The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Antain’s face scars terribly after his run-in with the paper birds. The madwoman tried to stop the bleeding, but the Sisters finally found both her and Antain lying in a puddle of blood. The Sisters claim that they didn’t hear Antain yell, and people whisper that Antain is mad or attacked himself. Antain resigns from the Council and because the Council feels bad for him, they give him a good sum of money. With it, Antain becomes a carpenter and buys rare wood from traders. People lament his lost potential.

Antain is soon a renowned woodworker. He is able to support his mother and brothers, but his mother disapproves of his profession. Antain doesn’t notice and immerses himself in his woodworking. Years pass and Antain’s mother still regularly brings up Antain’s departure from the Council. One day, they walk through the Market and she browses through the fine items that few in the Protectorate can afford. Antain stares at the Tower and traces the map-like scars on his face. Antain’s mother says that once he is done with woodworking, Gherland might take him back as a staff member. Antain says nothing and fingers the beautiful papers, thinking of paper birds.

Antain’s fame as a woodworker grows. Eventually, he has to refuse some orders, and traders pay him even more money for the work he completes. Within five years, he’s well-known in faraway towns, some of which invite him to visit. He refuses, as nobody leaves the Protectorate, and it seems like too much to do anything but work and sleep due to the sadness that drapes over the Protectorate. Soon, Antain’s mother insists that she’s always said he’d be a success.

One morning, Antain’s mother stands in his workshop as Antain works on a cradle with stars in the headboard. It’s for a Star Child, whatever that means. His mother tells him to get an apprentice and then a wife, but Antain refuses both. Antain knows that once, he would’ve been able to snag any girl, but now, his scars mean he’ll never marry. He assures her that Rook and her other sons will marry and give her grandchildren, and thinks of the madwoman hanging in the rafters. When Antain’s mother persists, Antain excuses himself to run errands.

Antain wanders through the alleys of the Protectorate and keeps his hood up to hide his face. Sometimes, small children ask to touch his scars. Antain always lets them. Though he tells the children the scars don’t hurt, this is a lie. They hurt like he lost something, and the children’s fingers make Antain’s heart constrict. As he wanders, he finds himself in the shadow of the Tower again. Sister Ignatia greets him and he notices a bit of a growl in her voice. This is the first time that they’ve spoken since Antain was injured. Antain looks at her and sees that though she’s clearly been working in her garden for some time, she looks like she’s just eaten a large, wonderful meal.

Antain lies and tells Sister Ignatia that he can’t build her desk for another year or so. Sister Ignatia says that the Sisters are family and that this is silly. Antain looks up toward the madwoman, whom he sees every night in his dreams. Antain points out that Sister Ignatia has met his family. The madwoman appears at Sister Ignatia’s window with a paper bird in her hand. Antain shivers and brushes off Sister Ignatia’s concern. Sister Ignatia asks for one more favor and then barks at a girl. She explains to Antain that Ethyne has decided to leave the Sisters. Antain and Ethyne greet each other, and Ethyne looks right at Antain. Antain thinks that even his mother flinches when she looks at his scars.

Ethyne thanks Sister Ignatia graciously, but Sister Ignatia is snappy and rude. Sister Ignatia looks horribly hungry. She confirms that Antain will help, and stalks away when Antain says that he’s always at her service. Ethyne mutters that Antain should rethink this and then shows him where her things are. Antain feels hope fluttering in his chest.