2,289Chapter 58: Interlude: Nine
Twentieth day, Seventh Moon, 252 AC (+5 days)
Her eyes tracked the dandelion seed as it floated in the air above her. She watched as it danced in the air, going in one direction when it was caught in a stream of air, only to be reversed as it danced another way when another current caught it.
It was a lazy day today, and even the air seemed reluctant to do anything. Spring was a time of growth, but looking around her, none seemed present today. It was an unseasonably hot day; the birds were quiet, insects still, and even the livestock was quiet and peaceful.
Evelyn had spent the last few hours just lounging on the hill that her family's home sat upon and was idly looking over the farm splayed out in front of her. The cows and sheep were on a pasture out of sight today, but the hens were moving around in their pen as they followed behind the herd's grazing.
Her father's farming methods were complicated, compared to the traditional methods, but they weren't truly his. It was fascinating to think that somewhere out there, there was an entirely new world, filled with wonders. To be able to travel so far, and so quickly, and to see so much of the world must have been amazing. The music and art would have been something to behold as well.
Papa hadn't been entirely helpful in describing what he called different types, but what he had spoken about was wonderful to think about. It had sent her off on a bit of an artist kick; painting a few different ideas of styles, some clay sculptures, and she tried her hand at creating a small stone sculpture. She was determined to try and, if not recreate, create her own styles that reflect the beauty in the world, from her point of view.
Listening to her father talk about the different instruments had been fascinating to listen to as well. Papa thought that Braavos might have a wider variety than anywhere in Westeros and hoped to bring some instruments over eventually. There were so many possibilities, and while she was not as musically inclined as Violet, she had many fond memories of sitting by the fire listening to her father sing.
It was a benefit, she supposed, that came with being a Lady from a Masterly house in that she would be able to collect such instruments. It came with some downsides, such as the marriage offer for Ryden, but so far had only made life better. She was a bit worried about a marriage offer of her own and hoped to follow in her sister's footsteps. There were a few interesting boys, but no one that would be good enough to meet her papa's standards.
She had also taken after her sister in her warging ability. Unlike Violet, she did not have the wide range of skill and strength that her sister had, despite Violet's teaching, but was happy with her few, precious, connections. Her dog, Snow, as well as a songbird, Tweety, were her first connections, as Snow was given to her when she was young, and Tweety had been her first wild connection.
Violet had taught her a lot of different kinds of information, from how to fully control a single animal to controlling multiple animals. It was actually during the part of the training, where Violet taught her how to smell through Snow, that she enjoyed the most. It actually had led to a small discovery of hers: the star-nosed mole. It was a small creature that tunnels through the ground, and though it is blind, it can detect things through the earth. When she had begun experimenting with it, she discovered that she was able to rely on the creatures' senses to detect animals in a short area around her, as well as the ability to see stone. To really seestone.
To be able to see the fault lines, where it would break easiest; to see what the colors would look like, the composition, and how to best work it. It led to a variety of small stone statues to practice and had been a lot of fun for her. She hoped to create large marble columns for the main keep of the castle, like what her father had described was a Corinthian style column, made of marble that was located inland near the Twin Lakes. It was supposed to have a gorgeous orange and white coloring that gave her so many ideas to try!
Papa was willing to let me craft the columns myself, provided she could do so on a smaller scale first. She constantly had to reign in her thoughts from running wild – imagining all the statues and beauty she could create all over Redbridge and the Stoney Shore. There was so much potential!
Violet had been interested in the concept of sensing the earth, as she had not done anything similar. Smell had been an easy sense to learn – especially with canines – and sight was simple enough – though not without fully controlling an animal – but a new sense? Violet was excited, though she had put that on hold since getting married, not that Evelyn held it against her. Her other siblings were unable to help, as none had yet shown any ability in warging.
Evelyn was looking forward to the summer since Papa was taking the family – except Violet and Tylan – on the tour around the Stoney Shore! It would be the first time she had ever been far from home, and she was excited to see more of the world! Violet had been telling her story of adventure that she had had with Papa for years, and she wanted her own! Papa had said that the more people see of the world, the more their understanding and perception of the world changes and expands.
She was definitely ready for more – she was an adult! She was over 15 years old now, and regardless of what her papa said, that was an adult! She might never have made an invention, but she was just awesome in a different way than her sister!
"And why are you frowning on this beautiful day, my darling?" said a feminine voice, interrupting her thoughts.
Evelyn turned around and saw her mother standing there, with her hands on her hips, peering down at Evelyn. "'Lo momma. I'm not frowning."
She sat down beside her and smoothed her skirts out. "Yes, you were. I could practically feel it from inside the house."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Nu-uh."
"Speak with proper words, my daughter," Nyra admonished. "You are a Lady now, that comes with the territory."
Evelyn eyed her mother and replied, "Is this one of those costs of being raised that Papa gripes about?"
A wry grin spread across her mother's face. "Perhaps, but far from the only one."
"Well, I was just thinking about how excited I am for the tour!"
Nyra raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "And that had you frowning?"
"I wasn't frowning!" She retorted.
Her mother gave her the look – the one that all her children feared. Not because her mother was super scary, but because everyone knew she was reading your mind and was going to say something uncomfortably true.
"Your art is going to be great, because you will accept nothing less than your best, and your best is capable of great things. Don't borrow worries and troubles from tomorrow and stop comparing your achievements to your sisters."
Evelyn shifted uncomfortably on the blanket but didn't otherwise reply.
"Ah, my sweet daughter. You can hear the truth; I know you can. You just have to accept that in your heart. Once you can accept that you are a wonderful person capable of achieving whatever you set your mind to and that your achievements do not have to compete with your sister's achievements, you can be satisfied. Work on achieving happiness first, the rest will follow."
With that, Nyra leaned over and kissed her on the forehead and left Evelyn alone on the hill, laying down in the heat of the day, with her mind awhirl.