I have finished the dress for mother now.
She has not yet tried it on, but I think it will fit her nicely. It is, as she requested, a simple thing in the Bree-land style and without too much frippery or anything to denote her origin. I wonder how well she will manage to conceal that from the local people. She is, after all, a proud tribeswoman, completely unashamed of her ancestry.
Jikista came back from the hunt and expressed a wish to go with us, so now I am making a dress for her also. It is a good job that I bought extra material on my trip to Esteldin or else I would have had to make the journey again. I do not mind, though. I think it nice that she too wishes to travel with us. It will be like a family outing. I have heard of such things over the years but have never been on one before, so this should be interesting in many ways.
The tribeswomen, Fonghala in particular, have been telling me that I should have metal placed in my ears. I had noticed that each of them sports such things, but they would not tell me why, only that it was important. Thus, I asked my mother today and she tells me that it shows which line one is from and to whom they are related. Her own is made from odd black metal with three bloodstones representing herself, Jikista and I. She says that mine shall be black with red stones. I assume that is because we are descended from the Trev Duvardain, although I am far from certain. I shall have to ask her later.
Most of the women here have beautiful swirling patterns on their skin. I am told the effect is painstakingly created over many months by dipping a needle into ink and pressing it into the flesh. Some have suggested that if I am to embrace life here properly, I should also have this done to me. However, with the amount of scars marring my body and face, I rather think that the effect would be spoiled on me. Besides, it would be better not to advertise my heritage so openly on the occasions that I return to Bree-land. The ear-piercings will be strange enough to the people back there.
