The smells of her mother baking wafted into Cathaliana’s bedroom, gently waking her from a sound sleep. The combined smells of baking pastry and brewing tea was inviting and Catha roused herself from her warm bed. She slipped into her slippers and a robe and made her way into the kitchen, where she found her mother sipping a cup of tea while watching the various pots and pans bubbling and steam on the stove.
Catha kissed her mother’s check and poured herself a cup of tea, quickly adding sugar and cream to the cup before sitting down across from her mother. Rachel MacTavish was a small slip of a woman who’s fragile looks belied the strength of character and the unbendable will she possessed. Her hair was pale gold flecked with white, braided into two tails that where pinned up on her head. Her pale green eyes twinkled and danced, reflecting the light of the room.
“So Mom, what’s the plan for the day?” Catha inquired as she slipped into a chair next to her mother.
“Well, I am assuming that you and your family are going to find some place in the village to live today. While you are out looking with Jonas, I’m going to entertain my delightful grandchild with tales of the village.”
Catha smiled, her mother’s face was alight with joy now that they had shared the news they were moving back into the village. Catha missed her family and friends here in Dragon’s Head and knew that her connection to the village could not be replaced elsewhere. Jonas had assured he that he didn’t care what village they lived in, so long as Catha was content and happy then he was over the moon with joy.
Catha sipped her tea and watched the lights dance over the surfaces of her mother’s kitchen. The yellows, oranges and roses of the growing light of dawn bathed the kitchen in warm, inviting hues reminding Catha of her mother’s ever flourishing rose garden out back. A small smile flickered across her face recalling fond memories of her mother trying to find places in the house for the mass of roses every summer.
Rachel caught the smile and knew what memory Catha was recalling, oh how she missed having her daughter close and she was so very happy that they had decided to settled her in Dragon’s Head.
“Well, I hear the rest of the house stirring so I guess this lovely interlude is over for today Mom.” Catha said, as Rachel slipped from her chair to slid the freshly baked cinnamon rolls from the oven. “Those smell amazing! I had almost forgotten how magical your cinnamon rolls were.”
Rachel laughed, “Once a week, every week you know that and you are always welcome to be here when they come out of the oven.”
The early morning sounds of a full house permeated the house for the next hour. Laughter, the clatter of silverware, and the giggling sounds of Hermonia passed between her adoring grandparents. Emerging from their guest room, Catha and Jonas were dressed for a day of trying to secure their future homestead.
Hermonia exploded from the bedroom dressed in pink from head to toe and toddling over and throwing herself into her grandmother’s open arms. “Dragon!” she demanded. Rachel laughed, ruffled the blonde hair of her first grandchild and seemed to contemplate the idea of a dragon.
Hermonia, a precocious three year old with emerald green eyes, blonde hair that naturally fell into ringlets framing her chubby face, knew that there was something special about her grandparents. She hadn’t figured it out yet but she had already determined to learn those secrets today.
“Grammy please can we go see the Dragon’s head now? I want to hear all about it and about the dragon. Mummy said that our family has a special connection to the dragon. What is it? She said you would tell me?” Hermonia’s questions were rapid fire and asked with the intensity that can only come from an inquisitive, intelligent, and exuberant three year old.
Rachel smiled over Hermonia’s head at her husband Roland. “What do you think Roland? Should we indulge Hermonia’s curiosity or should we go for boat ride instead and picnic somewhere?”
Roland looked up and meet his wife’s eyes, “I think a boat ride sounds like a find idea. Let me go get…”
Roland was interrupted by the insistent tugging of his pants leg by Hermonia’s small hand. “Grandaddy, please no tell Grammy we have to go learn about the dragon today. I have to know.” Her voice was pleading, her three year old impatience for knowledge exceeding her ability to discern when the adults were teasing her.
“Alright, Princess Hermonia the Fair today we shall learn all about the dragon while your parents are out and about.”
Hermonia’s smile was beaming and she eagerly ran for her coat and shoes. Her impatience was catching and her indulgent grandparents followed. “Are you sure she won’t be too much of a handful?” Jonas asked.
Roland answered, “Not at all, she is a handful but in the best possible way. Now go, good luck and try and enjoy yourselves.”
(*Stories from Dragon’s Head Village inspired by this artwork by Chris Ostrowski.)
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