For The Hold That Raised Her

Writers: Jelena, Suzee
Date Posted: 28th July 2016

Characters: Genna, Benani
Description: Genna pays a visit to the Lady Holder and they discuss Zathris' disappearance.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 7 of Turn 8
Notes: Follows 'The Pleasant Side of the Family'.

Genna

Benani

At first Genna hadn't really intended on visiting Benani, figuring the
Lady Holder had other things on her mind. But it probably would be
rude not to visit and after her uncle's prompt, she decided to at
least make her presence known. So she informed with one of Benani's
servants if the Lady Holder had time for a visitor, stressing that she
was there on personal title only and would understand if Benani had
more pressing matters. Waiting for a reply, she sat twiddling her
thumbs, making idle chat with passerby's. Everyone seemed to want to
talk to her these days. How a gold dragon could change your
popularity.

Benani heard the commotion and at first thought it must be news of her
husband so she felt an almost trepidation as the drudge came in to her
sitting room.

She sighed in relief when it wasn't bad news about Zathris and nodded.
"Of course," she smiled. "Please bring her to me at once." There was a
great deal of pride in the young gold rider from Amber Hills and
Benani shared that pride with the rest of the hold.

When Genna joined Benani in the sitting room, she gave the Lady Holder
one of her warmest smiles. She had no idea what the woman was going
through and she had already been through so much. "Good day, Lady
Benani. I'm glad you have a moment to receive me. How are you doing?"

Benani took a long breath before she replied and the smile she gave
the goldrider was tinged with sadness. "I guess I'm alright...
considering." She waived her hand toward a comfortable chair as her
maids brought in a tray of tea. "I hear good things about you though."

"I'm so sorry for everything you are going through, I can't even begin
to imagine what it must feel like. I just hope the whole story gets a
happy ending really soon," Genna met the sad smile with all the
compassion she could muster, realising suddenly that her own problems
paled in comparison. "And I'm glad you do. I do my best to uphold a
good reputation. For Dragonsfall, of course, but for Amber Hills and
my family here as well."

"I can't help but agree with you there," Benani smiled. How much
little Genna had grown and matured. "Tell me about Lissath."

Genna smiled easily, now there was a subject she could talk about all
day. She figured Benani knew as much, as any rider perked up talking
about their dragon, and she expected the Lady Holder wanted to lift
the mood of the conversation a little. She couldn't blame her.
"Lissath is a piece of work. She can be a true lady or a total bully
from one moment to the next. And she's chatty, eerily chatty in a way
I haven't seen much in other dragons. When she feels she has something
important to say, she won't hesitate to talk directly to a person
instead of talking through me." Genna still wasn't sure how she should
feel about that, but it was how Lissath worked and she'd grown to
accept it as a personality trait.

Benani's eyebrows went up. "Really? I'd heard it was very rare for any
dragon to speak to humans other than their own riders. That's
amazing," she smiled.

"It is, and kind of embarrassing sometimes, especially because it's so
rare. At first I thought it was because our bond wasn't as strong as
with other pairs, but I guess maybe it's because it's strong. Or just
because she's crazy like that," Genna chuckled a little. "I don't
really mind, I just don't want her to embarrass the Weyr."

"Oh I'm sure that isn't going to happen Genna," Benani reached out to
her with a smile. "She _is_ a Lady after all, as are you now."

"Who would have guessed all those turns ago." Genna smiled. She was
glad Lissath had helped her grow up so fast. "How is Amber Hills
faring? Are you happy working with the Weyr?" Perhaps she could try to
step up a little, get more involved in the relations between
Dragonsfall and Amber Hills. She was so familiar with both after all.
She'd have to remember to talk to Saibra about that.

Benani smiled back. "We're doing alright. My brothers are all keeping
things going and Royah has agreed to take the primary roll until
Zathris if finally found. I can only hope they don't give up because I
don't think I could handle that very well."

"I can imagine. There is always hope, until someone brings proof
otherwise, I'd say," Genna said with a nod. "Lord Zathris strikes me
as a very resourceful man, if he stranded somewhere, surely he found a
way to keep himself alive."

"Thank you for that," Benani said sincerely. Everyone around her had
been gently urging her in the opposite direction. "Please just don't
let the Weyr give up their search."

"I will do what I can, but you know I can't promise anything." Genna
said seriously. If it was only her voice against many other, more
experienced ones, she had no misconception her ideas would be
followed. But she could try. It was the least she could do for the
Hold that had raised her.

"That is all I ask," she smiled. "I know he's still alive."

Last updated on the August 3rd 2016

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For The Hold That Raised Her