Her intent today was to visit with various weavers that she knew, to deliver to them the bundles of verr wool that Rook had shorn from the verr. Ciegue was brought up from the pens along with Schonn, who would be laden with the wool and various other sundries that she would distribute on her rounds today.
One of the guards offered to help her to mount, but she brushed his offer away. The day when she could not pull up into the saddle, would be the day she made her rounds on foot. Taking up the reins, she reached for the reins of the beast that carried her wares and started off through the rows of wagons, juneau at her side with a grip on the stirrup, keeping up a steady stream of conversation.
Their first stop was at the wagons of Fonce, where she left two jars of honey and a couple of bags of her honey roasted nuts, along with a pot of stew that was cooked slowly over her fires during the night. The man was looking stronger and more filled out, and she could continue to take him treats, to aid that aloing.
She and the half-blind kaiila were a common sight among the wagons, and several stopped her to just pass a word or two in conversation. She always tried to listen to all that they had to say. If it was a small thing, she would tend to it herself, if it was of more importance, she would promise to speak to Ba'atar of it. Thus far, this had worked out well.
The next stop she made was at the wagons of Ba'atar's parents. Dismounting she had was helping juneau to untie the bundle of wool when she saw Aamon approach to help her. She loved this man, and his calm demeanor and his wisdom. He took the bundle to set it inside Birmmah's work wagon and asked how she was feeling. She was very honest with him and told him that she had never felt better. He told her that Birmmah was off delivering some blankets that she had made to a young couple that were expecting their first child, and tried to get her to stay and have tea with him. She had smiled and told him some other time maybe, that she had much to do today, and had plans of taking the boys out to the outer wagons tonight to see Ba'atar. He was understanding as usual and kissed her cheek. He held the reins to the two animals as she mounted then held them up to her bidding her to be careful and to not tire herself. See, that was what made him a place in her heart, his concern.
Her next stop was one that she always enjoyed, and she would linger there longer than she would at some others. It was at the wagons of the woman Leah. She had met Leah many seasons ago. In fact, it was not too long after she had found herself at the first fires. The woman had been mated to Tayco's brother Hastiin, who had died with the ubar Trajen when he was killed. After his brother's death, Tayco had done as expected and had taken up caring for his brother's mate and children. At the time she had three young boys and a girl, Namid
She thought back to those days with a smile. There had been a time before she was mated to Tayco when she had found out about this, and without a word to him, she had gathered up food, clothing and blankets and left them at the woman's wagons. Someone had seen her, and had reported it to Tayco and he had come to seek her out, almost angry in a way, to ask her why. Her answer had been simple, as most of her answers were. Because there was a need. His face had softened somewhat and he had kissed her brow, said nothing and walked away. After that, she made regular visits to the woman and her children. After Tayco had been killed, in her mind, this small family was still hers' to provide for, and she did it as best she could.
The children were no longer small, in fact, they had grown so much over the past eight seasons of snow. The eldest was no longer a shy young boy, but a young man of fifteen turnings that had just earned his name. Enoch. It was a good strong name. The second son was twelve and had also earned his name. Taregan. She also liked it. That left only the third son who was almost 10, and the lovely little girl Namid who had just turned nine.
Namid had been the first to run to greet her, lifting her hand to stroke the side of the kaiila. As she slid off the beast the thought came to her again that in time, this child might find that her path would lead to the pens. If this was so, she would give her the aid she needed. Taregan was next to approach her, and the one to untie the bales of wool she had brought to his mother. She walked along with him, asking gentle questions as to how they were and how things were going. Things were good, now he would be happier if his mother would pay a little more attention to some of the warriors that came around, but other than that, things went well.
She had laughed and told him that when the right warrior came, she felt sure that Leah would pay attention. As they approached the fire, Leah stood from her loom and come to embrace her, then lay a hand on her middle, brow arching as she said........again? Laughing she nodded. Leah asked if she would share a meal with them and she agreed, in fact, she was starving. She lowered down by the fire and watched Taregan and juneau unload the other bundle of wool, and the sacks with the meats and staples that were in them. Namid was still with Ciegue, who had dropped his massive head so the girl could scratch his ears and talk softly to him.
As Leah handed her the bowl of stew she looked up to see a strapping young man walk up, with a grin on his face. There was that resemblance to Tayco that just made her smile. He had grown so much, and was quite handsome. He wiped his hands off, kissed his mother's cheek then sat down to join them.
As they ate the conversation turned to One, or Tug as they still called him, how he was doing, what he was doing. She answers all of their questions and ask a few of her own. She noticed a look that passed between Leah and Enoch, and that was the first clue that they had something to speak to her about. Finally, Enoch put his plate aside, cleared his throat and told her that he wanted to be of the wagon builder's clan. She had nodded and told him that he needed to seek out Sef, who was head of the clan. She also told them that she would speak to Sef herself, to let him know that Enoch would be coming to talk to him. Her reward was the look in his eyes. That look of happiness and gratitude.
She had a great deal of respect for Leah and the fine job she had done of raising her children, and told her so. The woman had blushed and said she could do no less. She felt it was her job to raise her children to honor their father. Well, she had done a damn fine job as far as Cana was concerned.
All too soon it was time for her to leave. Leah and Enoch both stood as she did, and she embraced the woman, telling her to enjoy the wool, and that she would see her again very soon. She also told Enoch again that she would speak to Sef, and would expect him to speak to him soon on his own. She could pave the way, but he would have to walk the path.
Turning to leave he eyes cast to the side of their main wagon and she stepped closer to peer at the carvings there. Her hand reached out, fingers moving along the intricately carved relief. "I have seen this before. In fact, I have seen it on one of the wagons that Tayco had."
Enoch stepped forward, his own fingers reaching out to touch the carving. He explained that from what he had always been told, that this wagon was a gift to his father from his uncle, and that he had also given Tayco one when he gained his first scar. She had listened, smiling, as she said that this carving looked almost new. Enoch then explained to her how he had recently just cleaned it up, and found the paints to match the original colors and had refinished it. She turned to look at him, and asked if he would be willing to do the same to the carvings on Tayco's wagon? He had quickly agreed and said he would be honored to.
This all seemed very logical to her, in a small way. He could come and work on the wagon, and while he was there, seek out Sef. They discussed it more, and it was decided that in two days time, he would come stay with her and work on the wagon. She was pleased. Her fingers lingered for a time on the carving as she wondered to herself just exactly what it meant.
And something in the back of her mind, told her she had seen it somewhere else recently. Very odd, very odd indeed.
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