A Lady in Waiting
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Corrin, Duskdog
Date Posted: 16th October 2024
Series: From Hold to Weyr
Characters: Sybana, Dalgarian
Description: Dalgarian calls his sister home to discuss recent events in Emerald Falls-- and her future.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 21 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Corowal, Corofel
The letter to Opal Cove had been benign, cheerful, affectionate. Dalgarian had written that she was missed and overdue for a visit home. He _hadn’t_ mentioned that Lord Corowal was missing, or that his young son had been declared acting lord holder. He hadn’t needed too. The Cove was talking of little else.
Sybana made her excuses to the lord and his family, citing her father’s poor health. It was a polite fib. Holder Daryngad’s health, though not robust these days, was stable enough-- but courtesy and appearances were important. It was awful the things people were saying about Maevaris and her mother, who everyone knew took the first dragon they could hail to Emerald Falls when the news hit. Sybana expected she’d be seeing her fellow ward again soon enough, but she wasn’t going to leave herself open to the same ridicule as she left. Years at the Cove had taught her to be wary of the sharks around her. She had learned to play their game.
+++
The trip back to Skyvale was uneventful, as was her reunion with her surprised father. She kissed his cheek and was glad to see him, though a part of her was dismayed that he should be surprised at all. A lord holder was missing. Probably dead. His son was ascendant. Where was the paternal concern for _her_ future? Where was his _ambition_?
She knew where to find it.
“Dalgarian!” She found her eldest brother as he stepped from his study and threw her arms around him, all silk and excitement.
“Sybana!” He returned her hug, genuinely glad to see her after so long. She’d grown, he noted -- not so much in stature as in features, posture -- a subtle maturity that she’d gained in her absence. “I’d hoped you would arrive today. How was your trip?”
“The trip was wonderful. It’s always a treat to see the vale from dragonback. I swear, the hold is different--better--everytime I look! Is that a new frieze on the southern edifice?
“It is,” he said proudly. It was nice to have one’s efforts appreciated. “I’m glad to hear that you noticed it. The idea was to make an impression, and I’ve been pleased with the reception so far. It’s high time we started looking worthy of our proud legacy. And speaking of looking worthy of Skyvale…” He held his arms out to indicate her. “Apparently your time away has been good for you. You look lovely.”
“Do you really think so?” Her face lit with absolute delight and she beamed at the praise. It was nice to have one’s efforts appreciated. Her brother’s approval meant the world to her. She knew how high a bar he held for himself and their hold. “I do try-- and the new allowance helps. They don’t call me the ‘miner’s daughter’ at The Cove anymore,” she added slyly. “Now it’s the ‘firestone lord’s.’ ”
“Do they?” There was no disguising the interest, or the eagerness, in his voice. “Then it’s worth it -- all my… our… effort. I promised that we’d see the glory we deserve, didn’t I? And you’ve helped make that impression too, no doubt. You’ve done well for yourself -- for _us_. I couldn’t be more proud.”
For a moment, it was hard to think of _business_. She was just his baby sister, and he loved her so much that it would be hard to let her go again.
But family and business had always been intertwined in Skyvale.
“You’ve heard the reports from Emerald Falls, I assume.”
“The Cove is talking of little else,” she replied, following him as he stepped back into the privacy of his study. She watched him intently, expectantly, the earlier excitement of her homecoming transfiguring into something else-- anticipation.
He closed the door behind them and then turned to face her, to gauge her reaction. “A Lord would be the absolute best husband for you that anyone could possibly hope for… and he’s young, probably easy on the eyes. Malleable, too. Someone who could benefit from having a competent woman as his Lady.”
For her part, Sybana took the frank talk in stride as her anticipation was satisfied. She could always trust Dalgarian to look out for her. “I think I could be very happy with him,” she said quite seriously. She had been raised to view marriage as a practical thing, a union of finances, powers and blood. Corofel, was a golden opportunity -- and if he happened to be handsome and near her age, that sweetened the matter. “And if he doesn’t know his mind, I certainly know mine.”
Dalgarian’s smile blossomed. “I knew I could count on you. I hope you know that I wouldn’t give you away lightly, to just anyone. We need every advantage we can get, but not at the cost of debasing ourselves. You’re worth more than any dozen piddling minor holders… and you’re still my little sister, above all. What’s good for Skyvale should also be good for you. What’s good for you is also good for Skyvale. I’ve not a doubt in my mind that you can handle a Lord Holder. But all the hard work of snagging him will be up to you. Well… most of it. If you can reel him in, I can seal the deal.”
“Leave it to me.” The words were eager, bold. It was the first time she’d been entrusted with something of real importance for the family. Usually it fell to her brothers. “I can handle a teenage boy.”
Last updated on the October 18th 2024
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