Beautiful Deception

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 14th May 2015

Characters: Demir, Rethisa, Allera
Description: Demir arrives bringing gifts.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris

Demir

When he journeyed to Amber Hills this time, he took his time and made
the trip slowly. He wanted his present to arrive in perfect condition.
The beautiful white mare he led was perfectly conformed and brushed
until her winter coat was gone and she gleamed. A delicate gray muzzle
and fore socks were the only things that weren't the color of
Rethisa's hair. About half an hour out of the hold he and his
attendants dismounted from their own runners.

Demir then brushed and curried the mare with his own hands. She was
beautiful with a lovely gentle personality like his Rethisa, for he
thought of her that way.

Once Lord Zathris had given him permission to ask his sister if she
would allow him to court her, this plan had formed. He didn't know
much about her other than that she had been deeply hurt. This he
sensed just from the way she kept herself slightly away from others
around her. It spoke to him in the way beasts did when they were
injured. He would go gently and the first thing to bring her was a
beautiful gift.

And so it was that when he arrived with his party late in the
afternoon they rode up to the front door with a beautiful runner of
the best stock.

The ladies of the Hold were in a stir. Once the guards had spotted
Demir's entourage in the distance word had been sent to prepare rooms
and accommodations for the holder and his men. It was no secret now
why Demir was making visits to Amber Hills, and ever since people had
found out that Rethisa was the reason, she'd been getting extra
attention.

"Well, you can't wear that."Allera said bluntly, her brown eyes
traveling up and down the rather plain, brown dress that Rethisa was
wearing. Allera had been one of Benani's attendants but while Rethisa
had been at Amber Hills, her sister-in-law had been kind enough to
lend Allera's helping hands to Rethisa.

Rethisa liked that Allera was sassy and blunt, it certainly made life
more entertaining. "And why ever not?" She arched one platinum blonde
eyebrow as she looked down over the finely tailored, ecru dress.

Allera snorted, "Word from the guard's tower is that there is a
stunning white runner at the front of the Hidden Meadows party. Demir
doesn't ride a white runner, now does he?" She began picking through
Rethisa's hair, without asking, pulling out the braids to redo them in
a more crisp, clean manner.

"No, I suppose he does not. You think...." Rethisa trailed off, "You
think he is bringing it for _me_?"

"Of course he is! You are worth an entire herd of white runners. I say
he's getting off easy." The attendant pursed her lips as she finished
with Rethisa's hair. "Now, let's get you into a dress that says, 'Take
me, I'm yours'."

"Allera!" Rethisa gasped.

Allera's eyebrows raised, "Oh, stop it, don't act as if you are going
to turn down his proposal."

The woman licked her lips as she watched Allera pull out a beautiful,
cerulean blue dress that created a stark contrast against her
white-blonde hair. **I should turn him down.** Rethisa knew that lying
to Demir about being pregnant was the last thing that the man
deserved. He was so good, and honest.... **If only I'd been married to
him when I was sixteen instead of Verlow.** But on the other hand,
Rethisa had no doubt that if she told Demir up front she was with
child he would not go through with the marriage and then what would
she do with the child?

"Make me look beautiful, Allera." She said with a lift of her chin as
she summoned her courage to do what must be done.

They arrived with a jangle of runner tack and the drudges gathered
around to help with the bags and unloading. Demir and his party had
planned to stay for a bit, so they'd packed accordingly. He'd left his
brother Mirdello in charge of Hidden Valley even though he knew
Mirdello secretly hoped this marriage wouldn't come off and the Hold
would be up for grabs again.

When she finally appeared at the top of the stairs he paused a moment
to appreciate the view of her in the blue dress. She really was
incredibly lovely. He led the white runner toward the bottom of the
steps with a smile. "My Lady," he said with a bow and a sweep of his
hat.

Even despite the inner turmoil she had experienced earlier, a smile
rose to her lips as she looked down at Demir from her place atop the
steps. Descending the staircase, the train of the blue dress she wore
fluttered behind her to cascade down the steps, under the watchful eye
of Alera, who remained a few, respectful, paces behind Rethisa.

"Milord," she greeted him properly first, and then with more
familiarity, "Demir." The intensity of the man's blue eyes made her
stomach flutter, and for a moment she feared that there would be no
way for her to deceive Demir in such a manner, not when he looked at
her like that.

"Perhaps I should have asked if you ride," his smile turned just a
little bit goofy and he handed her the reins. "She's yours." Then he
dropped to one knee and looked up at her expectantly. "Lady Rethisa
will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Rethisa's eyes studied the fine white runner, and she thought of
Shadow in the Wind, the gentle-spirited mare that she had loved when
she lived with Verlow. The pitiful creature's shrieks when Verlow
stuck her with his knife still rang in her ears. Accepting this fine
creature with its gleaming mane seemed like a betrayel of Shadow's
memory. Her eyes turned to Demir's blue orbs. **Do what you have to
do.** She told herself.

"I would be honored." And then she smiled, "Yes."

Last updated on the May 21st 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Beautiful Deception