Introducing a Different World

Water

I ran the brush through my hair and sighed, wondering if i should leave it down or put it up. Since it was going to be a cold night, maybe keeping it down would be best. Even though we were poor, my mother always found ways to make us clothing, and she used to be the best in town, so they were great dresses. My favorite was a black and green one. The neck was a box neck cut and the top layer was a dark green tank shape and under was a long sleeve black fabric, to keep me warm. The skirt wasn't tight, but it wasn't bulky either, and the skirt was the dark green with black swirls reaching up from the ground.

"You look beautiful," Mom said, coming up behind me. I turned and smiled at her, watching her blue eyes tear up. "You've grown up so fast." 

"Mom," I said, hugging her, burying my face in her brown hair. "What's wrong?"

"My little girl is growing up," she said, and i giggled. I pulled back and smiled at her. "I think it's time."

"Time?" I asked, tilting my head. 

"When we found you, you were wearing the most beautiful necklace in the world," she said, pulling a little cloth bundle from her pocket. "We didn't give it to you because we were afraid that someone would try and take it. Now, you're old enough to guard it." She pulled out the necklace and my eyes widened. It was a necklace that was obviously supposed to be tight to the neck, and a black pendant hung down. The part the wrapped around my neck was three black cords braided together and connected with ribbon in the back. An onyx stone sat in the center of a silver design that hung from the center. It was the most beautiful thing in the world. 

"This is mine?" I asked, taking it and running my hands over it. 

"It was wrapped around the blanket that held you," she said, brushing my hair the side and taking the necklace back. "We figured your parents left it with you." She tied the ribbon and let it hang down my back. "It suits you."

"Mom, you could have sold this for money, food," I said, looking at her.

"It's your, Morgana," she said, smiling. "We couldn't dare do that to you. It's the only thing you have of your parents."

"Thank you, Mom," I said, hugging her again. When i pulled back, i saw sadness in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, my darling," she said, getting up. "Just be careful tonight."

"I will," I promised, kissing her cheek before i went down the ladder. When i stepped into the hay, i heard a delighted laugh coming from where Jink was. Jink was nuzzling Sara, who was giggling loudly. I smiled as i walked over to them. I caught Sara and swung her around, making her laugh harder. Even though she was about a foot shorter then me, she was still my little sister. "Hey, little one."

"I'm not that little," she said, sticking her tongue out at me. "I'm big enough to ride Jink." 

"Not without me, your not," I said, but she began to pout, because we both knew that she was old enough and big enough. "Could that lip get any further out?" I brushed her beautiful light brown hair out of her face and sighed. "Tomorrow, i'll take you out on him, and maybe let you ride him a little alone."

"Yey!" she exclaimed, pulling out of my arms and running to the ladder. I shook my head and laughed at her before turning forward to go. Dad was standing in front of me and he was staring at me, a smile on his tired face. 

"You look beautiful," he said, pushing some hair out of my face. "You wear that necklace well."

"Thank you, Papa," I said, hugging him before pulling myself up on Jink's back. "I'll be back."

"You always come back," he said, opening the barn door for me. 

Jink bolted from the barn and i was racing though the trees, into the night. Even with the events of the previous night i couldn't help but love it still out in the trees. Plus, going where we were going, i couldn't help but be in a good mood. I was excited to be meeting Jonah tonight, nothing could make me upset at this point. Jink even still seemed happy to be out.