When They're Young
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: April, Chelle
Date Posted: 24th February 2009
Characters: Parale, Amowyn
Description: Parale oversees her charges while Amowyn discusses her daughter.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 1, day 13 of Turn 5
Overseeing her charges as they played out in the field, Parale pulled her bonnet down a bit to cover her eyes from the sun. She kept a sharp eye on the little ones, every now and again giving a warning to play fair. Of course she had brought waterskins and first aid materials with her just in case. Always prepared, she was.
Amowyn was out collecting a few extra spices that grew wild around the hold. She loved these quiet moments. She glanced up when she heard the sounds of children having fun. She smiled.
Parale noticed the woman and became curious. "Good day there.."
Amowyn stood and smiled. "Hello. Letting the little ones enjoy the beautiful day?"
"Aye well safer to let them run their energy out outside, you know." Parale rolled her eyes. Hopefully this would make the lot more manageable come mealtime.
"I know the feeling. I've got a little girl, Aavyn. She stays in the creche when I am in the kitchen. I'm Amowyn." She held out a hand.
"Parale.." She shook it quickly, then put her eyes back on her charges. "How many turns does your girl have then?"
"She is six turns." She smiled as she watched the little ones play.
"Ah. A young one then. Is she easy?" Parale imagined that she had been easier as a small girl. More biddable at least.
"Oh yes. She is a very sweet girl. Loves to help people. She didn't have a very good life till we came here. Her father was not a kind man. But, we are happy here." She smiled. "My little girl is my whole world."
"I can see that.." Parale thought it was a shame that cruelty existed. Shaking her head, she turned to spot one of her boys getting too close to a depression. "Careful now or you'll trip," she shouted. "Is she in harper lessons?"
"Oh, yes. She loves her lessons. She comes home to sing all her lessons for me. I love to listen to her young voice." Amowyn smiled. She loved talking about her daughter. Her little girl was all she had left.
"She must be learning how to read and write by now.. That must be something." Parale couldn't remember her own harper lessons from that age, but she recalled having a hard time with the penmanship. Her writing was quite illegible on a good day.
"Oh, she is very good at writing. She makes sure to print as neatly as she can. Even if it means she writes slowly. It's cute to watch her concentrate on making her letters. Reading she is doing okay on. I have one book that she is working on reading a little each night." She thought her daughter would make a good little harper.
"Very good. I find it's easier to give them story hides with pictures at first. Sometimes it makes it easier to guess the words." Parale didn't really have the little ones much anymore, but every now and again when a child was born and their parent couldn't care for them, she would help until a suitable new fostermother could be found.
"I have one. It's called The Lost Little Flit. She loves it." She glanced toward the Hold to see one of the kitchen ladies peeking out and waving to her. "It looks Like I had better get back to the Hold and to work. It has been wonderful talking to you."
"You as well Amowyn. Good day and may Faranth keep your little one." Parale nodded farewell before training her eyes once more on the playing children. "Gardo, if you pull her hair one more time, it will be the end of you."
Last updated on the February 28th 2009