A few weeks passed, and the date Falkr had set to leave for the festival was only two days away. I\u2019d been staying at his farm to help with the preparations for our trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the fallow time was coming to a close we had let the sheep move onto the open fields for grazing. We rarely had snow during the fallow, but we still reduced the grazing area and herded them into a barn at night to avoid the worst of the cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019d be gone for a couple weeks, but the sheep would be fine on their own. Uncle had asked a nearby farmer to check on them every few days, but the sheep would mostly be left to their own while we were traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently I was sitting on a small hill next to the farm, making progress on my carving. I\u2019d been working on it less often recently because of the preparation work my uncle had me doing, but it was almost done. The design ended up being a little sheep with short legs, though it was pretty much a ball with a sheep\u2019s face on it and 4 little stubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cIt actually ended up pretty cute.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I felt the wind blow from behind me, and the morning dew on the grass shimmered in the light. A few of the sheep were nearby, and I heard occasionally bleating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cJust last week a breeze like that would have sent shivers down my back. Guess the blooming really is here.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laid back in the grass and sprawled out, closing my eyes, and took a few moments to clear my mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cGuess I\u2019ll head back now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jumping up in one sudden motion, I stood and stretched out my back before walking back to the farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falkr: \u201cAh, there you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cWere you looking for me? You could\u2019ve called out, I was just over there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falkr: \u201cEh, it\u2019s nothing important. We\u2019re mostly done for the day. You can head home if you want. I\u2019ve decided that we\u2019ll leave a day early so that we don\u2019t have to rush, so I\u2019ll pick you up early tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cDon\u2019t need any more help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falkr: \u201cNah, I\u2019ve just gotta finish getting my stuff together. Go spend some time with your parents before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cAlrighty, I\u2019ll see in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turned towards the town and started walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cAh, it\u2019s such a nice day.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The air had a chill to it, but the sun was out in full force. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my back, keeping me at a very comfortable temperature. I continued on the path to town at a leisurely pace, there was no reason to rush. It was only about midday and I wasn\u2019t hungry yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cOh, I\u2019ll probably stop there and finish up my carving.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a large tree on the way, it\u2019d grown far larger than most of the buildings in town. Some of the roots were so large you could use them as a bench, and the wood was soft. Most of the wood that I carved came from branches that fell off that tree. The branches were soft for a while after they broke off, but they would end up hardening into stone after a month or so. It was an odd tree, but I liked it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t long before I could see the tree, and I ended up finding a root that looked comfortable to sit on. I tried to pick a spot that wasn\u2019t too deep in the shadows because I\u2019d need some light to see the details I was working on. All I needed to finish was the fine curves in the wool. I\u2019d already carved a loop into the back of the sheep so that it could be attached to a string. After the wood hardened, it should be sturdy enough to be used as a charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time passed quickly and I finished up my carving just as I could feel a chill in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cIt\u2019s gotten kinda late.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I cleaned off my knife and put the sheep in my pocket. Brushing the shavings off of my clothes, I stood up and stretched my arms and fingers. The sun still had a few hours left before it\u2019d disappear over the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ended up making it back to town with about an hour left of daylight. Some of the stores were starting to close up shop and cleaning up. I happened to spot Gerri rolling a pot inside. I walked over and waited around the corner of the door, out of sight. Just as she walked out of the store I jumped out from my hiding spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cBoo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gerri let out a short yelp and fell backwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cHah, sorry, here let me help you up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gerri: \u201cGeez! Why\u2019d you have to do that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helping Gerri up with one hand, I grabbed the sheep out of my pocket with the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cHere, look. I\u2019ll give you this as an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I grinned as Gerri\u2019s eyes went wide. She reached out and grabbed the sheep with both hands. It looked like her hand had healed from the cut a while back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gerri: \u201cReally? I can have it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cYeah, of course. It\u2019s still soft, but if you wait a few weeks it\u2019ll harden. After that you can attach a string here and use it as a charm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I made sure to point out the loop I\u2019d added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gerri: \u201cThank you! I\u2019m going to go put this in my room, thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She ran off into the store as I waved at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heading back home, I strolled through town. I was going to be gone for a while, so I wanted to take my time walking. It\u2019s not a dangerous trip to the capital, but I just wanted something to remember when I felt homesick. I\u2019d helped my uncle with the trip the past few years and usually on my first day in the capital I\u2019d find myself incredibly homesick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would find myself lost in the sea of people and buildings. Everything moved at a faster pace that I just wasn\u2019t used to. There were no large open fields, and everything felt rigid. You couldn\u2019t even feel the wind on busy streets. This year was going to be even busier because of the festival, according to my uncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had a bad sense of direction, so I easily found myself lost. Luckily, while we were selling our wool we typically went out together so I just had to make sure to keep a close eye on my uncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sun was finally setting, and the shadows were long. The buildings were bathed in a warm, gentle, orange glow and the only thing I could hear was the wind rustling nearby trees. I closed my eyes and took one last deep breath before heading home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I finally made it to my parents\u2019 the sun had already set and there was a closed sign on the door. It wasn\u2019t locked, so I entered and could already smell dinner from the stairs. I was finally hungry, so I decided to run up the stairs by taking the steps two at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cI\u2019m home! What\u2019s for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cWelcome back, we\u2019re having dumplings tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cI\u2019m hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My dad was already sitting at the table with a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other while my mom was standing at the stove. I walked over to my mom and looked over her shoulder at the pot she was stirring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cSmells good. Need a hand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cNo, I\u2019m almost done. Go ahead and wash up and take a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d been out all day so my hands and clothes were a little dirty. I ended up going to my room to change after washing my face and hands. The shirt I ended up pulling out first was the same on that I had cut a strip from to make a bandage for Gerri. It had been a little small for me, but now it was definitely too short to wear in public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cEh, I guess I\u2019ll just wear this one. I\u2019ll probably give it to my parents to make rags later.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I walked back into the kitchen my dad immediately noticed my shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cLeave it to a tailor to notice right away!\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cWhat\u2019re you wearing?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cI just threw the first thing I grabbed on, it\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mom looked over her should while she was plating the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cMake sure you don\u2019t bring that on your trip. Leave that on your bed when you leave and we\u2019ll take care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cGot it Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I walked over to the table and sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cUncle Falkr said we\u2019ll be leaving a day early, so he\u2019s gonna pick me up tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cYeah, he told me that as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cI\u2019ll make sure to pack some food for you in the morning. When will you be heading out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cProbably around sunrise, he just said early morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mom walked over with two plates and set them down in front of my dad and me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cSmells great! Bet it tastes even better, thanks~\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cYeah, yeah, eat up Charo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cThanks mom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cFood\u2019s great, as always. She really is a great cook.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We ate our dinner while talking about what we\u2019d been up to for the day. After we finished my mom got up and made us some tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cCharo, be careful on your trip but remember to have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget to bring us back some souvenirs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mom smacked my dad on the back of his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cOw!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cDon\u2019t mind him. We have something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She walked out of the kitchen and brought back something that was folded up. She handed it to me, and I unfolded it. It was a brown vest made of leather with golden piping and several pockets on the front. It was sturdy and I could tell that it was high quality leather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cThanks, you two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cWe made that for ya, we figure it\u2019ll be useful for you. You can keep your carvings in the pockets, and as a vest you won\u2019t need to worry about the sleeves getting too short. With the blooming coming, you won\u2019t need to worry about the cold so much either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I tried it on and it was a tad large, but not by much. Just enough in case I kept growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cIt looks great on you Charo. The brown goes really well with your hair and lovely eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She put her hand on my head and lightly ruffled my hair, with a gentle smile on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom: \u201cWe made some more shirts and pants for you too, like we said we would. They\u2019re on the counter downstairs, make sure to grab them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cTry \u2018em on to make sure they fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charo: \u201cIt\u2019s okay, you two are the best tailors in town. They\u2019ll fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dad: \u201cYou mean the ONLY tailors in town!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He let out a laugh at his own joke while my mom rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After we finished our tea I went back downstairs to pick up the clothes and back to my room to pack them into a duffel bag. I didn\u2019t have much, and I needed even less while I\u2019d be on the road so it didn\u2019t me long to finish. Once I was done I laid down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u300cLeaving tomorrow, huh. Guess it\u2019ll be a while before I see this ceiling again.\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.<\/p>\n