Fall: The New World

Chapter 1

Clouds and birds passed overhead as Fall sat quietly in her seat as the small, steam vessel journeyed across the wide ocean. The engine roared loudly underneath and the wind crept through the loose windows, whistling an irritating and noisy tune. She sat amongst a rather rough grouping of people, hunters, blacksmiths, and the kind of people that are good at surviving in the wilderness. Knowing her destination, she was the odd one out, a thin and scrawny eighteen-year-old girl from Tanakat City back on the populous continent of Alsatia. Her family on the new continent, still known as the New World, had mailed her a letter. She was to meet them and live there, in moderate wealth from her family's growth in blacksmithing. Her previous occupation was failing, and she decided to use the rest of her money to meet them in the town of Taelinsbridge.

Fall, named after her mother's favorite season, felt uncomfortable sitting there. She was often glanced at, which times made her turn away in a warm blush. She was dressed in a small, blue dress with a similarly colored hat and shoes. Her white gloves made her hands seem delicate, though she was by no means an "indoor" girl. She loved the outdoors. The thought of going to the wild intrigued her, but she did not intend to remain with her family. She had thought about it for a long while. She would go exploring.

When the ship docked at a small port city, a kind young man whom was with her on the ship guided her to the train station. With her prepaid ticket, she boarded the dark green train car number fifteen, and sat down by the window on the right side. The cars soon became packed with people. After a short time, the whistle blew, and the train sped off into the mountains, going west. At full speed of about forty miles an hour, she watched the scenery change in the strange land. It was a long and tiring journey, but one she found most fascinating. Each interval she closed and opened her eyes, the geography changed. She had gone from the mountains into flat, empty plains. The plains turned into rolling hills, which led into rocky, cragged mountains. She then passed through a wide, orange desert, and then into some red, violent cliffs. In another plain, she watched the trees fly past.

On the fourth day of the journey, around midday, the filthy but young conductor of the train left the engine and traveled all the way, back into the fifteenth car. His face was covered in soot, and his skin was greasy and grimy. He noticed Fall, who seemed different from the others. He sat down across from her and glanced at her youthful and unsoiled face.

"Hello," he began, "How are you today? Enjoying your trip?"

Fall nodded, smiling awkwardly.

"I'm glad. Where are you headed?" He asked her in a light voice, one not quite fitting his job.

"I'm going to the town of Taelinsbridge. I'm going to meet my family there."

Fall's voice is sweet and gentle, a beautiful voice that could be powerful if she chose to be.

"Taelinsbridge? That's the end of this line. Your family is far away. Taelinsbridge is very dangerous, especially for someone like you. It's growing into a living hell. I fear every time I enter it. Are you good at shooting?"

"I've fired a few rifles before."

"Well, you may need to practice, to be safe. I'd hate to see a beauty like you trashed and left for the crows."

Fall smiled strangely, and replied, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

There was a silence between them for several seconds before the man said, "Well, I must be heading back. It was a pleasure to meet you, miss…"

"Fall. My name is Fall Springwell."

"Miss Springwell."

He cocked his head and stood up. As he walked out, he turned back to miss Fall and smiled. She smiled back, but upon his leaving, she felt strange and awkward. Within the hour, she train slowed and stopped at her destination. She leaped off the train, and carried her suitcase through the small, dusty town of Taelinsbridge. The rough natives gave her noticeable glances of discrimination while she perused through the gravel road running through the center of the small town. She felt a strange sense of emptiness, yet kept her dignity as she hurried down the path toward the address of her family, which she was given in the letter. In around the center of town, she saw no sight of a yellow house, and decided to ask a man standing in front of the general store for directions. The bearded, heavy man glanced over at her, and grunted loudly.

"Sir, may I bother you for a moment?" she asked politely.

"What?" he replied, heavily agitated.

"I'm looking for the Springwell residence."

"You lookin' for the Springwells? There over that way," he pointed behind him.

There was a side road leading towards a large cliff. A large, yellow house was constructed from wood near it. Upon her approach, she heard the train whistle blow loudly. She turned toward the tracks, and saw the fireman preparing his next journey across. At the house, she knocked on the door, and a large, middle-aged woman answered. "Are you miss Fall?" was asked. Yes, was Fall's reply, and she was told that she was expected. Hurried into the house, the maid sent Fall to a private room to clean up and prepare while she went and informed her parents.

There was a small, tan dress laid out on a rather fancy bed. The lace covering everything did not fit the town whatsoever. It was far too fancy for her tastes. However, she thought that she could go with her parent's wishes for then. She wore the dress, and when she left the room, her parents were awaiting her with open arms.

"Sweetie! At last! It's been too long!" her mother exclaimed.

"It has! How have things been going?" Fall replied.

Her father told her, "It's been well. Business has never been better. I'm sorry we left. How were you at our old home?"

Fall chuckled, "Grandmother's crazy, as always. Life over there was stifling. I'm glad to be here. But, listen, I want to ask you something."

"Can it wait? We can talk all about what's been happening over dinner in a little while."

Fall was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Oh, all right."

They proceeded to hug. During the dinner, which consisted of a savory duck, potatoes, beans, and a salad, Fall felt she should tell her parents about her plans. Nes, Fall's younger sister, also joined them along with Fall's two aunts and uncle. They all gathered around an oval mahogany table with a candle chandelier of crystal over them. the plates and silverware were made of fine materials, and the décor was exquisite. For being moderately wealthy, Fall felt entirely rich, as if she owned the world. Taking a bite out of the duck, she instantly fell in love with the meal.

In between bites, she began to speak, "Mother, Father, I need to ask you something."

"Yes?" Her father answered.

"I don't want to remain here in this town."

"Where do you want to go? There isn't much else around here."

"On the way here, I saw a lot of open terrain. I imagine it's up for exploration in certain places, perhaps to the north."

Taking a sip of wine, her mother added, "It's just like you, running off on your own."

"There are scattered towns, but yes, you're correct. There is a lot of open space. However, I can't have you go exploring. You're my eldest, and you're a woman now," was her father's answer.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Fall, a woman your age should be looking to become a wife. You've just gotten here, but there really are nice people in this town. Tomorrow, I'll take you out to town, so you can meet the inhabitants."

"You won't let me go at all? If I'm a woman, why can't I make my own decisions?"

"You're under our roof. Our rules."

"You wanted me to come here. I did. It's not as if I'd just leave and never return. I just want to explore the north and return intermittently. I've always wanted to."

"No. Now eat."

"It'll be all right," said an aunt, "It's an interesting town."

After dinner, Fall went into her room, took off her dress, and slipped into her nightgown. She slid open a window and allowed the cool western breeze to fill her spacey room. It was so foreign to her. She felt alone. In her past, she rarely had friends, but now all she had was family. Her only dream was to explore, become well known, and live life on the edge, with only one other with her. That was what she wanted her relationship to be like.

As she laid on the purple bed, she stared up at the ceiling with gaping green eyes. The floral designs on the plaster seemed to move above her. She was soon overcome with a strange dizziness. She shut her eyes, and awoke the next day feeling normal and well rested.