A Promise Broken by S.L. Dove Cooper

Author:S.L. Dove Cooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Kraken Collective
Published: 2015-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The leaves outside of the window were shining red and gold in the dawning light. Eiryn’s stomach rumbled as she tried to figure out what time it was. Orryn-minnaoi had said you could tell the time from where the sun was standing, but she didn’t quite understand how that worked. Her uncle was still asleep, though he was usually up long before she was. It’d worried her until a desire for food had driven her out into the cold main room. Eiryn had fled back into the bedroom and wriggled herself into yesterday’s discarded dress, but she was still cold. If she’d felt comfortable, she’d have left to explore the gardens. Radèn-minnoi had shown her some lovely walls and trees to watch the sun set from. They might be nice to see the sun rise from too, but she didn’t want Arèn-minnoi to worry.

A knock on the door startled her and Eiryn pressed Innas close. Surely Mayry-minnoi would bring them food soon. But when the door opened, it was Keilan-minnai who walked in. She was dressed in a bright yellow dress with a black-and-white sash. Eiryn thought it best not to point out that she thought it made Keilan-minnai look like a bee.

“Good morning, Eiryn-dai.”

“Good morning, Keilan-minnai,” the girl answered, pulling at her dress. It didn’t look anywhere as neat as when Keilan-minnai or Mayry-minnoi dressed her and she was trying to straighten the fabric out just a little more.

“It’s awfully quiet in here,” the woman remarked as she closed the door. Eiryn didn’t understand, but she let Keilan-minnai usher her into the bedroom. “Ach, is he still asleep?” Keilan-minnai laughed softly. “Well. Let’s sort you out first.”

“Where’s Mayry-minnoi?” Eiryn asked while Keilan made for the closet and rummaged around.

As the woman pulled out a pink dress, with ruffles at the bottom that always made Eiryn think of a shell, Keilan-minnai answered, “He’s quite busy preparing something special. Raise your arms.”

Eiryn did so and let the woman change her dress. Keilan-minnai tied a white sash around Eiryn’s waist and shoulder. Eiryn had no idea where the sash had come from. She didn’t have any white ones, she was certain. Arèn-minnoi did and he wore his quite frequently when he was working, but she didn’t. She always had grey ones. She didn’t dare ask why she got a white one now and just let Keilan-minnai mess about with her hair. For once, the woman didn’t try to put it up in a pony tail or in a bun, but let it hang loose. Keilan-minnai did tie a large white flower in Eiryn’s hair, though, and fastened something around her neck.

“Blessed birthday, asafai,” the woman said and leaned over to kiss Eiryn’s cheek. It took Eiryn a moment to remember that meant her birthday and not someone else’s.

“I’m five today.” At least she thought she was. That meant she’d be a lady now. Dai had always said she’d start to be a lady when she was five.

“Yes, you are. It’s a very special day too.

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