To Be Without Virtue

Writers: Anaria
Date Posted: 31st May 2011

Characters: Lyranel, Hadrie
Description: Lyranel and Hadrie have a discussion about men in positions of power.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 14 of Turn 6

Lyranel smiled to her own reflection in the mirror. Her fortune had
changed drastically within the past few months, and she was happy to
finally have someplace to call home. She was also glad to have new
clothing that was made specifically for her, and not hand me downs.
And mostly, she was proud that Lady Benani believed in her enough to
allow her to watch over Ailnim.

She'd been given the rest day off as one of Ailnim's relations had him
for the day, and she was thrilled. She had no responsibilities, no one
to tend to, and could do whatever she wanted! Well... that was fitting
of a lady of the Hold of course.

She decided to go spent time with one of the friends that she had made
since arriving at the Hold, a foster mother by the name of Hadrie.
Since she was assigned the duty of tending to Ailnim, she hadn't been
able to see the woman as much as she liked.

Her timing was good, as Hadrie had just set her fosterlings off to nap
when Lyranel arrived. "Lyr! It's been sevendays since we've talked!"
Hadrie exclaimed upon her arrival.

Lyranel smiled, "Yes indeed. But you know how caring for the
younglings are, you rarely get a proper rest day." She sat down on the
couch. "It is nice to sit though."

It is, isn't it!" Hadrie said as she flopped down next to Lyranel. "So
come on girl, out with it! Rumor has it you're working with the Lord
and Lady now? I see they've gotten you some nice clothes, how is it?"

"Well, it's busy of course tending to a two turn old," Lyranel
answered honestly. "But Ailnim is a good child for the most part, and
the Lord and Lady are quite nice."

"Is it true you dyed the Steward blue?" Hadrie asked. "You'd never told me!?"

Lyranel flushed brightly. "Yes, I did that shortly after I arrived
here. I didn't want to tell anyone because I was afraid Steward Wirnan
would be even more offended if it got out," she said.

"He's a handsome one, isn't he? It's a shame that you didn't get ahold
of him before that Kaya did!" Hadrie said. "He's looked awful down in
the face since the Wedding, I bet he'd be far happier with you."

"Hadrie!" Lyranel said, shocked. "Don't let anyone else at the Hold
hear you saying that!"

"Oh, like I'm the only one who's noticed. Right." Hadrie said
dismissively. "Don't you worry though, soon enough he'll be like Lord
Zathris. None of those men stay loyal to their wives for very long."

"Wait... Lord Zathris... what?" Lyranel said, beginning to feel her
heart thump faster in her chest.

"Oh come now girl, do you not hear any rumors at all? A turn or so
back Lord Zathris had a friend - a lady friend - and she ended up
getting pregnant. Then she disappeared!" Hadrie explained.

"So? I fail to see what that has to do with me," Lyranel said slowly.

"What it has to do with you? Lyranel, just because a man is married
doesn't mean he's out of bounds. You're young yes, but you're no
innocent, never-been-touched maiden. If you have a dalliance with a
married man, it's not gonna hurt your prospects any assuming no one
finds out!"

Lyranel couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her whole life, she had
been told that women weren't meant to enjoy relations with a man, and
that it was just a wife's duty. And furthermore, she'd been told that
women weren't supposed to be with a man that she wasn't wed to. "What
are you talking about, Hadrie!? Have you gone absolutely mad?" Lyranel
asked the older woman.

"You're not going to get a lucrative marriage, you haven't got
anything to offer a man," Hadrie said. Noticing Lyranel's scowl, she
said. "Oh come off it, you didn't have anything to begin with, and now
you're a widow. You're lucky to be better than a drudge. But powerful
men have been known to keep mistresses, and they're often willing to
give a lot to their mistress to ensure her silence. I don't know if
you've looked, but now that you've started eating better and dressing
in nicer clothes, you're a rather pretty girl. And no one would bat an
eyelash if they saw you coming out of his chambers because you have
permission to be there!"

"Are you insinuating that I should try to seduce the Lord Holder?"
Lyranel said, aghast.

"Or the Steward. And you don't have to seduce anyone, m'dear. Just do
what comes naturally," Hadrie said with a wink.

Lyranel thought it over a minute. While morally, she found what Hadrie
was saying despicable, she had to admit to having a crush on Lord
Zathris. The man was certainly attractive, and there was something to
be said about a man with rank. But she liked him. She didn't want to
seduce him. And then there was the matter of Benani, who she
respected. The person who gave her a chance despite her failures.
"That's terrible Hadrie!"

Hadrie rolled her eyes. "C'mon. It's almost common knowledge that Lord
Benaroy was having an affair..."

"That doesn't mean I want to be a part of something like that!" Lyranel said.

"Oh, come on now. I saw you just then, you were thinking about it!"
Hadrie argued.

"Well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think Lord Zathris was
attractive..." Lyranel started.

"See! Told you!" Hadrie said smugly. "I've seen the way you look at
him at meal time."

"But that doesn't mean that I want anything to come from it!" Lyranel protested.

"What woman _doesn't_ want something to come from an attraction?
Seriously, Lyranel, stop being silly. Just keep an eye out. See how he
acts. You never know, maybe it's mutual."

Last updated on the June 2nd 2011

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

To Be Without Virtue