Timestamp: Summer 49, 513
The day began bright and early, Delani donning the weathered and faded garb that had stuck with her for over a year now, careful maintenance of the material overseen daily. No stitch was let to loosen, no frays allowed to expand. Everything had to stay the same except for the withering shade of gentle blue that was slowly passing from this world. Perhaps that was for the best. The woman was starting a whole new chapter in her life, now. She would never really forget that torturous year, but neither would she further let it lie in the front of her mind. It would be a book, closed, to be looked upon later as life went on.
Too was undone the braids of her hair, the carefully set pile unwound and unbraided and then carefully brushed. The stiff bristles were pulled through the dirty-blonde locks, the undertone of earthy brown beginning to shine forth. One hundred strokes were made on the left, leaving the length shining pleasantly before the right side was done, one hundred more strokes given. When all was said and done, the sheen was perfect, the sun-lightened hair now a sleek glowing gold. She then sat back upon the tiny bed and began the tedious process of re-braiding it.
Using the comb, she methodically picked through the strands, using her fingers to divide set amounts until she had five small sets separated. The drykas began weaving it in and out like a basket, keeping the braid close against her head and the sides taut to prevent any loose fragments. She remembered the words of her mother when the sickly woman used to braid her hair as a child.
Those curious locks so aptly twined
Whose every hair a soul do bind
With brush and comb we wax and wane
This tangled Web atop thy brain.
One stroke, six stroke, twenty four
We'll brush and brush this head som'ore
Dela smiled in rememberance, working the simpler style slowly into a wrapped-braid at the back, the knots tight. She tucked the tail in to secure it, leaving a horse-like dangle at the bottom of her neck. This completed, she fetched her shoes and left Atri's place, leaving for the stables to saddle Coram and head off to the Sanctuary just as she had promised.
The matron was excited to see Kavala again after so many years. How long had she been gone from Endrykas? From the pavilion? Two years at least, Dela knew that for she'd remained away from Riverfall. Seeing the Konti again would be uplifting, the comraderie between the beautiful cousin and humbler Delani she hoped still strong after so much time.
Arriving at the stables, Dela passed Lovaak's stall, taking note of the paintedmount with a pleasant smile. He was a fine young horse. But it was Coram she was after, not Brodon's stud. She stopped in front of the stall the colorsplash was in and smiled, seeing the stallion waiting for her. He must have smelled her enter, easily. "Hello, Coram." She said soothingly, extending her hand into the stall as the tall horse approached. "You are looking quite content...feel like riding a bit? We're going to see Vanator and you'll get to meet Kavala, I hope. I am sure you will like her." Opening the gate, she stepped in, rubbing her hand along the thick neck of the horse and pressing her nose into his mane, savoring the sweet smell of hay and oat and horse that was his aroma.
"How about we ride bare today? Let the yvas lie, hm?" Her hand touched the base of his neck and the scarred one touched his side. Coram swung his head around and mouthed at her shirt, nickering affectionately back. "I thought so." Tickling his chin, the woman exitted the stall, leading without bridle the sturdy driving horse out of the stables and onto the cobble beyond. Once outside, she mounted up and hupped him off to the gates. Only after they cleared the entry point would she give him a gentle urging with her knees to get on, a steady canter carrying the pair along the road to the sanctuary just as Syna crested the horizon, throwing the duos shadows long on the western side.
It was going to be a busy day, but family came first. She would visit the ships with Lacerta when she finished with them.
xThe day began bright and early, Delani donning the weathered and faded garb that had stuck with her for over a year now, careful maintenance of the material overseen daily. No stitch was let to loosen, no frays allowed to expand. Everything had to stay the same except for the withering shade of gentle blue that was slowly passing from this world. Perhaps that was for the best. The woman was starting a whole new chapter in her life, now. She would never really forget that torturous year, but neither would she further let it lie in the front of her mind. It would be a book, closed, to be looked upon later as life went on.
Too was undone the braids of her hair, the carefully set pile unwound and unbraided and then carefully brushed. The stiff bristles were pulled through the dirty-blonde locks, the undertone of earthy brown beginning to shine forth. One hundred strokes were made on the left, leaving the length shining pleasantly before the right side was done, one hundred more strokes given. When all was said and done, the sheen was perfect, the sun-lightened hair now a sleek glowing gold. She then sat back upon the tiny bed and began the tedious process of re-braiding it.
Using the comb, she methodically picked through the strands, using her fingers to divide set amounts until she had five small sets separated. The drykas began weaving it in and out like a basket, keeping the braid close against her head and the sides taut to prevent any loose fragments. She remembered the words of her mother when the sickly woman used to braid her hair as a child.
Those curious locks so aptly twined
Whose every hair a soul do bind
With brush and comb we wax and wane
This tangled Web atop thy brain.
One stroke, six stroke, twenty four
We'll brush and brush this head som'ore
Dela smiled in rememberance, working the simpler style slowly into a wrapped-braid at the back, the knots tight. She tucked the tail in to secure it, leaving a horse-like dangle at the bottom of her neck. This completed, she fetched her shoes and left Atri's place, leaving for the stables to saddle Coram and head off to the Sanctuary just as she had promised.
The matron was excited to see Kavala again after so many years. How long had she been gone from Endrykas? From the pavilion? Two years at least, Dela knew that for she'd remained away from Riverfall. Seeing the Konti again would be uplifting, the comraderie between the beautiful cousin and humbler Delani she hoped still strong after so much time.
Arriving at the stables, Dela passed Lovaak's stall, taking note of the paintedmount with a pleasant smile. He was a fine young horse. But it was Coram she was after, not Brodon's stud. She stopped in front of the stall the colorsplash was in and smiled, seeing the stallion waiting for her. He must have smelled her enter, easily. "Hello, Coram." She said soothingly, extending her hand into the stall as the tall horse approached. "You are looking quite content...feel like riding a bit? We're going to see Vanator and you'll get to meet Kavala, I hope. I am sure you will like her." Opening the gate, she stepped in, rubbing her hand along the thick neck of the horse and pressing her nose into his mane, savoring the sweet smell of hay and oat and horse that was his aroma.
"How about we ride bare today? Let the yvas lie, hm?" Her hand touched the base of his neck and the scarred one touched his side. Coram swung his head around and mouthed at her shirt, nickering affectionately back. "I thought so." Tickling his chin, the woman exitted the stall, leading without bridle the sturdy driving horse out of the stables and onto the cobble beyond. Once outside, she mounted up and hupped him off to the gates. Only after they cleared the entry point would she give him a gentle urging with her knees to get on, a steady canter carrying the pair along the road to the sanctuary just as Syna crested the horizon, throwing the duos shadows long on the western side.
It was going to be a busy day, but family came first. She would visit the ships with Lacerta when she finished with them.
