Bedrest Doesn't Stop Her
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Jelena, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 24th October 2016
Characters: Felyna, Birano
Description: Gossip leads Felyna to show exactly why she's the Lady of Emerald Falls.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 1 of Turn 8
"Come in!" Felyna called out rather cheerfully at the knock on the door. Though she wasn't particularly hungry, a visit from one of the kitchen workers had come to be a welcome distraction from the monotony of her bedrest. She eagerly awaited the turn of the door, hoping to see one of 'her girls' with her lunch tray.
Birano bustled in with the wheeled cart that held Felyna's lunch, shutting the door securely. "Good afternoon, my Lady," she said brightly, parking the cart by the bed and lifting the legged tray off it, settling it over the Lady's disappearing lap. "Today we have a bit of bread and some lightly seasoned pork cuts, and leek soup, and ginger tea for your stomach." She took the covers off the warm dishes and set down the cutlery. "And I also have more news, my Lady, Remember what I told you about Awmmi?" She leaned in conspiratorially. "She thinks her baby is actually her cousin Darfen's, and not her husband's, so she's going to run away with Darfen. How scandalous -not to mention foolish- can you get?"
"Thank you, Birano," Felyna said warmly, showing the same kindness she showed to every member of her staff. "You checked everything with one of the healers, right?" Felyna had gotten a little paranoid after hearing a few too many rumors on what was likely to cause premature labor or miscarriage and she had every meal screened by a healer before she even touched it.
When the girl got into the juicy bits of gossip right away, she wriggled up a little straighter so she could look Birano in the eyes. "Now how did you come across such outrageous nonsense," she laughed, her eyes showing the girl she meant no disrespect. "Did Miriwa spread those rumors? You know how upset she still is about Awmmi's marriage."
"This food is perfectly safe," Birano promised sincerely. She knew Felyna had reason to worry; if healers orders a pregnant woman to bedrest, the situation wasn't good. So she had no problem reassuring Felyna often. "And no, I didn't get the information from Miriwa, I got it right from Awmmi. You and I are the only ones to know!"
"Thank you Birano," Felyna said, picking up her knife and fork and trying to decide where to start. She wasn't all that hungry, not much use for fuel when you were lying in bed all day. When the girl moved on to their gossip, Felyna lowered the cutlery again and looked slightly distressed, before correcting herself quickly. Stress wasn't good on the baby, so she took a long deep breath. "That's a serious problem, then." Felyna would have no woman under her care, no matter how high- or lowborn, make such a stupid mistake. "We'll have to act quickly. When you leave, ask Iszrylla to come see me at once. And tell no one about what you heard. You know I'll know if you do. We have to keep this as small as possible." There was no way she was going to handle this herself in her current position, but she could mobilize one of her ladies-in-waiting. Iszrylla would be able to manage this particular crisis.
Birano looked surprised. "But- My Lady, I don't understand. If Awmmi's suspicions are right, won't it be best if she goes with Darfen? I mean, it _is_ foolishness, but he's a good and gentle man. Well, so is Awmmi's husband, but if the situation is as it seems, he'll react the way any man who'd been cheated on would. And even if the baby isn't Darfen's, he would care for it."
"Do you have any idea what kind of future they would be looking to? They would have to hide who they really are, pretend to be married, unable to get any good references when looking for a new job," Felyna shook her head. They would never get a letter of endorsement from her if they acted so foolishly. "There are many other ways to handle this. But let me and Iszrylla figure those out. Just don't be surprised if Awmmi decides to stay and gives birth to a baby that takes a lot more after her than her husband. You can be a help and look for anything in it that even remotely resembles Vindris, promote that."
After a moment of thought, the kitchen maid nodded. "You're right. It would be best to try preventing the foolishness. I'll give it a try, but I can't promise Awmmi will listen. She seems very determined to see this through. Perhaps she's afraid."
"Leave the convincing to Iszrylla," Felyna said with a kind smile. That woman had a silver tongue, she could convince a rider to sell his straps if need be. "It was very wise of you to come to me, I'll handle it further." It seemed the situation was still fresh enough to be nipped in the bud, hopefully it would all blow over without anyone noticing. "The news can't be all this distressful, can it? Nothing exciting going on?" she asked, looking to change to subject, before the girl got too caught up in the situation.
"Oh, little Kanati took her first steps today. Ormina is so proud. And do you remember Pellton, by chance? He proved to his grumpy old uncle that he really is suited to work with runnerbeasts. He got that poor mare that doesn't trust a single person to accept a saddle and bridle yesterday, thanks to all his love and care. Soon it might even be safe to ride her. Pellton may just have a career in rehabilitating abused runners. Just imagine the Marks we could save if we could give hurt runners something new to do, instead of needing to buy new ones."
"Ooh, how nice for Ormina!" Felina had to push away a pang of hurt at the mention of another's child's successes. It always made her wonder about little Felwal, at what age he would have taken his first steps, spoken his first words.. She quickly grasped at the next story, knowing she was falling back in to a dark place that would swallow her whole if she let it. "And that is truly wonderful for Pellton. It is good to see hard work repaid. But does that mare trust others now, too?" A runner that only accepted one rider wasn't too useful in a Hold in her opinion.
"I'm afraid we'll have to see," Birano said with a shrug. "Pellton thinks it would be best if we tried her with women and children first; you know, non-threatening types. He said that runner seems very fond of little ones. Probably because of the bits of sugar-beet they used to sneak her."
"As long as they make sure it's safe," Felyna said. The idea of small children being too close to a possibly dangerous runner - no matter how good at heart - gave her an unpleasant feeling. "Well, thank you for bringing me the latest news, dear. I won't keep you too long, I'm sure you have many other duties to attend to. And don't forget to swing by Iszrylla first."
"It's always a pleasure to speak with you, my Lady," Birano said, and it was true. Felyna was truly kind. The kitchen worker dropped her a curtsy, and went to speak with Iszrylla.
Last updated on the December 17th 2016