Breakfast Conversations (2/2)

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 13th October 2024

Characters: Arrilon, Tyrak
Description: Arrilon learns more about Lindora from Tyrak, as he continues his breakfast.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 17 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Lindora, Kamalia

"Hi Tyrak," Arrilon said as his friend sat down. "Want some banana and
cream pie? I'm sure Lindora can come back and cut you a slice. It's
fresh from the oven."

Tyrak shook his head. "Too sweet for me. I only like sweets after
dinner." To drive the point home, he took a large bite of tubers and
some kind of meat. He ate in silence for a few moments, then looked
towards the kitchens to make sure the young woman was no longer in
sight. "Watch out for that one."

"What?" Arrilon could not imagine why Tyrak would warn him about
someone he had barely had a conversation with.

"Do you know anything about her? Or do I need to start from the beginning?"

"I mean, I don't know much. She's the daughter of Master Palinor, she
spent time at the Bakercraft Hall, and she likes baking pies. Why do I
need to know more?" Tyrak was usually level-headed, so Arrilon started
getting worried. What could possibly be so terrible about a young
woman working in the kitchens?

Tyrak nodded. "That's all true. But, what you don't know is that her
father called her back from the Bakercraft Hall a few Turns ago to
marry a harper, Zamran. Zamran was younger than me but we were both
interested in teaching, so we spent a good amount of time together."

Tyrak drank some klah, while Arrilon grew increasingly confused as to
why he was supposed to care about Lindora's life story. "Zamran? I've
never met him."

"You wouldn't have. He died about a Turn ago while on a teaching
circuit. Apparently, he fell ill and it got worse so quickly. They
didn't even have time to summon a healer. So, Lindora is a widow, and
has a daughter who must be almost two Turns now. And Lindora herself
can't be more than 20."

"What a sad story." Arrilon felt foolish for sharing with Lindora how
worried he had been for Kamalia, who had a minor injury, when her
husband had died. "I'm glad I know this, but still don't know why I
need to watch out for her. That seems a little extreme, no?"

Tyrak sighed. "You've adapted so well to life at the Hall, I sometimes
forget you spent Turns in the Weyr. Just think for a moment. What
future can a young widow with a toddler strive for?"

Arrilon thought for a moment. "Well, she'll be taken care of at the
Hall, right? And, Master Palinor wouldn't abandon her."

Tyrak remained silent, letting Arrilon figure it out on his own.

"What do young women at the Hall want?" he mused. "They can
apprentice... but at her age, that isn't very likely. They can marry."
He stopped.

Tyrak's look became more insistent.

"They can marry?" he repeated, this time more as a question. "Tyrak,
are you saying she's interested in marrying me?"

Tyrak couldn't help a small smile as he noticed Arrilon flush. "I'm
saying that, over the past few months, Lindora has had conversations
with just about every Journeyman who seems even remotely interested.
As far as I can tell, she hasn't had any luck. Poor girl. Maybe if she
didn't already have a daughter, she would already be married again."

Arrilon could not decide what horrified him more: that a young widowed
woman with a child felt the need to marry again in order to be in good
standing or that men seemed to look down on her for doing her best
with her terrible situation. "It's not her fault her husband died, or
that she has a daughter," he said more harshly than he had intended.

"Of course not. I would not wish her life on anyone. However, I did
think you should know. She'll probably keep wanting to talk to you.
And, unless, you're interested..."

"No!" Arrilon said immediately. "I mean, she's pretty, and she seems
nice. But, I barely know her. How can I know if I'm interested after
two brief conversations?"

Tyrak nodded. "That's true. But, if I were her, I'd be more interested
in a quick marriage than in trying to get to know a possible suitor
over many months. It's better that way. Once she's married, things
will settle down for her."

Arrilon looked down at the sliver of pie left on his plate. He didn't
know what to think.

"Now, I don't think the two of you would necessarily be a good match,
but haven't you said you're interested in getting married sooner
rather than later?"

Now Arrilon suddenly felt like he was under scrutiny. "Yes, at least
in theory." He did envy Tyrak's life. The senior journeyman had a wife
and two young kids. A few Turns ago, he had thought he would at least
be married by now. But, here he was, no closer to marriage then when
he had arrived at the Hall over a Turn ago. "But, I haven't met anyone
I've felt a connection to. And, I've been focused on my studies."

"Well, you can do whatever you want." Tyrak said with a shrug. "But,
just think long and hard about whether you could see yourself marrying
Lindora. Because, she'll be back to talk to you within the next
sevenday. And, if you aren't interested, it's best to be clear with
her so she can move on to someone else."

"Ok, I will," Arrilon promised, but he remained skeptical. Lindora had
not seemed desperate for a husband. Maybe Tyrak was wrong in this
case, and she was just being friendly. If she kept approaching him, he
would need to do something. But, for now, he would try to focus on his
classes. Why had a quiet morning turned so complicated?

Last updated on the October 17th 2024

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Breakfast Conversations (2/2)