Mother I

1021, One year after the great secession and the formation of Soleil

"Mama, I'm tired," said Jeanne. She didn't know why they were traveling again. Usually, when they got to a new village, they stayed for several weeks, but this time, they had only stayed a couple of days. Her feet and calves ached from walking so much, but thankfully, a stranger had given them a ride on her wagon.

"Call me mother, my little sun."

"But mama is easier," said Jeanne as she hugged into her mother's waist as the back of the wagon they rode on hit a particularly bad bump. The wagon smelled bitter and foul from all the herbs packed around them, and so when Jeanne buried her face into her mother's chest, she tried to keep her mother's sweet scent of lilac and honey in her nose.

"Yes, darling, but I taught you to speak proper. And we must thank the Light for granting us the good fortune of having this wagon pass this way."