A few days later Orn, Olivia, and his parents began their trip to Sapphire City. The awkwardness Orn felt around his parents faded as the excitement of the trip overtook him. The lands beyond the farming village transitioned to a wide plane and then to gently rolling hills as mountains slowly loomed closer from the horizon. Through it all Orn stared out the window enthralled by the changing scenery.

Nearly a week after they set out, the carriage rolled down a paved road toward Sapphire City. Orn half hung out of the window staring at the sheer size of the city. Unlike the hamlets and small villages they passed through on the way, Sapphire city was massive. The buildings covered a large hill and the surrounding lowlands, with the hill itself crested by a castle.

“Orn get back inside the carriage,” his mother said, pulling gently on his shirt.

Stifling a sigh, he slid back through the window.

“Sit down,” she said, gently patting the seat next to her. “We will be through the gates in a short time, and you can see the city from up close. Actually that is a good idea.” She clapped her hands together, “Toln can you take Orn around the city, while Olivia and I get fitted for dresses?”

“That is a good idea,” Orn’s father nodded, and winked at Orn. “It means we can escape the horrible boredom of the dressmakers.” He then started to laugh as his wife playfully kicked at him.

Beside his laughing father Liv looked from the window only to roller her eyes at Orn’s parents antics. “Actually, I have already sent my measurements to the seamstress so there is not need for me to go to the dressmakers.”

“That is right. I forgot all about that,” Orn’s mother said with a malicious glint in her eye. “All I need to do is tell the dressmakers what pattern you need. I am thinking bright pink, with a large hoop skirt.”

Olivia paled at the thought, and narrowed her eyes as she looked at Orn’s mother, “you would not do that to me.”

Orn’s mother’s smile widened, “I think you look lovely in pink.”

“I would never wear anything so garish,” Liv countered. “I think something simple would be better, possibly in black. In fact something akin to the dress I used to wear would be perfect. You remember it I am certain. It is the one you made disappear after all.”

“You mean the maid outfit you finally outgrew, and wore to rags,” Orn’s mother replied flatly. “I think not. You need to make an impact at the Adle’s ball. We will be formally introducing you to society there and it is long overdue for you. We should have done it when you turned fourteen not when you are nearly twenty.”

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Olivia and Orn’s mother continued to go back and forth until the carriage rolled to a stop in a busy square. Not waiting for Tnok to dismount from the driver’s seat and open the door, Orn’s father opened the door and stepped out. Orn followed after, while Liv and his mother continued to argue.

“Tnok, my wife and Olivia are heading to the cloth merchants.” Orn’s father called at the driver over the background noise of the city.

Orn heard the Tnok start the carriage moving again, while he tried to take in as much of the city as he could.

“It is an interesting place, but I prefer the quite of our home,” his father said more softly, as he placed his hand on Orn’s shoulder. “The cloth merchants and tailors are near the middle of the market road, and we will get your uniform adjusted when we get there. I thought it would be good for you to walk through the market, as we are likely to see interesting things they never bring to the villages.”

Orn scanned the nearby merchant carts, and noticed they were filled with secondhand goods that the merchants did not bother to bring to the village. “Are you sure you just did not want to get away from their argument?”

“I have no idea what you mean,” Orn’s father replied. Despite the neutral tone, he did not look at Orn.

“Really? I wanted to jump out of the carriage since they started,” Orn replied walking beside his father past a variety of stalls where tinkers busily repaired pots and pans.

His father laughed, “Do not let your mother hear that. She is convinced it looks as if they are playing.”

“How would anyone think that was playful? Liv was glaring the whole time,” Orn scoffed. “But why is mother so intent on Liv going to the ball and being introduced to society? Liv actively does not want to. Also, I think she likes the sailor who always comes with the traders.”

There was a pause, as his father considered his words. “Olivia is part of our family, and she should be able to be treated as such. Presenting her to society, tells the world she is part of our house and has our backing. Even if she does not like the attention, formally introducing her at a ball will put the nobles of the kingdom on notice of this.”

Orn’s father’s voice dropped a bit as he continued. “Also your mother does not like that young man. She hopes that Olivia will find someone else, if she puts her in a room full of handsome and rich young men.”

“Do you think that will happen?” Orn asked trying to imagine Liv interested in a rich noble. She hates being the center of attention and I do not think most nobles can pretend to be a maid.

“I think your mother knows best,” his father deflected, before changing the subject. Pointing to where the road leading int the city turned, “look up there. We will be walking past the side street with several jewelers. Emmy is a bit small for jewelry still, but we should see if we can find anything for Oliva and your mother. We are in a city famous for its jewels after all.”