The day belonged to...

It had been a quiet day, the nights rolled by with each one followed by the hint of light that would stretch out across the sky. This morning she had awakened to find instead of the feather filled pillow at her head, a leather satchel nestled between her fingers and cheek. Rising, it had very elaborate beading of the sky, the sun, even every delicate drop of fingered rays was done in the smallest beads of white, yellow and orange just brushing the brown, green and blue of grass waving back to the grey, white and blue sky. Pulling the strings free, she saw her clothing folded inside, a few bottles of oil, leaves of mint, a brush and leather ties. Perhaps her brother was going hunting, it tended to cause them a few days away. A subtle hint she was to go, which was odd also, cause usually she had to beg to go with him. It was a surprise nonetheless, and what a beautiful new satchel also. Finally finding her feet, a stretch was given with a turn, to run face first into her grandmother. A blush as she saw there was a bucket in hand, filled with all the things her grandmother used when there was to be a good scrubbing happening. As if she couldn't wash herself. It happened now and then when there would be company, or when Grandmother was taking her for a walk of the wagons where young Warriors were working or sparring. She didn't get that "Pending viewing and assessment" feeling she did when she knew grandmother was just truly looking out for her best interest in finding a strong good mate, but why did she feel like a young kaiila going up for wager? No, this one caught her completely off guard. Simply cause, she had always felt something coming, this morning she was lost. It felt like ahns at the stream getting her hair washed over and over, her skin scrubbed until she thought to look down and see nothing but shredded strips of flesh, rather then just pinkened tanned skin that really did seem to shimmer. There was no talking, during these times Grandmother would just tell her to listen to the waters of the stream, they have so much to share and tell. Closing her eyes she would listen to each rolling wave tenderly touched by the breeze, the trickle of droplets jumping around the stones. Filling her mind with soft shadows of mothers pointing out fish swimming near the shallow stone path near the center of the stream, telling the different taste, and ways of cooking each different fish of shape and color. As soon as she tried to hear more on salting fish did the vision just puff away like a warm breath over cooled ash. It would be the dance of mist that formed into a great cry of a Warrior on a kaiila, a lance up, pointed to the west as his command followed the rush of kaiila's off to battle, each little splash at clawed feet of the beast seem to be a glitter of color in the shadows that sparkled like the stars.It all snapped away when she felt her hair pulled back in a tight twist to get the water out, and Grandmother saying get her head out of the dreams, time to dress.She spent a few ihn's trying to blink without a winch with how tight the braid was that ran long down her back, in a simple purple dyed strip of leather knotted a few times in a wrap at the end. It matched the solid purple tunic she had on, with bright yellow stitching that showed along the seams. A simple leather skirt with high slits for riding, and a wrap of leathers snuggly at her legs under. I laced up my boots tight, I was starving. I was about to sit by the furs cause I smelled the food cooking, figuring the girls got it started, when Grandmother handed me the satchel I woke up to, and another of the food I was smelling. Before I could even ask what was going on, she gave me a very firm shove out the flaps to the platform. There was a slave, who almost looked as startled as I did when I stumbled out as she was walking up the steps. Hearing the slave, I looked to my Grandmother, she smiled like a Mother sending her last son out of battle. Brushing a kiss against my cheek, whispering to mind what I have learned so far, and I kissed her moist salty cheek back promising I would. It was all about time. It had been three hands, the time I was given, or perhaps...He knew. It was really time for me to prepare. So much seemed to amaze me. How did He know? As soon as I thought that, what a foolish girl I was. I knew the answer, to a question that I said for the sake to of assuring myself the reality of it. I thanked the girl, dismissing her with a smile. I walked to the fires, finding a spot to the side, where I could watch all the wagons for those entering and leaving, I sat, listening to talk, the wind, the grass around me. I ate lightly, for I found a peace in waiting this time.