Fine Linen, Chapter Four

Lina barely noticed when this cart started up with a jerk and rolled somewhere else. She awaited her destiny in silence.
The cart stopped in a place where the air was filled with a strange rippling sound. Yet again, hands came for the headless flax plants. What now? Were they going to throw them away?
It was a greater shock than all those before when Lina found herself plunged under cold water and left to drown. All the other plants were lined up near her, and the people had left. Nobody whispered silly rumors. Nobody said anything. There was nothing they could do but give up and wait for the slow-moving water to finish them.
Time passed. The sun came and went. Sometimes someone would come and turn all the plants with a fork, and pick some up and look at them. It occurred to Lina to wonder why the people were taking all this trouble over dead stalks. Was there, in fact, still some use for them?
After awhile, she grew to almost like the gentle movement of the water. It was much like the swaying of the wind she had loved all her life.
She felt herself growing thick and soft.

To be continued. . .
Repairing the Breach,
Debbonnaire