Born of Oak and Silver (The Caradoc Chronicles) by Marie McKean Page B
Authors: Marie McKean
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when she added, “And if you happen to find yourself a wife, make sure she’s someone that I’ll approve of.” She lifted her haughty brow in emphasis while giving her head a definite nod of absoluteness.
A grin spread widely across my face, and I laughed at the outrageousness of her statement. I pulled her in for a deep hug, her head leaning on my chest as she tried to breathe me in.
She looked at me, and with a final act of courage dismissed me. “Now go, quickly, before I’m never able to let you go.” My mother stepped away from me and into the support of my father’s arm wrapped around her.
My father then took the simple , dark-gray felted dress hat off his head and placed it on mine. They both seemed to like what they saw as they began to chuckle in a private sentiment that only the two of them could enjoy.
I looked at them for a moment, and finding that I was at a complete loss for words, gave them a curt nod of my acknowledgement, approval, and love, and then quickly turned an d stepped up and into train car, which had been not far from my back.
I found Bram sitting c omfortably not far from the entrance. Upon seeing me, he gestured for me to take a seat on the bench directly across from him. I took the seat quickly, and turned to look out of the window on my left. My parents still stood together, the picture of parental love and support, with the morning light rapidly growing at their backs to give them an almost angelic appearance.
I couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness at the imminent departure of my childhood, and the constant presence of both my mother and father. And though I fought to hide it, at seeing my mother and father both attempting to act so bravely for my benefit, but failing to hide the tears that now escaped both of their eyes, I too allowed myself to fully mourn the passage of what once was.
The train began to move slowly forward.
I raised my right hand, and planted , fully spread, on the windowpane beside my face. My parents both raised their hands in farewell.
I watched them fade away until I could no longer see them , huddled together and waving, on the quay. When all signs of them were gone, I leaned back and drew my hat down over my face feigning sleep. The hat my father had just given me conveniently hid the flood of tears that now coursed down my face.
* * *
It didn’t take long for my sorrow to pass, and for my excitement about the new journey ahead to become my entire focus. Bram laughed good-naturedly at my inability to hold still, or to refrain from asking him innumerable questions about what might be in store for us. He bore the onslaught patiently, and related in detail everything he knew I would find either interesting or important.
My excitement lasted the first twenty-four hours. After that, it faded and fizzled into absolute boredom.
Bram kept me occupied with a stack of ancient and dull texts he insisted I memorize. I stared blankly at them as my focus wandered aimlessly over random daydreams, or to stare blankly out of the window at the passing scenery. Frequently, Bram would interrupt my reveries, insisting that I at least attempt to complete the task before me. But as he well knew, it was a futile effort and he chivalrously he accepted defeat.
When all was said and done, we arrived in Dublin in a little over a week. I was in awe of the city. Like Strasbourg it was teeming with life, though of a different kind. Dublin seemed to consist of generations of purebred natives, whereas Strasbourg was always repopulating with the influx or disappearance of trade, and its citizens could be from any number of origins.
T he same could be said for Dublin as well, though the city possessed an unnamable charm that I couldn’t resist. Perhaps it was the Dubliner’s accents, or maybe it was simply that the people I encountered were genuinely good. Whatever the case, I found myself
A grin spread widely across my face, and I laughed at the outrageousness of her statement. I pulled her in for a deep hug, her head leaning on my chest as she tried to breathe me in.
She looked at me, and with a final act of courage dismissed me. “Now go, quickly, before I’m never able to let you go.” My mother stepped away from me and into the support of my father’s arm wrapped around her.
My father then took the simple , dark-gray felted dress hat off his head and placed it on mine. They both seemed to like what they saw as they began to chuckle in a private sentiment that only the two of them could enjoy.
I looked at them for a moment, and finding that I was at a complete loss for words, gave them a curt nod of my acknowledgement, approval, and love, and then quickly turned an d stepped up and into train car, which had been not far from my back.
I found Bram sitting c omfortably not far from the entrance. Upon seeing me, he gestured for me to take a seat on the bench directly across from him. I took the seat quickly, and turned to look out of the window on my left. My parents still stood together, the picture of parental love and support, with the morning light rapidly growing at their backs to give them an almost angelic appearance.
I couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness at the imminent departure of my childhood, and the constant presence of both my mother and father. And though I fought to hide it, at seeing my mother and father both attempting to act so bravely for my benefit, but failing to hide the tears that now escaped both of their eyes, I too allowed myself to fully mourn the passage of what once was.
The train began to move slowly forward.
I raised my right hand, and planted , fully spread, on the windowpane beside my face. My parents both raised their hands in farewell.
I watched them fade away until I could no longer see them , huddled together and waving, on the quay. When all signs of them were gone, I leaned back and drew my hat down over my face feigning sleep. The hat my father had just given me conveniently hid the flood of tears that now coursed down my face.
* * *
It didn’t take long for my sorrow to pass, and for my excitement about the new journey ahead to become my entire focus. Bram laughed good-naturedly at my inability to hold still, or to refrain from asking him innumerable questions about what might be in store for us. He bore the onslaught patiently, and related in detail everything he knew I would find either interesting or important.
My excitement lasted the first twenty-four hours. After that, it faded and fizzled into absolute boredom.
Bram kept me occupied with a stack of ancient and dull texts he insisted I memorize. I stared blankly at them as my focus wandered aimlessly over random daydreams, or to stare blankly out of the window at the passing scenery. Frequently, Bram would interrupt my reveries, insisting that I at least attempt to complete the task before me. But as he well knew, it was a futile effort and he chivalrously he accepted defeat.
When all was said and done, we arrived in Dublin in a little over a week. I was in awe of the city. Like Strasbourg it was teeming with life, though of a different kind. Dublin seemed to consist of generations of purebred natives, whereas Strasbourg was always repopulating with the influx or disappearance of trade, and its citizens could be from any number of origins.
T he same could be said for Dublin as well, though the city possessed an unnamable charm that I couldn’t resist. Perhaps it was the Dubliner’s accents, or maybe it was simply that the people I encountered were genuinely good. Whatever the case, I found myself
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