A Place Where I Belong

Writers: Anaria, Paula
Date Posted: 31st March 2011

Characters: Lyranel, Zelanka
Description: Zelanka assists Lyranel at getting settled at the Hold.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 12 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentions: Mardria

Mardria had given directions to Lyranel for locating the Headwoman's
office, but she took her time getting there, fidgeting as she walked
around. For three turns now, she'd had little contact with anyone
outside of the cothold, for Gorial didn't like strangers near his
wife. **You've wanted this for turns now, why are you hesitating?**
she thought to herself. She took a deep breath, steeling herself as
she reached the Headwoman's office.Once she was sure she could control
herself properly, she knocked on the door. Hopefully, the woman
wouldn't kick her out.

"Please, enter," Zelanka called. Her voice was bit muffled, since she
had pen in her mouth.

Lyranel straightened her slightly ragged skirts as best she could, and
entered the Headwoman's office. "Good afternoon, ma'am," she said
politely as she opened the door. "My name is Lyranel, greenrider
Mardria of River Bluff dropped me off here, she said that I should
speak to you." Lyranel was nervous, but tried to speak with poise and
without hint of an accent. Although her parents had instilled good
manners in her, the cothold she was born at was somewhat "backwoods."
She knew to some people her accent made her seem less intelligent.

"Good afternoon, Lyranel," Zelanka greeted and took the pen out of her
mouth, placing it on the desk. "Take seat, please and tell me how I
can help you." She didn't miss her rather ragged state.

Lyranel sat down, pondering over how best to describe her situation.
"I was married off when I was very young, to a much older man," she
explained. "And he recently passed away. I didn't think it was very
safe for me to stay at the cothold there anymore 'cause his sons
didn't care for me much. Greenrider Mardria said you were a very kind
lady, and that if I was willing to work that you'd probably let me
stay here," she explained, her words coming quicker as she lost
control of her nerves.

"I see, you poor thing," Zelanka said with symphathy. How many women
like her had passed her treshold? She couldn't count them. "If you're
willing to work, you won't have any problems finding your spot here,"
she smiled encouragingly. "Do you have children?" She asked.

"I do not, ma'am," she responded. "I am not really sure what skills I
have either, but I am willing to try and learn whatever the Hold
needs. My Ma didn't teach me embroidery or any of that." Lyranel knew
it was best to be honest upfront, as it would quickly become evident
what she did and did not excel at.

"Well, you must have some skills or special talent, every one has. We
just have to find out what it is," the headwoman said encouragingly.
"I'm going to house you to a dorm with other unmarried, young women
for now," she told her and added her name to the list of personel.
"Now, I need to know few personal facts about you, just for the
record. Can you tell your age and birth date as well birthplace and
parent's names? "

Lyranel nodded, perhaps these other unmarried women might be able to
help her learn a bit. "I have 21 turns, ma'am. My birthday was day 11
of this month," she fought back tears as she remember the fact that
neither her husband nor her stepsons had remembered it. "I grew up at
a farming Cothold beholden to Garnet Valley, on the outskirts of the
eastern part of their territory. My mother's name was Neladri, my
father Lyrtan. I know how to handle a Cothold - cleaning up, a bit of
cooking. Not much childrearing as I was the youngest. I... I can't
read or do figures well though," she added, flushing.

"All right," Zelanka said and wrote down the information. "Perhaps
some of the other women can teach you writing and reading. Meanwhile,
we have spots open in both in kitchen and in the laundry. Which one
interests you more?" she was giving her the choice.

"Ummm, I think the kitchen would be the best place for me to start. I
am a reasonably good cook. And of course, if you just have any random
odd jobs that you need done, I am more than willing to take care of
them," Lyranel said eagerly. She hoped that some of the other women
would be willing to help her learn how to read more than a few basic
words.

"Well, there are plenty of random odd jobs around here. I keep you in
mind, when we need deliver supplies to someone or pick up finished
products from crafters," Zelanka replied. She got up. "Why don't we
start by showing you places, hm? I'll give you a small tour and show
you where you'll be sleeping."

Lyranel nodded, "Alright, that sounds great," she said, standing up.
"The Hold looked very big when we were coming in to land. Far bigger
than any of the Cotholds I've lived at, that's for certain."

"It is big one, so don't hesitate to ask someone if you get lost,"
Zelanka smiled humorously and picked up her key ring. "Did you bring
any luggage?"

"Uh... no ma'am. You see, I don't really have much of anything, and
most of what I had was..." she gestured down at the tattered dress
that she wore and flushed bright red. She hadn't realized how poor her
conditions were until she'd started to see people at the Hold. Even
the drudges were dressed better than she was.

"Oh dear, we need to get you few set of clothes then and the basic
nessessities," Zelanka said.
"I hope you don't mind secondhand clothes, since they are all I can
offer you right now."

"That's no problem at all, ma'am. Secondhand is all that I've ever
had," Lyranel said. "Thanks again, I really appreciate your
hospitality so very much."

"You're welcome. Now, shall we?" she gestured towards the door.

Last updated on the April 27th 2011

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A Place Where I Belong