Exchange

Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 27th January 2012

Characters: Parale, Briata
Description: Parale and Briata exchange letters to tell of news.
Location: River Bluff Weyr, Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 6

Briata

Briata would have liked to go to the gather. She hadn't seen her
friend in so long, but the timing was particularly poor. However, she
would let Parale know _why_ she wasn't coming and made a note to visit
the other woman as soon as she was able.

The young weaver sat down and began a message, her elegant, flowing
script fairly weaving across the parchment page.

"Dear Parale,

I hope this message finds you well and that are you are settled in your
home. I hope that your husband and the children are well also. Have
you been up to much? Are they still growing like weeds?

It has been nice the last couple of days. We had some bad weather last
month but it seems to have passed. I hope that the days of the gather
will be lovely for you.

I fear that I will be unable to attend. I have found that I am with
child and cannot make the trip. This saddens me, but I do not wish to
run the risk of harming the babe. Perhaps I can visit after the child
is born.

How have you been since I last wrote? Have you been keeping yourself
busy? I always look forward to your letters.

-Briata

When she finished, she gave the message to Jewel and coaxed the little
gold to take it to her friend.

**********
Parale received the letter and hurried to open it. Reading the note,
she found herself smiling at the good news though it was a shame she
wasn't going to see Briata. She was curious to know who the baby's
father was but she figured Briata would tell her when she was ready.

Sitting down, she began to write her own composition.

"Briata,

I can't help but be so excited for you. Your own baby... I'm sure it
will be beautiful. Motherhood is hard sometimes, but it's rewarding. My
girls are getting bigger all the time and it's wonderful helping them
along even when they make mistakes. Ioven is a good husband and he
takes care of all of us.

It was hard getting used to a seahold of course, but I think I have the
hang of this place now. The Gather will be exciting with so many people
here. They say there's going to be fireworks and everything. The
steward asked me to help by making pennants for the boat races and they
came out very nicely.

Keeping house for three people means I don't get much time for other
things, but it makes me happy. Perhaps someday, it could be four.
Faranth knows we're trying. I would love it if you could visit sometime
and see everyone. I'm sure you're making baby clothes already though.
Thank you for writing and I hope this finds you well.

Your Friend,
Parale

She had to find a runner that was going to the Weyr to take it, but
that wasn't hard to do with all the preparations for the gather and
everything else. People were going every which way.

****

"Parale,

"I am so glad to hear that things are going well. I'm sure a seahold is
much different from what you or I are used to. A river is the closest
I've been to living on the sea. I've been a couple of times."

Briata paused in her writing. B'lamick had taken her for her first
trip. A pain twisted her heart and she quickly resumed her writing lest
she fall apart and not be able to continue.

"I am sure that the running must be similar. Trade and goods must be
interesting as the ships would allow for a different pace in delivery.
Still, I imagine it can also be exciting - to have ships from more than
a couple of holds and cots around you. Have you been on a ship yet?
How are the girls adjusting?

-Briata"

Once more, Briata gave Jewel the message that she had written. The
firelizard seemed reluctant to go, but after a little coaxing, she
finally did and appeared a second time to Parale.

****

Parale greeted the little gold and gave her a treat. She even gave her
eye ridges a scratch. "You're so pretty. Yes you are." Letting her eat,
she began to compose her final letter since the girls would be home soon.

Briata,

Remember, we took a boat here from the Weyr? I hated it and do not wish
to ever repeat the experience. The girls are glad to be home with their
friends and it's been good to learn through them. It's a game-they show me their
favorite places and I learn where things are.

The weather here is nicer, though I had to get used to the heat. I don't like
those awful windstorms though. The noise is scary. Should I make
something for the baby? Tell me what you need and I'll send it on.
Venrys is learning how to knit so she could help.

Be well and take care.

-Parale

Giving the firelizard the message, she sent her off, hoping she
understood home.

****

How could she forget a detail like that? Briata didn't normally forget
things. Then again, she had been told sometimes pregnancy did that to
women. She penned a final letter.

Parale,

Forgive me, my memory has been faulty as of lately. I've been told
that's not unusual, but it disturbs me. Please don't put yourselves to
any trouble. I am sure I can find plenty of things in the storage
rooms or trade for them. It's very kind of you to offer. Knitting is
quite enjoyable but I have a fondness for embroider that generally
takes precedence. I still do it from time to time, though. I have
some patterns I've written out if either of you would be interested.

Thank you for your support. I do appreciate it. I hope perhaps we can
visit after the baby is born. I'm not certain when travel will be
allowed, but I'm sure the healers will let me know. Until then, may
your skies be clear.

With great fondness,

Briata

Last updated on the January 31st 2012

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