Headstrong Women...

Writers: Chelle, Heather
Date Posted: 22nd August 2012

Characters: Jeyme, Sarban
Description: Sarban scolds Jeyme for leaving the Hold unprotected.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Jenackt

Jeyme

Jeyme had never been so tired in her life. With Blossom picking up a
rock in her shoe, and running into that Holdless fellow.... It had
been the most eventful day of her life! Since she'd been unable to
help the mare that she'd rode out of the Hold that morning, Jeyme had
been forced to walk back to the Hold on foot, the mare's reigns
dangling loosely in one of her gloved hands. Even though her riding
boots were made out of soft leather, Jeyme had never walked such a
long distance in them before and her feet were killing her! She was
sure that her boots had rubbed blisters onto her heels.

When the gates of the Hold came into sight, Jeyme let out a loud
exhale of relief, "Finally!"

Blossom's answering wicker seemed to relay the same relief.

As they came walking through the gates, Jeyme was sure that they were
picking up some rather unusual looks. Raising a hand to her chestnut
locks, Jeyme sighed at the wispy strands that had come loose from her
single braid.

When she reached the stables it was to find Sarban waiting at the
large double doors. A stablehand stepped around the waiting steward
and came over to collect the runner.

"She has a stone in her right front hoof," Jeyme murmured softly to the man

"Thank you, ma'am." The stablehand said, ducking his head as he took
Blossom's reigns and led the horse into the stables.

Turning her eyes back to Sarban, Jeyme clasped her hands before her
back, feeling like an errant child, "Hello Sarban."

"Why did you go out unescorted when you know there is danger about?"
They had certainly put out enough reports that there were dangerous holdless
asking for a reward that she had seen one of them. There were also other men
who might take advantage of a young, marriageable young woman out alone
in such areas-not to mention felines or other creatures. His brow was furrowed
and his look was not one of happiness or indulgence. While she was there, they
were responsible for her wellbeing.

"I just wanted to get out of the Hold for a bit and let Blossom
stretch her legs. We followed a path not far from the Hold, and
everything was fine until she picked up a rock," Jeyme said as she
peeled off her riding gloves, "Can we talk about this inside? I'm
thirsty," she said this while taking a few steps towards the Hold.

"Would you rather we do this here where there are not many about or inside
where there are plenty of ears?" It was up to her, but he didn't like
the flippant
way she had replied. Something could have happened to her. Obviously the chit
didn't have a regard for her safety.

Jeyme didn't see how it mattered one way or the other, but it was
obvious that Sarban wouldn't be able to wait. "Fire away, then," she
said with a wave of her hand. As she waited for the tongue-lashing
that she was sure to come, she moved over to the bucket of water that
sat in the shade of the stable. She could see a dipper hung on the
edge of the water bucket, and she smiled as she took the metal dipping
spoon and brought herself up a cold drink of water. Ah! Not the most
proper of drinking places for a lady, but the water was cold and
tasted delicious on her parched throat.

"You understand that right now there are reports of an unsavory character
running around that has no problem attacking young ladies?" he said seriously,
though his anger was obviously being held back.

Jeyme looked back up at Sarban as she licked her lips of the remaining
water on them, "I do understand that, in fact, I ran into a young man
while I was out there today." She reached into her pocket then,
remembering the bloody handkerchief, which she pulled out.

"You WHAT!?!" That did it, right there. He had half a mind to get Aivorn to
saddle up a runner to go look but that boy was probably long gone. "What
did he look like?" Shoving the poster they'd had drawn up with Jenackt's
description into her face, he waited to see what she said.

The woman waved the paper out of her face, "For Faranth's sake,
Sarban, I can't see it if you shove it up my nose!" Jeyme exclaimed before

stepping back and taking a look at the drawing. Sure enough, the face
that was staring at her had been the one that she'd seen that
afternoon. The boy's thin appearance, ragged clothes, and scruffy hair

came back to Jeyme's mind.

"It might have been him," Jeyme conceded, "he didn't look as though he
had a decent meal in a month. Although, he said his name was Jenasom."
She folded the bloodied handkerchief.

**That was all she had to say-that it might have been him?** "First, let's
pretend I'm going to let your lie that you were waiting for me slip by. Second,
let's also pretend that you didn't just come face-to-face with a known criminal
who could have hurt you in so many ways. Jeyme, do you understand that while
you are here, Corowal, Felyna, and I are responsible for your care and
wellbeing?
Your little ride there could have possibly meant YOUR life if something had
happened." He was still visibly shaking. Something inside him sincerely hoped
that she wasn't stupid. As it was, she was acting mighty childish and
he began to
wonder if that was why she hadn't married yet-doing foolish things like this.

"I don't need a babysitter. I'm here aren't I? Safe and sound? I took
care of the situation and everything is fine. In fact, the fellow
wasn't the least bit disagreeable," she conveniently left out the part
where Jenackt had held a blade at her. "I can't live my life here in a
gilded cage, Sarban. I took a well worn path that is frequently
traveled by people here at the Hold. Everything would have been fine
if Blossom hadn't picked up a stone. The boy was trying to hide from
_me_, not the other way around."

"Never mind the boy. It may not have been a boy. It could have been a MAN.
And it may not have been fine. And ALL of this would have been avoided if you
had not gone out by yourself which you know very well. What on Pern made you
think it would be okay-just this once-to do something you knew you shouldn't?

And your lie tells me just that-you knew you shouldn't have done it." **I do not
want to be a babysitter though it does seem that you need one if you do things
like this**

Jeyme refused to feel like a scolded child, "Listen, I just wanted to
get out for a bit, okay? I've just been feeling...trapped." Emerald
Falls had become one large gilded cage. She couldn't take craft, she
was too old, and yet she had no marriage prospects either. There was
nothing for Jeyme to do but sit and look pretty at the Hold. The
problem was that Jeyme wanted to _live_. Truly live. Find love, have a
family, do some real worth-while work for once. She just wanted more.

"It won't happen again."

"Trapped hm? Need something to do I suppose. How would you feel about
being a fostermother for the time being?" He had continued to keep Lisadi's
former fosterlings in the back of his mind and maybe this could be an
opportunity
for Jeyme. It was an acceptable occupation for young ladies, anyhow.

Jeyme visibly perked up at the suggestion, "Oh, that would be
perfect!" She could also imagine the frown on her father's face. He
would see her position as a foster mother as just one more sign that
she was destined to be a spinster.

"Fine, I'll let Lady Felyna know and she can make arrangements with you. You may
also need larger quarters." He wasn't letting her intentional lying go
so easily. Sarban would have a chat with the Lord and Lady Holder
about it later. For
now, though he had said all he wanted to say. **Headstrong
females...** "I've got some
things to get done but I trust you're done riding for the day?"

The woman's lips twitched a little as she fought off a smile, "I think
I'm done with riding for a _while_."

Last updated on the September 1st 2012

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