The Sacrifice of Hair.

She had woke up refreshed in a way. The melancholy was still there, but that was simply part of it. Something had come to her, and she would be bent on doing something this day. Being completely idle was not her way. Stepping from the wagon, she looked around, and saw the girl sleen. There was just something about her that she liked, for some odd reason.


Calling her over, she asked if her chores were done and if she had some time to help her. Satisfied that the slave had the freedom and time to help, she had her heel as she walked to her brothers forge. He had been true to his promise, and what she wanted was ready and waiting for her in a small leather pouch. Pouring the items out onto her palm, she had nodded, then leaned up to kiss his cheek, thanking him. When she turned to leave, she had seen the slave giving the eye to the strong, handsome men of the metal workers, and had thwapped her on the head to get her attention.


Back at her wagon, she had taken the girl inside with her, and began to unbraid her hair, asking sleen if she was any good at braiding, not that it truly mattered exactly. She said quite still while the girl brushed, oiled and braided her hair into that one thick braid that usually hung down her back to past her waist. It was very calming in away to have someone brush her hair like this. From time to time, late at night in the privacy of their wagon, Loch would do this, taking up the brush to run it along the length of her hair. It was a very private and intimate thing between the two of them. One she enjoyed. As he would brush, they would talk of their day, things that had happened, nothing important, just two people sharing their worlds.


She told sleen to stop braiding at a certain point, holding her hand out to indicate exactly how much she wanted left free at the end, then instructed her that when she got to that point, to tie it off twice with leather thongs about two horts apart. When this was done, she pulled the hair over her shoulder to look at it, making sure the right length was reached. Fingers trailed over it, and a sadness came to her, as she remembered the touch of his hands along her braid. Taking a deep breath, she put it back over her shoulder to hang down her back. Reaching for the quiva, she handed it to the slave, knowing that this was not exactly proper, but she trusted the girl. Her command was simple..........cut it between the two thongs. For the longest time, the girl did not grasp the quiva, and questioned if the Mistress was sure. She well knew that cutting ones hair, even part of it, was something that needed great thought and consideration.


Taking a deep breath, she nodded and closed her eyes. It seemed like it took forever for the girl to saw through the thickness of the braid. It didn't, but it just seemed that way. The slave finally handed the quiva back over her shoulder, then followed it with the hank of hair. Taking it, she was overcome with emotion, but managed to push it back down deep inside her. She heard the soft voice come from sleen, with an offer to maybe trim it up neater if Mistress wished. Again she nodded, then simply said later.


Turning to the girl, she poured the contents of the pouch out on the furs between them, then lay the hair beside them and began to explain to her what they were about to do. At first, there was confusion in the girls eyes, then the acknowledgement of what was to be done, the reason for the sacrifice began to dawn in her gaze.


For the rest of the afternoon they worked, accomplishing their goal. During that time she had talked about Loch, and how he had brought happiness to her at a time when she did not think such existed still. Talking of these things seemed to soothe her, to help her along the path of her acceptance of what had happened.


As they worked, the interior of the wagon grew dark, and sleen got up to light the oil lamps to give them light to work by. When they finished, she had leaned to kiss the slaves forehead and thanked her. It was then that she sent her away, for she needed time alone again, before she did what she must.