Chương 72: 7.8

Jewel's hatching day anniversary was a special day. Not for feasts. Or acclaim. There was no grand festival or ritual associated with it. Just the third day after the dawn of a new year. But Father, Mother and Alexander put in the effort to have as few duties or distractions as possible. Jewel honored their support by doing the same where she was able.

It helped that it was in the midst of winter, when there was little to be done and, even with the loss of the Headman for Rochford Village, his heir to the title had long since been settled by matters of common law and required no interference from Father. It was some elderly grandfather as apparently usually happened but Jewel had heard in the morning after the Longest Night that the new headman would not be the one taking up the role of the Veles next winter.

Some other Elder was apparently deemed better suited for it. But still, besides those few responsibilities, Jewel's hatching day was free for all her family. A personal bit of peace where the morning was not burdened with what was to come that day. It was another thing Jewel had once found a bit unfair for her Brother. Who, being born so close to the Summer Harvest, was often unacknowledged amidst all that needed doing and the responsibilities weighed on everyone.

So some years ago (when she was four) Jewel had declared that her hatching day was also for Alexander as well. And Mother and Father had obliged. They still had the required ritual obligations in the Temple for him on his summer birthday. But the day for Alexander to simply have time with Mother and Father was the third of the year. Along with Jewel's. Breakfast was the usual pottage of winter. Some peas, some beans and the grains that were less suited to white fluffy bread.

But unlike usual there was no discussion planned. Father was smiling, although he did not smell as relaxed as he looked, mother for her part was relaxed and Jewel was happy to simply be there.

"Well then children, what should we make of the day?" Tsugotholan was lazily and slowly blinking up their breakfast and Kroak had excused himself to do something relating to his training to be a Knight and Captain. Jewel considered a moment then looked at Alexander. If she suggested anything he likely would go along with it even if he didn't prefer her choice. So at least for the start of the day it probably was best to do something that he would enjoy first.

"Perhaps we could have a ride through the woods come noon? The weather feels like it will stay clear well into the evening. Not a proper hunt but just some time with the horses, Gryphon, trees and family?" Mother smiled warmly, looking at the beaming face of Alexander who nodded enthusiastically for inability to speak in his excitement. Father hummed and nodded. Gesturing to Jorge who also nodded and departed to arrange for the stables to prepare.

"Hmmm, that sounds quite fine, and how about for the late afternoon and evening then children?" Jewel considered carefully, with Alexander's preference served by a fine ride through the winter woods and an adventure on horseback (which she also would enjoy) that left the evening for something she would prefer more herself. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. And given the option, Jewel had only one thing she would rather do with her family.

"Could we spend the afternoon and evening before supper by the fire? Just time to talk? Perhaps mother could help me with... some spinning? I think I've grown again. The spindle feels smaller and thinner than it did last time." Her mother nodded and smiled kindly to her daughter. Embroidery, spinning and the other work of a woman and lady were the things Jewel was worst at, Muriel didn't teach it except the bare minimum to keep cloth and armor in usable state.

So her only lessons had been from Mother in those moments they had together.

"I think that sounds like a fine time, Jewel. A warm sit in by the fire after a ride in the winter sun would be lovely." And with the day planned out Breakfast settled into soft and light banter. Words rolling over Jewel as Father mused on if they would see any winter elk on their ride. Mother admonishing him light-heartedly that it was not a hunt but a simple ride in the woods to relax.

Alexander grew attentive and finally found his voice to ask if they could bring their bows just in case and Mother sighing and nodding. It was not, however, to be a hunt. But everyone was alright with that. The dead of winter right after the turn of the year was a poor time for it, but if opportunity presented itself there was no harm in bringing bow and arrow. The noon sun came and they made a ride of it, Jewel on a whim called Smithson to join them.

And although it slowed everything down a bit, she felt he had earned the honor for watching over her Brother and perhaps they might have become closer over the Longest Night festivities? He certainly was not shy with talking to Alexander. Which left Jewel and her parents to simply appreciate the fresh snow and bare trees of the forest as they rode at a pleasant walk. Jewel glided in soft-footed bounds over the snow drifts along the wood path.

Sometimes she managed her Wyrmflame such that she did not even shift the snow as she stepped over the hidden piles of leaves and sleeping brush. Father sat on Zephyrvam. The Gryphon's feathers puffed out heavily making him look quite fat due to the cold, in a way that still made Jewel want to giggle. It was just so comical to see the normally fierce steed looking so rounded all over. Mother riding sidesaddle on Midnight Justice made the black Warhorse seem even more of an oversized expression of his breed.

But she sat completely at ease on the giant of a stallion's saddle as much as if he was a chair at dinner. Jewel held her head a little higher, trying to match Mother's grace and poise as they passed under the bare canopy. Simply enjoying the delighted words of Alexander and Smithson. Her brother excitedly pointed out tracks from small game and Smithson nodded along. It was a quiet afternoon, the sound of birds all but fled from Rochford in Winter.

Leaving the stillness in the air of ice and the smothering silence of snow over the world. Creaking squeaks carrying under the boys' mostly one-sided conversation as Gryphon and Horse trudged through it. The sun shining full force onto Jewel's scales made a winter walk very different from spring. When the leaves would be drinking up the sun's light well before it reached Jewel. But here, Jewel could feel it welcoming her while the trees, drowsy in the chill, mostly ignored her.

However, for all the wonderful perfection of the sun and the exuberance of Alexander, Father's eyes did not manage to light up with the simple joy Jewel had wanted. He smiled and laughed and Mother smiled back to him warmly. But Jewel could see he had sadness in his eyes. Smell that he was even now not fully at ease. When she caught him looking her way and just, in every moment she noticed he was simply staring off over the winter-wrapped sight of his Demesne.

Jewel wanted to frown, to ask what was troubling Father but she could guess. And today was not about such worries. Today was a day for their Family to enjoy their time with each other. Not think about the inevitable War that was yet half a year distant. She was mustering herself for what it would entail. It would be difficult and embarrassing to bring it up now, but Jewel drew together all her fortitude and skill as her Father's daughter to do what needed to be done.

"Mother! Do you recall when I broke the dining table?" She would bring the smile to her Father's eyes even if it made her want to flare her wings in embarrassment.