"My poor bird," Calla said, furrowing her brows and brushing dyed-black strands from her daughter's cheek. "Does your chest still ache? I told you not to strain yourself. Why don't you ever listen?"
**"
Violet's POV
Violet looked at Calla intently, she was confused but she didn't want her to be sad. "I was only watching, Mother."
"Watching?" Calla's tone was soft but edged with warning. "Yearning after what you can't have will only make your health worse. Then what will happen to me?
What will the people say? a mother who couldn't even keep her child alive?"
Mother's words felt like she was unhappy, I think I had done something wrong without knowing why.
I wanted to say I didn't mean it, but if I do I would be making excuses, mother said she don't like it.
"I'm sorry, mother, I'll be good."
Mother kissed my forehead softly. It was nice.
"Of course you will, my little bird. You always try so hard. That's what I love about you most."
Her words made me warm inside, even though something still felt sad.
Calla was the only reason I still breathed. The medicine, the costly treatments, by her hardwork and wages in the capital.
Maria knew it, and it was her only hope.
"Supper is ready," Maria called.
We ate together at the small table, steam rising from thin stew and bread. I struggled with my spoon, resting often, my hands trembling.
Calla sat beside me and picked up the spoon, refusing a bowl with a smile. "I've eaten already. If I joined, there might be less for you." Her words made Papa flinch slightly.
Maybe she was right, he thought silently.
She fed me herself.
She was happy, I smiled, why wouldn't I? even though I didn't have any friends I have two mothers! .
**
Maria watched and told herself that Calla was doing her best as a mother. Behind her stern face, she was sad for Violet too.
---
Night came as Oruniel; the lost Goddess, embraced the sky tightly.
There was only a bright moon and fifteen constellations made up of 215 stellae (stars) that lit the night.
The forest around the cottage was dense, branches whispering secrets to the winds in the dark.
A white raven landed on a dry branch of the highest, isolated tree. It looked at the cottage, tilted its head slowly, then spread its wings and vanished into the black sky.
***
Maria was in the kitchen finishing up, and cradling Violet to sleep.
Calla had dyed Violet's hair black again before leaving.
Inside, Violet was curled up between Maria's arms, reading a book Papa had bought her. She was like a little kitten snuggling in a blanket.
She had arms around Maria as she patted her back slowly.
Just like in the book, she wished to fly, her white hair streaming like clouds, not black as Calla dyed it.
Calla said her hair and sickness made everyone fear her and made her heart ache every time she saw her daughter's pale, lifeless hair.
Later that night, when the house was quiet, Calla was ready to go back to the capital.
The carriage was ready to pick her up.
A pair of villagers spotted her by chance as she reached the pickup place. The lantern light made her pale face visible.
They greeted her warmly, with respect mixed with fear. After all, she worked for the royal family. If anyone carried honor back into Greyhollow, it was Calla.
"Out so late, Lady Calla? Is all well?" an old woman asked. Another leaned in closer to listen.
Calla pressed her hand to her chest, letting her expression soften with weary grace.
"It's Violet," she said gently. "Her sickness is getting worse day by day. It's rare but treatable. Many children die because treatment is expensive. I don't know how much my daughter can bear. I wish no one here suffered from it. I can't bear the guilt of keeping her away. She can't even play… we don't know how it spreads. Maybe it's me! It's me!" Calla started crying.
"It's not you, Lady Calla! It's fate! Please don't blame yourself!" the other woman said, tears in her eyes.
"I use my wages for it, every coin I can spare. A mother must do what she can. I do everything, but it's always too little!" Calla buried her face in a handkerchief and cried.
The villagers patted her shoulder, their eyes filled with pity and admiration. They whispered blessings, calling her devoted, brave. Calla bowed her head, letting their praise sink into the silence of the night.
She saw the carriage and sat on it. Once reaching the outskirts of the village, she tossed her coat into a ravine from the window without the driver noticing.
"Filthy hags!" she scoffed, leaning back on the seat.
The carriage slowly trotted along the rough pathway to the capital.
***
Violet's POV
The morning came and went. Years passed like this, and I was ten.
My health slowly worsened, and so did the pain. It almost felt like my insides were burning. Sometimes I coughed blood.
But the world moved at a pace I could not keep.
A merchant arrived in Greyhollow, bringing weapons: spears, swords, bows, arrows, and more.
Villagers, who didn't had any visitors here, didn't understand why he came.
"Weapons and arms! Get yours now! Don't depend on the capital! Protect yourselves! We provide mercenaries too!" the merchant yelled, ringing a bell.
The villagers gathered, started questioning him.
"The first Prince of Isvalar died in the conquest of the Beastkins of the Winds! All the Beastkin Wind tribes have perished. The destruction has left the east exposed! The capital cannot send troops. The Winterbeasts are coming! Don't trust the nobles! They have fenced themselves with money, knights, and mages!"
The villagers gasped in fear.
"Papa, what are Winterbeasts?" I asked, clinging to him.
"Monsters, little bird," he said. They way he said it, it sent a chill down my spine. I snuggled closer, finding comfort in his arms.
"What shall we do?"
"We can't even go anywhere. This is the only village with low taxes! If we go south, the nobles will drain us dry! They treat commoners like animals. They don't care about us."
Murmurs filled with fear and anxiety, spread across the quiet village.
"Garrett! You were a knight! You can help us fence and protect the village!" a villager called, walking with a cane, stopping when he noticed me.
****
"The chief said the Winterbeasts are coming. You know how to kill monsters, Garrett," another said.
"No," Garrett's stern voice silenced the whispers. "We'll be moving from here."
The chief objected, "We are hunters, not peasants! We rely on luck more than skill. Even animals avoid the lands around Greyhollow. Winter here is unforgiving."
"Winter is far more honest than you, you who callously hide contempt for my child! I had nothing to protect but my family." Garrett spoke.
The villagers looked down, ashamed or fearful.
"Please, Garrett, we'll die!" the chief begged.
"Papa…" Violet tugged at his shirt.
"What, little bird?" he asked.
"Can't you help them?" She said.
"We can't. I don't need them. I only need you and Mama happy," he said, walking back to the cottage.
***
As night fell, a bird flew from Greyhollow to the capital. Garrett and Maria began packing. The family decided to move the day after next.
Violet watched the village come and go. They promised to treat her and the family better and help us, but Garrett did not budge.
Dusk arrived, and with it Calla came too.
No one knew she was coming, it was a surprise, but just too convenient.
Garrett and Maria walked out of the cottage and saw an earth dragon carriage waiting.
Calla approached Maria and hugged her tightly, almost suffocating. "Maria! Oh, how I missed you!"
She hugged her back slowly, inviting her inside.
Garrett sensed something odd but held back, fearing one wrong move might take away the only light they had—Violet.
"Here is some medicine," Calla handed a small vial to Maria.
"I also heard something from villagers," she said.
"I heard you're moving away?" Calla asked Garrett, a sharp gaze and calculating.
"Yes! The Winterbeasts are—" Garrett spoke began, but Calla interrupted.
"I heard about it," Calla said, tone cold. "Have you decided where to go?"
"Anywhere we can live peacefully," Garrett said.
"Peacefully?" Calla frowned. "I trusted my child to you because you lived where people don't ask questions. Wherever you go, you'll be under the nobles' eyes, and I can't guarantee Violet's safety.
"I arranged this cottage and brought land for you. And now you're abandoning everything I did? You don't need to move; you need to protect Violet. I'll ask the empress to send guards here. Moving will only make things worse for her.
"If you insist, I'll have to take—" Calla spoke through tears, until Garrett stood with a thump.
Maria sat stunned.
"Please don't! Don't take Violet away!" Garrett stood.
"But Garrett, what about Violet's safety?" she spoke through tears.
She knew, if she stayed here there were dangers, she can't let them loom over her just because she wanted Violet with her.
"Oh Maria, I said I'll send guards. You don't need to worry much," Calla wiped Maria's cheek and smiled.
"Well, then I need to write a letter for protection," she said, putting on her coat and walking to the door.
"Won't you see Violet? She'll be happy," Maria said standing up.
"If only I had time. Don't worry—I'll do it next time," Calla walked outside, leaving silence in the cottage.
Then slowly the carriage slowly creaked away leaving Garrett and Maria in turmoil.
Calla sat inside her carriage. "You thought you could get away?" she muttered.