mind raced through the images of men and women she had seen in the last few days. So much to learn and explore and yet, she couldn’t imagine herself with anyone unless she loved him. The mix of life as she had seen at home and the world she was now in made all her expectations swim in her thoughts until she too fell asleep.
Port Mologo
Maria woke up and looked over toward Sveta’s empty bed. She had already left to work in the kitchen, leaving everything sorted and cleaned as if nothing had happened. Maria felt a strange awkwardness about facing Sveta after watching her with her lover the night before. But as long as Sveta did not know that Maria was awake, it seemed harmless to have secretly watched their encounter.
Maria’s clothes had dried overnight, she folded them for storage and went below to the kitchen to get something to eat. She was starving after skipping the previous evening’s meal while doing her laundry. She heard Sveta’s voice talking with people as they were given their ration of food. The room was filled with merchants and crew members, all struggling to find a space to sit or stand while eating their oatmeal.
«And here’s my sleepy cabin mate!» Sveta said with a cheerful voice, «Slept like the dead last night I think?»
«Da…» sighed Maria as she held her bowl up for a helping of oatmeal.
Sveta filled her bowl until it was almost overflowing, then handed Maria some raisins.
«Shh,» Sveta whispered as she motioned with a finger over lips not to tell anyone.
Maria understood that this was an extra kindness that others did not receive, «Spacibo Sveta,» She replied.
«Na zdorovie, hope we didn’t wake you last night.» She giggled as she winked at Maria.
Maria’s face ran flush with embarrassment as she tried to pretend ignorance of Sveta’s comment and rushed toward the stairs to eat her meal on the top deck.
As she emerged from below, the fresh air blew across her face and through her hair. It was crisp and refreshing with a slight scent of spice in the breeze. She found her comfortable space at the front of the ship and looked at the towns and ships that passed by. The ship was much closer to the shore than before, and more details could be seen.
«We’ll be in port for a few hours today if you want to stretch your legs?» came the voice of the quartermaster. He pointed forward to a large pier and harbor where the ship was headed.
«What’s the name of the town? Maria asked.
«Mologo» he replied.
Maria thanked him and finished her oatmeal. She wondered if perhaps her mother had made it this far already. Perhaps her mother was also in Mologo, and they could continue their journey together. Her heart filled with hope as she went to prepare for going ashore.
Sveta was in the cabin when she walked in. Maria smiled but had difficult looking Sveta in the eyes. She felt ashamed for watching her and pretending to be asleep. At the moment it had been exciting, but now it made her feel wrong and awkward.
Sveta noticed and asked «Something wrong?»
«Net» Maria quickly responded, «I was just thinking about looking for my mother when we pull into port. It’s possible she made it here already.»
«Oh, I didn’t realize you were traveling to meet your Mother. I can help you look if you like? I know Mologo very well.» Sveta said kindly.
Maria started to decline her invitation but realized she didn’t know this city at all. «That would be very kind of you, thank you,» Maria responded as she turned to look Sveta in the eyes.
Maria felt overwhelmed with a need to confess what she had seen the previous night. «Sveta, last night I…» she began.
«Masha, I know… we were impossible to ignore and I’m sorry about that. I had too much to drink, and he hasn’t seen me for several months, we just got carried away» Sveta said, «Besides it made me feel excited that someone might see us, it’s more umm… intense?» she giggled as she embraced Maria.
«You forgive me?» Sveta asked cheerfully.
«Konechno,» Maria sighed in relief.
They both paused in silence, then Sveta smiled and asked, «So… you did you watch us!?»
Maria felt her face turn red again as they both burst into laughter, «mDa!», she giggled as she playfully made a guilty face.
The two began to laugh like sisters, immersed in the excitement at the reception of each confession.
Maria looked curiously at Sveta as the ship listed to one side for a moment, then a loud thud was heard along its side.
«We’re in port!» Sveta said, «Let’s go look for your Mother!»
The two began chatting as they walked off the ship and headed toward the shops and town square. They felt themselves in that rare moment when new friends are made, and everything feels alive and free. The complimentary mix of blonde and brunette, smiling as they walked in port caught many men’s eyes, but they ignored them all and kept a fast pace toward the line of shops along the river bank.
«If your mother is traveling north she would definitely come through Mologo. All the ships stop here because this is where the rivers intersect on the way to Neva.» Sveta said confidently, guiding Maria through the busy port.
Barrels and boxes were stacked in all directions as ships loaded their freight. The port appeared like a giant dance of cargo and people, each moving in a different direction at a hurried pace. The smells and sounds were all so foreign to Maria, as she often stopped to see something new or read the markings on the crates.
«You can read?» marveled Sveta.
«Da, my mother is a school teacher.» She replied confidently.
«You’re so lucky! I only know the ship symbols, never learned text, but I’m good with numbers.» Sveta said.
«What about your father, what does he do?» Sveta asked.
Maria paused; it was the first time she had spoken about her father’s death since the night he was killed. «He is a… was a beekeeper and farmer until he was murdered by the Tatars.» She said softly.
Sveta realized she had made a mistake in asking such a question, «I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize he was…» She said trying to find the right words.
«Thank you» Maria interrupted, «I still can’t believe it.» She sighed.
The two continued walking at a slower pace as Maria shared the story of Alex’s death, how he was a hero for saving her and now she was desperate to find her mother as she fled from the Tatar controlled region of Russia.
«This port is too busy for the soldiers to keep watch, so you’re safe here,» Sveta assured Maria.
Maria wished to change the subject, «So you seem to be free to go into port, doesn’t the captain fear you will run away?» she asked.
«Well, he has the contract on my father’s debt and knows where my mother is, which keeps me from running away, but he gives me special privileges because I take care of him when he asks for it.» replied Sveta.
«Take care of him, how?» Maria said in a teasing voice.
Sveta blushed as she raised an eyebrow and spoke in a sarcastic voice. «Oh, yesss… you’re So big… give it to me! You mad beast!»
«Big?» Maria mused.
Sveta held up her smallest finger, bending it limply, «Enormous» she replied in a high pitched tone.
The two of them burst into laughter as passing citizens walked around them on the crowded streets. They visited several shops, makers of dresses, coats, shoes, confections and pastries. In each place, they received no news of Maria’s mother. Maria described her mother and left the store owners