Bachelors Number 1 to 4

Writers: Chelle, Jelena, Leigh M-F., Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th May 2014

Characters: Herlis, Stallis, Geriot, Zumre, Freido, Mawul, Sartet
Description: Herlis presents the stowaway to his men to find her a suitable husband.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 5, day 26 of Turn 7

Alright boys, I know it's a lot to take in and a big decision to
make, but she's a beauty and a sweetheart from what I can tell, so I'm
sure all your mothers will be proud to call her a daughter-in-law when
we call back into port in a few days." Herlis looked at the lads he
had rounded up with his proposition. They waited for him at his cabin
door. "For now, let's just keep it to a friendly chat and we'll see
how things match, eh?"

It was a terrible idea, but there was no way Zumre would say that
aloud to his captain. This was no way to find a wife, especially if
the wife-to-be was a frightened woman far from home with no menfolk or
mother -or even a world-wise, cranky auntie- to speak on her behalf.
(Not to mention, a small, hypocritical part of him muttered, Zumre
wasn't marriage material. He was not greatly handsome, not the type of
man who had a woman in every port, not someone with a lot of
prospects. Not the kind of person a lady in her right mind would
choose, even though he wouldn't say no to a good woman.)

Sartet wasn't sure what was going on. Something about marriage? He was a kind soul, and decent looking young man too. Unfortunately, he was also rather simple, making him often the butt of jokes and pranks from his mates. He would never hurt anyone and took their teasing with good natured acceptance.

Freido's mouth dropped open. He was a young man with many many ports left to go. He had no intention of settling down for awhile. Just because some dumb chit got herself stuck on a boat didn't mean he had
to end up with her. Oh no.

Geriot, on the other hand, was already thinking. He needed someone to
look after things while he was gone. Clean up, cook, and do the
linens. Indeed, he didn't have time for that sort of thing. Thing was,
he was also probably a decade or more older than the girl. Course in
the state of things as they were, he supposed it didn't matter much.

Stallis had prepared as best she could for this. But one didn't grow
up in a place like Sunstone without knowing how hard a sailor's life
could be. She'd heard rumors but she'd also known an old Auntie who'd
expound to anyone that would listen on the virtues of being a sailor's
wife. He'd be gone half the time and she would be able to enjoy some
little independence during those times. Now she just needed to trust
the Captain to help her meet the right man who would treat her well
when he was in port. She smoothed her dress, took a deep breath and
opened the door.

Sartet stared at her, she sure was _pretty_. He blushed all the way up to
his rather shaggy, brown hair.

Herlis smiled to himself as the girl came out. She sure was a looker and
no doubt would make one of these lads very happy. "Stallis, I would like you to meet Zumre, Sartet, Freido and Geriot. Boys, this is Stallis. Let's go into my cabin and have a glass of wine as we talk, why don't we?"

Geriot and Freido followed the Captain inside easily without any reservations, openly looking at the girl with curiosity. Why would such a thing run away like that? Was something wrong with her?

Sartet followed them in too. He was already smitten with her. He was
sure he couldn't get a word out of his mouth around her. He sighed.

Zumre followed everyone into the room, and tried to look as
non-threatening as possible. Even with the Captain as a chaperone, the
young lady -and she surely was ladylike- might be nervous with so many
strangers around. He bowed to Stallis, and said "Good day," to her,
but did not approach.

Stallis gave Zumre a shy smile and lowered her eyes but acknowledged
his words with her own. "Good day," she said softly and followed the
Captain toward the table.

"Okay, lads," Herlis said as he started to deal around wine glasses.
"Why don't you all begin by telling what your life back in port looks
like. Where and how you live and such."

"I'm Sartet, hi," the deck hand started. "I, umh, live with my ma, in
a cot, umh, Jade Harbour hold. I have sister, she married a technician
and umh, few brothers. They're all much older than me."

"My name is Zumre," the quartermaster said, having had a chance to
think a little on what he was going to say. "I am also from Jade
Harbor. My parents and my adopted auntie -my mother's best friend- are
Healers. My father takes care of patients, and my mother and auntie
handle the herbal stock. When I'm in port, I run deliveries for them.
I have no blood siblings, but my auntie's son is like a brother to me.
He takes good care of all of them while I'm gone." He hesitated,
wanting to say he would not make any demands of Stallis -at least,
none she didn't want made-, but held his tongue for now.

Stallis nodded at Startet and then focused on Zumre again. She
unconsciously twisted some of her long straight blond hair between her
fingers. Jade Harbor was far enough away that her uncle couldn't
really force her back. Besides, like the Captain said. He wouldn't
have the right if she were married.

Freido took his turn. "I live in Sunstone when we're not sailing.
I fish some but I am gone a lot mostly. My family is from Topaz Seahold.
Been saving on account of wanting my own cot when I get hitched." That
was about all he had to offer.

Geriot was different. The man was obviously smarter and more ambitious
than most deckhands. Indeed he had been looking for a wife that could support his designs and this stowaway clearly wasn't smart. Still he was curious and his eyes tracked her for a bit.

"Is there anything you would like to know Stallis," Herlis asked gently.

She thought a moment. She was still young with romantic notions of a
husband and babies. None of these men were near what she had dreamed but they were infinitely better than the uncle who'd beaten and threatened to rape her or the grandfather he'd wanted her to marry.
She took a small sip of her wine. "My father held a small cothold
outside of Sunstone Seahold. He'd planned a marriage for me to a
nearby Cotholder's son but then he died and my Uncle came to hold. He
made the marriage for his own daughter instead." She sighed and took
another drink . She'd seen her whole life fade away in a matter of a
few months. "I know all the wifely skills and will keep your home if
you protect me and treat me well," she asked looking at each of the
suitors in turn.

"I'm strong, I can protect you," Sartet said, puffing out his biceps.
"And if I treated you badly, my mom would give me a clip in the ear,"
he added sheepishly and blushed.

Her eyes scanned the men and she couldn't help thinking that Sartet
had the kindest eyes while she wasn't sure that Geriot even liked the
look of her.

"Freido," she inquired. "When did you plan on getting hitched?"

He looked back at her and seemed to pause while considering his answer.
"Well to make it plain-whenever I found a girl who was willing and could
give me children. I mean, I'm not home a lot so it's hard to meet women.
When we go into port, it's not the sort of women you would...well you'd want for a wife." His face was red as he spoke plainly, but he didn't know how else to say it.

"Do you want children, Stallis?" Zumre spoke up. If not, that was fine
by him. It might not be fine by his parents, since they wouldn't mind
grandchildren, but there was always the chance his dear friend would
step up to it, and those children could inherit the shop instead. No
skin off Zumre's neck.

She looked down at her hands for a moment. "It's my duty to give my
husband and the hold children," she said but then she looked back up.
"But yes, I do want some. do you?"

Herlis quietly observed the chat, trying to figure out which would be
the best match. Then again, he didn't really feel like it was his
decision to make anyway.

Zumre just shrugged. "If it happens, it happens," he said noncommittally.

That was not exactly what she wanted to hear and she turned to
another. "And you Geriot, do you wish to have children?"

He smiled, a slow considering smile. This was different. Now she was the one asking questions as if she had control over her future. "Aye I do. When I am Captain of my own vessel they could be of help to me."

Sartet shuffled his feet restlessly and tried not to sigh. Her
attention was not on him, he's been passed over again. Sometimes he
wished he was smarter and could talk to girls so they would like him.

Herlis nodded to himself as the conversation unfolded. The girl seemed
to be regaining some of her sense. "Anything else you would like to
ask, Stallis?"

"No sir," she said. All things considered she rather though Geriot would be her best choice. He was smart and ambitious and could provide well for her and their children. As long as he didn't hit her she could be content with that.

Last updated on the May 28th 2014

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