Lavendir

Alinor, Summerset Isles, 4E 196. 24th of Midyear.

The 24th of Midyear has come again, and this is the first one that I have ever witnessed where the sky is clouded over, ready for heavy rain. I spend the morning aiding my brother in packing up his belongings for the Cloudrest Mages College. He made the voyage and applied last year, and was ecstatic to get a letter upon arriving home deeming that he was to be accepted and start his studies in the following year once there were more available beds and openings in classes. Mother and Father were over the moon with excitement for him, as was I. Just yesterday I finished crafting a chest for his possessions as a parting gift, and it turned out surprisingly well, given that I only possess that which I claim to be adequate craftsmanship. A sturdy lock, two carrying handles on either side, and his name engraved on the top. I was so proud of my creation that I treated myself to an extra sweet roll afterwards.

"Lav, have you seen my gloves?" Vallendrel asks, "The nice leather ones that Mother gave to me a few years ago?"

"Yes," I reply, "they were on your bed, so I put them in your bag. And then, sticking out from underneath your pillow, I found a copy of The Lusty Argonian Maid. I thought I was going to find your journal, and I was very excited to gain some secret knowledge, but I was so, so, mistaken. You're terrible at hiding things."

He frowns and glares at me, but it quickly turns to amusement.

"I am just saying," I add with my hands up, "that if you want to take it, you can pack it yourself. I don't know where your hands have been, and it's not my book to touch. I left it where I found it."

"Well then, I guess I won't leave it for you to remember me by." He reaches over to retrieve the work from its "hiding" spot and tosses it at me.

I bat it away with an open palm in a demonstration of remarkable bravery and reflex. "There is absolutely no need for that. Now, if there is a Lusty Argonian Manservant edition lying around, feel free to do so."

"Duly noted, brother, duly noted."

We finish organizing and packing near noon, and lay one knapsack and the chest by the front door, ready to be taken on their expedition in the morning. Vallendrel exits to make a few last-minute purchases and I stay behind, choosing to curl up in a chair in the kitchen and refill the small wooden house that I had constructed for the birds to perch on and feed from. I take a piece of bread and tear it into tiny pieces, then scatter the pieces inside of the miniature dwelling. I had made this when I was a child and found an injured bird near our doorstep. It was very small, and its wing was damaged. I wrapped the wing up in a rag and, with my father's help, made the little house for it. Vallendrel then attempted healing magic on it and managed to allow the bird to fly again. Every morning from then on, the bird came to the kitchen windowsill and sang while my family had their first meal of the day. One day the bird didn't show up, and never came back. I was a very sheltered child, so I wondered where it could have possibly gone, and how it could have possibly forgotten us. My mother and father sat me down and explained how lives eventually end, the concept of death, and how it is a natural part of life. They then went on about how many more birds could benefit from the house that I made, and that I should be proud of myself for helping that one bird, because by doing so, I'd started to help more birds without even knowing yet. Actions are powerful, they told me, and an effort to improve a life is never an effort wasted.

When I finish, I get up to rinse my hands in the washbasin and tie my hair back into a long, black braid. I turn to head outside, just to open the front door and be greeted by our small and elderly neighbour, Faela. She stumbles forward a bit, and she was clearly just about to knock.

"Oh, good day, Lavendir!" She beams up at me. She's remarkably short as well as wrinkly, and has always been very cheery. Her silver hair is tied up, and slightly lopsided. I don't think I've ever seen her frown. Vallendrel claimed he had once, but I never believed him.