An Unexpected Surprise

Writers: Avery, Chelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 30th April 2015

Characters: Rhosyn, Bryvin, Zelah
Description: The three of them sit down to food and Rhosyn hands over a gift.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Briata, Yriadha; Notes: Precedes Between the Women

Bryvin

Zelah

Once she had a chance to bathe and change into her day clothes, Rhosyn found herself feeling better. Led by a drudge, she found herself in a private room where they had set up a table and food. Hoping Bryvin and Xeladrie would be joining her soon, she carried the carisak with her on her arm. Not waiting for companions, however, she sat down and put the sak on the floor and then began to put things on her plate. After all, she was just as hungry as her dragon.

Xeladrie had changed into a dress that was comfortable and flowing, but still had pretty embroidery to distinguish it from a regular day dress. She was looking forward to having some quiet time with the Weyrwoman. The big gatherings where all the important people were there were a little overwhelming, and she felt like her role was just to stand there being ornamental. Now she could actually talk some.

"I hope our hospitality has been comfortable so far?" she asked when she arrived to the room. Rhosyn had food and had changed, so surely the staff was doing something right.

"Mmm indeed. This is actually my first real visit to Sunstone since Morin's big gather. So many things have changed since then." Her tone wasn't wistful since she didn't know the old Lord Holder all that well nor the new one yet.

"I hope you'll find that we're transforming the hold for the better. Not that I can say anything about how Morin ran the hold, of course. But I hope we'll build something successful here."

"What do you measure success by Xeladrie?" Rhosyn didn't necessarily think that was always a good thing. Then again, as long as the tithe came in, she didn't mind much what they did.

"Sorry I'm late Ladies," Bryvin said as he walked in the door. He smiled at them both and bent to kiss his wife's cheek. "I was
unavoidably detained."

"Good to see you," Xeladrie said to her husband. With him here, she hesitated, wondering how to frame it.

"I would define the Hold as a success if it begins to look more like a classic Hold. More buildings, more people, more control over the surrounding cotholds. Building them into minor Holds that still look to us, forming a more traditional structure than has been here so far. And if we can hand it down to our heir as larger and stronger than it was when my Lord Husband took over."

"As I understand from my harper lessons, a Lord Holder is there to protect and serve his people. Is it better to do so when the Hold itself is profitable? Yes. The more resources available-the more you can do to assist your people. Without them, though, you don't have a Hold. But without the Lord's protection, most of them wouldn't have access to many things. So it's a symbiotic relationship. Just like the Weyr depends on the Hold for resources but in turn we protect the Hold. Much the same thing. Because if we didn't, you wouldn't have any resources since thread would eat the crops, wood, livestock.." Rhosyn became quiet, considering. Then she looked at them both now that they were together.

Xeladrie nodded as she listened, but stayed silent.

"My visit today serves two purposes. The first being since I have not been here since you took hold Bryvin-it was time. The second being with the arrival of your new Lady, I thought to offer a gift." She brought out her carisak and put her hands inside. Being very careful, she lifted a pot out of it and set it on the table. "My daughter's fostermother has a queen firelizard who clutches every so often. She offers me the
eggs if I have need of them. I've decided, if you wish it, you can have this one."

Xeladrie's vision of Sunstone's success didn't really surprise Bryvin. It was what he wanted it to look like to the other Lords around. Of course his own thoughts about success went in a little different direction. He smiled and nodded taking a seat during the Weyrwoman's tutorial on the real meaning of success. He kept a bland look on his face not giving away his own reaction to her attempt at instructing him in his duty, as if he hadn't had his own Harper lessons.

"It was kind of you to come," Bryvin nodded and lifted his wife's hand to entwine his fingers with hers. "We are honored." He turned to smile at Xeladrie, "Would you like to have it my dear?" His own small brown was off doing who knows what.

A firelizard egg. For her? Xeladrie had been trying to keep her
composed proper Lady's mask up when talking to an important personage like the Weyrwoman, but the idea of such a special gift for her made her face light up and showed her as the teenaged girl she still was.

"I'd love to," she said, looking at her husband. It sounded like he'd let her...

"Then it shall be yours," he smiled down into her eyes. Treek chose that moment to appear and glide across the room with a warble of greeting. Bryvin held up his arm for the little brown to alight. "I'm sure it will bring you joy." He turned his charming smile on the Weyrwoman. "Thank you so much for thinking of us Rhosyn." Treek sidled up to his shoulder and wrapped his tail around the Lord Holder's neck. His eyes whirled a happy blue as he peered around the room.

She gave her husband a warm smile, then looked back to the visiting Weyrwoman. "Yes, thank you so much," Xeladrie enthusiastically agreed.

"Just think of it as the Weyr showing its appreciation for your support as well as a reminder that we can help you with certain things from time to time." She didn't want to be pulled into Hold business but Rhosyn did want them to know that they were there if they were needed. "We're pleased that you will enjoy the gift. I'd suggest putting it near somewhere warm rather
quickly though."

Bryvin raised a finger to stroke a tiny brown eyeridge. It hadn't been that long since Treek had hatched. "We have the perfect spot," he nodded at the Weyrwoman. "And thank you again for the gift." He leaned forward and put an arm on the table not letting go of his wife's hand. "We do honor the Weyr here m'lady. Is there anything we have that might make your day more pleasant?" They had plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It was one of the perks of living in a Hold. While the Weyr received a tithe and they did send very good selection, still there were some things that didn't travel well.

"There's some lovely orchard fruit," Xeladrie said. She picked one of them up herself and began to eat it. Fruit was something that hadn't triggered her nausea.

Rhosyn wasn't a huge one for seafood which seemed to be Sunstone's specialty. "No, I'm fine enough with the meal spread before me. If you don't mind, though, Bryvin if there is ever a need I have in future I might remind you of what you said?" She hoped he got the gist of that. A favor stored for another day was quite valuable.

Xeladrie looked at her husband, wondering what he would say.

"Of course," he agreed genially. "Will you be spending the night? I'll have Yriadha make up the guest suite for you."

"No of course not. I'll be heading back to the Weyr before sundown." Rhosyn nodded to herself. "Thank you for the offer, though."

Last updated on the May 5th 2015

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An Unexpected Surprise