheepishly at Caspian as he took you by the hand and waist, and began to slowly move you back and forth with the beat. The first of the stars were visible above the pink line of the sunset, but even with night approaching the weather was warm and comfortable.
"I should have done this last night..." He spoke quietly to you.
"You couldn't have. You were expected to dance with the Princess." You replied, looking down at his chest.
"I have duties of the state I must adhere to, yes, but I'm beginning to understand I have duties of the heart that I must give equal attention to."
"Must you?"
"For the sake of my sanity, yes." He sighed, looking out towards the water.
"I'm sorry I cause you to lose your sanity." You replied, a bit colder than you meant it.
He looked down at you. "I'm not."
You met his gaze, with a confused look on your face.
"The mere fact that you affect me so is a testament to how much you mean to me." His lips lifted in a small smile.
Your heart twiched with jealousy again. "I thought you had forgotten about all that, based on how you were behaving with the Princess..."
"I was simply being polite..." He began to protest.
"Not to everyone else's eyes." You replied as tears sprang up in your eyes, and separated from him. You couldn't do this right now. You needed to stay angry until you were over him. You walked off in a huff down the beach.