My Brother's Keeper (1)

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 31st July 2018

Characters: Zathris, Saedriel
Description: Zathris is confronted with some unpleasant rumors about Benamil
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 18 of Turn 9
Notes: Revisit the post "When Things Go from Bad to Worse" to see Saedriel's intro.

Zathris

Zathris studied the woman's face as she sat, smugly crossing one leg over the other and letting her foot bob back and forth in a sultry manner. She was strikingly beautiful by typical standards with a head full of long, gleaming chestnut curls and smokey, emerald eyes. Her make-up was bold and her clothing well-tailored to show off curves and cleavage.

The Lord Holder had one word to describe the woman across from him, **Barmoth.** The type of woman that spent their nights in taverns looking for an evening with a man who had means.

"Say it again," he ordered, giving her his full attention now, which he hadn't been doing until he thought he heard her say -

"Benamil. Your brother-in-law, he's gay. I know for a fact that he slinks away frequently to the Vintner Hall to see Arion, his lover. The 'marriage' between him and his new bride is a sham."

"And what was your name, again?"

"Saedriel," she nearly purred the word, setting Zathris's teeth on edge.

The Lord Holder didn't respond to her accusation immediately, but studied her face, her body language. It was clear she felt she was telling the truth, she was confident and proud to be telling it, in fact. But why?

Zathris had to continue forward with caution. People came after The Blood frequently to try to exploit money and status from them. If she was telling the truth it meant that not only had Benamil lied to his face but what would Benani think when she found out?

He had no choice but to call in the affected parties and get to the bottom of things, and quickly, before Saedriel started rumors that could tear apart his family.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked, as if he didn't know.

"I'm perfectly willing to keep Benamil's secret and protect Benaroy's family from humiliation... for a price." Ah, there it was.

Zathris steepled his fingers together, "And what is your price?"

"You could take me as a mistress, I'm sure there's a nice room here in the Hold. Buy me pretty things," she made a show of crossing her legs again.

"Ha," the mirthless sound burst out before Zathris could stop it. "Save it, sister. It's not happening, I don't care what kind of secrets you think you know." He'd only strayed from Benani once, and that was never happening again.

Saedriel's eyes hardened, the playful smile replaced by a thinning of her lips, "Money then, and plenty of it."

Zathris had no intentions of giving Saedriel anything except a kick in the rear and a good riddance.

"I guess we'll need to find out if what you say is the truth then. I've got a parlor where you can wait while I get to the bottom of this, the drudge there will bring you refreshment while you wait, if you wish." The Lord Holder stood and directed her to a room just down the hall.

Once Saedriel was inside, Zathris closed the door and locked it from the outside with his key and then he turned to the drudge at his elbow, "Fetch Lady Benani, Lady Nazli and Journeyman Benamil, I want them in my office. Now."

Zathris was sure her brother's secret life would come as a shock to Benani, but he wanted his wife there to be sure that he did the right thing by Benamil in case the worst were true.

Last updated on the August 21st 2018

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My Brother's Keeper (1)