Cash67

Fredrick closed the door behind him, his eyes adjusting to the dimness of the room. Today was not one of her good days. 

Elaine lay in a bed across from the only window in the room. Most days, his sister would listen to the birds, draw the day’s sunrise or sunset, and revel in every shade, color, and pattern that passed in front of her only view of the outside world. Today, she lay in the dark with her eyes shut, pencils scattered across the bed haphazardly, her sketchbook opened to a page with a half-finished sketch of a bird. 

Fredrick softly knocked on the door. “Guess who is back,” he said softly. 

Elaine struggled to sit up at the sound of Fredrick’s voice. Her auburn hair was a mess as her eyes focused on her brother. 

“You are back already?” Elaine asked, a smile forming on her face. “I thought you would be back tomorrow,”

“The other guy didn’t put up too much of a fight,” Fredrick responded. “I’ll have to spend a day or two in your shoes to recover what I lost.” He chuckled. “I wish you could have come with us again. I have been missing my wonderful historian, detailing all of my adventures in stunning charcoal.”

“Me too,” Elaine said. “But you can still tell me what happened, right?”

“Well of course, always!” Fredrick said, his smile growing larger as he stood up to light the lanterns around the room.

He told Elaine of his travels to a neighboring barony, where he made a display of strength by besting their lieutenants in a friendly spar. He told her how on their way back, people heard that the Perrington family was coming through town and asked for a show. He recounted the many faces he had seen and the view from the mountains, putting in as many details as he remembered. All the while, Elaine listened with rapt attention. 

“I do wish you had come with us,” Fredrick said, concluding his tale. “Those mountain sunsets would have made wonderful additions to your journal.”

Elaine’s smile faltered for a moment. “We know what happened last time I dared to go,” she muttered. She took a deep breath, and her expression held longing and sadness. “It would have too difficult to take me this time anyways,” she said, waving her hand. 

Fredrick began to pace. “No it wouldn’t be,” he retorted. “We’d just need a shielded and cushioned carriage and another carriage for the medicine and for Mrs. Ableton. You could have your care on the road, and - “

“It would have been too difficult to take me,” Elaine interrupted, bitterness giving her voice an edge. “We don’t want father to be mad again,” she said quietly, sinking back into her bedding. 

An oppressive silence filled the room. Fredrick’s fists clenched and unclenched, and Elaine closed her eyes. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she took slow breaths to compose herself. 

After another moment, Fredrick’s head snaps up, an idea forming in his mind. “Hey Elaine,” he says. Elaine looks at Fredrick. “When was that meteor shower dad’s astronomer was talking about?”

“In two months,” Elaine responded. “What are you planning this time?”

“You want to get out of this room? I am sure I could find a good spot and take you to the meteor shower!” Fredrick begins talking faster and faster. “I’m strong enough, you’re small enough, and Dad is too busy to notice if we are gone for the night. You’d have a new sight to draw instead of the same window every day. It would be wonderful!”

“I don’t know…” Elaine said, “What would Father do if he catches us?”

“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t catch us!” Fredrick responded. “I’m going to find the spot right now,” he said, walking out the door. “Two months. Be prepared!”