by Karen Garvin
Mary walked on down the street and stopped in front of an unusual shop. In the display window, all manner of mechanical gadgets whirred and popped or crawled along. She couldn't resist going in, even if she didn't have money.
A tiny bell tinkled over the door as Mary pushed it open and a bespectacled man peeked over the counter at her.
"Yes?" The man voice was high and reedy. "How can I help you today?"
The man stepped from behind the counter and Mary saw he was a little person. He wore a brilliant white shirt with a black leather apron thrown over it, covered in bits of shaved metal and grease.
"I'm just looking if you don't mind." Mary felt guilty about browsing.
"Of course, please have a look around." The little man walked around to the front of the store, his gait wobbling a bit from side to side. "You're her, aren't you? The one from the shipwreck."
Mary nodded, suddenly self-conscious. "I'm Mary," she said, sticking her hand out. "Pleased to meet you."
"Melvin Arnest. Sorry to hear about your family, dear."
Mary nodded to him. It still didn't feel real. What was wrong with her? Why hadn't she felt anything?
Mary roamed through the low shelves, wondering at what half the items even were. Some of them didn't make any sense at all, but still they were fun to look at.
"All hand made by me," Melvin said. "Oh, I guess most of it isn't very useful. But sometimes you just have to have some fun little things. Take this, for instance."
Melvin reached for a small wooden box on the shelf and opened it. Inside was a small pocket watch. The outer case of the watch was gilded in gold and carved with the scene of several gliders banking around a tall pole. The face was ivory, with dark numbers recessed in.
"It's a very beautiful watch. What scene is this on the back?" The watch was very light in her hands.
"Oh, just a general scene from the glider games."
"Glider games?"
"Each year, all the glider pilots get together from all of the islands and have competitions for bragging rights, and some monetary awards as well. Sometimes families will even wager against a pair of wings they covet of another family's."
"There are more gliders? I've only seen the four. Roland of course. They look like grand fun, to be up in the air like that."
"I'm sure they are. I can't even pick the darn things up."
"I would love to try them one day if I am still here."
Melvin nodded, but didn't meet her eyes. Mary knew what that meant.
"What did I say?"
"Nothing my dear, it's just... Females don't normally fly gliders. None that I have ever known, as a matter of fact."
"Is it forbidden?" Mary could feel her ire rising. Even on an island in the middle of nowhere it seemed that females were second-class citizens. Mary hated always being told, 'you're just a girl'.
"No idea, you would have to ask Roland that question. Since I can’t fly, I never thought to ask."
Mary turned the watch over in her hand again and saw the smallest of buttons on the side. "What does this do?"
"Push it," Melvin said, smiling.
Mary did, and the watch face popped out of the case and flipped around, showing a wheel with tiny writing on it.
"See my dear, not just an ordinary watch. This one can tell you your fortune."
"I remember father warning me away from the Gypsy's who would try and tell people’s fortunes. He said that type of thing wasn't possible."
Melvin shrugged. "Maybe; maybe it is just for a bit of fun. Try it. Press the little button on the side."
When Mary pushed the button, the dial spun clockwise with a high whirring noise, and tiny little clicks she could barely hear. When it stopped, she glanced at what it said. 'You will make a friend today'.
Mary pushed the button once again to see what it would say next. It didn't do anything.
"Oh no," Mary said. "Did I break it?"
"Of course not, dear. You already got your fortune told for today. I guess you will have to try it again tomorrow."
Mary handed the watch back, but Melvin held his hands up. "You keep it, my dear."
"Oh, I couldn't. I have no money to pay for it."
Melvin smiled at her. "I wasn't asking for money. Think of it as a gift, my way of helping out a young woman who currently has little in this life."
Mary didn't know what to say. She knew she shouldn't accept the gift straight out, but she really wanted the pretty watch with the flyers on it. She looked around at the dusty shop with cramped shelves. She remembered the deal she had made with Alice that morning.
“OK, on one condition: you let me come in and work it off, here in your shop. I can sweep floors and dust the shelves. It looks like they need it."
Melvin reached up and scratched his chin. Mary could hear the rough whiskers bending back and snapping under the tinkerer's rough hands. "Fair enough. As long as Roland agrees. I will have a talk with him. But until it is decided one way or the other, please keep the watch."
"Thank you." Mary hugged the short man. "I really should get back outside. So much I want to see."
Mary turned the door knob, but Melvin stopped her.
"There are usually a bunch of kids your age that hang out at the park. Two streets down and one over. Maybe it is time to go make that new friend?"
Mary smiled at him again. "Maybe I already have?"
Melvin blushed. "Go, be a kid and explore."
***
Mary walked down the street, the new watch tucked safely away in a pocket. She checked the time just to be sure. She still had half an hour before she was to meet back with Roland.
Mary found the park with little effort, enjoying the way the tall trees seemed to block out the whole town just as if she stood in the middle of a dense forest. Mary heard yelling coming from down a small path and decided to follow it. When she got there, she frowned.
Three kids were surrounding a smaller boy, pushing him back and forth between them. Mary didn't even think before she yelled out.
"Hey, leave him alone!" Mary pushed one of the bigger boys out of the way and picked up the smaller boy from where he had fallen.
"Stay out of this," a boy with sandy blond hair said. "This is none of your business."
"I tend to make it my business when three bigger jerks are bullying someone smaller than them." Mary stepped right up to the boy, even though he was a good three inches taller.
The blond boy sneered. "He's just a scrub, not even worth your effort."
Mary didn't know what a scrub was, but the tone the boy used did not sound nice at all. Someone needed to stick up for the smaller boy. Right at the moment, he had no one, and it reminded her of her own situation. Mary had no one left either. Well, she was going to be the boy's 'someone'.
Mary wasn't sure what happened then. Maybe the events of the last few days had finally caught up with her. It was like something else took over. Mary balled her fist up and swung at the blond boy, sure she was going to miss. She felt the crunch under her fist when she connected with the boy's nose. Crimson red squirted out onto the boy's white shirt. She held her ground, expecting him to retaliate, but instead he ran down the path crying, his cronies following close behind.
"You shouldn't have done that, but thanks." The boy Mary rescued brushed himself off. "I think you’ve made an enemy today. That's Eric Dane, he comes from one of the top families here. You're that girl, the one from the shipwreck."
Did everyone know of her predicament?
"Yes, that's me. Mary Stewart." Mary stuck her hand out.
"Hubert Donovan, from Pulltree,” he said, taking her hand.
"I didn't want to make any enemies. I just hate bullies."
"Eric and his gang are the worst kind. I think he might leave you alone though. I'm not sure anyone has ever actually stood up to him before. Did you see the look on his face?" Hubert laughed and stomped his foot happily.
Mary was miserable, sure she would never forget that look. It wa
s the first time she'd ever hit anyone, and was pretty sure it was going to be her last.
"Look, I really should be going. I'm sure I will see you around?" Mary turned back down the path that would take her out of the park to go meet with Roland
"You bet."
***
Mary made her way out of the park and up the streets, back past the tinker’s shop, and to the corner where she was to meet Roland. He was already there talking to a man who looked rather displeased. When Roland saw Mary coming he silenced the man with a word and walked away, pasting a smile across his face.
On the way back to the house, Mary told Roland about everything that happened. Roland was quiet through the retelling.
"I heard a bit of a different story about it. That man you saw me with, that was Eric's father. He spun quite a different tale indeed. But I believe your version, even before I heard it. The Danes think they are better than everyone else. His son is a little snot who needed to be put in his place, truth be told. Having said that, I'm a bit disappointed in how you handled yourself."
Mary understood what he meant, she was disappointed in herself as well. She could have handled everything so differently. "I'm sorry. I just don't know what came over me. And I will tell Mr. Dane I'm sorry as well."
"You will do no such thing. Just try to watch your anger in the future. Eric's father can make life pretty tough here if he wanted to." Roland slipped a hand around her shoulders. "Come on, let's hurry up and see what dear Alice has cooked us up for lunch, shall we?"
Roland sprinted down the path, carrying his bundles. Mary took off after him, doing her best to keep up with Roland's giant strides.
CHAPTER FOUR
Two months passed, and Mary was still happily working at the tinker shop. Melvin had been showing her how to fix things, and even how to make a few little gadgets and such to sell in the shop. He said he had never seen anyone take to tinkering the way she had.
Mary heard a commotion outside. Like everything else, news traveled fast in the town. Mary saw Hubert rushing up the street and then he hurriedly pushed the door open. She could tell by his face that something horrible had happened.
"Mary, you need to come. Roland has had an accident." Hubert said.
Mary dropped the bell she had been dusting and cursed under her breath.
"Is he OK?"
Hubert shrugged. "They are just getting him to the clinic. Go to him, I will run and tell Alice."
Mary looked back at Melvin, a pleading look in her eyes. He wiggled his fingers toward the door. "Go child, be with Roland. Take the rest of the day."
Mary sprinted out the door and down the street. Already a crowd gathered outside the clinic as she pushed her way through to the door. She saw Eric and his father smirking as she went in.
Roland sat up in bed, grimacing from pain. It was obvious from the odd angle that his right leg was broken in several places.
Mary rushed up and wrapped her arms around his chest.
"Easy girl, still a bit sore."
"Hubert has gone to get Alice. What happened?"
Roland shrugged. "Stupid accident is all. Was trying something new with the controls, they slipped out of position and I dropped. Guess it's a good thing I wasn't that high up. No one will tell me if the wings are OK."
"They are fine, I'm sure." Mary knew what the wings meant to the big man. He would rather lose a leg than the wings. "Let's just focus on getting you better."
"I agree," a woman in a white coat said. "Your convalescence is going to be a lengthy one. I'm going to need to set the leg of course, but I might need to put pins in as well to keep the bones in place as they heal."
"And then I can get back to flying?"
The woman pinched her face up. "I shouldn't think so. You’re such a big fellow and the leg is going to be much too weak to support any kind of safe landing. There is a small chance, but I really doubt you will fly again."
Roland lay back on the bed, covering his eyes with an arm. "What am I gonna do?"
Mary put a hand on Roland's arm. "We will worry about that when the time comes."
The door opened behind them and a worried looking Alice rushed in. Mary couldn't miss the hushed whispers that followed her in from outside.
"Durn fool," Alice said. "Always gotta be playing at something. I told you something like this would happen one day."
"I'm fine dear," Roland said. "Thanks for asking. It was just a silly accident."
Alice laid a hand on Mary's shoulder. "Why don't you go on back to the house. Not much you can do here. Doc will fix him up right. It's not the first time this old fool has had to be patched up."
Mary nodded and gave Roland a quick hug, careful not to squeeze too tightly.
Mary could feel her face heat up when she walked outside. Everyone's eyes were on her.
"Is he OK, child?" someone asked from the crowd.
Mary nodded and smiled. She didn't want to give too much information, especially with Eric standing there. The crowd started to shuffle away, until Eric spoke up with a loud voice.
"I guess his own brand of clumsy finally caught up with him." Eric stepped in front of Mary and blocked her from leaving the stairs. "I've always thought he was a bit of a clumsy ox. Much too big for flying."
"He's the best flyer I know," Mary retorted.
Mary did her best to keep her anger under control. She was helped along by the fact that the very center of Eric's nose had a small little bump in it where she had broken it. She stuffed her hands into her pockets, just in case, and tried to push past Eric.
"Dad says he is going to petition to get the wings." Eric smiled slyly.
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you know? The wings are gifted by the people of the island, they belong to everyone. They usually stay in one family for years and years. Roland has no heirs. Dad's already petitioned the council to be awarded the wings. Maybe before long you will see me with them. Of course, they will need a bit of work. I doubt the big lummox has taken very good care of them."
Mary did her best to keep her temper under control, but there was just something about Eric that drove her crazy. And now he was talking bad about the man that had taken her in months before. Without Roland, she wouldn't have anything. She could feel her fists balling up despite her best efforts. Fortunately, Hubert saved the day.
"Come on," Hubert said, grabbing her arm and dragging her through the throng of people standing around. "I've got a few hours before I need to go back to Pulltree. Let's go back to the house."
Hubert and Mary had become almost inseparable ever since the incident at the park. Even the great dumb beast Jake had accepted Hubert as his own. Though the dog would accept anyone who gave him food, or a pat on the head, or even a casual glance in his direction.
They ran down the path to the house for a few minutes, then slowed to a walk.
"So, what's going to happen to the wings if Roland can't fly," Mary asked.
Hubert shrugged. "Normally they would just be passed down to a son. He doesn't have any so I guess they go back to the guild. Other families will petition for the right to have them. Eric's family most likely will win. Half of the guild is his family."
Mary didn't like the idea of the wings going to Eric's family. She would rather see them destroyed than see that happen. In truth, she would love to have them for herself. Roland had promised to show her how to fly when she was older. But the fact of the matter was, Mary wasn't family, and wasn't a pilot. And, she also wasn't a boy.
"Come on, let's go find Jake and chase rabbits for a while."
Mary nodded and they took off down the path again, happy for the distraction.
***
Several weeks passed by, quicker than Mary would have liked. Roland and Mary stood in front of the guild of fliers. Roland's leg was wrapped in bandages still, and had a brace around it to absorb the weight of his massive frame. It was clear to everyone though that he would never fly again. The leg was healing poorly, with a sli
ght bend in it, and the doctor didn't seem to think it would ever properly support his full weight again without a brace.
The guild hall was a massive room, as befitted the most popular guild on the islands. Everyone wanted to be a flier assigned to security or the messengers, or just to fly among the birds. Each and every seat in the place was packed, with several rows of people standing against the back wall. They sat on one side of the room, at a single table. Across the room from them was another table with five people seated, all looking rather impatient.
Custis Dane, Eric’s father, stood and cleared his throat to silence the whispers in the room. It only half worked. The expression on his face grew dark when he had to do it a second time. It was clear he was used to having what he wanted, when he wanted it.
"The petitions are in. Why do we have a delay?" Mr. Dane's words dripped with his impatience.
The guild master stood, brushing his red robes back. "Yes, yes. Calm yourself."
Mr. Dane sputtered, obviously not used to being spoken to this way.
The guild master turned his head toward Roland and Mary, offering a consoling smile. "Do you have any words before we rule on this?"
Roland stood slowly. "I do, if I could speak to you privately."
The guild master considered the request, then nodded. "Your standing in this guild is well known to all. I will allow a brief word."
Roland grabbed the walking stick beside him and made his way slowly across the floor until he leaned against the table and whispered in hushed tones with the guild master. Mary saw everyone strain forward, trying to hear what was being said. She tried herself, but couldn't hear a thing.
Mary watched, curious as everyone else in the room as to what Roland said. Once or twice the guild master leaned back away from Roland and scratched his chin, once even glancing over at Mary with a questioning look on his face before going back to converse with Roland once again.
The guild master grunted and shooed Roland away, then turned back to the other board members in hushed whispers. Roland went back to the table and sat down next to Mary, a smile on his face.
