Mine. Chapter 1 Part 2
Norwin wished he could remain longer, sharing his strength and comfort, yet duties called. Eve though the sun had not yet crested the horizon, workers throughout the keep would have questions and require guidance from him. Such was the life of a Baron, in the country of Grippa.
Onieda watched as her father slipped out the door. The terrors in her sleep, while never forgotten, were relegated back into a corner of her mind. She was a dutiful daughter of Grippa. A dark, nameless fear that clawed at her in the night had no business occupying her mind during the day. Onieda was born privileged, but her parents had instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility for the land and its people.
A few moments after the door closed, she threw back the covers and swung her feet to the cold stone floor. Spring had come to the land, but the keep was set deep in the bedrock footing. It’s walls and floors were always chilled, even in the heat of summer. She quickly moved to the rug in front of her armoire and shed her shift. She shrugged into her favorite brown linen shirt, and began tying it up, noting that it was tight across her chest. She had worn the shirt for years and was sad that what hours of activities hadn’t accomplished, her quickening into a woman grown had, making the shirt unsuitable to wear.
Not today though. Later, she would break in a new shirt, but for now a thick leather vest would hold her modesty. She donned the leather breeches that unbeknownst to her, caused every eye in the castle to follow her walk. Slipping on her boots, and tightly lacing them, she was ready for the day’s labor.