Improper Relations

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 25th August 2005

Characters: Daigoro, Miryene
Description: Daigoro comes to check on Miryene, and discovers that there are worse things going on than her friendship with Jio.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3

Daigoro almost lost his nerve as he approached the door to Jhonnel and Miryene's cot. But he had to know the truth. If he listened to many more rumors, he just might have to talk to Jio about the whole situation. That could end badly.

The door opened at his knock, revealing a tired looking Miryene who nonetheless tried to smile for him. "Hallsecond... please, come in. Is everything all right?"

"Fine, thank you, Miryene." Daigoro was a little hesitant to enter the cot alone with Miryene, especially after the rumors that were traveling about about her and another vintner. However, he could also not think of asking a pregnant woman who was supposed to be on bedrest to walk out into the cold with him. "I'll only be a minute," he said as he stepped up into the cot, "but there is something very important I would like to discuss with you."

Miryene looked suddenly uncomfortable, thinking she knew exactly what he had come to talk about. "If you don't mind, I should sit... I'm afraid I haven't been feeling well..."

"Are you all right?" he asked, worried that perhaps now was not a good time. But when _would_ be a good time?

"My back hurts," she admitted as she moved to the soft chair in front of the hearth. "The healer said it could happen this early... it just gets worse when I stand. I suppose it's why he doesn't want me doing it."

"Ah. I will be brief then." Daigoro folded his hands behind his back. How to begin? He couldn't just blurt out that he has heard she might be having an affair with Jio, could he? Or _could_ he? "I have heard you are having improper relations with one of the vintners who is not your husband and I want to know the truth of it from you." It was not tactful, but it was direct.

Having braced herself to hear something about Jhonnel and his drinking--or worse, the bruises Badia had seen that afternoon--Miryene was taken completely by surprised by this statement. "Improper relations?"

"Yes," Daigoro replied, not meeting her eyes. "With Journeyman Jio."

Shock turned to anger as Miryene struggled to stand. "So this is how it is now? One mistake and for the rest of my life, you'll assume the worst of me? You accuse me of adultery?"

"I do not accuse you," the Hallsecond replied, shocked at her anger. "I have come to ask you. I have heard that Jio is here everyday, when Jhonnel and the children are not at home. I don't want to believe what they are saying. That is why I have come."

"Jio came to check on the firelizard egg he gave me as a gift," she replied stiffly. "I couldn't care for it myself, so he was kind enough to do so for me." She was so angry she was shaking, unable to understand why the one man who _had_ been kind to her over the past month should have such wretched things said about him. She knew she should sit back down, but more than anything else she simply wanted Daigoro to leave. To know that someone who she had once considered a friend thought such things of her made it hurt even more.

"But surely you can understand how it looks, Miryene," Daigoro said gently, trying to pacify her. It couldn't be good for her to be so excited. "And the fact that he gave you a _firelizard_ egg in the first place... Surely you must know that he is in love with you."

Miryene didn't look in the least bit pacified. Her cheeks had flushed an angry red and she was glaring at him, angry that he refused to so much as look at her while he was saying such things. "Are you one of the Hall gossips now, to mistake a friend's worry for love? It is wrong of you to say such things."

"I am not the one saying such things. Others who know him much better than I do are saying such things." The Hallsecond was beginning to get a bit defensive. He had never been accused of being a gossip before. Daigoro abhorred those mindless biddies that believed every little whisper they heard. He was a man of straight talking and straight answers. "If I were a gossip I would be off in some dark corner whispering about you and not asking you to your face."

"And I am answering you," Miryene replied, wrapping her arms around herself to hide their shaking. "Jio has never said or done anything inappropriate, and he never would. He is a good man who is worried about me. And I would never betray my husband. You may all think I have no honor, but I would never do such a thing."

"All right then. That's all I needed to know. I believe you, Miryene." Daigoro took a step closer. "Please have a seat and calm down. I didn't mean to make you angry. I just needed to hear it from you. I know you are an honorable woman, and I didn't want to just assume the rumors were... Miryene, what happened to you arms?"

Miryene jerked away from him, taking a stumbling step back and sinking into her chair. "Nothing! I just bruise more easily since I got pregnant. The healer said it's nothing to worry about."

"What did you do to yourself, woman?" he asked gently chiding as he knelt down in front of her.

She tugged her blanket around her, covering her arms and wishing there was an easy way to cover her cheek as well. "It hardly takes anything to bruise these days. It's really nothing." Her anger had slid away, leaving an empty feeling of hopelessness in its wake. She'd have to tell Jio to stop coming to see her, now. It would leave her with nothing to do all day but wait for Jhonnel to come home and be angry at her.

"You're sure this is normal? Your arm, your face... Can I run to the Hall and get you some ice?" Concern was written all over the Hallsecond's face.

Miryene shook her head. "It's days old already. I don't think ice will help, but thank you for offering."

"Miryene," Daigoro said gently as he lightly touched his fingers to a purple spot on her cheek, "look me in the eye and tell me _this_ was an accident."

She met his eyes, her own showing her pain for the first time. "Look me in the eye and tell me Jhonnel's children will be safe if I leave him."

Daigoro's eyes blazed with anger as he stared into hers, but his hands were gentle as they reached out for hers. "If Jhonnel has been hurting you than I swear on my life, Miryene, they will be safe. And so will you."

"This isn't about me," Miryene replied stiffly. She studied his face for a moment and then sighed. "I've been trying to think of a way, Daigoro...there's only one. I want you to take the children to Jhonnel's parents. They have a cot at Amethyst Cliff... they'll take the children and care for them." Miryene's gaze was steady as she met his eyes. "I may not have a claim to his children, but they do. Once they're safe, I'll take care of myself."

Daigoro nodded. "I will take the children to his parents, Miryene. But while I do I want you to gather your things and be ready. You are going to leave this place tonight, and Jhonnel will answer for what he has done."

"There are a few things I want to take care of," Miryene replied quietly. "I can't do much packing on my own... I'll take care of the important things and then go to the kitchens. I'm sure Cinale will let me rest in her quarters."

Daigoro knew he could trust Cinale to take care of Miryene. "All right. Tell me where I can find the children's rooms and I will pack a few things for them. You should save yourself for the walk to the Hall."

After giving him the list of items the children needed and which rooms they were in, Miryene reached out a hand to Daigoro. "Thank you for doing this. I need them to be safe."

The Hallsecond took her hand in both of his large paws. He wished she had only told him sooner. Why had she said nothing? Didn't she know that she had friends to care about her? Who would protect her _and_ the children? He gave her reassuring smile, with just a hint of regret. If only she had said _something_... "It will be done."

~*~

Eimi (sea_spray_singer@fastmail.fm)
Daigoro, Hallsecond, ACH-VH

Bree - bree@triadweyrs.org
Miryene, hall resident, ACH-VH

Last updated on the August 26th 2005

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Improper Relations