Season of Winter, Day 19, 512 AV
It was only the ninth day of Shuuda, the Day of Giving, and already Subira felt lethargic and heavy-eyed from lack of sleep. Even she had thought making a single additional gift braid along with the ones she'd already intended to plait for friends and family wouldn't be that much of a burden. She'd forgotten until the day before, though, how much sheer thought as well as physical work went into each braid: how many minute decisions on the placement and display of each gift, how much second-guessing about the appropriateness of each gift to its recipient and special day, and how much planning to plait each gift in proper order, if only to keep the recipient from thinking she wanted them to drink a candle. As a clumsy-handed child, Subira used to beg her parents to let her cheat and start the braiding on the seventh day of Shuuda instead of the eighth. She laughed wryly at the memory now, thinking that even with her deft fingers and careful preparations, she still would've liked that extra day this year.
Pensively she contemplated the bundles of cords draped over her lower arms. She'd spent all night and some of the very early morning braiding, unraveling, and redoing each one to her satisfaction. Clearly, the short catnap she'd caught this morning hadn't done much good, as she stifled a yawn and rubbed her eyes.
The West Winds villa would have been her last stop on this day of delivering gift braids, being farthest away, but even though they were certain to host an outstanding gathering with the best hors d'oeuvres in Ahnatep, Subira decided it wasn't going to happen. Even if she did manage to make it out there, she just knew she'd nod off after one too many canapés and cups of beer. Sending a slave to deliver Sahreni's gift braid might not be as gracious a gesture as attending the West Winds' gathering in person, but it was infinitely superior to falling down and snoring on their rug.
With mingled relief and regret, Subira handed the gift braid to a messenger slave and gave him careful instructions on transporting it. Then she hurried away to give her other gift braids as quickly as possible, sparing a wistful thought for the lovely appetizers she was missing, but knowing that what she needed most right now was a long, restful sleep.
The next morning, Sahreni would find her gift braid for him hanging from the large double doors of the West Winds' villa, amid the many other cords tied there for noble recipients. Woven from cords of dark blue cloth and long strips of clean white canvas, its subdued materials madeit somewhat inconspicuous compared to the gaudier braids on display. Its painstakingly precise, almost finicky knots and weaving definitely hinted at the meticulous, detail-oriented mind and capable hands that crafted the braid. Small parcels dangled at evenly spaced intervals, wrapped in silk bags that provide the only notes of elegance and embellishment. At the top of the braid, a piece of wadj bearing Sahreni's name was inserted, with the words, "From Subira of the Souths, wishing you a happy Shuuda," written in hasty script on the back. |
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