Evanya stirred gently as the cheerful songs of blackbirds and the giggles of children playing coaxed her from her dreams. This was the usual morning wake up call in the small fishing village of Moorebrok. The river Dhal flowed peacefully through the centre of the village winding its way between the small wooden huts. For a small village there was always plenty to go around. Men spent their mornings on the river hauling in the days catch and the afternoons tending to the crops and animals on the lush green rolling hills surrounding the village while women baked bread. It was the smell of fresh baked warm bread wafting through the Blackworth family hut that finally caused Evanya to rise.
Brushing her long raven hair out of her face she stretched and yawned widely. Careful to keep herself securely wrapped in her blanket she padded across to the wooden changing screen and got dressed. After pulling on her simple cream shift she studied herself in the mirror. Evanya was beautiful. Her pale skin, heart shaped face, deep blue eyes and soft plump cherry lips were enough to make anyone jealous but it was her physique that had her father, Lord Anron Blackworth, turning down countless suitors for her hand. She was delicate. Her breasts were small but firm, her body curved seductively into a small waist and flowed out to her small round bottom. Her legs and arms, long and elegant. She was a spectacle and no one adored her more than Tarik the blacksmiths son.
He himselfwasn't someone to easily over look. His strong chiseled features complimented the defined muscles rolling over his tanned body. the village girls would do their chores close enough to be able to watch Tarik help his father and swoon whenever he ran a hand through his tousled light brown hair. Tarik was outside Evenya's home that morning showing her father a new design for boat fittings. She could hear his deep sultry voice drifting in through the open door. Even Evanya couldn't help but notice how handsome he was yet she had never spoke to him. Her father forbade her to speak to men, or to leave the often if she did leave she had to be covered at all times for fear someone would take her away. This didn't stop her from taking a quick peak out of the door. "Tarik must have come straight from the smiths", she thought to herself as she took in his appearance. Except for his trousers he was naked. He always worked topless, his mother complained at the wash basins how difficult it was to get the sweat and dirt out of Tarik and his fathers clothing. So instead he allowed the sweat and dirty to cling to his bare skin, much to the village girls approval.
Tarik bid her father farewell and turned to leave, as he did he caught her eye. Shocked he dropped the fixtures he'd been holding and quickly scrambled to pick them up. Evanya allowed herself a giggle, "cute" she thought as she watched him hurry away thoroughly embarrassed. Anron's frame filled the entrance of the hut, "I see you finally made it out of bed Evi" he bent down and kissed her forehead, his beard prickled her skin, Evanya pushed her father playfully and giggled, "nice of you to wake me father" her voice laced with sarcasm. Evanya idolised her father. Although he was a beast of a man he governed the village with a gentle hand everyone adored and respected him. He raised Evanya by himself since she was 4. His wife, Kavine, had been taken away by the priests at the temple of the Superi. Kavine came from a long line of seers, as seers blood is rare in the kingdom of Baghrok the priests collected them like precious stones, their blood considered a sacred offering to the gods. Anron has no idea if his beloved is even still alive.
Evanya could see the sadness in his grey eyes and weathered face, she knew he was thinking of her mother. Evanya couldn't remember Kavine only the blood curdling screams that filled the night as she was dragged away from her family. Anron laid a callused hand on his daughters shoulder and sighed, "you look just like her". He squeezed her gently unable to contain the single tear that had escaped and was now slowly navigating the valleys of his face. He checked himself, "Magmah's been asking where you are she needs help with the decorations for the feast tonight". Evanya rose from the oak stump table, "i'll go round now father", she hugged him tight and ruffled his hair. "cheer up already will you!" she smiled and made to leave.
"Evanya, aren't you forgetting something".
"but father, i'm going to Magmah's. She's seen me before!" Evanya complained
"I don't care! You are not leaving this house without your cover. Snider? Where is that boy?". As if drawn by a unspoken command Snider shuffled into the room carrying Evanya's hated cover. Evanya sighed and struggled as Snider pulled the cover over her head. Short in stature this was no easy task. Anron took Snider in after rescuing him from smugglers. Snider never spoke about what his captors had done to him, he didn't speak much, but even with Anron's care he grew decrepit his limbs like broken bones. The only thing they knew for sure was that Snider was a eunuch.
The light blue cover encased every inch of Evanya's porcelain skin, the hood even had a veil to ensure her face was obscured to onlookers. Evanya slammed the wooden door as she left with Snider in tow. She hated wearing the cover, it was cloying and stuffy. She wanted to feel the sun and the breeze on her skin and be like one of the other village girls who now stared as she passed whispering to each other. It was a blessing when she reached Magmah's hut on the far side of the village. Secluded and private, the one place her father allowed her to remove the cover. Evanya and Magmah may as well be sisters, they grew up together, experienced the joy and pain of Magmah's first love together and now they sat on the banks of the Dhal, weaving decorations for the feast and gossiping as the water danced peacefully across their feet providing relief from the scorching heat.
"You looking forward to the feast tonight?" Magmah asked putting down her work. She puled out a comb and started brushing her long hay coloured hair. It was her glistening golden hair that made her stand out most from the rest of the villagers who had varying shades of brown. Evanya sighed, "Honestly no, my father will make me wear that infernal cover as usual. I just want to be normal for a change".
"But it's your birthday and it just happens to fall on the feast of Strighst". Magmah nudged Evanya's arm teasingly and giggled, "and Tarik will be there of course." Evanya's cheeks blushed poppy red, "Stop teasing Magmah, you know Tarik is taking Sol tonight. Talking of sol, how was this batch of butter she so kindly gave you for fixing her gown?" Magmah's face went as red as Evanya's cheeks. " If she gives me butter with a fly in it again I swear I'm going to burn down her barn!" Evanya giggled and splashed Magmah with the Dhal's glistening waters, "Cool off woman, you know she didn't put it there on purpose." Magmah grunted and laid back letting the sun carress her face. "Evanya, theres something I need to tell you," Evanya sat straight and stared at her best friend intently. Magmah allowed a smile to creep across her face, "I'm getting married!" Evanya threw herself onto Magmah and hugged her tight, "You have to tell me everything! How? When?" Magmah hugged her back and laughed, "Ervik propposed last night," Evanya hit her, "How dare you have waited this long to tell me I thought you love'd me" her voice ringing with joy. Magmah sat Evanya back up there was a look in Magmah's blue eyes a mix of happiness and fear that told Evanya her friend hadn't told her everything, "What is it?" she asked cautiously. Magmah's smile widened. "I'm pregnant!"
