Congratulations Are In Order

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 20th September 2008

Characters: Fog, Yethin
Description: Fog runs into a recurring passenger and lets slip some information about Eliste.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 4

"Excuse me." Fog turned to see a rather tall man approaching him. He gave Fog a hesitant smile and nodded politely. "You look familiar to me - aren't you one of the riverboat crew?"

"Yep, Fog..." he reached out his hand in welcome. "You're....." he searched for the mans name, recognising him from previous trips on the riverboat, "Yeth...in?" he asked, finally.

The man laughed and nodded. "Aye, that's me all right. I must say, I was rather surprised to see you here. I didn't think the riverboat folk came ashore that often, and I know the boat isn't docked right now."

"No, my ... I've just become a father again, and stayed ashore to be with Eliste as her time drew near. She had a difficult pregnancy." he said, explaining as far as he felt the need.

Surprise registered over the man's features. Eliste? Had he just said Eliste? "I see. I didn't realise you had a wife. I've only seen you with your two girls."

"Oh...er, well, we're not exactly married yet." Fog blustered, "But we soon will be. The girls and I are looking forward to having a wife and mother on the boat again, and a new son and brother we can be proud of - what more could we ask for?" his smile didn't falter as he spoke of Follen.

"Oh really." Yethin forced his lips upward into a smile. Did the man not know? Evidently not. And a father again? Eliste was pregnant and had a child? She hadn't been gone long enough to bear a child who would live. So that could only mean..."I suppose congratulations are in order. How long until she joins you upon the riverboat?"

"Oh, not for a couple of sevendays yet." Fog shook his head, "The babe is only new, and we have yet to settle some other matters. But I will accept your congratulations."

"Well then, I'm sure you'll both be glad to get back to the river, eh?" Yethin managed a half smile, though his mind whirled. So this was where Eliste had run off to. Not very smart. The waypoint wasn't _that_ far away from Emerald Falls. She was stupid to think that she could hide at Nettleweed without eventually meeting _someone_ from the hold. "I must away. I fear I have a lot of things to do." And as soon as he got back to the hold, he was going to let Helvar know exactly where his wife was."

"Travel well, Yethin. No doubt, we'll catch up with you the next time we're in Emerald Falls." Fog nodded, shaking hands with the man and feeling on a small niggle in the back of his mind as he watched him continue on his way.

Yes, catch up indeed. Yethin was going to make sure that Helvar was caught up right nicely. And Eliste would then be back where she belonged. He would send word right away. While the riverboat was the most convenient way to get to the waypoint, it wasn't the only one - and Yethin had a feeling that Helver would come as soon as he was able to get away from his duties to take back his property.

Last updated on the September 20th 2008

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Congratulations Are In Order