The Lord's Ultimatum

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 5th February 2019

Characters: Nazli, Benamil
Description: Benamil tries to comfort Nazli after Lord Zathris' ultimatum.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 18 of Turn 9
Notes: Immediately follows "My Brother's Keeper (3)"

Nazli

Benamil

Nazli was weeping by the time they reached their quarters. She'd been
gripping Benamil's hand so tightly she could hardly feel her fingers
anymore when she finally let go at the door. **A baby** she knew
perfectly well how babies were supposed to be made and they'd
promised. Lady Benani had promised! Benamil had promised they could
remain friends. She'd been comfortable with that thought but now her
heart was pounding and fear made her mind numb. She wrung her hands
together as she began to pace back and forth. "What are we going to
do?"

Benamil had been wondering the same thing as they walked back to their
quarters. His first thought had been of Arion, of course, and what
would happen to the vintner. Then his brain had circled around to what
Zathris had said about having a child. A child did bring them
security, but was it really worth it? His frantic mind had even
considered just uprooting him and Nazli both and moving to the Weyr,
that way they could live their life however they chose without input
from anyone else... But his family was at Amber Hills, and so was
Arion.

"I don't know, Nazli. Maybe we should just let it rest for a couple of
days and then I'll talk to Zathris again and see if we won't listen to
reason." Benamil had never found much fault in his brother-in-law, but
the fear he saw in Nazli's face made him wish the Lord Holder could
see the trouble he was causing.

"Lady Benani promised," she whispered and her eyes turned to her
husband. She wasn't afraid of him, she knew he wanted another man and
that made her safe. So she turned back to him and walked into his
arms. "She promised."

Benamil wrapped his arms around her, hugging her safely against his
chest as he rested his cheek on top of her head. "Don't panic. We'll
figure it out, I promise."

She tried very hard to squash the panic threatening to overwhelm her.
Her hands were shaking out of control but she breathed like Lady
Benani had taught her and soon the blackness that threatened to claim
her receded. "I trust you Benamil," she said softly. She realized at
that moment that her life could be safe with Benamil and if that meant
making a baby, she'd do whatever he thought. He would never hurt her.
She knew that much.

"I never thought Saedriel would do something like that..." Benamil
shook his head. He was embarrassed to even be associated with someone
like her, but to know that she had been the one to try and blackmail
Zathris- he was just grateful the Lord Holder had agreed to take care
of her.

"Who is she anyway," Nazli tilted her head back to look up at him.

"Just a woman I met at the tavern back when I was... confused about
what I wanted." Benamil didn't know how to explain it to Nazli, mostly
because it was embarrassing. "I had forgotten about her entirely until
today."

"So you think she just wants money?" Nazli didn't know him all that
well yet but what she did know made her tend to believe his
explanation.

"That's all I can think. Our acquaintance was very brief." An hour at
best, he thought.

For the first time in her life Nazli's fear turned to rage. "This is
all _her_ fault then." She shook her head in denial. "She is in this
for her own gain no matter how it hurts anyone else."

"Sadly she's not the only one in the world like that, especially when
it comes to the Blood families." Benamil stroked soothing circles on
Nazli's back, the same way he'd done with his sisters growing up.

"It's still her fault and Lord Zathris shouldn't give her anything.
She will just keep holding this over your head." She took a deep
breath. The strokes on her back were doing their job. "Do you think
he's right? Is having a baby the way to silence her?"

Benamil's cheeks puffed with air as he considered that loaded
question. He really wished that Zathris had kept his big fat mouth
shut about the baby thing. While he could see the logic of it, it also
put a considerable strain on the already tenuous deal that he and
Nazli had struck.

"I don't think he suggested the baby to silence Saedriel, but to
silence rumors in general," he said. "I'm not sure if it's the right
answer or not. It's a big decision."

Nazli shook her head. She had no idea how to get her head around this
situation. "I think I need to lay down," she said and withdrew
slightly. "My head is aching and I'm not feeling well." It was an old
excuse that came easily to her lips. She turned toward her room that
was separate from her husbands. He'd never come into hers and she'd
never gone into his. That might have to change but she couldn't bear
the thought right now. She stopped with her hand on the nob. "You're
going to have to figure out how to tell Arion. Please let him know I'm
sorry."

"I'll pass along the word. I'd like for you two to meet, when you're
ready." Benamil said. He wasn't sure when that moment would be, but it
seemed odd and disjointed to have the two major parts of his life not
on the same page.

She nodded slightly. "He's in this boat with us," she sighed. "Though
maybe not quite so physically impacted." A tear welled up and she
dashed it away. "Thank you Benamil for trying to protect me."

"We'll work it out, I promise, Nazli." Benamil hated to see her cry,
especially since the entire situation was his fault and everyone he
knew was sacrificing for him.

Last updated on the February 28th 2019

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The Lord's Ultimatum