Rumours

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 7th June 2008

Characters: Zathris, Kaldyn
Description: Zathris breaks the news to Kaldyn about his parents
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 14 of Turn 4

Zathris

"Zathris." Kaldyn poked his head around the steward's doorway. "You sent word you needed to see me?" his whole demeanor was deflated, it wasn't often he was requested to attend the Hold. His mother's death the day before had thrown the whole family into mourning, they had had little warning of her illness, but the healers had still given her a month or more, and less than a sevenday later she was dead. He hoped the steward didn't have more bad news for them.

Zathris stood up, crossed the room, and took the other man's hand firmly and shook it. "Yes, though I'm sorry to hear about your mother." The Assistant steward wondered if this was the best time to talk about the situation. He had requested to see Kaldyn a couple of days prior; suggesting the day and time, but then his mother had passed away.

"Thank you." Kaldyn nodded, "It was sudden, but the healers tell us it was for the best. She avoided a lot more pain, going the way she did." He walked further into the room, and took the seat offered to him. "What did you want to see me about?" he asked, finally.

"Well, let's sit down." Zathris motioned to one of the chairs and closed the door behind them. He didn't want prying ears to hear the conversation.

"This sounds serious..." Kaldyn said, eyeing the steward. "Have we made an error of some sort in our tithe?" he asked, worried that with his mother's illness his father hadn't accounted for all of the goods they were supposed to have sent in to the Hold.

"Oh, no, nothing like that. Everything is in order as far as that goes." Zathris lowered himself into a chair and laced his hands together. "It's just...shards, I honestly don't know how I'm going to tell you this, but I feel that you ought to know. I overheard a conversation between your father and another man."

"Oh?" Kaldyn's brows rose in question, "Who was it, a healer?" he leaned forward in his chair, the concern on Zathris face enough to alarm him. Was his father ill as well, and not telling them?

"He was speaking to Sardin." Zathris mimicked Kaldyn by leaning forward, then let a hand run down his face. "He was arguing about whether or not you should be told." He paused a moment, uncertain how to phrase it, "Tanallyck was arguing whether or not you should be told that he isn't your father."

"He's not what?" Kaldyn couldn't take the stewards words in. They didn't make any sense. "What - no, you've heard wrong." he shook his head, comprehension just not acceptable to him.

"Look, Kaldyn, I'm sorry, but I felt you should know." Zathris' jaw tightened, "And I didn't want you to hear it from Sardin."

"Sardin? Who's he?" The name meant nothing to Kaldyn, whatsoever. He had never heard of the man before, and was puzzled why he was hearing about him now.

Zathris took a deep breath and said slowly, "Your father."

Kaldyn's face creased into a frown, his eyes holding the stewards steadily. He shook his head, before replying, "No... Tanallyck is my father." he replied with certainty. "I don't know where you've come by your information, but - no." he smiled slightly, as if softening the denial, not wishing to correct Zathris, but having to.

Zathris opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it. He was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Perhaps you should talk to Tanallyck, Kaldyn."

"There's no need." he shook his head. Things were already awkward between his father and himself, this would only make it worse. He couldn't right now, even if he wanted to. "Father has other things to worry about at the moment, without gossip making things worse."

It wasn't gossip, but Zathris refrained from saying so. Instead, he stood up.
"I'm sorry Kaldyn. I just didn't want you to hear it from someone who might not have as kind a word to say."

"I appreciate your kindness Zathris, really I do, but - I think someone has been having a lend of you, really." Kaldyn reached out and shook the steward's hand, "Thanks."

"Take care of yourself, Kaldyn." Zathris stated, returning the handshake firmly.

Last updated on the June 7th 2008

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Rumours