Potential Enemies

Writers: Eimi, Bree
Date Posted: 24th September 2005

Characters: Jarthir, Dalcia
Description: Jarthir tries to convince Dalcia that they should move into the Hall proper until the murders at Garnet Valley Hold stop.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 3

The warm air was a welcome reception as Dalicia opened the door to her little cot. So Jarthir had returned early that night! She only felt a twinge of guilt for not being there when he came home, but it had been a while since she had seen her parents. Though she had meant to be back before it turned dark, the sun just went down so early in the winter, and the fire had been pleasant as she and her mother and father gazed out the window at the falling snow and chatted about winters gone by.

She shook the snowflakes as her hair as she called out to her husband.
"Jarthir! I'm back!"

Jarthir appeared from the other room, fully clothed for the outdoors and with one heavy winter boot already pulled half on. He spent a moment staring at her, and then threw the boot down and rushed across the room, grabbing her roughly and pulling her against him. "Shard it all, woman! Where _were_
you?"

"At my parents! Didn't you get the note I left?" She was surprised, and excited, by her husbands intense response.

"But you didn't come back!" Jarthir didn't seem likely to release her any time soon. "Shards, woman. The Hallmaster's own _wife_ was killed not far from here. You can't wander about after dark!" "I know, but we were just so comfortable and it was nice talking to them and..." She hugged her husband close. It touched her heart that he felt real fear for her. It was times like this she could tell herself that he did truly care. "I'm sorry, Jarthir. I'll be more careful. I promise."

"I don't want you going out after dark by yourself at _all_," he said sternly. "Careful or not. If you want to go see your parents, just wait for me and I'll go with you!" "I understand. Please don't worry about it anymore," she said as she lifted herself onto the balls of her feet in order to kiss him gently. "I promise, it won't happen again."

"It had better not," he replied, though the kiss seemed to have mollified him somewhat. "I'm already tempted to move us back up to the Hall until I know it's safe." Dalicia gave him one more quick kiss and an amused smile before taking a step back to strip out of her winter gear. "You must be hungry. I'll get on dinner right away."

Jarthir stepped over to her and helped her take her coat off. "I am, but I was too worried to notice. I was ready to go tramping about in the snow to find you." "We can't have you catching a cold, dear, now can we!" She squeezed his arm in thanks as she made her way towards the kitchen.

He followed behind her. "Have you thought about moving back into the Hall?
It might not be as nice as having our own cot, but we'd be safer. And you could visit people without having to worry about being outside."

"Oh Jarthir," she chuckled, "isn't that why you petitioned the Hall for a cot out here? To be away from people? The winter won't last forever, you know."

"It's not just the winter," he retorted, sitting down at the small kitchen table and watching her go about preparing their meal. "Haven't you paid attention to what has been happening? The Hallmaster's wife... the Lord Holder and his own cousin! Important people who have guards have been dying, Dalicia. It's not a safe time to be out here alone." She frowned slightly as she cut the bread into slices. He had a point. "But Jarthir, this is our _home_. What if we... well, start a family? We've always said that we would someday."

"And we will! We can... shards, it's not like the children would be five tomorrow." He gave her a pleading look. "Just for a few months... or at least until there's been no more reports of violent deaths!" Dalicia bit lightly at her lower lip as she turned to spread the bread slices across a platter. Moving back into the Hall would be safer, and she would be closer to her family. But it would limit their alone time. Still, they could always move back when things had settled down. Jarthir was just concerned with her safety. Or was he? Closer to people meant closer to women. But there would be more eyes to see him in the Hall. And yet that hadn't stopped him before. Cold fear started creeping up her spine at the thought of all the women that she would have to wonder if they could be potential lovers to her husband, potential enemies to her. "I don't know, Jarthir. I just don't know."

Jarthir sighed. "Well, think about it. But if there's another murder, we're going back there, Dalicia. Whether you like the idea or not." "All right," she said as she grabbed up the cheese. "I'll think about it."

And with that, Jarthir would have to be satisfied.

Last updated on the September 24th 2005

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Potential Enemies