I’m excited to try something different. As a way to bridge the gap between my blog and my fiction writing, I have decided to post a few short stories about my secondary characters from my new project, Maelee’s Journey. Starting with Meg, the best friend (who is named after one of my puppies.) So here we go!

“Meg, be a dear and gather up a bundle of firewood so we can get started on preparations for Maelee’s party.”

“Yes, Nana.”

I was shaking. I don’t know if it was because it was cold in the house or if it was because I was excited for the party. It could also be because my best friend would be leaving and I didn’t know when I would see her again.

I snugged up my sweater and slipped my feet into my boots, snatching the wood carrier that sits by the front door, I headed out into the cold foggy morning.

Donning the leather gloves we kept in the carrier, I pulled wood from the stack by the side of the house and thought about my best friend, Maelee. We are both apprentices, only in different guilds. I’m a baker’s apprentice and she is a gardener’s apprentice. We both live with a grandparent who is a master of our guild, me with my grandmother, and she with her grandfather.

The other thing we had in common was we were both fourteen, well now it’s just me because Maelee is fifteen today. An adult. Sigh! Plus, she is graduating and starting her journey.

I carry the wood back to the wood stove and stoke the fire. “What are we making for the party, Nana? A cake or doughnuts?”

“I’m afraid not. Today we will follow the tradition of the elders and make bitter bread.”

“Bitter bread? What is that?”

“It is an herbed flatbread, but made with traditional bitter herbs instead of the savory herbs we use in our biscuits.”

“Oh. That doesn’t sound very good.” Nana and I place all the ingredients out on the table. “Nana, do you want me to get the yeast?”

“No. We won’t be using that.”

“But it’s bread.”

“Yes, but it’s called flatbread for a reason. Let me read to you from the ancient book.”

On this night you must roast the lamb and eat all the meat. You must also eat bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. When you eat the meal, you must be fully dressed and ready to travel. You must have your sandals on your feet and your walking stick in your hand. You must eat in a hurry, because this is the Lord’s Passover.

Exodus 12:8,11 (ERV)

“This is a special meal to send her on her journey. When you turn fifteen we will eat cake.“

(Please note that this is just a fictional interpretation of this scripture and not to be considered biblically accurate.)

Grace & Peace,

Sandy