Book 3: Updating

Chapter 6: Politics

The next day Jesse was asked to attend a council meeting to discuss the next steps in joining the charter. He was escorted by a personal guard fit for his station. I stayed behind with Finn. He was working on some sort of weaving project he started that morning. He had pulled a loom out of the closet, and had it threaded. He was starting the weaving process when I came out of the shower.

“Good Morning Finn.” I greeted him.

“Good Morning Rebecca. I felt like it was a good day to start a project I wanted to complete. My son has a birthday coming up and he asked for a traditional blanket we used to make when I was a child so I thought I would get started on it.” He worked with skilled hands, weaving the threads with speed and agility.

“That’s amazing. I hope I get to see the finished product some day.” I smiled.
I got some cereal and sat down at the table to eat breakfast.

“I know this is going to sound jealous, but I am curious, what was Fang’s last mate like?” I asked.

“That is a natural question. No judgement here. She was affluent, with power as a merchant’s daughter, but I truly believe she may have caused his death. It was never enough. He felt driven to impress her and be worthy of her. He marked her to make her happy, but the amount of stars in her mark were only a handful. It was a fashion statement for her. Their pups became great wolves, but they were unbalanced. I always thought Samantha was the better choice. She caught Fang’s eye first, but fate trumped reason and Fang chose her sister. Samantha was loved but never had power. I think she had the better life to be honest.” Finn paused thoughtfully. “I think Fang is much happier now. He is just as powerful as before, but he is deeply loved. It has changed him. He was never sentimental, but he marked you for emotional reasons which goes against who he was. You have made him grow.” Finn explained thoughtfully.

“Fang said the same thing last night when I was processing all that happened. He said the turning point was finding me in pools of my own blood, with no one to protect me. He chose me for love and it changed him, balanced him, and he is mine now.” I explained.

“Those are powerful words coming from Fang. He says what he means and he doesn’t mince words. If he says he loves you, he means it. You are all good for each other and I am glad this time it worked out so well. You each seem so happy.” Finn’s fingers never stopped flying on the loom.

“I am glad you are processing what happened, but remember, you have a good head on your shoulders and your evaluation of others seems pretty accurate. Trust yourself. You chose the people in your life. Believe them when they say they love you. Don’t let evil people warp your perception, especially of yourself. Sometimes when you cannot hold the person who is to blame to hold accountable you blame yourself. I was there. Let yourself off the hook. You are not responsible for any of it.” Finn spoke from his experience to help me heal and I appreciated it.

“That’s true. I tend to overthink things.” I admitted.

“You are in good company.” Finn admitted smiling. “Me too.”

“You are amazing at weaving. Look how fast that blanket is coming together. Do the colors mean anything?” I asked.

“Nothing profound. It is just a traditional pattern. I was able to get some hand spun wool for authenticity and dyed it using beans and alum. Beans are a natural acid base indicator so I can use the dye made from the beans and something acidic like vinegar or basic like baking soda to create a range of natural colors. Then I set the dye by boiling the dyed wool in a bath of alum." Finn explained.
“It is truly beautiful. I don’t have any skills like that.” I stated.

“Well we are friends now, so one day, when we have more time, if you want to learn, I will teach you. It really isn’t that hard when you get going. Mindless even." He smiled.