A Visit And An Inkling

Writers: AL, Anaria
Date Posted: 15th June 2011

Characters: Lyranel, Zathris
Description: Lyranel brings Ailnim to see Zathris and gets an...inkling of sorts.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 19 of Turn 6

Zathris

Lyranel knocked lightly on the door to the Lord Holder's
office. Ailnim had wished to see his uncle, and wouldn't accept no,
regardless of how Lyranel put it. She hoped that Zathris would have a
few moments free, so she could get the boy settled down enough to take
his afternoon nap. "Lord Zathris, It's Lyranel, with Ailnim," she called
out.

Well now, that was a surprise. Of all the people to come and visit him,
Lyranel was the last, but ah, she was with Ailnim. "Come on in!" He
called through the door then grinned when she stepped inside, the little
one in tow. "Well hello there, to what do I owe the pleasure of this
visit?"

"Pics!" Ailnim said proudly, thrusting forth a worn piece of hide that
he'd drawn a picture on.

"He drew you a picture," Lyranel translated with a smile. "And he
absolutely refused to go to bed until he had a chance to have you
properly fawn over it!" She said, entering the room and taking a seat.
"He is so fond of you, Lord Zathris!"

"I'm fond of him! Come here big guy." Zathris pushed his chair out
and patted his knee. The little boy scrambled around and immediately
climbed onto the proffered leg and held up the drawing. "Wow, that's a
great picture. Tell me about it!"

Ailnim smiled broadly at his uncle's attention. "Dagon!" He said,
pointing to a figure on the paper that looked somewhat like a dragon.
"Zathisssss" he said, pointing to a man standing beside the dragon.
"Dagon Fliesss!"

Lyranel giggled despite herself. "He's so cute with that little lisp!"

"Children his age often have them - he'll grow out of it." Zathris
chuckled. "Whoa, that's a _huge_ dragon Nim! Huge! I bet he flies
really high and really fast, eh?" He glanced over at Lyranel and
motioned to her. "What does she fly, hm?"

"A gold!" Ailnim said, flashing a coy smile at Lyranel from underneath
thick eyelashes. He was already a flirtatious child, and Lyranel hoped
he didn't lose that confidence with the women as he grew.

"A gold!" Lyranel said, proudly. "Well I bet she'd be the prettiest
Gold on all of Pern now wouldn't she? What's her name?"

"Ameranabingaboingth!!" Ailnim exclaimed, clapping his hands together
in excitement.

"I expected nothing less than a gold for Lyranel!" Zathris laughed,
the sound full and warm and it echoed through the room. "And what an
interesting name. Very exotic. Maybe you can draw a picture of her
next time you draw?"

Lyranel felt her face flush slightly, and she averted her eyes to
avoid the Lord Holder's notice. "He really is quite the budding little
artist, isn't he? And he's doing very well at learning his letters and
numbers too. He can count to twelve!"

Ailnim beamed proudly, knowing that he was the center of their
attention.

"Really?" Zathris bounced the little boy on his knee. "Did Lyra teach
you to count to twelve?" He asked grinning at the squeal his antics
caused. "Can you count to twelve for me?"

Ailnim nodded quickly, and Lyranel feared for a moment that he would
make himself dizzy from excitement. He took a deep breath before
saying proudly, "One, two, twee, fouwa, five, sixth, seven, eight,
nine, ten, eleffen, twelf!"

Lyranel dared not admit that the only reason she'd been teaching the
boy letters and numbers was so she could study her own lessons while
doing her duties.

"Excellent job, Ailnim, and you too, Lyra." Zathris nodded, commending
the girl for working with the child. "I bet the harpers will be very
impressed with how well you count once you're in classes."

"Oh, he can't wait to go to his Harper classes," Lyranel said with a
smile. "He tries to follow me along..." she realized what she was
saying and shut her mouth abruptly. **Stupid, stupid, stupid... How
could you admit that! And to the Lord Holder of all people!**

"You're taking classes?" Zathris was rather surprised by that
admittance and he was rather curious.

Lyranel flushed bright crimson, and she considered her response. If
she lied, he might think that she was trying to practice a craft in
private. Instead, she said, "Yes, sir. I never learned to read or
write at my cothold. My Da didn't think it was women's work. While
Ailnim is playing with the other children or off with his relatives, I
listen in to the little children's Harper classes. And then I repeat
everything to him in the evening, so I can remember it better. I'm
sorry, you must think me quite silly."

"Silly? Of course not! I say good for you, actually!" Zathris shook
his head and patted Ailnim's back absently. "I honestly have trouble
understanding the attitude some men have toward women. You keep it up,
Lyranel, and don't let anyone discourage you from learning."

"Thank you! It means a lot knowing that there are people who don't
find it wrong for a woman to want to better herself," Lyranel said. "I
mean, I don't have silly ideas like going off and joining a craft, but
I still think that I can be more than just a sad, lonely widow."

Zathris started to say that a woman joining a craft wasn't a silly
idea, but decided to keep his mouth shut. There were a lot of people
who thought that way and it was going to take time and patience. There
was no point in lecturing her. "Well, keep up the good work, Lyra.
And if you have any problems, don't hesitate to talk to the harpers -
if they give you any trouble, you just let Wirnan or me know."

"Thank you, sir. It didn't seem fitting for him to know his letters
better than I did!" she said with a smile. "I'm really glad we were
able to find something I'm good at, and I simply adore Ailnim. He
makes me wish for my own children."

"I have to admit a certain fondness for them myself." Zathris wondered
if the young woman would find another man for her. He wasn't really
into setting up marriages. Perhaps Benani could help introduce her to
some eligible bachelors. "Perhaps you'll have some one day."

"You must be very happy that Benani is going to make you a father
soon," Lyranel said. "Will these be your first children? I heard the
ladies of the Hold mentioning you were married before. I apologize if
that's too personal a question."

"No, it's all right." Ailnim was getting bored and started to try and
climb Zathris like he was a mountain - and the Lord let him, though he
kept his arms around like a cage should the child fall. "I was married
and Maisla conceived, but she lost the baby in the fourth month, and
there were complications and she passed as well." Benani would never
replace her, not truly, but she had helped to ease the sorrow, though
it would never be taken away completely.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Lyranel said, the empathy in her voice
genuine. "It's... hard... getting back to normal after your spouse
dies. And in my case, I never much cared for my husband, but it still
hurts. It still reminds me how weak we really are."

"Aye. But you seem a strong woman." Ailnim managed to climb up on
Zathris' shoulders and bounced there happily. "You came here,
have shown bravery and determination. You've chosen to better
yourself. It's admirable."

Lyranel flushed even brighter, her mind going back to her friend
Hadrie's words. Maybe it was possible that such a powerful man as
Zathris could show interest in her someday. "Well, thank you. It means
a lot to know that you think that. Especially after some of the
trouble I caused. Poor Wirnan...."

Zathris laughed, the sound full and rich and high at the same time. "I
heard bout that! Poor Wirnan indeed, I have to admit, it was good for
a laugh! And there was no permanent harm done! But don't you worry
about what I think - you worry about yourself and take good care of
yourself. And this one." Zathris stood and then flipped Ailnim over
his shoulder, causing the boy to squeal. "I would much prefer your
company than to the company of work, but I'm afraid I do have to get
back, but I do hope you'll bring him again from time to time."

"Of course, he always loves time with his Uncle, and I have to admit
to finding him rather enjoyable company as well," Lyranel said,
picking up Ailnim quickly. "Say night night, sweetheart."

"Ni ni!" Ailnim said waving emphatically.

"Good night, Lord Zathris."

"Good night Nim. Goodnight Lyra." Zathris lowered back into his chair
and waved to the child, then grinned over at the foster mother.

Lyranel more skipped than ran back to her room, twirling Ailnim around
happily once she got there. What was it about her conversation with
Zathris that got her so sharding excited all the sudden!?

Last updated on the June 17th 2011

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A Visit And An Inkling