The Prodigal Son

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 21st April 2024
Series: The Unwanted Sister

Characters: Reven, Coran
Description: Coran is called home by Reven to look after Green Valley while Reven goes to Emerald Falls
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 10, day 15 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Arippa, Corofel, Corowal, T'ner
Anyone want to cause headaches for Coran while he's at Green Valley? :)

Reven

It had been a couple of Turns since Coran had been home to Green Valley. He'd been thoroughly engrossed in his studies at Jade Harbor's Healer Hall when the letter from home had reached him. He would have laughed at the contents of the letter, but it wasn't the sort of thing that his older brother would have joked about.

He thanked the young bluerider who had ferried him from Jade Harbor to Green Valley and adjusted the strap of the satchel on his shoulder. For a moment he stood and surveyed the verdant minor Hold where he had been raised. It was as beautiful as he remembered.

"The prodigal returns," a rich baritone voice said.

"The prodigal was really enjoying his craft, you know," Coran said, turning with a grin for his brother.

Reven, arms lifted, approached Coran and pulled him in for a hug, which included much back slapping from each brother.

"What's this about you going to Emerald Falls?" Coran asked as they began climbing the steps of Green Valley's hold proper.

"Lord Corowal is missing."

Coran shot his brother a sideways glance. "Does that bring back memories for you?"

The mysterious disappearance of Emerald Fall's Lord Holder certainly brought back memories for Reven. In a flash his mind's eye took him back to the night a sack had been shoved over his own head as he was bound and forcefully taken from Green Valley.

A sharp pain shot through his knuckles as he recalled the evening his captors had cut his pinky finger from his hand. He clenched the gloved appendage into a fist.

"Yes. I hope this isn't the same thing. I hope for Corowal's sake that he's just off with a mistress somewhere, but... I doubt it. He's always been painstakingly responsible regarding his duty to the Hold."

"And you're going to do _what_ at Emerald Falls, exactly?" Coran asked.

"The Lord Holders want me to go and act as Corofel's Provisional Warder. Just offer a little guidance while he gets settled in. He's eighteen and has only just been released from fostering with Lord Zathris at Amber Hills."

Coran shook his head in amazement. "Can you imagine being eighteen and suddenly stepping into the Lord Holder's shoes?"

"No, I can't. When I was eighteen I was busy chasing anything wearing a skirt." Reven snorted, thinking back fondly on his time at Red Rush. "And stepping into leadership at Emerald Falls? That place has been rocky for Turns. It's certainly the kind of place where a person will need to watch their back."

"Are Arippa and Pippa going with you?"

"Yes. I debated it for a bit, whether to bring them or not. I don't know how safe Emerald Falls is for them, but I feel that I can look after them better if they're with me. And since Emerald Falls is without a Lady or Headwoman, I'm sure Arippa will be able to work wonders there getting the house staff and kitchens in order."

"You certainly lucked out with Arippa," Coran said, pushing away thoughts of his own failed marriage with Relea.

Reven slung an arm around Coran's shoulders. "Didn't I? She's going to be thrilled to see you again. But first, let me take you to my office and get you caught up on the ledgers and crops and such. And then of course Ma and Da are frothing at the mouth to get you back home and pump you full of food and nostalgic stories from childhood."

Coran winced a little at the picture his brother painted. He loved his parents, but there were only so many times you could hear the same story of how you'd run about the Dining Hall naked after ripping off your diaper as a toddler.

"I'll do my best to keep things in order while you're gone. Healing is my craft, not farming or ledgers."

"Ledgers," Reven commiserated with a roll of his eyes. "They're a labor of necessity. I'd still rather be out in the fields with the workers than behind the desk in my office. You might send word to T'ner as well. I'm sure he'd like to visit you now that you're home."

"Ah yes, our brother the glorious dragonrider."

"That's him. Bring him back down to Pern where the rest of us live," Reven teased. "Make him remember his humble roots. He might even bring his weyrmate that he's _never_ introduced to his family."

Coran's eyes lit a bit. "Oh yes, his illusive greenrider. Maybe I _will_ send an invitation to them both."

"I'll be sorry to miss it. I expect a full letter of how it goes."

"Absolutely," Coran promised.

Last updated on the April 26th 2024

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The Prodigal Son