What's Best For Him
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
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Sunstone Seahold
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Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 30th January 2020
Characters: Brina, Yriadha
Description: Brina approaches Yriadha about Yavin
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 8, day 3 of Turn 10
Brina had thought about what her brother had confessed to her a great
deal and since then, every time she'd visited the creche she'd watched
the young boy who was the Headwoman's cousin, and her nephew. Now she
knew, she couldn't help but look for the resemblance to Bryvin in his
face, the way he smiled and laughed.
She also knew how important it was to Bryvin to keep his son's parentage
a secret. How much more so it must be for the Headwoman, with her
family's honor at stake. So she'd tried not to show him any more
attention than the others, but it saddened her to think he might not
know her as his aunt. With her own child married and gone, her brother's
children were a joy and a comfort to her.
One day, when Lady Asaile was resting and the other young ladies were
busy practicing dancing with a tutor, she sent her maid with a message
to Yriadha, asking if they could meet in private. When she received the
answer, she quietly excused herself to seek out the Headwoman in her office.
Yriadha sat at her desk, her door half-opened as she studied the
inventory of foodstuffs; the wedding had made inroads on their winter
stock of food, but carefully managed, they would have enough until
spring crops began to appear. She made notations to include more fish
and seafood in the meals to stretch the amount of cured meats they had
for the winter season. There might have to be a herdbeast slaughtered
if there wasn't enough, but that could be adjusted for the spring as
well. Resolving to look into the stock of dried fruit that could be
used to add on to the winter diet, she looked up at the light knock on
her door.
Yriadha rose to meet Brina, inclining her head. "Please, come in."
Moving around her desk, she went to the brazier and lifted the pot of
tea she'd started upon Brina's request to meet. "Would you care for a cup?"
"Oh yes, thank you. I hope I'm not interrupting," Brina said, glancing
at the hides on the Headwoman's desk. "Or at least, that it's not an
unwelcome interruption. Records from the storerooms?"
Yriadha poured the other woman a cup and handed it to her carefully,
then took one of the seats in front of her desk. "It's not unwelcome at
all. Indeed... records and inventory. With the wedding I've had to make
some adjustments. But we'll all be well fed until spring. " She took a
sip of her tea. "What can I help you with today?"
"I came about a subject that's a little...delicate." Brina looked down
at the tea swirling gently in her cup, silent for a moment as she
considered how best to approach this. "After your return to the Hold
from your trip with Yavin, I noticed a certain family resemblance. I had
a conversation with my brother about it, and he explained everything. I
don't want to intrude in what must be a deeply personal matter, but I
wanted you to know that if there's ever anything I can do for your
cousin, you only have to ask."
Yriadha went silent as Brina spoke, stiffening only a little before
her shoulders relaxed. Bryvin had told her he'd spoken with Brina and
what excuses he had fabricated. It still irked her slightly that she
couldn't claim Yavin as her own, but it was necessary. "I love Yavin
as if he were my own son. He isn't aware of his parentage." She sipped
her tea, speaking carefully. "I provide everything for him." Also
true; she'd never asked Bryvin for anything extra for Yavin, though
he'd made it clear that she could if she needed. "He's very young and
the Hold has provided for him well. He of course, adores Lord Bryvin,
when he can see him." She looked up at Brina and spoke softly. "Are
you wanting to get to know him, Lady Brina?"
The Headwoman was very perceptive. "Yes. As long as it could be managed
without any difficulty for you or him." She hesitated for a moment, and
the longing showed in her usually calm eyes. "One of the greatest
pleasures of coming to Sunstone, for me, has been that I can see my
family, my brother and his children. We'd been apart for so long. It
would mean a great deal to me."
Yriadha put down her cup of tea and studied the other woman. If Brina
went to Bryvin requesting access to Yavin, she knew that he'd consent,
with or without her own approval. Even if she wanted to keep his sister
distant from her son, she'd have very little choice in the matter.
But, to be completely fair, she had no such reservations. "I don't
oppose it," she acknowledged easily, "as long as discretion is used.
Lord Bryvin has been very firm about keeping Yavin's parentage quiet.
He's not been officially acknowledged and to the Hold's population,
he's only an orphan. Thankfully, no one has questioned that he's with
Brylex in the creche. But nothing else can hint of who he is. "
"I understand. Thank you," Brina said, her heartfelt gratitude showing
in those simple words. "If you think it would be better, I could come
and see him in your own quarters. In the creche, it's not easy to avoid
the appearance of favoring one child over the others, and with his
looks... But no-one would think anything of my coming to you to talk
about Hold matters."
Yriadha paused to think. Bryvin did much the same to see Yavin when he
could. If Brina were to come while Bryvin was there, she would
naturally assume Bryvin was there to see Yavin. It was plausible. "A few
times a sevenday would be alright. Eventually when he gets older to
understand, however, we may have to come up with an excuse why you're
interested in him. Yavin doesn't know who Lord Bryvin is to him. "
"I'm a widow and my children are married and gone, it may not seem so
unusual. As long as he doesn't have any other reason to suspect." She
sighed, a little sadly, at the thought that the boy might never know the
truth. "That's for the future, though. I promise you that my first
thought will always be what's best for him."
Yriadha nodded. "That's my only concern for him, what is best for him
now and in the future. Fortunately, no one besides yourself has noticed
the family resemblance. Yavin has my family's coloring and that is, so
far, to his benefit. He's a sweet and loving child, Lady Brina. Had I
my choice, I would have claimed him as my own. "
"But you're as close to his mother as can be. I'm glad he has you to
care for him." Brina leaned forward, her voice warm and earnest. "I only
wish I could show more openly how grateful I am to you for bringing him
up with all the love he needs. I know my brother feels the same way."
**If only she knew,** Yriadha thought privately, but inclined her
head. "There's no need, but thank you. He will never lack for anything
as long as I am involved with his care. Lord Bryvin has been, of
course, most appreciative and kind. I ask for nothing more."
"Do keep it in mind, though, if there's ever anything you don't feel you
could ask my brother for." She sipped her tea, thoughtful. If there was
nothing more substantial he needed, perhaps the little boy might like a
small gift of sweets; she could ask her maid to arrange for it, and once
they were eaten no-one would ask where he'd got them. "Shall I leave it
to you to choose a time for a visit? I wouldn't want to come when he was
tired, or you were busy."
"Directly after the evening meal is usually the best time," Yriadha
offered. Bryvin typically came a candlemark or so before Yavin went to
bed, so if Brina offered to see him then, it would be much easier.
"Perhaps you could bring him back from the creche on occasion?"
"Yes, I'd be happy to. When he knows me better, perhaps." Brina set down
her cup with a light heart. "I'm glad we've worked this out between us.
Family ties are so important, even the ones we can never acknowledge."
Yriadha nodded. "Just so you're aware, my adult children here,
Torinya, Riadem, and Humari, aren't aware of Yavin's parentage."
Riadem was, but she wasn't about to admit that and she thought that
Humari had an idea; her daughter simply didn't speak about it. Torinya
had been there when she'd birthed Yavin, but didn't know for certain
who Yavin's father was. Only Riadem knew for certain. "They're much
too busy with their own lives to really be involved with him much,
though Torinya does care for him on occasion when I ask. I would
appreciate it if this stays between you, Lord Bryvin and myself."
"Of course. Lord Bryvin has already explained to me that it's best not
spoken of." Brina remembered how he'd been concerned for the boy's
safety, and wondered if he'd warned Yriadha, too. She met the
Headwoman's gaze with compassion. "I hope that one day, your family will
know about your generosity, but neither they nor anyone else will hear
of it from me."
Brina would be a good ally to have, Yriadha decided. "Thank you. I
suppose we can start later this sevenday. We can have a tea while
Yavin is playing in our quarters. Would that be acceptable?"
The lady nodded, and though her words were formal they were spoken with
warmth and gratitude. "Thank you, Headwoman. I'll look forward to it,
very much." She rose. "I'd better not keep you from your work any
longer. I suppose we'll see each other at dinner?"
"Of course." Yriadha offered a smile of acknowledgment as she rose
with the Lady. "Yes. You're very welcome, Lady Brina."
Last updated on the January 14th 2021