A Definite Answer

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 10th November 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Cyrek
Description: Lord Benaroy passes on a proposition that Cyrek would rather not hear...
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 4

Cyrek knocked on the Lord Holder's half-open office door, Trouble balanced lightly on one shoulder. The fire lizard had been a little clingier than usual of late; Cyrek figured it had something to do with the stress of the move. "Lord Benaroy? You wished to see me?" "Yes, Cyrek, please come in," the Lord Holder waved. "I have received a message that I think should have been directed to you, but it was addressed to myself. It's in regards to your daughter, Mariss."

"Oh?" Cyrek shut the door behind himself as his stomach sank. Mariss was having a hard time finding a place for herself, and this was bound to happen sooner or later. **Shards and shells, love, what have you done now?** "Hopefully good news?"

"Well, I suppose it depends on your feelings on the subject," Benaroy said as he poured them both a drink. "One of my Minor Holders, Vancid of Narrow Valley Hold, has a son who is of marriageable age. He seems to think his son and Mariss would make a good match."

Cyrek found himself without a single intelligent thing to say.
"What?" "Narrow Valley Hold," the Lord Holder replied as he handed the Steward a drink. "It's more of an off-shoot of the canyon, really, right... here." Benaroy pointed to a point on his wall map. "The main building is located at the end of the valley, close to a rather pretty waterfall and small river that feeds in the main river at this point.
It will never be a major hold because of the location. No main road would ever pass through since the valley has no Pass, and there isn't the resources available to support large numbers. Still, they have a lot to offer. Their vineyards on the slopes produce fine grapes, and the caprines are top quality, as are the berries they grow."

Shards, did he ever need that drink. It burned going down, but Cyrek barely noticed. "And... he wishes to marry his son-- to _my_
daughter?"

"Yes," Benaroy nodded, swirling his brandy in his glass thoughtfully.
"He is his eldest son, in fact, who is set to inherit. His name is Cidarian and he is 28 Turns-old, so old enough to make a good husband and young enough to have something in common with her. He has an impeccable reputation and I can vouch for his character. I have had several dealings with him and he will make a fine Holder someday.
Honest and hard-working."

"I- see." Cyrek looked down at his glass; how was it almost half-empty?! Shards, there was no way he would be able to marry Mariss off to some backwater Lord Holder's son he'd never met! "Well.
That is a- ah... very... thoughtful proposal... but- I think that I will have to refuse it on her behalf. She has had many upsets lately, and I think it best that she is given time to deal with the move and the loss of so many of her friends, as well as her childhood home, before we can think of marriage."

"Ah, but in that way now might be the _perfect_ time," Benaroy pointed out. "Before she gets settled. Marrying now could insure that she does not have to be resettled yet _again_. And Cidarian is a kind young man. I'm sure she could learn to be fond of him, and young married couples have a way of distracting each other from troubles as I'm sure you remember."

"I do." Although his marriage had been a love-match, and he hoped for the same for Mariss... it was a distinctly uncomfortable feeling, standing there discussing her future as if she was a commodity rather than a young woman. It highlighted some of the differences between Amethyst Cliff and Amber Hills very eloquently. "But I also hate to rush into anything, especially something as important as my daughter's future."

"Well, there is no rush of course. Take the next seveday or two to think about it," Lord Benaroy nodded his understanding. It was hard for him to let go of the first one too. But many women were married at Mariss' age, and some even younger, and were perfectly happy. "It would be a good match, though, for both your families. And I dare say for her as well."

Cyrek's smile was tight. "Perhaps."

"They are open to negotiations for her bride-price. I know it is customary in many other areas that the family provide a dowry in some other parts of Pern, but in our territory it is the other way around." It was necessary after the Plague when women were in high demand.

"I see." The Steward felt as if he'd just bitten into something extraordinarily sour. "Well. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll write back to the Holder within the week." And he knew _exactly_ what his reply would be.

Last updated on the November 11th 2006

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A Definite Answer