Paying Respects

Writers: Suzee, Ang
Date Posted: 12th September 2012

Characters: L'cor, Malysa, Marik, Lysala
Description: Lecordin pays a call on a lovely young woman
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 13 of Turn 6

L'cor

Lecordin had had a long day with all the running around he'd had to do
for the Steward. Yet one thing had kept him going with a smile on his
face. Tonight he would see Malysa. Thoughts of white blond hair
shining in the setting sun and clear blue eyes spurred him on through
the chill evening air.

He arrived at her parents home and took a deep breath before he knocked.

The knock had her heart fluttering in her chest and she took a deep
breath before moving to open the door. "I've got it, Papa!" she
called out before pulling it open and seeing the boy, no, the young
man standing on the other side. With a shy but wide smile, she said,
"Good eve, Lecordin. Would you care to come in?"

Her mother was at the hearth, watching as she slowly knitted.

"Good evening," he said with a very special smile for the beautiful
young woman. "Ma'am," he knuckled his forehead and then gave Malysa's
father a short bow. "Sir." He'd learned over his times visiting which
chair belonged to the father and made for a straight backed chair near
the fire. "How is everyone this evening?"

Malysa bit her lower lip to keep from giggling like a young girl at
his beautiful smile. He was so handsome ... closing the door, she
moved to stand beside the chair he chose.

"Good evening, Lecordin. Would you like anything to drink?" Marik
asked as he finished packing his pipe. Moving to the hearth, he lit a
stick and placed it in the bowl, puffing hard to draw the smoke his
joints yearned for. Once the pipe was well lit, he put the stick out
and set it on the stones of the hearth. "I've a nice new hearty beer
from the Vinter Hall ..."

"Now, Marik, don't be getting the boy tipsy. I'm sure he and Malysa
would like a bit of time together," Lysala said with a pointed look
before she turned to Lecordin. "And how was your day, lad?"

"Oh, more errands for the Hold." He knew his prospects for advancement
were fairly bright. "I wouldn't mind a small glass of that beer sir,"
he smiled. "It's been a long day." He wanted to reach out and take
Malysa's hand. She looked so lovely in the soft light. But he settled
for a soulful smile in her direction. There would be a little time for
them later if her mother was to be believed.

Marik harrumphed as he poured two mugs of his precious beer. "A bit
is right," he grumbled as he handed the young man a mug before he
settled into his comfortable chair beside Lysala. "Been runnin' ya
ragged, eh? Not a surprise ... things are picking up 'round here ..."

Lysala went back to her knitting but didn't miss the stretch of her
daughters hand. She'd let it go ... for now.

She couldn't help it and gave her mother a direct look as she settled
her hand upon Lecordin's shoulder. What Malysa would rather do was
curl up on his lap and rest her head on his shoulder but that would be
forbidden. "I hope they're not running you too hard, are they? I
wouldn't want you getting sick or hurt," she said quietly as her thumb
gently rubbed the back of his neck.

A soft smile curved his lips Malysa was such a sweet girl and the more
he got to know her the more sure he became about his future at Green
Valley. Somehow, someway he would have it all, _and_ his fathers
approval. That would mean a lot to him.

"I'm just being given the jobs I should for my current rank," he
smiled. "But you'll see," he looked up to give her a small wink.

Malysa didn't see the look that passed between her parents, her lovely
blue eyes glued to his as she smiled at him. He was such a gentleman,
so intelligent, and she knew that he'd go far. "I hope so," she said
just above a whisper before a gentle clearing of a throat was heard.

"Would you care for a turnover, Lecordin? Malysa just finished a batch ..."

"Oh, yes! I'll get you one with a bit of cream, too?" she asked,
already heading off to the cordoned off kitchen area.

He refocused his attention when the throat clearing started him away
from gazing into those oh so blue eyes. "Um yes! That would be
great." He smiled a little nervously at Malysa's da. He'd never felt
this way about a girl before and he didn't want to mess things up.
"Sir, How was your day," he asked politely.

"Not much different than yesterday," Marik answered then puffed hard
on his pipe, the smoke curling gently around his eyes as he exhaled
which made him squint. "The animals have been a bit feisty lately, as
if they know somethin' we don't. Steward got anything to say about
that?"

Returning with the fruit turnover floating on a small pool of cream,
Malysa leaned before Lecordin to offer it to him. "I hope you like
it," she said with a soft smile before going to sit in her chair
beside him. "Papa, let him eat. It's not nice to make him talk about
what the Steward is thinking. Ask the man yourself."

The abrupt clack of needles was heard as Lysala gave her daughter a
hard look. "Do not talk to your father like that. It is
inappropriate," she said harshly which made Malysa look down at her
clasped hands.

"Yes, Mother ..." She peeked up at Lecordin then her father before
saying, "I'm sorry, Father."

Lecordin took the offered turnover and was about to answer the man
when the exchange took place. But his mouth snapped shut when Malysa
spoke up. His brows rose slightly and much as he wanted to reach out
and cover her hand she had spoken rather sharply to her father. In a
rush to practice the control he needed in his chosen profession he
smoothed his expression into pleasant attention. "Well sir, he said.
"There has been some homeless activity reported recently from Emerald
Hills. I wouldn't imagine the Steward was ready to impart the
information generally as there haven't been any local reports turning
up." He picked up his utensil to cut a bite. "But I'd keep a good
lookout."

Lifting the warm spoonful to his mouth he savored the flavors.
Surprised eyes turned to Malysa. "You made this? It's great!"

Marik frowned at the thought of the trouble the holdless could cause.
"Wide spread? A band or a few?" he asked before puffing again on his
pipe. He glanced at his wife who had resumed her knitting, lips
pressed tightly together.

Smiling shyly, Malysa nodded. "Just for you," she whispered, unaware
of the imminent curtailing of her free time on the horizon. The girl
lifted her elbow to the arm of the chair and settled her chin on her
palm as she watched Lecordin eat. He was so proper ... so perfect ...
how had she gotten so lucky?

He realized he probably shouldn't have said anything to give them
alarm. "No, it's quite limited. They're tracking only a few. But with
winter and all sometimes they get a bit aggressive. Just be wary and
report anything out of the ordinary."

Marik nodded and took one last puff on his pipe before upending the
bowl into the fireplace. "That we'll do," he said then stretched his
arms up into the air. "Time for an old man to go to bed. Malysa,
stay close."

"Of course, father," she said with a soft smile as she got up to kiss
his cheek. "Sleep well." She was so excited to be left alone with
Lecordin and her mother, who would turn aside if they wanted to get
closer. Turning, she held her hand out for the bowl in the young
man's hand. "May I take that? Can I get you anything else?"

Her fingers touched his and he smiled up at her before releasing the
dish. "I'm fine," he said softly. He watched her go and then took a
seat nearer the fire and farther from her mother so they could have a
little bit of private conversation before he had to leave.

Coming back to sit beside him, she was bold enough to take his hand in
hers to hold on her thigh. Their shoulders barely touched as they
spoke in low voices under her mother's watchful eye.

Last updated on the March 26th 2014

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Paying Respects