"Okay dear, this might hurt a little, but once it's over, I'll give you the biggest cookie I can find!" I exclaimed happily, pulling out a homemade antiseptic from a drawer. The little girl, who sat nervously on the stool gasped lightly and gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
"R-Really?!" She gasped, as I pulled out a soft cloth and poured some antiseptic on the fabric. I nodded at her in affirmation. The girl clung herself to the seat, waiting for the pain. Applying the disinfectant, she hissed a little, before enduring the rest of the pain. I wrapped up her arm, before reaching into a jar to pull out a delicious sugar cookie.
"All done. Now, go see your mother. I am sure she will be relieved to know that nothing is broken." As she disappeared out of the Church, my smile remained as I put my supplies away. As I placed the disinfectant back in the drawer, my (E/C) glanced at my flute. I had made sure to play it every day in memory of how much my father and mother loved hearing it. Just a year ago, I learned something new about this metal vessel. I was reminded of the Song of Time that Vreme taught me seven years before. Making sure I wasn't being watched, I played the Song of Time, before my flute became elongated and much more intricate. My flute was made of bronze and was nothing special to look at; However, when I played that song, it was turned to gold. It became thirty-five inches long and was engraved with fine designs. Along with said designs, swirls from gold to sand formed fancifully around the head-joint and spiraled outward from the body. The flute was still fully functional, but I never bothered to play the instrument in its whimsical state. Eventually, it turned back to normal, and my energy was somewhat drained.
As I wrote down some important notes and thoughts, the great doors of the Church burst open to showcase my sister. Kara was twenty-eight but continued to appear as an eighteen-year-old. Unlike my modest attire, my sister was in a large dress, with various frills and ribbons. I always wondered how she never became overheated. As she ran across the aisle carpet, she eventually yet inevitably stumbled on the fold. "Why won't you ever fix that rug? I trip on it every time, yet you never straighten it out! I can't believe my own flesh and blood would do such a veil and cruel thing!!" My sister faked crying, as I smiled at her lovingly.
"Sorry, Mrs. Rena always sits there, and every time she does so, she adjusts the rug to know where her spot is. I have explained this to you before, haven't I?" I asked, trying not to offend her in any shape or form. A small smile formed on her features, liking my answer. "So, what do I owe this visit? I don't mind, but you only come to see me at work if you have a something important to share." My sister's face became a serious one in less than five seconds. Almost out of nowhere, she pulled out a stack of papers, with various letters attached. All these letters were to and from one person. The King of Sindria. "What's this for?"
"Those are the corresponding letters from the King of Sindria to myself. A couple years ago, we started writing to one another about making some form of agreement between Feanel and Sindria. We thought it would be best, since little island countries need to stick together." She elaborated vaguely, as an annoyed expression hung on my features.
"I refuse to get married just like that." I stated flatly, trying to get my point across. Kara shook her head before elaborating.
"Trust, I am the one person who doesn't want you married. These letters have nothing to do with marriage in the slightest. We thought that a trade agreement would be most beneficial for both Sindria and Feanel." My sister explained, as my smile slowly turned into a slight frown.
"Kara, Sindria is the trading hub of the entire world. What do they have that we don't? And, most importantly, what do we have that Sindria doesn't? It wouldn't make any sense. I am all for setting up an alliance with King Sinbad of Sindria, however, we have nothing to give, and we don't need anything they want us to have." My sister's expression grew incredibly sour, as her eyes darted around the room. I knew she was thinking of an excuse or a comeback.
"Sindria has a large number of textiles! Perhaps that is what they can give us." Kara chirped, before I slightly shook my head.
"We already have a workshop for such a thing, Kara. Old Anthony & Sons is the finest textile shop in the seven seas." I assured, as my sister let out a quick huff.
"Fine then. Lately, building supplies has been a rarer find! Sindria has plenty of supplies if I remember correctly." Kara corrected, as I shook my head.
"We aren't in need for such a thing anymore. The land that we have is packed to the brim. And we are preserving that forest. For father's sake and mine." I replied.
"What about beer then?" Kara questioned.
"We have an ale company. Besides, alcohol makes bad spouses as they say. It would be a miracle if the whole world stopped drinking such toxic substances." I spewed as my sister silently rolled her eyes, not in distaste, but in sheer determination to find what Feanel needs. "Am I wrong?"
"No, you would be right about it. Indulging in a sip of wine now and again wouldn't be so bad. After all, you do just that." She argued, smiling at me as I continued to tidy up the Church.
"Only on special occasions do I drink. Now! What else do you have to say?" I asked, as my sister started to spew things at random.
"Fish? Oh no, we do live near the ocean... Wood?! Oh dear, we do live next to the forest..." Kara was really struggling to find something Sindria could give us as trade. It was to the point that I had little faith that she would come up with something. Before I could sass her once more, she burst out, "Oranges! Sindria could give us oranges. The fruit is a very good source of vitamin C and can be used for all sorts of things. No one can hate oranges." She says, with a cheeky smirk plastered on her face.
"Kara..." I breathed, "You hate oranges."
"I like orange juice. Remember that one time, when orange juice was imported to Feanel, and we had it every day for a couple months. It was rather... pulpy. But that's the way I like it because I love... chewing my drink." Kara hissed under her breath, not expecting me to hear every word.
"So if I go to Sindria and make a couple of trade agreements like I used to before, then you won't bother me about this again? And if I bring back barrels of the pulpiest orange juice you have ever put in your mouth, you will drink every last drop, right?" Kara glared at me for a second, before saying:
"You're a masochist." My sister spat, before speaking again, "But yes... I would certainly drink pulpy orange juice. Pack your bags. You leave in the morning. Everything has been prepared, so in theory, you could set sail tonight."
"So eager to get rid of me, huh? And why didn't you tell me this sooner?! Now, I have to compose a treaty and trade agreement." I huffed, putting all my things away neatly. Kara sat idly on one of the benches, giving me a large, winning smile.
"You know that I love you dearly, but you and I both know that it is not good for you to stay cooped up in Feanel for as long as you have. All I want is for you to be happy, and I think that traveling is the best medicine for your condition. And for your second topic, you would have said no to my modest proposal, so I thought to take matters into my own hands." My sister explained, as I packed my things and wrote a note to Amelie, my disciple. In my note, I told her that I had urgent business and that she would have to look after the Church and fulfill my duties while I was away. Once written, I placed it in her bin and walked out of the Church with my sister.
"I think the real masochist around here is you. Just be lucky that I think that it is a fine idea to make some relations, however small, with Sindria and King Sinbad." I commented, wrapping my arm around her lovingly as she did the same, "However, you don't get to tell me what I can and cannot do, you hear? Since I am your diplomat, I get to do whatever I see fit to make such relations possible."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, on that note! You are to discuss the with Sindria about trade and alliances only. We are not to join any war packs or anything of the sort. I heard that Sindria was the founder of the Seven Seas Alliance, so if you can, please do try to be respectful so we can look good upon these countries. Though, I only tell you this out of precaution. I know you will be fine without me there. It's just..." My sister halted her pace, before I looked back at her curiously. Tears pricked the corner of her eyes, as a large smile formed on her features, "It has been so long, since you have left this island... I just want you to feel happy. I know you haven't felt that way since father died, but I hope, with my push, you will find happiness." Giving her a hug, a smile was drawn on my features.
"How can I be sad when I have been given such a blessing? You are my blessing, Kara. I couldn't possibly be sad for a single second when you are in the room." The tears that pricked her eyes vanished, before she gave me another large smile. "So how long will I be staying in Sindria?"
"Only two months, unless there is something absolutely necessary that you return or stay." She explained, before we headed out of the Church and down the path lined with flowers and vines. We walked back to the castle together before we had to part ways for the day. After all, I had to pack my luggage to span me over two months. Placing some of my lighter dresses in a crate, I wondered if I should bring my heavier dresses and my simpler clothes. Placing whatever I thought was necessary, I assisted the sailors by bringing my luggage on the boat that was supposed to take me to Sindria in the early morning. After everything was loaded, I retired to my room before doing some basic paperwork. When it grew late, I fell asleep, awaiting my journey in the morning. I woke up at the crack of dawn, got dressed and packed the things I couldn't before. Hugging my sister, I walked toward the docks, with a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. 'I wonder what Sindria is like...' I thought, before climbing on the ship. I was greeted by my past crew. Each one of them had a warm smile drawn on their features as if they had found something that they lost. Smiling toward them, I walked into my chambers and waited to set sail. 'The sea is as vast as I remember...'