Departure - Chapter 3

“I’ll do my best,” I said, clutching the edges of my book. “For you, for Mother, and Luisa. And for me.” Father glanced over to the container, seeing that Reginald had made himself apparent. “And for the little one, too,” he added with a nod toward Reginald, who chose that moment to click his claw softly against the edge of his sand box, as though agreeing. I laughed, though sleep pulled at me. Outside of the room, Herring stirred but didn’t wake, and the steady rhythm of the house’s breathing seemed to lull both of us.

Tomorrow would bring more preparations. And after that, the ceremony fast approached. But tonight, for just a little while, I let myself enjoy the night.

Soon enough, the morning of the ceremony arrived before I was ready. The whole house stirred earlier than usual, a kind of hushed anticipation threading through the air. Mother was already bustling when I opened my eyes, laying out the white garments with navy accents that every child of the town was required to wear for this event. The fabric was soft, lighter than the clothes I normally wore, and the sleeves billowed when I raised my arms. It almost didn’t feel like mine, but something set apart for this single day.

Mother hummed softly as she brushed and parted my hair, weaving it into an elegant style that swayed with each tilt of my head. The finishing touch was the bows from before. Both were made from the scale I’d found previously to the fair. But this was the perfect day to bring them out again. “You look beautiful,” Mother whispered, smoothing the front of my dress. “Like the waves themselves are holding you close.” I swallowed hard, nerves swelling inside me. I felt more like a current about to drag me under.

Father entered then, arms crossed, though his gaze softened when it fell on me. “Remember what I told you, Chloe,” he said. His voice was steady, grounded. “They’ll ask about your gift. You must let them see what they need to see—your affinity. Nothing more. Appraisal will be rare enough to stir talk, but safe enough not to bind you to the wrong path. And above all, your goal remains yours. The path of a merchant.”

“I understand,” I murmured, clutching the folds of my dress. It felt heavy, though airy against my skin. “I’ll keep appraisal as my front. Nothing more, nothing less.” From the corner of the room, I heard a grunt. Herring had risen from his bed, his eyes sharp despite the early hour. He took a step forward, but Father’s hand raised immediately.

“No, boy,” Father said firmly. “Not today, if you walk with her, questions will only multiply. She must do this alone.” Herring’s gaze flickered to me, unreadable, before he gave a single nod and returned to his usual post. Reginald had already found his way onto the table, clacking his claw as though in protest. He scuttled closer to me, his shell pulsed faintly. I smiled, “I’ll be fine,” whispering to him, bending low so my bows bobbed. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

Mother looked like she wanted to hold me forever, but she only kissed my cheek and brushed her hands against the scales in my hair. “Be brave, Chloe.”. Suddenly, a knock came at the door; it was Lance. He stood there in the same white and navy garments. His hair brushed smooth for once. His usual restless energy felt contained, his expression serious as he looked me over. “You ready?” I nodded, though my hands shook. Then, we were off.

As we walked down the brick path toward the chapel, the town ahead already buzzing with ceremony bells, Lance broke the silence between the taps of our shoes on the road. His face was as serious as ever. “You know…” He glanced at me, his jaw set. “I…decided what I want to do. What I’ll be. It’s not fishing like Gil. It’s not like him at all!” He let out a huff of breath, as I’d been taken aback by his sudden statement.

My heart thumped. “...What then?”

“I’m gonna be strong enough to protect everyone…you, included,” he declared without hesitation, his eyes burning with something I’d never seen before. “No matter what comes.” I caught myself stumbling a little, being thrown off my guard. His words clung to me like a net, warm but heavy. “You—protect me?” I asked, blinking fast. “Lance, that’s…” I wanted to laugh it off, but the rudeness of his declaration wouldn’t allow me. He nodded firmly, once and sure. “So don’t worry too much today. I’ll make sure I’m the one standing between you and whatever scares you.”

For a moment, my nerves eased, if only a little. I managed a shaky smile. “Then I’ll hold you to that…”. We walked on, side by side. The sound of the bells and voices grew louder, the weight of the ceremony pressing down on me with every step. Many children waited, grouped outside the chapel. It loomed taller than I could recollect. Its stone walls were weathered, streaked with the salt and sea air, but its presence was commanding, as though the entire town leaned against it for support. The bells run again overhead, clear and sharp. I felt them resonate in my chest like another heartbeat.