The Skabelse

Arrival

Rowan's muscles protested as sat up the next morning. After a week of riding on horseback and sleeping in a bed roll on the ground, her body felt as if it had taken a beating. Tursa started rousing the girls awake and wished it would be late afternoon already. She was excited to conceive another child and experience the miracle of pregnancy one last time.

The tribeswomen had become closer than ever on their journey to the Venetian Forrest which brought Rowan much comfort. She knew that alongside her in the grueling months to come she would have them with her every step of the way.

Looking to her left, Rowan gazed upon her sleeping cousin. Her hair that she loved to keep in perfect order looked like a bird's nest and she had a steady stream of drool falling down her round cheeks. She chuckled and shook her awake. "Rise and shine Darsa," Rowan said softly.

Darsa's eyes fluttered open and immediately locked as the sun was shining upon her face. "Five more minutes," she said rolling over on her side. Rowan shook her head in amusement, her silver hair falling in her eyes, but let her sleep a few more moments. She knew Tursa would wake her up soon enough.

Over the past week, the Daughter's had done nothing but ride, eat and sleep. Every now and then they would find a small river or pond to bathe in. Rowan desperately wished to train for she had never gone this long without swinging her precious blade. Still, she kept it strapped to her back in the hopes that she might need it. At this point I will have to kill lizard with it if I want any action.

With each day that passed and their arrival drew near, Rowan had become less unruly about the fact that she would take place in the Skabelse. She didn't welcome it like some of the women had, as the repetitive talk of men and babies had intrigued them. No, not in the slightest had she done this. But she did however learn to accept it as best she could and bring the Glade and her mother honor.

As she thought about her mother, she wondered what she was doing. She missed her now more than ever for she had never been away from her this long and felt guilty for thinking negative of her when she read the raven's letter and even worse that she didn't get to say a proper goodbye.

Pushing the thoughts from her mind, she changed from her nightclothes and into her armor on last time, deciding to style her hair simple and pulled it back in a ponytail with a small braid adorning on each side of her head. As she pulled her braids through with the rest of her ponytail, she clasped a small golden band. "That'll do," she said to herself. She didn't want to do anything too fancy seeing that it would fall within the hour from riding.

As the tributes ate their breakfast, Rowan couldn't help but think about what the following day would hold for them. Not only would she soon be matched with the father of her unborn child but she would see a man for the first time in her life. She couldn't help but think what Pruella had asked one of the women yesterday. "I heard men have sharp pointed teeth, is this true?" she inquired, only to find out that they had teeth identical to women's more or less. What else would she find out to be only rumors? I guess I will be finding out soon.

The Daughters finished their breakfast and freshened up for the day. Rowan spent that time grooming her horse and whispering in its ear. She had received it as a birthday gift when she turned ten and had grown very attached to the mare. Darsa mounted her horse and trotted over to her cousin, "Ready?"

"I suppose I have no choice," Rowan muttered as she stuck her foot in the stirrup and lifted herself into the saddle. She winced as her inner thighs protested but smiled as she secretly welcomed the pain.

The caravan expertly made their way through the Venetian Forest. They had all heard tales of its beauty, the monstrous red trees and breathtaking views of mountains through its foliage, but to see it in person was breath taking.