Thursday, December 24<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t forgotten anything, have we?\u201d Brynna asked Paul, who chuckled and rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, my love, we have not forgotten anything, and it\u2019s not like we can\u2019t come back,\u201d he told her. \u201cWe\u2019re not leaving forever. If nothing else, I sail in two weeks, so we have to be back for that. I think we can make it for two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
They were taking both Pavel\u2019s sleigh, hitched to his black horses, and a smaller sleigh that Loki was hitched to. Schrodinger was sitting on the driver\u2019s seat with Pavel, who had decided that he didn\u2019t want anyone else driving his team, even though Drew had offered. But since they had presents as well, they decided to take both sleighs. Ella had opted to ride with her mother, both of them working on something knitted.<\/p>\n
Then let\u2019s go!<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Pavel laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going, we\u2019re going!\u201d he said, shaking the reins, and the horses took off towards the Gate.<\/p>\n They stopped at the little stone church on their way through the town, and Brynna introduced them to the jolly priest who came out to greet them.<\/p>\n \u201cFather Brundell has run this congregation for the last three years,\u201d she said, after they\u2019d all shaken hands. \u201cHe does a dinner every Christmas Eve for those you don\u2019t have families, especially the sailors who have to be away from home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful!\u201d Molly said, as Father Brundell accepted the basket from Brynna. They\u2019d stuffed it not only with the sweet bread, but with extra helpings of mashed potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts. \u201cIt\u2019s hard being away from home on Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed, but we try and make it a bit home-like,\u201d Father Brundell told her, smiling broadly from under the knitted wool cap he had on his head. He was dressed in warm brown wool robes, with a red sash around his waist. Molly could hear the soft jingle of bells as he moved, and realized the sash had some small golden bells sewn to the edges.<\/p>\n We should get Father Christopher one of those!<\/em> Schrodinger whispered to her.<\/p>\n Why, so he can\u2019t sneak up on us?<\/em> She whispered back on their personal mental channel. Like belling a cat?<\/em><\/p>\n Belling a cat?<\/em> His mental voice was confused, and he looked at her, cocking his head to the side.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll tell you that story later,<\/em> Molly promised him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to check the animals for you, and bless you for donating the eggs and milk,\u201d Father Brundell was saying to Brynna and Paul. \u201cYou make our days brighter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, considering some of the things we\u2019ve done, we need to do all the good deeds we can,\u201d Brynna joked, winking at her husband.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t fool me,\u201d Father Brundell said, laughing. \u201cYou may be scamps, but you\u2019ve got hearts of gold. But it\u2019s cold, and you should be getting going. May the Gods bless your family, and your trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you, Father!\u201d Brynna called, as they started off towards the Gate again. There was a different tech on duty, and he took their coordinates and then went to the computer to start entering them, warming the Gate up. Molly looked at Drew as Pavel gave the coordinates.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not the Cove Gate,\u201d she said, her forehead furrowing. \u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo my mother\u2019s house,\u201d Pavel said, before Drew could answer. \u201cShe wanted to pick up a few things, and so did my grandmother. They’ve installed a Gate now, which I’d forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n So we get to see where you grew up?<\/em> Schrodinger asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Pavel said. Then he sighed. \u201cI\u2019m not sure if I\u2019m happy or not about this.\u201d<\/p>\n Because of the memories?<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Pavel nodded. Well, perhaps this can be the start of new memories? Because your grandfather won\u2019t be there anymore, but we will.<\/em> He nosed the pirate gently in the arm, careful not to jiggle the reins.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps,\u201d Pavel said, smiling down at him. Then the Gate flared to life, and the tech waved them forward onto the Road.<\/p>\n There was a buzz on the Roads that even Molly could feel as they traveled along, an almost frenetic energy that urged the horses forward. She turned and saw Loki keeping up with them, his shorter legs moving solidly as he trotted behind them.<\/p>\n It\u2019s because it\u2019s close to Christmas,<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Molly saw his whiskers vibrating from more than just the wind of their passage. Everyone along the Roads is excited, and that just adds to the power of the Roads themselves. It makes the Roads fun to travel.<\/em><\/p>\n And a bit more dangerous,<\/em> Drew said, since they were going fast enough that he didn\u2019t want to speak out loud. This is always when the Roads seem to drift.<\/em><\/p>\n But you have a CrossCat with you, so it really doesn\u2019t matter,<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Molly laughed at the off-handed confidence in his mental voice. We can get to anywhere we need to.<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019d still rather not have the Road drift, thank you,<\/em> Drew said, putting his arm around Molly. We\u2019ve got to get back to the house before midnight, remember? We have guests!<\/em><\/p>\n Oh, right!<\/em><\/p>\n Luckily, the Road didn\u2019t drift, and they emerged into a large building that resembled the one on Hrfafell, although this Gate station had goats rather than sheep milling around, and there were plenty of bushes growing that the goats were nibbling on, in addition to the grass. A large woman welcomed them with cheery greetings for Pavel and Ella, and then a surprised \u201cOh my goodness, is that BRYNNA?\u201d for Pavel\u2019s grandmother, who flushed.<\/p>\n \u201cBless my soul, it is!\u201d the woman continued. \u201cAnd Paul too! Welcome back!\u201d She cocked her head at them. \u201cYou don\u2019t remember me, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid not,\u201d Brynna started, then peered closely at her. The woman was wearing a sweater and dungarees in the warmth of the Gate room, and her short curly hair looked as if she regularly ran her fingers through it. It was a slightly mad scientist look that meshed well with her dimpled grin and twinkling hazel eyes. \u201cIs that little Cari?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is indeed,\u201d Cari said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my, you were barely walking when I last saw you!\u201d Brynna said, shaking her head. \u201cAnd now you\u2019re a Gate tech!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEngineer, actually, and have two little ones of my own,\u201d Cari said proudly. \u201cAre you staying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not this time,\u201d Pavel said, and Cari\u2019s face fell. \u201cBut perhaps soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDa would love to see you,\u201d she said to Brynna. \u201cHe\u2019s actually in port for the holiday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ll come back soon,\u201d Brynna said, looking at Paul, who nodded. \u201cAfter Christmas Day. There are a lot of old friends I\u2019d like to see. Tell your Da so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will,\u201d Cari promised, stepping back. \u201cBlessed Christmas!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to you!\u201d Brynna called as the two sleighs pulled out of the Gate room. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back soon!\u201d Brynna had to finally promise. \u201cBut we have to get to the house, and then off to another place for Christmas! But we will come back for a long visit!\u201d<\/p>\n There were more shouts, but the crowd finally opened a way, and Pavel was able to move the sleigh through and out of the marketplace.<\/p>\n \u201cYour grandmother is popular,\u201d Drew observed, and Pavel nodded, looking slightly dazed.<\/p>\n \u201cI had no idea,\u201d the pirate admitted. \u201cNo one spoke of her, but now, I wonder how much of that was because no one wanted to upset my grandfather.\u201d He sighed. \u201cI wish I\u2019d known, honestly. It might have made my life a bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\n Now you know, though,<\/em> Schrodinger told him. You can move forward.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes, I can.\u201d Pavel smiled down at the CrossCat. \u201cAnd I will.\u201d<\/p>\n The house they pulled up to was small, almost more of a cottage than a house, and it had no widow\u2019s walk like Brynna\u2019s and Paul\u2019s house did. But as Ella climbed out and unlocked the door, Molly saw the look in her eyes: there was no doubt that the woman loved the place, and no matter what her son offered, Molly couldn\u2019t see her giving the cottage up any time soon.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in,\u201d Ella said, turning back to them. \u201cWe have enough time for a cup of tea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can do that,\u201d Molly offered, as they all climbed out of the sleighs and came in. The front door opened into a sitting room, and Molly could see the kitchen beyond. \u201cThat way, you can collect what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n Ella nodded, and headed up the stairs. Molly went into the kitchen with Schrodinger and Drew on her heels, and between the three of them, they soon had a tray assembled with a large tea pot, enough mugs for everyone, the black tea that Ella preferred, and some cookies that Molly found in the pantry. \u201cI don\u2019t blame you,\u201d Molly said, putting the tray down on the small coffee table in front of the sofa, and pouring him a cup of tea. \u201cHow long do you think they\u2019ll be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what they were getting.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly looked around the room. There was a large chair by the fireplace that had an ottoman in front of it, and a faded blanket was thrown over the back. It was slightly dusty, and she realized that must have been Willem\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one would dare sit there,\u201d Paul said quietly, noticing what she was looking at. \u201cEven before he got hurt. That was his favorite chair.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can imagine,\u201d she replied. Then they both started as Schrodinger deliberately jumped up into it, and curled up. Then he sneezed, and Molly laughed.<\/p>\n Time for new memories,<\/em> Schrodinger said. It\u2019s just a chair.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes it is,\u201d Pavel agreed, coming in. He laid a small box down by the door, and then accepted a cup of tea and a cookie from Molly. \u201cAlthough I have to say, it\u2019s odd to see anyone but the old man in that chair. Maybe we should just get rid of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d his mother said firmly, when she came down the stairs and Pavel repeated his suggestion. \u201cYour great-grandfather made that chair, and it\u2019s still solid. Besides, I like to sit in it at night now.\u201d<\/p>\n I can get up,<\/em> Schrodinger offered, but Ella shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d she said, taking what Molly guessed was her customary seat in an intricately-carved rocking chair. \u201cThis is fine as well.\u201d She looked around. \u201cMother hasn\u2019t rejoined us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet,\u201d Pavel said, handing her a cup of tea. \u201cI thought she was with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she went into Father\u2019s room,\u201d Ella said, frowning a little. \u201cShould we check on her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d Paul said, getting up. He left the room and went up the stairs.<\/p>\n While he was gone, Pavel looked around the room. \u201cI never imagined I\u2019d be sitting here enjoying myself,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cThis was the room I hated the most when I was home.\u201d<\/p>\n Because it was your grandfather\u2019s favorite room?<\/em> Schrodinger guessed.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Pavel said, looking at the fireplace, which was currently black and silent. \u201cThere was always a fire, even in the summer. He could never get warm again after his accident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he couldn\u2019t,\u201d Ella agreed, also looking at the fireplace. \u201cI haven\u2019t lit a fire there since he died, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d Molly asked.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it didn\u2019t seem necessary,\u201d Ella said, shrugging. \u201cThe blanket is enough for me. And the fire is a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you decided yet, Mother?\u201d Pavel said. \u201cAre you going to move in with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ella said. \u201cMother invited me to live with her too, but this is my home.\u201d She looked around fondly.<\/p>\n \u201cLiving with either of us doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t come back, you know,\u201d Pavel said.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps.\u201d She smiled at him. \u201cI\u2019m going to come back for a bit, at least. What would I do while you were at sea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could always come hang out at the bookstore,\u201d Molly said, and<\/p>\n Schrodinger chimed in, We could keep you busy!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you could,\u201d Ella laughed.<\/p>\n Brynna and Paul came down the stairs a few minutes later, and Molly saw the older woman\u2019s eyes were red. She couldn\u2019t imagine what it was like to come back into the house that she\u2019d been thrown out of. To Molly\u2019s relief, Pavel jumped up, concern in his eyes. \u201cAre you okay, Grandmother?\u201d he said, and she could hear the note of worry in his voice. A note that wouldn\u2019t have been there even a few days ago.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m okay,\u201d she told him, smiling despite the sorrow in her eyes. \u201cI just didn\u2019t realize how hard it would be to come back here.\u201d She looked at all of them. \u201cDo you mind if we go to say goodbye to him before we leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not,\u201d Molly said. \u201cWe\u2019ll all go, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be good.\u201d<\/p>\n The little graveyard Pavel\u2019s grandfather was buried in sat at the end of a narrow spit of land, and it obviously wasn\u2019t the main cemetery for the town. There were only a few graves in it. The largest, and newest, was the one that Pavel led them to. On the front of the granite pillar, the words sharp and new, it said \u201cCaptain Willem Chekhov. Father, Grandfather, Captain. He has taken his final voyage.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynna sank to her knees on the grave in front of the stone, her head bowed over her folded hands. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Willem,\u201d she said softly, tears dripping down her cheeks again. \u201cI hope now you\u2019ve found peace at last.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thursday, December 24 \u201cWe haven\u2019t forgotten anything, have we?\u201d Brynna asked Paul, who chuckled and rolled his eyes. \u201cNo, my love, we have not forgotten anything, and it\u2019s not like we can\u2019t come back,\u201d he told her. \u201cWe\u2019re not leaving forever. If nothing else, I sail in two weeks, so we have to be back …<\/p>\n
\nHfrafell had been a small town, but this town was larger than Molly had realized, with a port that actually rivaled the Cove\u2019s. The docks were full of ships, and masts were gathered like a forest, bobbing gently on the waves that came in. There were clouds overhead, but no snow fell, and it was cold, but not overwhelmingly so. She snuggled deeper into the blankets and looked around as they moved through the streets, which were crowded with people.
\nTheir progress was hampered more by the calls from old friends of both Pavel and Brynna, all of whom seemed to be out and about. And of course, once the call went up from one of them, others came out, and the air was soon full of greetings and exclamations.<\/p>\n
\nWhen they came back into the sitting room, they found Paul sitting on the sofa alone. \u201cPavel and Brynna are getting things,\u201d he said in explanation. \u201cI decided to wait here.\u201d<\/p>\n