The Dragon's Redemption

Chapter 13 A Day Without Rain

"I can't believe it didn't rain this morning!" Brieanna said as they walked across the pasture.

"The day's far from over," Sam replied. He watched as Brieanna and Aednat alternated between skipping and running as they splashed in every puddle they could find. The dog ran with them as Aednat shouted.

"Mah-doo! Come." The dog ran back to her circling and gently herding her like a sheep.

"Aren't your feet cold splashing in every puddle you see?"

"We're barefoot Sam, no wet shoes to make us cold." They had used their belts to gather the waist of their dresses shortening the dress length to just covering their knees to keep their dresses dry, and out of the mud.

"I do like seeing your legs Brie," Sam teased.

"I rolled my dress just for you," She teased back and laughed. "You should see me fly my dragon totally naked!"

"You've done that?"

"Once." Brieanna and Aednat began singing together as they walked. "Why are we moving the sheep?"

"We're taking them to fresh pasture. And you were going to show me how your archery practice was coming."

"I'm quite good."

"I believe you Brie, archery is one of the favorite women's sports on Avalon, I'm sure you have been trained. Hopefully it will bring some memories."

"None so far."

Brieanna demonstrated her proficiency with the bow, hitting the target each time, even the moving targets. Then they watched as Aednat, using the small bow Sam had made for her, fired her arrows. "Watch this!" Brieanna said. She pointing her knife at a nearby rock hurled a fireball at the rock. "I can throw bigger ones with my sword."

"That's amazing Brie."

"I'm an amazing woman," Brie said and laughed.

"And oh so humble," Sam teased.

"Humility is one of my better traits... The days are really getting short."

"We're close to the harvest. Next week I start cutting the oats and barley. The hay a few days later."

"I like the threshing, especially the singing."

"I thought it was hard work?"

"It is hard, but I like it. Then it will be our Friday!"

"Seems like it has taken forever to get here," Sam said.

"So I take it you still want me."

"With all my heart and soul I want you."

They continued their walk and Aednat requested to be carried. "My feet are cold and I'm tired!" she said. Sam lifted her on to his shoulders as they continued their walk. On the way back it started to rain. They had little recourse but to continue and arrived soaking wet. Sam prepared the sauna and the three of them enjoyed the warm steam.

The next morning Brieanna was walking along the cliffs with Sam and Aednat. It was too cold to bathe in their pond so they were walking back when Brieanna spotted three ships. They were the Knarr, the long wide merchant ships. They had left in early summer loaded with dried fish, wool, cod liver oil and other items to be traded. They were returning with fine textiles, iron tools, tanned leathers and other goods from all over Europe. Much of it would be bought by local shopkeepers but Brieanna always loved to walk through the market. They returned to the long house for the morning meal.

"Abigail, would you please take Brie and Aednat to the market. Look at the textiles and purchase some colorful cloth."

"Why Sam?" Brieanna asked, "I own two dresses."

"You still dress as a thrall. One of your dresses, the one with holes in it, is totally worn out. You are a yeoman. I want you to have several colorful pinafores and a fur cape. Get enough for the staff too. You too Abigail."

"I like colorful patterns," Brieanna said.

"Also belts, broaches, and other necessities," Sam added.

"Can I get calf length boots?"

"Get some for Aednat too, and ankle high too. It's almost too cold to go barefoot. I would prefer you to wear boots this winter and not wrapping your feet in rags."

"I'll get some trimming and ribbons too," Abigail said.

"Excellent, and head scarfs. Here take my purse, spend as much as you need," Sam said as he handed his purse to Brieanna. "I have a lot of pretty jewelry and broaches I want to show you too."

"Sam, my dresses are adequate," Brieanna said blushing.

"You are a beautiful woman elf, no harm in flaunting it. Besides I will enjoy seeing you dressed well."

They took the men staff with them to carry purchases and the women to help with choices. They returned heavily laden. Then immediately began measuring, cutting and sewing. A week later Brieanna and Aednat modeled their new dresses. Both wore a lite blue linen underdress and a red pinafore. The red pinafore sported an embroidered dragon pattern Abigail had sewed. The pinafore was held up by narrow decorative shoulder straps with large gold broaches with Celtic knot design on both where the straps and pinafore met. Brieanna had the drawstring on the underdress very loose and the dress off both shoulders. They both had a narrow belt that looped twice around their waist and tied in the front. Brieanna had a leather purse on the belt and her knife. Both were wearing their calf length boots. All the leather was brown in color. The bottom of the pinafore was trimmed in lace.

"You look absolutely beautiful, both of you. I'm glad you're wearing the glit circlet, and your hair down."

"I feel really overdressed!" Brieanna said.

"One more thing." Sam added several thin gold chains with beads that linked the broaches. "That is better, you both look like prosperous yeomen."

"I don't want to wear the head scarf," Brieanna said.

"That I'll leave up to you."

Most of the other pinafores they made were less elaborate but the women were encouraged to embroider and decorate their pinafores as they liked. The former thralls were overjoyed with Sam's generosity and their ability to dress as free women. The result was an increase in the loyalty and dedication of the farm staff. The farm prospered more than ever. The island was visited several times by merchant ships selling a variety of goods.