The First Winter : round 2

Soon enough, the snow began to fall. The fledgling community at Erlenstar Mountain was surprised by the intense cold and heavy snow…the long winters had been lost from memory during the generations in the gentler lands to the south.

However, they had built well and carefully, even in their haste, and they found themselves snug and secure. In the little peasant cottages, winter was a time for learning new skills, and even snatching a few moments for relaxation after the exhausting pressure of the harvest.

In Kyrth, the merchant families were still busy, since the tavern and shops were very attractive to those with a little extra time on their hands. But even here, there were quiet hours to relax with family.

For the noble children, winter was a time of activity and study.

The Reverend Mother Grania of An felt very alone as winter closed over the Convent of St. Wright.

This solitary life was far from anything she had expected her life to hold. As a girl, she had longed for a family, a husband and children to cherish. When her father, cousin to the Duke of An, informed her that she was to be dedicated to the church, it had been a heavy blow. As an obedient daughter and devout young woman, however, she had accepted her lot and tried to make the best of it. In the companionship of her sisters and the rituals of prayer and service, she began to find peace.

As the war approached, however, she had been astonished to be told by the Mother Superior that she was to be sent, alone, to Erlenstar Mountain to the Convent there. Despite her youth and inexperience, she would be named the Mother Superior of that remote chapter, and would be responsible for making sure that the order survived the coming chaos.

The first months had been arduous, filled with manual labor far more difficult than any she had ever experienced. Alone in the great, echoing convent, she sometimes contemplated packing her trunk and abandoning her duties.

Long hours of solitary prayer and contemplation, however, assured her that this would be wrong. As she came to know her new neighbors, she realized that there was an urgent need for someone to educate the children, and provide a good role model for the young women. Reverend Mother Grania began to study the books available in the convent library, choosing stories of the saints and martyrs to instruct her young charges.

As her hours filled with her teaching and the young women of the area began to come to her with their questions and concerns, Grania was surprised to find that she looked forward to the moments of peace and tranquility which were becoming a rare part of her busy days.

For one person, however, winter brought no peace. Baron Awn had, indeed, brought his infant Prince to the tenuous safety of Erlenstar Mountain. But his heart was wracked with uncertainty about the fate of the friends and family lost in the South.

Although he didn’t share the information with anyone, a messenger had arrived with tidings which filled him with anxiety. Were they safely hidden here at the foot of the mountain? Or would their enemies seek them out once the passes cleared in the spring? The Baron looked out over his little community, dreading what might come.

Unable to sleep, he spent the nights at his easel, trying however unsuccessfully to distract himself from his responsibilities.

Baron Awn knew that he was an old man now. The defense of this tiny and vulnerable community would be too much for him, if the enemies came in force. All he could hope was that when spring cleared the passes, his sons would return from Caithnard ready to step into his place and lead the people of Erlenstar until the tiny Prince grew old enough to take the reins of his kingdom.

In the cottages and small-holdings, however, these worries were far away. As the weather grew colder, many of the young people of the town had time to discover one another—and the joys of young love.

Surely spring would bring new starts, new families, and new births to Erlenstar Mountain.

Next post: http://kerrysims.blogspot.com/2007/05/barons-plan.html