Excerpt Awakenings
The smell from the Baker's Shop drove me from my memories and toward the truth that we had entered the outer village of Analish. The City of Corette stands within a great wall, flanked by four villages. My family resides in the Anill Forest of Analish, East of Corette. The other three villages are Aquette to the West, Norcaria to the North, and Suvetti to the South.
My eldest brother, Slate, lives near the Aquette entrance to Corette, inside the city wall. He and his wife own the only decent inn in Corette. (Admittedly, my opinion is biased.) Lysen's father, Borvald je'Casetti, owned it and gave it to Slate as part of the dowry for his only daughter, nigh his only child. Mayhap, I thought, I would stay there that night after Catrina's Ball. Twould be nice to have a hot bath fetched for me, instead of my usual dip in the cold creek.
We soon came to Cancello di Analish. Catrina's brother, Davin, was the portiere on duty. He waved and I asked him if he was to be at the ball this evening. He assured me he would be attending. Catrina lives in the north-east corner of Corette at her father's city home, her ball, however, would be held at the country estate.
Upon entering the city I bid farewell to my family and went to see Tijer. He worked at his Uncle Jonash's cartwright shop, just inside the east gate. When I came upon the shop, Tijer was fixing a wheel on a horse drawn cart.
"Ciao, my love!" he greeted me as I entered.
"Shh. Where is Jonash?"
"Sleeping in the room on the third floor. We are alone. That is a very lovely dress, 'Chite, you look good enough to feast on."
"Whoa-boy! Thank you, 'tis new enough. i stitched it myself, tho I am not sure it is as 'twas supposed to be." I'd had to try my own hand at dressmaking for I'd spent all my stitching pay on fabric for my dress for the ball. I hoped the result was worth the effort. I was terribly self conscious and worried to be made the fool.
"Ah, well, looks fine enough to my untrained eye. Let me finish this weel spoke, and then we shall go for a walk in the forest."
"I had better fetch a blanket, to sit on I mean, I might get cold." I winked at him as I turned to go inside.
A short while later I suggested a lovely spot under a large birch. Tijer gathered me in a tight embrace. I could sense how
(cont.)