Geolna straightened and lifted the edge of her apron to wipe away the sweat that trickled down the side of her face. She looked
ahead at the figures of her parents, Leodric and Elaina, and smiled. She was blessed - blessed with parents that loved her and loved each other. At that moment her mother glanced up, and seeing Geolna, gave a small wave before stooping to drop a seed from her pouch into the small hole her husband had just dug. Geolna bent back over her own work, gently covering a seed with warm earth and carefully pouring a dipperful of water over the mound. It was hard work, but she liked working in the dirt, the feel of it freshly plowed, the dark brown colour of the peat, even the rich smell of it. At that moment, Geolna felt perfectly content. There were times that she longed for more, but now, with the sun shining brightly in the bluest of skies, a field almost fully implanted with the promise of a bountiful harvest, and her family healthy and together, there was nothing else for which she would have wished.

That evening, after a filling dinner of her mother’s good bread and a rabbit that her father had snared and Geolna had roasted, the three remained at the table while Leodric read from the family Bible. Few knew how to read nor saw the need for it, but before becoming a yeoman, Leodric had been a monk and had learned to read and had taught his wife and daughter how to as well. Contrary to the opinions of most of the other men he knew, he recognized the intelligence and strength of women and thought they deserved to have the opportunity to learn to read. It was, after all, reading the Bible that had convinced Leodric to leave the monastery in search of others who believed what It said, not just what the priests taught. He spoke loudly and carefully enunciated each word so his wife Elaina could hear the passage clearly. Several years earlier, Elaina had begun requesting that he and Geolna repeat comments they made to her. After months of Elaina gently chiding Geolna for mumbling and Leodric for not answering her questions, they had all gradually realized that Elaina’s hearing was slowly diminishing. After adapting to the habit, it seemed only natural to alert Elaina with a touch if they were addressing her or to increase the volume with which they spoke if she were involved in the conversation. Having finished reading, Leodric handed the book to Geolna who carefullly wrapped it in its cloth and laid it on the side table. After kissing her father's forehead, Geolna moved to where her mother was sewing. She embraced her mother as she whispered loudly near her Elaina’s ear, “Goodnight, Mother. I love you.”

“And I love you, my sweet girl,” her mother replied.