The First Friday Freebit from Change

Actually, the first free excerpt of Change is on this blog's excerpt page. It contains eight paragraphs, so is another quick read. Change was a 2008 Dream Realm Award finalists for best fantasy. You will see Kissre from the previous freebits is involved here, too, but only in name. The protagonists, Tyna, is her younger sister, as shown in a previous Friday Freebits. Her mother has just died, so the operation of the trade caravan they owned falls on Tyna's shoulders. So here is this Friday's Freebit.

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Morning light filtered through the curtain of the one small window. Tyna threw an arm over her eyes. There was so much to accomplish that she didn’t want to do. She heard her mother. “Rise lazy one and get about starting the day.” Naomi had never put up with sloth. Repudiating her desire to stay warm in her bed, Tyna rose. She needed to take charge of her life.

Naomi had started this business to ensure their future. It was now up to Tyna, for Kissre would never join her.

“Kissre took her own path. Stop fretting over her.” Naomi again, never very forbearing. Tyna realized she would have to carry this burden alone and wondered if she were up to it. Sitting up, she shivered in the frigid air and threaded fingers through her mass of curly hair. She should have braided it to prevent this tangle. While she pulled on warm clothing, her thoughts returned to her work.

Five wagons were ready for the journey to Sunderland. Finding the proper market had not been easy, but on previous trips, Naomi had discovered Sunderland had many rich burghers with sources deep enough to pay exorbitant prices for the goods they wanted. Goods Naomi made sure to provide this trip. Heading out at the beginning of the year meant traveling with the threat of dangerous weather, but true winter had not yet arrived. Gossip with customers proclaimed the Cygnese witches held off the snow. Tyna hoped if that were true, then let them hold it off all the way to Sunderlund.

Two wagons held a combination of both traditional and unusual merchandise bought on their circuit through the provinces of Kaereya—Kennetsure silks, Wessure linens, Norsure finely spun wools and furs, sewing tools and threads, fine forged tools, cooking pots, and copper ewers from Easure. From beyond the Doane Desert Naomi had managed to obtain extraordinary embroidered silks, handcrafted rugs, and leather goods, amulets, unusual spices, and bottles of the rare and infamous distilled liqueur whose very fumes caused intoxication. Tyna’s contribution and passion-filled a third wagon, an accumulation of antiquities, small treasures, and curiosities, including a unique mechanical clock that chimed the marks of the day, a rarity from across the great sea. 

The fourth wagon held necessities and food for the journey. It also provided a place for the two hired men and their wives to shelter in the severest weather. Jebe preferred sleeping in a tent attached to one of the wagons. 

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Now go to Ginger's blog and follow the links to other Friday Freebits!