VoS Territory Tasks: Laying a Foundation

It was a beautiful late afternoon, cold, crisp with a touch of frost in the morning but a beautiful sunny afternoon. There was just a pinch of wind in the recipe that made it refreshing. That crispness chased away the clouds in the sky so it clear and bright. The sunlight kept the frost away making the perfect weather for the perfect day. The only cloud that day was the one a certain adolescent carried over her head. Her knees hurt from standing all day but heavy was the burden in her heart for nothing changed day after day. She went to work under the careful tutelage of the talented Oni. Leather was not so fashionable rather more economic and common but Oni managed to make her style functional and appeal. She saw the girls from the Moonsingers academy come in to look at the clothes or jewelry today. This particular event put her in a more sour mood than usual as they commented and critiqued them as if they could do better. Her stones of lapis lazuli too base and her moonstone lacked some invisible quality. The amber was a vulgar stone...she'd like them to go out and gather and arrange those themselves! It made her huff and stamp her hooves. They'd merely glanced at her and looked surprised to see one Dayo's daughters there...they'd forgotten she worked there...whatever her name was...Of course Aberash and Zuri they knew...just not that invisible talent-less, ugly one. They never said it but by their tones she knew what they were implying....she wanted out of this wretched town! Yet when she'd begged her mother to take her along, Dayo just said it was for sisters...besides Zuri needed her. Then off she went again...and Nya was left to babysit...again...Zuri had been recruited to take classes with the moonsingers last week...so..they were both stuck temporarily. Stuck and still an omega with no light in sight.

That was a few days ago. Her mother was gone again to the ancestors knew where. Nyarai kept their modest type home from disrepair and food in the hut for Zuri..though she was not sure how things would change now Zuri had been recruited as a possible candidate. Nyarai sighed as she would probably go home to an empty hut again. She was in no hurry to do so. Whatever her little sister was doing she was with the moonsingers now and Nyarai was the odd one out. She was the middle misfit who'd disappear into obscurity. A few days of sour thoughts were taking their toll and her master noticed. So in the quiet morning while they sewed she pulled the girl aside and demanded to know why. Nya had poured out her heart and soul, feeling a thousand times lighter for doing so. Sadly the gravity of her hoplelessness was lost on her mentor. Oni had said that was normal at her age and she had plenty of talent her sisters didn't have. So it was not the same....focus on the work and it'll show. Then they went back to work. So ended another abysmal day. She was stalking through town from work when she heard a voice.

Markel stands in the center of town. He calls to  you, and anyone else who will listen, with a wide grin upon his ruddy face. "Hey, friends! We've got some work that needs doing, and many hands make for light work. Here, here! Take a copy of the list, and go to town. Far to town. As into town as you possibly can. And don't forget to write!"

Nyarai was confused as someone handed her a list and moved to the next person. She turned it sideways to examine it and rose a brow. She looked back at the big centaur. Oh...it was Markel the High Alpha. She looked at the list thrice and shrugged. It was better than sitting in the hut and moping. No one cared where she went anyway. She saw the first item and that did help.  she read it aloud. "The land around the rivers mucky. These riverbeds are thick with clay, and perfect for making mud bricks. Enjoy getting dirty!" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. She loved mud, she loved being by the river. It was the only time she felt like it was just right. Open grasslands and such weren't for her. So a little more cheered decided to spend her late afternoon to evening by the river making bricks. A little work was maybe just what she needed to silence her mind. Maybe she could use this time when her sisters and mother were away to find her own way. The river was a great place to start.