Miri
Miri listened to Frid and Marda go off to the quarry, singing, I hear a work song say winter is long. Miri used to be bitter about not be a quarry-worker, but since the Academy, she'd been happier than ever. The thrill of teaching and learning kept her busy. But tomorrow-or the day after-she would be riding on the trader's wagons down into the lowlands. Her friend Britta, the princess of Danland, had asked her to come to the capital for a historical event. The letter hadn't revealed much, but Miri knew she would soon see the ocean for the first time in her fourteen years.
Miri nervously fingered the Linder hawk in her pocket that her friend Peder had carved for her. All her life, she'd been on Mount Eskel, and now would be going to the lowlands...
Pa and Marda couldn't come: both were needed in the quarry, and in any case, had never wanted to see the lowlands. Miri lead the goats up to one of the streams and plucked up her namesake flower. The tiny Miri petals fluttered as she spun the delicate flower between her fingers.
She wished for too many things for one flower. She wanted a safe journey, but didn't want to leave. She wanted her and Peder to become even better friends. She wanted to be needed enough so she couldn't go. She wanted to keep in contact with the village through quarry-speech, even after they left the mountain...
The goats began to bleat as Miri took up the leads and led them back down the hill to do the milking. From the front of her house, she could see Peder and his sister Esa standing in front of a Linder block. She heard them discussing what patters would look best, and had to smile. Peder had always wanted to carve Linder blocks, and it looked like his chance had come. If the traders liked the design and paid more for it, he could keep carving. If not...then it was back to life as usual.
When it was time for lunch, Pa and Marda came to eat, both covered in white dust. Miri gave each of them their food, trying not to get it covered in Linder dust.
"Thank you, my flower," Pa said, kissing her hair in thanks.
Miri beamed. She was his flower.
I was a bit indecisive with this chapter. But anyway, hope you enjoyed and please review.