May I Have This Dance?

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 8th December 2020

Characters: Brina, Bryvin, Trayger
Description: Brina meets an old friend at her brother's wedding
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 5, day 24 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Asaile

Brina

Bryvin

Trayger

Once the ceremony was over and the celebration began, Brina felt that
she could finally relax. The staff, competent as ever, were circulating
with drinks and light food or preparing the room for dancing, and the
harpers were tuning their instruments. All was as it should be, and her
brother's happiness was secured.

She smiled to think that upstairs, the maids would be removing the last
of her belongings from the Lady Holder's rooms to her new suite. As much
as it had been an honor to occupy them, it was time for Bryvin's Lady to
make them her own. Brina knew that she would always have a home here -
and she still had work to do, welcoming the guests who'd come from all
across the South to witness the wedding. There were even some
dragonriders. Satisfied that everything was proceeding as planned, she
turned to greet the Lord and Lady of Flint Hills, and receive their
compliments on the decorations.

It was some time before she got a moment to herself, but when the first
strains of music floated across the hall, the crowd thinned as couples
young and old hurried to join the dance. Brina allowed herself a small
sigh of relief, and looked about for a drudge with a tray of drinks to
soothe her throat.

A glass appeared in front of her held in a white gloved hand. Blue
eyes in a weathered face twinkled down at her. "And how are you this
evening lovely Lady?"

Brina looked up and her face lit with genuine delight. "Captain Trayger!
I didn't know if you'd be here. I'd not heard that the Sun's Glory had
docked at Sunstone, so you must have arrived today." A slight color rose
to her cheeks as she realized she'd revealed she'd been checking. "Did
you see the wedding?"

"About mid-day," he nodded. "I saw," he said. "Your brother appears
very happy with his bride," he nodded toward where the pair were
dancing. "How are you feeling about it?"

"I'm glad. She's a lovely girl, sweet and caring. I couldn't ask for a
better sister." Her gaze followed his and her eyes brightened with
mirth. "At least now I can have a rest. We have had an overabundance
of eligible young ladies fostering with us these last months and it's
been like trying to keep order in a fair of firelizards."

He chuckled. He knew what it was like trying to herd young men in
their first port after sevendays at sea so he was pretty sure she
wasn't exaggerating. "And now you can relax a little," he asked. "I'm
glad for you." He sipped from his glass for a moment. He could hear
musicians in the next room and smiled. "Do you have any free dances?"

"I do." Her eyes were bright, but she kept to herself that she'd been
saving them, in hopes that he might return. "I have the next dance."

"Well then," he set down his glass and offered her his arm. "May I
have this dance My Lady," he smiled.

Bryvin watched the exchange from the other side of the room noting the
slight blush on her cheeks and his eyes narrowed briefly. Then Asaile
said something and he bent his head to listen to her and by the time
he turned back they'd set up for the dance.

"I'd be delighted." Brina let him lead her out to join the other couples
on the dance floor, oblivious to her brother's attention, or indeed
anything else. She'd not known quite how much she'd been hoping he would
be here, which was likely very silly, but she decided she'd enjoy it for
now. "Did you have a successful voyage, Captain?"

"I did indeed my Lady," he smiled as they waited for the music to
begin. "I believe your brother will be very pleased with our cargo
this time. " The instruments began to play and he placed his hand on
her waist in the appropriate manner and began to guide her in a
sweeping arc around the dance floor.

She laughed. "With all respect to your cargo, which I'm sure is very
fine, it may be difficult to get the Lord Holder's attention for a day
or two." The dance steps brought them past the newlyweds, close enough
to see the expression of adoration on Asaile's face as she looked up at
her husband.

"I am very sure he may be distracted longer than that," he smiled down
into her eyes. "As would any newly married man with such a lovely
bride."

"Yes, you may have to settle for dealing with the Steward this time."
Brina caught a glimpse of her brother's face before the dancers turned
again, carrying the pair away from them. "Were you ever married, Captain?"

His eyes shadowed momentarily but he smiled. "I was once, yes. And you?"

"Yes, I was. I lost my husband a little more than a Turn ago. He was a
holder, ran a big farming hold inland." Hoping she'd not brought back
sad memories, she lightened her voice. "Then my brother asked me to come
here to stay. I'd never lived by the sea before."

"Sunstone is a very beautiful Hold," he agreed. "And the sea is
beautiful when she's not angry." He chuckled a moment and then looked
intently into her eyes. "Do you miss him very much?"

"Yes, I do. Our marriage was arranged, and we hardly knew each other at
first. It wasn't always easy, but he was a good man, and in time I grew
to care for him very much." It was a more honest answer that she would
usually have given, but there was something about him that she trusted.
"And of course, we had our daughter, and she has two little children of
her own now. I wish he could have seen them grow up."

"I'm glad you had a happy marriage," he said sincerely. "Where does
your daughter live now?" They were nearing the end of the dance and as
it ended he bowed and offered her his arm.

"She lives at her husband's hold. They look to Garnet Valley," Brina
explained. "Ebria met him when she was fostering, like the young ladies
here, and then he came to visit us several times while they were
courting. He's a fine man, hard-working and kind and...very handsome."
She smiled. "I was hoping they'd be able to come to see my brother wed,
but they're hoping for another child and couldn't risk the dragon ride."

"Ah yes," he nodded. "Well I believe your brother thinks I've spent
enough time with you for now. But may I beg another dance later after
an appropriate interval?"

Brina's brow rose in surprise and she glanced over her shoulder to catch
a brief glimpse of her brother, who was standing a little apart while
Lady Asaile spoke to some of the other young ladies. He was right,
Bryvin's eyes were on them, with a measuring look for the captain of the
Sun's Glory. "Of course. I'd like that very much. I've promised the
third dance from now to Lord Giltran, but perhaps after that?"

Trayger smiled gently, acknowledged Lord Bryvin's look with a nod, and
then bowed over her hand squeezing her fingers before walking away to
speak with another acquaintance. He just might gain an audience with
the Lord of Sunstone sooner than expected.

Last updated on the December 14th 2020

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May I Have This Dance?