So I am taking a break from beading projects and letter writing today and posting an excerpt from my first book The Beaded Tapestry. I just flipped through the book and copied here the first page. I have changed as a writer since I wrote this book and am tempted to re-write the entire thing.  At least it needs a good edit. I was never  very good at past tense. Although I wasn´t going to do any editing I had to make a few corrections as I went along. Tomorrow back to letter 4 in my series – Letters from Victoria.  It is now in my sisters hands for editing.

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The Beaded Tapestry Page 1

The sound of clutter being moved filtered from the front door of the oversized workshop. A women´s voice could be heard. It sounded as if she were talking to a pet or maybe a small child. “ Now Plink, I asked you a hundred times not to get into my beads. I know you think they are pretty, but look at this mess.  It will take me all morning to sort this out and I have a client coming this evening.“

A small cobalt blue tail peeked out from behind a skein of yarn.  It had small shiny scales covering it´s surface. The sound of tears falling on the scales had given the dragon his nickname. “What am I going to do with you.  The woman grinned a Plink.  She was a fortune weaver, the only weaver within two hundred miles.  This fact obviously kept her extremely busy. “Mistress Ellyna,“ a young voice from the door said.  Ellyna turned around to speak with the young girl at the door.  She looked to be around fifteen, with short golden curls lying on her shoulders.  “Yes Paige. What is it?“ “There is a carriage approaching from the north road.  I believe it is your evening appointment, Master Lenan.“ Paige replied.  “Oh dear, he is not supposed to be here till this evening.  It is not even midday yet.“  Master Lenan had asked Ellyna to perform a foretelling for his daughter who was about to give birth to his first grandchild.  The man was hoping Ellyna would see a son in his daughter´s future. “Please Page straighten up in here.  I must ready myself if I am to be os any use to him.“ Paige looked around the workshop in dismay and stared with wide eyes a Ellyna.  “Well,“ Ellyna said with a shrug. “At least make a path through  flotsam for our guest.“ With this statement Ellyna picked up her pale blue skirts and trotted toward the main house.  This day was not turning out the way she had planned.

As she neared the cottage front door she slowed and took a look at the carriage making it´s way around the curve of the road.  Usually she preferred not to get a look at her client before she sat down for the actual reading, but the carriage caught her attention. This was not her scheduled client.  Master Lenar was a successful merchant, but he could not afford four horses for his traveling pleasure.  Ellyna unconsciously swept her dark hair back into the combs holding it back and straightened her skirts.

The carriage stopped about thirty paces from the front door and the driver and footmen descended from their posts.The woman who exited the carriage was not what Ellyna expected.  Her dress was not up to the carriage finery and neither was her demeanor.  A youth of around ten popped out behind her. He was dressed in finery but this did not stop him from running ahead of the woman and opening the gate of Ellyna´s fence by swinging on it.  Ellyna stared at the boy with his raven hair streaming behind him every time he swung the gate open. “Now Lord Ryaan you must not do that.  I have already been reprimanded about your appearance and torn clothing.  We must not have a repeat of that.“ The child jumped down from the gate but not before he gave it another push.  The woman walked through the gate and up the flagstone steps that lead to Ellyna´s cottage door holding up her plain green skits as she walked.

“Good morning Mistress.  I am here to see Ellyna the Weaver.  I have some business I wish to speak with her about.“ Stated the woman as she approached the door of the cottage.  “I am Mistress Ellyna. How may I assist you. I was not expecting anyone this morning or I would have been prepared for your arrival.`Ellyna responded looking at the woman questionably.  “This is an unexpected situation. I hope you can accommodate us.  We have come all the way from the city of Enalden.“ Ellyna started at this statement.  Enalden was the crown city of her province Armindan. If this woman was from Enalden, she must be someone important despite the presence of the carriage.