Hours before sunrise, Kyera slipped into Raina's room. The little girl was tucked into the window seat, an open book on her lap. It was clear that she had not intended to go to bed yet. Kyera couldn't blame her, it was probably nerves. No 7 year old slept much their last night of their 7th year.
The events of the last year waltzed through Kyera's mind. From the frightened child she rescued from the hyenas, to the first time she touched the Zither. The wedding rescue, and the child's sheer joy during the snowball fight. The memories of a mother. They felt stolen somehow, like Kyera shouldn't have been the one she loved so dearly. Yet… the child had chosen her and so had her father. Kyera's hand caressed the baby in her tummy.
With a glance at the slowly setting moon, Kyera steadied herself. She reached out, and gently rose the child from her slumber. "Good morning, my dear. We must begin." She whispered tenderly rousing the child. Raina's soft blue eyes fluttered open sleepily.
"Mommy?" She whispered reaching up to rub the sleep from her eyes. Kyera smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Yes baby, come along we must get dressed and ready before we must join the family at the cliffs." Kyera explained with a bright smile. With mention of the cliffs Raina sprung to life. Her birthday was in the morning. Finally, after all this time… it was her birthday. The wait was over. She would finally find out what the big secret was.
Kyera chuckled at her excitement as Raina threw her arms around her and hugged her. "Good Morning, Mommy." She cheered happily and Kyera turned the hug into a slow spin.
"Goodmorning. Your dress is ready." She said with a smile. Was Raina imagining things or did Kyera seem nervous as she mentioned the dress?
Raina nodded "Then let's get ready." She replied excitment filling her tones. Kyera chuckled and followed him with a kindly smile. She took Raina's hand and the mother and daughter pair dashed to get ready. It was completely clear they were both happy.
Kyera sent the Maids away and began to dress her daughter herself. The dress fit her form beautifully, every inch tailored to settle naturally. The dress itself was made of leather that came to her knees and beneath it was a set of frilly skirts that touched her toes. There was a gold ribbon tied at the bottom ruffle. Kyera smiled as she knelt down.
"It is time to teach you something new, Raina. This is special and was designed by your great Grandmother." Kyera United the bow at the bottom of the dress. She slid the material up the ribbons and the skirts ruffled and bunched to create a shorter but more interesting dress. The pale wolf fur boots that came up to her thighs were suddenly visible behind the wispy white cloth. Once it was high enough, Kyera tied the bow again.
"What is that?" Raina asked giggling like the schoolgirl she was. Excitement in her eyes as she examined the dress. She looked like a Princess with the fur Cape and soft blue and white dress.
"This dress is something every mother makes for their daughter's eighth and Seventeenth birthdays. It is called Fanor Delfast, or loosely translated 'The Dress of the Flight'. It is meant to represent a Child coming of an age of Self. At eight you are no longer a mother's toddler, or perfect doll. You are your own person and must begin learning yourself." Kyera explained gently. There was pride in her eyes as she looked at her handiwork on Raina's petite frame. The child had filled out a bit since being here, and looked more healthy than she ever had. The Frost Lands suited her well.