The Calling

Healing

A soft whine from Talbot notified me that it was time to rise. Opening my eyes to a pitch black room I slowly rose. As soon as the quilt fell from my body I was shivering.
The morning air had a chilly bite to it. Quickly I put my sword away in the Chest then fluffed and remade the bed.

Dancing to the table by the fire place I pulled off my shift and tossed it into a basket in the corner filled with other garments. Finding the fireplace to still have glowing embers I stood by their warmth, naked, until I could get yesterday's clothing back on. Running my fingers threw my hair I redid the braid and tightly wrapped the head cloth around my head.

Finished, I picked up the water bucket and headed out the door. Talbot followed behind obediently.

We walked to the well in a clearing beyond the cabin. The well had been dug by my father twenty years ago on my eighth birthday.

Once my hands were on the sturdy bricks of the well I picked up the water rope and attached it to the bucket. With a gently push I let it fall into the dark depths. Hearing the splash I began to retrieve the bucket, which now weighed significantly more.
Grasping the handle I heaved the bucket over the side and began to carry back to the cabin.

The sun had one more hour before it rose, which left just enough time to sharpen my sickle and practice my sword work.

Dropping the bucket with a grateful sigh I noticed I had forgotten to start the fire. Going to the door I pick up a log from the woodbox then moved to the hearth. Creating a nest I used the flint to get a flame going. After the fire was steady I filled an iron kettle with water and set on the hook above the fire.

Now that there was light I went to retrieve my wet stone and sickle. Plopping down by the fire, I began to run the stone across the blade.

After a good while had passed the blade was deathly sharp again. I slid it back into its case, then plopped it down on the table.

I went to the chest and retrieved my blade, heading outside. The air still had a chill, however, it had warmed significantly. I walked over to a tall wooden posts in the clearing near the well. Although dark there was just enough light to see where my strokes would fall.

Taking up position, I began to work on my foot work and strikes. After I was fluid in my practice, I took to sending blow after blow to the post. Making sure I hit with enough strength to dent the post but not damage my blade. I did this until fingers of light started reaching out to touch the sky.

I put away my sword, pulled the kettle off the fire and made a meal of oats and honey. Once finished I cleaned up and headed toward the field to the cutting.

At about an hour till noon I had completed in cutting the last of the wheat. I trotted back the house for a few pieces of meat, a bar of soap and the laundry.

Satisfied with my snack I made a small hike to the river. There I found a nice clear bank where the water was shallow and I dumped out the clothing in a pile. I beat the basket until no more dirt and other things of nature fell out. Then selected the first item in the pile, which was my pale blue, cotton dress, that I would wear to town. Setting it in the water I began to gently rub against the smooth river rocks. After the dirt washed away I put a thick chunk of lavender, ash soap onto it and began to scrub again. Once done I rinsed it in the water and set on the rocky bank to dry. I repeated this process until all my clothing was clean and drying.

Peeling off my leather shoes and head scarf, I waded into the water until it came to my waist. Blissfully, I soaked myself and the clothing I was wearing. Taking the now rounded piece of soap from my dress pocket I began to wash the dress I was wearing.

After I was satisfied I peeled off my clothing and waded back to shore. There I left my garments to dry while I washed myself once again. I made cleaning myself quick just in case some one was in the area. Although I assume if their was they already saw everything.

Quickly, I climbed out of the water and dried myself with a rough cloth. Slipping into my under garments I pull the cotton dress on. The dress fell past my ankles making it modest and the sleeves were loose fitting, yet tightened at the wrists. The bodice was simple and had a slight curve at the neck. I slipped on my worn shoes then picked up the remain clothing, folding and placing it back to the basket. Then I walked back to the house.

Upon returning I was greeted by Talbot, who seemed to have found something to chew on while I was gone.

"Talbot, you rascal. I hope it was a least a rabbit this time and not an eagle." My comment went unanswered.

I went inside and set my basket on the table. From a shelf on the wall I retrieved a large leather satchel that I used for going into town. From it I pulled out a dagger, which I strapped to my inner thigh. After that I braided my long chestnut hair, starting at my scalp and working my way to the base.

From a secret place in the cellar I collect what few coins I had saved for my trip to town. Placing them in a secure and secret hole in my dress, I went to retrieve my sword. This I strapped to my back then slipped the satchel over my shoulder, which was filled with cucumber and a few apples. Motioning for Talbot we headed out the door making sure to securely close it. It would only keep out animals not humans. There was nothing of value to steal. If there was it had been safely hidden away.

Among my fathers many sayings one rang out among the rest, "only trust a person as far as you could throw them." I laughed out loud as I remembered his saying.

As Talbot and I walked deep into the woods on a narrow game path I quickly grew sober. In the distance between two dark cherry trees were, two large mounds. Each one had a simple slab of stone upon it. As we walked past I took a moment to kneel and send a prayer of remembrance. Here, lay my parents, my mother having died in child birth and my father twenty years later to the plague.

Sighing I stood up and began my two mile trek until I reached the main road. From there it was a five mile walk into town.