Title: This Book
Author: Aryn
Date: 9th May 2005
Notes: In the POV of Claidi's daughter. Said daughter is writing in her book.
My mother gave this book to me this morning and told me... nothing, really. She just said, "This is in case you ever need to write things down." I don't know what that's supposed to mean, or why she really gave this to me. I'm sure she must have some reason besides the one she gave.
I wonder if she wants me to have a diary, like those girls in Peshamba do. I can do that, I suppose. Dagger saw me carrying this book around earlier today and said, "So you've got one too. Just like Claidi, always writing in her book." So Mother had a book like this? I'll have to ask her tonight, after dinner.
I haven't mentioned my birthday yet. Today I turn fourteen, and the evening fire is going to be more festive than usual, in honor of it. They do that for every birthday in the Hulta, or nearly every one. They never call it a party or a celebration, it just is- without really trying. We'll get to eat some of the meat the men (and Dagger; I swear, she could be a man if she wanted to) caught earlier.
So, since this is a diary, what have I done all day? Well, mostly, I've walked around and talked to my friends, and I've been very giddy and I've been given birthday gifts. A new shirt from Rail, a set of really lovely beads from Ahra, a book of legends from Amirira, and a pair of soft riding boots from Mother and Father. And this book from Mother, along with an ink pencil. Oh, and Dagger gave me a dagger (I've got five now; at first, Mother was upset with her giving me one when I was nine). She really is a decent person, even with her temper. She was my mother's friend when she and my father had just met.
Speaking of my father, he's the Hulta chief. He's been in the position since he was eighteen. I don't think I can imagine that.Ahmed is eighteen, and he can hardly handle himself. Sometimes I wonder if he was knocked in the head as a child. Anyway, I've heard that in some other places, the chief's daughter is treated like a princess. In a sense, I suppose I am a princess.
Yuk. I don't want to be a princess. It has a horribly snooty sound to it. I'm the chief's daughter, and that's it. I'm actually sort of glad people don't treat me like anything special (especially the older boys, who make fun of me all the time). I don't know how I'd handle it.
Looking back over this writing, I've covered two pages already. I suppose that's not much, but it's a start. I'm starting to quite like writing. Interesting. I didn't know I had anything to say, at least not on paper. I talk quite a lot; Father says it will be my undoing one day.
And I've also realized I haven't told you my name (Look at me, using "you" to address a book. I feel hopelessly silly and at the same time like I have a very... nice secret). Well, so you know it's me, you book, who has no feelings and cannot think, I'll write my name here: Tealin.