Dorset

This chapter is still in progress, but it basically just intro's the reader to Atrianna's town. I will be writing more here, don't worry! For now, here's what I have so far.



The well-worn, winding path to Dorset laid itself before Atrianna's feet like a mat before the threshold, receiving her into the heart of the tiny village she had called home her entire life. As she emerged from the trees the town itself unfolded to her view, the town square and surrounding thatch-roofed buildings familiar as ever. She could see Eilwen, the baker's kind-hearted wife and Ercon's mother, just leaving Nimue's house carrying a handful of herbs. Ercon's youngest sister, Aberell, was feeling poorly again, as she often did during the harsh winters.

"Poor girl," Atrianna murmurred to herself. Aberell was such a sweet little girl; it was unfortunate she was so often ill. Luckily Dorset had such a skilled apothecary. Nimue seemed able to find a cure for any ailment, no matter the season or the symptomes.

"Atrianna!" A familiar young voice called her name, and, though she could not see the face, Atrianna knew at once who it was. She smiled and turned towards the blacksmith shop. Her smile widened when she say Aeden running toward her, the ribbons in her plaited hair untied as usual. The blacksmith's six-year-old daughter was a favorite of Atrianna's - a favorite of most of the town, acutally. Her smiling face and endless good humor were only made all the more loveable by her missing front teeth and her wide-eyed wonder at the world. Atrianna stooped to catch the little girl up in a hug.

"Good morning Aeden. And what have we been up to this morning?" Atrianna asked.
"I helped Mama feed the chickens, and helped Papa clean his tools, and fetched water from the well," came the talkative youngster's reply. "Where have you been all morning, Atrianna? You missed when the hen almost fell in the well and I had to catch her before she did!" With a proud smile she added, "Mama said I was a hero today."

"Well, I'd sure say you were a hero to that chicken," Atrianna replied with a smile. "What else happened while I was out walking the Lake? Anything else exciting?"

The little girl didn't get a chance to reply. "Aeden! Aeden, where have you runn off to now?" The blacksmith's gentle wife came around the corner then, worry creasing her young face. "Oh! Aeden, there you are, sweetie. Don't go running off, now, especially after what - oh. Good morning Atrianna. I didn't see you there. Your mother was looking for you earlier, dear. You might want to check in with here when you get the chance."

"Thank you, Baetrys. I'll go find her now. Good bye, Aeden. You be sure to keep an eye on those chickens, now, won't you?" Atrianna smiled and continued down the lane towards her own home.