Tending the garden and helping her mother mend the clothes that were brought to them kept Brinn fairly busy throughout the summer. Every evening, though, she was able to sneak at least one half-hour to work on her quilt. It's material and design would remind her of home while she was away
The quilt was colorful, made up of scraps of clothe left over from Brinn's mother's sewing. Some pieces had designs representing her favorite places around Sea View embroidered on them. Most pieces were just one color, usually red, blue, or green. A few sections were from a favorite piece of clothing that had been torn or discarded for some reason. She even had a piece of one of Pell's shirts that had caught and been torn on a loose sliver on a boat while she was sailing with him.
In the center of the quilt was a yellow circle that represented the life-giving power of the sun. Around that was a white circle that stood for good health and clean living. These brought happiness and a prosperous life (that was the green circle outside of the white). This quilt would keep her heart warm as well as her body.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Soon, there was only one week until all the 16 year-olds shifted. By now, everyone knew where they would be going and preparations were in full swing. Parents were making sure children had warm clothes and tools they would need for their new job. There was much talk and trading between those whose older children had already done their training and those that were shifting children for the first time.
During a break in the morning, Brinn ran down to the docks to talk with Pell, who was mending nets.
"Your father will miss you terribly, Brinn told her friend.
"No," Pell replied with a grin, " he will miss my work. Besides, Jarod is 12, and he's almost as good as me now."
Brinn sighed as she thought of Pell's younger brother having to tolerate their short-tempered father. Not everyone was as thick-skinned as Pell. Hopefully, Jarod would not make too many mistakes.
"I get to help design a new fishing boat," Pell said proudly as he plopped down on the sand beside Brinn.
Brinn raised her eyebrows at him. "Do you honestly think the old sea farers will listen to a mere boy?" she asked.
"Aye, once they see how well my ideas work on the sample boats I've made." He had shown her some of the foot-long boats he had designed and built.
"Who's going to make me laugh when I'm in the mountains?" Brinn asked with a smile.
"Oh, just think about how mad I will be making my teacher. That ought to bring a smile at least."
With a chuckle, Brinn rose to go. "That might work." She sighed. "I guess I better get back. If I don't see you before I leave, may things go well." She handed him a small pouch she had made. "That's to keep the small treasures in that you find while you're gone."
Pell looked at the bag. "You do good work, Brinn. Sure you don't want to sew for your trade?"
"No, thank you. A little here and there is fine, but I am looking forward to leaving it."
Pell got up and disappeared into his skiff. "I have something for you, too."
He jumped out and handed her a small wooden box. "That's to keep your threads in. I know you won't leave them completely."
Brinn rubbed the smooth, shiny surface. "You also do good work. You will make a good ship builder.... someday."
"Someday?" cried Pell. "I could build a whole fleet fit for a king right now!"
He could still hear her laughter as she passed over the dune.