Like Herdbeasts

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 25th February 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Nurse
Description: Benaroy
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 3

Benaroy peeked into the cradle at the tiny little baby sleeping. He was sure the child was no longer than his forearm. So helpless, innocent, vulnerable. It made him remember his first born son, one of two he had lost in the plague. He wondered how old he would be now. No, he didn't have to wonder. He knew. Fifty-two, and would probably have had grandchildren on his own by now. His reverie was interrupted by a gentle hand on his arm.

"My Lord? Are you all right?" came the familiar, soft, feminine voice.

"Yes," he nodded. "I was just looking at our new addition. Serastin's child, isn't it? A boy?"

The middle-aged woman nodded, her brown eyes soft with affection as they flickered from the Lord to the baby. "Strong. Healthy."

"That's the way we need them," he nodded as he looked down at the sleeping child. "I remember when babies used to be a blessing, not a necessity."

"It'll be like that again, my Lord," she said gently. "The Turns will bring change."

"Yes, I suppose it will. This little one makes the third born in the Hold this month. One more is due any day. We have lost two Holders this month due to old age, and the healers fear we may lose Diechi to pneumonia. If the baby is born alive and healthy, that will be one in the black. If Diechi holds on it will make two. And in my book that means a good month." The Lord Holder sighed as he reached a finger gnarled with arthritis down to touch the soft newborn cheek. "It's sad, isn't it? Since the plague we have counted people like we count heads of herdbeasts."

The nurse said nothing, her silence speaking for itself.

"Herbeasts," he repeated with a deep sigh. **We breed them like herbeasts too,** The Lord Holder thought. **I had two wives die in childbirth trying to repopulate this Hold. What a terrible thing to do to a person. They could have lived rich full lives in another Hold. But here...** "But maybe by the time this little one is old enough to marry then... Well, you're right, maybe things will be different."

"I have to believe it too, my Lord." She looked up at him. "For my own child. I have to believe it."

"That's right, you were only able to have the one..." He gave her an apologetic smile. It was not mean to be as accusing as it sounded. The service she provided the Hold was invaluable. But families had been encouraged to have as many children as possible. He had tried to set the example in that. Children were the future of the Hold. They were their only hope. If were to continue growing, if they were to live in comfort instead of hand to mouth ever turn.

She looked away. "Yes, my Lord." Just her one, beautiful daughter by her first husband.

"Well, perhaps there is still time?" he said hopefully.

"Of course," she lied softly, turning an encouraging smile on him.

He looked down when the little baby began to stir ever so slightly, and then decided it wasn't worth the trouble to wake up yet and fell back asleep. "So what did they decide to call this little one?"

"Artin," the nurse murmured, her smile fuller as she returned her gaze to child.

"Artin," Benaroy repeated with an approving nod. A good, strong name. "Well, sleep peacefully, little Artin." **We will have need of you soon enough...**

Last updated on the February 25th 2006

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Like Herdbeasts