Things to Do (Part 2)

Writers: Bree, Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 15th April 2006

Characters: Shadux, Royani, Mariss
Description: While the Lord Holder, Steward, and Vintners meet, Shadux and Royani take care of Mariss, who doesn't want to be taken care of
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 2 of Turn 3

Mariss followed Shadux and Royani meekly down the unfamiliar halls, hopelessly lost. The way Amber Hills Hold was laid out was completely different than the way Amethyst Cliff was built - had been built. She'd never been anywhere new that was large enough to get lost in before, and it was a sobering experience. "Where are we?" she finally asked.

"We're in the Family Wing now," Shadux said reassuringly. "We're almost there."

Mariss hated vague answers. "Almost where?"

"The Ladies Solar," he said as they rounded another corner. "The ladies of the Hold are very excited to be meeting you today."

The... "Umm... what?" Mariss stopped dead in the middle of the hall. They were in the middle of a crisis. This was not the time for idle introductions! "Wouldn't it be a better idea for me to meet with the Headwoman? I have some things to arrange with her - and with you, since you're acting on your father's behalf."

Royani laughed lightly and glanced back over her shoulder. "Mariss, the Headwoman's going to be busy for a few days. And Shadux is being a gentleman by escorting us to the solar, but he's got a lot to do, too. If you want to be useful, you can help us sort through the spare clothing. We're trying to find things that can be mended for the refugees."

"Which is very useful, but I _must_ speak with the Headwoman." Mariss wasn't used to having her requests laughed at, and tried to keep the irritation from her voice. She was used to Amethyst Cliff's residents, who knew that her word carried her father's weight behind it. "Da expects me to work with her regarding the Holders from home, to make sure that they're taken care of. Some of them have unique circumstances."

Mariss might not be used to being laughed at, but Royani was
certainly not used to having the young girls in the Hold disagree
with her. "I'm sure you misunderstood, Mariss. I promised father we'd stay in the solar unless he calls for us, and that's exactly what we're going to do. We have been assigned a task, and it wouldn't be right to go flitting off and getting in the way."

"Exactly." Mariss made as if to put her hands on her hips, but
stopped herself before she did so. The numbweed dulled the pain, but there was no use in carelessly re-injuring herself because she couldn't feel it. "I have been assigned a task, and I intend to see that it is done. Where can I find the Headwoman?"

Shadux slowed down to fall into step with their young guest. "The Headwoman is busy preparing a place for your people. Don't worry Mariss, they will be well taken care of. The best way you can help us right now is to help the ladies prepare provisions for your people. I'll make sure they are settle all right."

"And I'm sure that you will do your best, but you don't know who - or what - to expect." Mariss turned to Shadux, hoping that he'd at least _listen_ instead of dismissing her outright like some silly helpless chit. "I do, and Da expects me to pull my weight. That's why he brought me here. I know who is likely to arrive via dragonback and who can be bunked with whom without conflict, and what sorts of injuries to prepare for. I can deal with problems - these are _my_ Holders, and they'll listen to me." Or at least know that someone was listening to them...

Royani laid a comforting hand on Mariss' arm. "I know you feel like you want to help, Mariss, but Shadux is just as good at his job as his father. I'm sure your father would expect you to obey _my_ father's wishes, and the Lord Holder wants us in the solar. You can help me organize the ladies and tell us what clothing you need the most. My father will explain things to your father, I'm sure."

Mariss suppressed a frustrated sigh. "I know you mean well, Royani, but sorting clothing is wasted on me. I'm needed elsewhere." How could she explain to them? She wasn't an understeward, precisely, or a headwoman's assistant, precisely - they didn't _understand_! "And whether or not Lord Benaroy approves can be dealt with later. Right now I'm responsible for coordinating help on this end on behalf of the people of Amethyst Cliff while my Da goes back to the Hold to help there. We can't find the Lord's family or Viv- the Headwoman, so there is no one else."

All friendliness faded from Royani's face as she drew herself up. "It's _wasted_ on you?" she demanded. "Who do you think you are? You're nothing but the daughter of a steward, and you're a rude and ill-mannered at that. If you plan to _stay_ in my father's Hold, you had best learn to care what he thinks. I don't know how things were done at _Amethyst Cliff_, but we obey our Lord Holder at Amber Hills Hold!"

"I _am_ the daughter of a Steward, and my duty is to _my_ Hold!"
Mariss shot back.

"All right, enough both of you!" Shadux cut it fixing both of them with a suddenly steeling glare. "Royani, I don't care what she said, she is still our guest and your father would be most disappointed to hear you speaking to her so rudely." He then turned his eyes on Mariss, and though his eyes softened a bit, his tone was just as hard. "I know you have been through a terrible time, Mariss, and I understand your desire to help, but this is _not_ your responsibility. Thread falls tomorrow, and we have to get as many of your people here and settled before it comes as we possibly can. Neither I nor my Headwoman have time to discuss this with you. If you have an opinion on the way we are handling the situation, then please talk to us tomorrow when Thread falls and we actually _might_ have time while we prepare for the rest of you to come. Until then, I'm sure we will be able to handle any problems that might arise. There is only one acting steward at Amber Hills, and right now that's _me_, not you and not your father."

Mariss paled, looking as if she'd been slapped. "This is my duty, and if you would simply give me a _chance_ I can prove to you that I am capable. If you'll allow me to assist you there won't _be_ problems. And you weren't there. You have _no_ idea what I've been through. What they've been through. Please, just let me speak with the Headwoman."

He grabbed both of her arms gently and leaned in closer, looking her right in the eye. "I'm sorry, Mariss, but we don't have the _time_."

Tears stung Mariss' eyes; she blinked them away. "If you don't have the _time_ to listen to someone who knows what she's doing, then at the very least lead me back to the courtyard so I can be there when the dragons come back with the holders. I need to do something. I can't just- just sit around, any more than you could."

Royani spoke stiffly, making it obvious that she was trying to resist the urge to snap again. "I assure you, as useless as you might find the tasks that the ladies have been assigned, none of us have any intention of _sitting around_. Everyone has been assigned a task, Mariss, and I'm asking you now to accompany me to do yours."

"Please Mariss," Shadux said gently, almost pleadingly. He really didn't have more time to waste.

"Please, let me help. I won't be in the way. I know what I'm doing." Mariss' voice shook.

"And you will be," he said as he looped his arm through hers and
tried to guide her towards the door. "But this is where we really need your help right now. Please, Mariss."

She bit back a frustrated sob. "Why won't you listen to me?"

Royani slipped past them to the door to the solar and stepped inside for a moment. When she stepped out, a young girl went scampering past them in the direction of the infirmary, and a sympathetic looking matronly old woman moved over to Mariss and slid an arm around her shoulders. "You poor dear, you've had a terrible time. I don't know what these two are thinking, dragging you around the hallways... you need to sit down."

Thoroughly beaten, Mariss let herself be led inside and fussed over. In their eyes she was a hysterical ninny, useless, broken - they'd made that abundantly clear. And she had _no_ idea how she'd be able to face her father after this... she was now a failure as well. She sat down and let the womens' voices wash over her, and tried her best not to cry.

Last updated on the April 18th 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Things to Do (Part 2)