Saying good-byes again

Writers: Jane, Paula
Date Posted: 24th May 2007

Characters: Corowal, Jesten
Description: Corowal escorts his mother who is been visith the hold to the riverboat.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 3, day 21 of Turn 4

"Any sign of that last passenger?" Jesten grumbled as he reached the stage where his brother was waiting to winch the gangplank up and swivel it around out of the way.

"No. Shouldn't have had 'em on board last night," Barr said.

It was the usual practice so they wouldn't be held up in the morning but this passenger was different. Some guest of the Lord Holder. Jesten knew enough to be accommodating when necessary.

"Look, mother, the boat's waiting for us," Corowal urged her little impatiently. It was nice to have one's mother visiting, but it was even nicer to have her leave. Especially since Walrea had managed to aggravate most of the staff with her haughty 'my son is now your lord'
-attitude. Gloating was never very becoming.

"I think this is them, now," Jesten muttered under his breath before walking down the stage and onto the wharf. "Good morning, my Lord."

"Morning, Captain. I'm sorry for the delay. My mother had hard time saying good byes to her grandchildren," Corowal replied with apologetic grin.

"No problem. We're sure to make up the time during the day," the riverboat captain said amiably enough though the words made it clear that there would need to be time made up. "Would you like to come aboard and get your mother settled?" He waved a hand and was gratified when one of his younger nephew appeared out of nowhere to pick up the woman's bags.

"Thank you," Corowal replied with grateful nod. He offered his elbow to his mother and escorted her up to the gangplank.

"You know, dragonride would have been faster," Walrea pointed out, continuing an earlier discussion.

"I know, but Enrizial managed to distroy the weyr-hold relationship to the point, that I rather not bother them with requests unless absolutely nessessary. It will take a long time to convince Weyr that I'm not Enrizial. Besides, boat trips are nice. You get to relax and do nothing." He followed the boy carrying a her bags.

Jesten led the pair up the two flights of stairs to the upper deck, then opened the door to the premier stateroom. "Your room, ma'am." It was the largest they had, but that didn't make it huge. A wide bed covered in a hand-made quilt in the shades of the sungazer flowers, a press and shelving, two armchairs facing the window. Beautifully presented but probably not qualifying as luxurious.

"That looks cozy and comfortable," Corowal commented the room. Walrea snorted but then gave in. "It's all right," she admited.

"I'll leave you to get settled and the steward will come along when your son leaves to introduce himself and see if there's anything you need."
He glanced at the Lord Holder. "I'll be down on the deck."

"Right, I won't be long," Corowal said to him. He turned back to his mother. "I guess these are good-byes again."

"Yes, dear. I'm worried how you will manage without Ofelia, you and the children," Walrea said with soft voice.

"Like we have managed until now, the past three, four months. We miss her terribly," Corowal replied. He pulled her to an embrace. "Be well, mam, and send my love to everyone. Let me know which one Realia's baby will be."

"I will, dear, I write to you. And don't get too busy to write back, Lord Holder," she replied and smiled proudly. "Your father, your real father would be so proud of you."

"I hope so. Goodbye, mam. I have to go now or the captain will leave me on board."

They separated and Corowal reluctantly left his mother to settle down. He was soon on the deck.

"It should be a quick journey," Jesten said in reassurance, though he doubted the Lord Holder needed any. "River's nice and full this time of the Turn. Not expecting any problems."

"Good. Safe sailing," Corowal wished, forgetting for a moment that the river boats didn't have sails. He was more used to ocean-going sailships.

"Thank you, my Lord. I'm sure it will be."

Last updated on the May 25th 2007

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Saying good-byes again