Turn's End Fun (2/3)

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 30th November 2024

Characters: Kamalia, Lindora, Arrilon
Description: Turn's End celebrations continue at the Harper Hall, where Kamalia and Arrilon run into Lindora.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 11

Everyone in the Grand Hall clapped as the latest group of musicians
finished their performance and took their final bows. Conversations
sprung up around the room during the lull between groups, and there
was a lot of movement as some left and others entered the room.
Lindora, having just put her daughter to bed at her sister-in-law's,
was enjoying a few candlemarks of freedom.

She was not sure yet how she wanted to spend the time, but she did
want to find a way to run into a certain harper. After a few minutes,
she picked him out closer to the front of the room, smiling and
chatting with a young woman. Lindora watched them closely, wondering
who she was and why they looked so familiar with each other. They were
too far away, and the other woman was too short, for her to get a good
look. Who was she?

When Arrilon stood and made his way near the stage with a few others,
apparently in preparation for his performance, Lindora could not help
but approach the young woman. She was not sure what she planned to do
once she got there, but could not help her curiosity.

When Lindora was just a few feet away, the woman adjusted her hair,
uncovering the knots that made everything clear. Their eyes met and,
without thinking, Lindora blurted out: "You're Arrilon's sister!"

"Yes, I am," Kamalia said, smiling at the stranger who apparently knew
who she was. "I'm Kamalia. And you are?"

"Sorry, you wouldn't know me." Lindora blushed, feeling a bit silly.
She should have just turned around and walked away, but now it was too
late. "I'm Lindora. I happened to be there when Arrilon learned about
your Threadscore, so I heard a bit about you. I'm glad to see you're
ok... and your dragon too."

"Oh, Lindora." Well, this was exciting. Kamalia had been hoping to
find a way to at least look at Lindora from a distance, but this was
even better. "Yes, Alaudath and I are recovered. Come take a seat for
Arrilon's performance. He mentioned speaking with you." She gestured
to the seat her brother had recently vacated. "So, you work in the
kitchens?"

Hope blossomed in Lindora's chest as she took a seat. Arrilon had told
his sister about her? That must mean something. "Yes, I do. I spent
over four Turns as a student in the Bakercraft Hall, then came back
here."

"Ooh, baking," Kamalia said. "Someone I was a weyrling with was a
baker and he walked me through making some things. I honestly didn't
learn much, but it was fun. Do you like baking anything in
particular?"

Lindora had never thought before about dragonriders being bakers, but
she supposed there must be a few. Her response to the question was cut
short by Arrilon and a few other harpers taking the stage.

Kamalia enjoyed every minute of the performance. She had not seen
Arrilon play in Turns and, while she knew little about musical
ability, he was obviously pretty good at gitar and transverse flute.
He even sang a few times in support of the main singer. She had not
fully understood his decision to transfer to the Hall, finding it hard
to imagine live anywhere but a Weyr, but it looked like he was
thriving.

Lindora had grown up surrounded by similar performances and so was not
as enthralled as Kamalia. However, she appreciated seeing Arrilon in
his element. His brow furrowed a few times in concentration, while in
other moments he was more relaxed. She did not think her father would
disapprove of the match. And, Kamalia seemed nice, which was a welcome
bonus.

At the end of the final song, Kamalia clapped loudly, bursting with
pride. As soon as the harpers moved off stage, she stood and took
Lindora's arms. "Let's go congratulate him."

"Ari, that was so wonderful!" Kamalia gave him a big hug.

"Glad you could be here," Arrilon replied, returning the hug. Then he
saw Lindora standing a step back.

Kamalia followed his gaze. "Look who I ran into! We didn't have much
time to chat but, Lindora, it was nice meeting you."

"Yes, it was nice talking to you." Lindora smiled. "And Arrilon, that
was really nice. I had never heard that second song before."

"Thanks. It's a new song. The composer just finished it a few
sevendays ago." It had been the one he had been most nervous about,
but the performance had gone pretty well.

"Why don't we go find something to eat and drink at the Hold. We saw
all the booths set up when Alaudath was circling to land. Lindora,
want to join us?"

Not wanting to turn away a chance to potentially secure her future,
Lindora nodded. "I have a bit of time."

"Perfect." Kamalia led them out of the Grand Hall and in the direction
of the Hold. "So, Lindora, was it strange to come back to the Hall
after Turns away?"

"It was." Lindora thought back to that period of her life, which felt
longer than just a few Turns ago. "It wasn't really like coming home,
because when I left, the Hall had been at the Weyr. And moving back in
with my father after living in dorms was strange."

Kamalia shook her head. "I can't imagine moving back in with my
parents. Do you have siblings?"

Lindora nodded. "Two older brothers: One is a harper and the other is
a printer, so they're both nearby. And a younger sister. We were at
the Bakercraft Hall for a bit together. She's still there."

"As much as I wouldn't want to live with my parents, it must be nice
having family close by. That's something Arrilon and I don't have
where we are now."

"It's nice you come visit him. Do you visit other family too?"

Kamalia smiled. "Not nearly as often. We're two of thirteen, so it can
be pretty overwhelming to visit. And life at Amber Hills Hold is just
so different from life at the Weyr, or even at the Hall here. It's
sometimes hard to know what to talk about with them."

Arrilon was not sure what his sister was up to, but could not think of
a way to get out of it, so he went along with her for the moment.

Lindora's eyes grew wide at hearing the number of siblings they had.
"That is a large family." She glanced at Arrilon for a moment. Did he
want a huge family of his own?

"All our older siblings are married with at least one kid," Kamalia
added. "I doubt any of us will get close to 13 kids though. Alaudath
is enough for me, but Arrilon would like a few."

Arrilon would have elbowed her, or at least sent a glare her way, if
Lindora had not been right there.

Before anyone else had a chance to say a word, Kamalia stopped in
front of a booth selling pastries and made her brother purchase a
selection of them to share. Grabbing a berry tart, she said, "You
know, it's getting late. I need to head back to the Weyr. Great job,
Ari. See you in a few sevendays. Lindora, it was nice to meet you."
And with a final wave and smile to Lindora and a quick hug to Arrilon,
ignoring his glower, she was off.

}:You're smug:{ Alaudath said as her rider approached.

**Yup. Arrilon would never have sat down to talk with that poor girl.
I like her, but he needs someone who can give him a few Turns to
figure things out. I think she wants to marry in the next few months.
She's definitely interested in him. I just hope he lets her down
gently.**

Kamalia gave the green an affectionate pat and mounted. Arrilon would
be mad at her for sevendays. But, for now, she was going to focus on
having her own Turn's End fun back at the Weyr.

Last updated on the December 4th 2024

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Turn's End Fun (2/3)