"The Secret Between Siblings"

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 14th July 2014

Characters: Zathris, Barenziah, Rynthian (NPC)
Description: Zathris discovers Barenziah and Rythian's secret.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Benani, Karhal

Zathris

Barenziah

"Too slow!" Rynthian barked, his wooden sword smacking Barenziah in the hip.

Barenziah gritted her teeth together, sweat trickling down the sides
of her face as she moved to get her sword up in time. Since the
general population frowned upon women being anything more than ladies
in fancy dresses, Barenziah's training with her brother had to be
rather secretive. As it was, she had stitched up a pair of his
breeches, tailored them to fit her slimmer size, and wore those
whenever they sparred. She also wore a helmet to which she had her
hair twisted up and pinned beneath. The last touch to her ensemble was
a vest that helped hide some of the generous round curve of her
breasts.

To the casual onlooker she probably looked like some youth that
Rynthian was working with, and that was exactly what they wanted.

"What crawled up your -" Barenziah began muttering, but Rynthian cut
her off with a smug grin.

"Tsk, tsk, dear sister, is that anyway for a lady to talk?" He teased.
They were only a Turn apart in age, and could have been twins with how
inseparable they were.

"Right now I am no lady." Barenziah growled back, advancing on her
brother with a fancy brandish of her wooden sword.

Rynthian laughed and blocked her attack, but this time it required
both of his hands on the hilt of his sword. Even though Rynthian was
sure his Captain would disapprove, he felt training Barenziah was an
important part of his work, especially now that Barenziah had been
assigned to Benani as her lady-in-waiting. What better woman to look
after the Lady than a woman with self-defense and sparring knowledge?

The young guard glanced up when a figure touched the peripherals of his
vision, and he cursed beneath his breath, "Keep your head down, Lord
Zathris is headed this way."

Barenziah's eyes grew large, "Feck! He is?" She ducked her head a bit,
hoping her helmet would shield her from being recognized.

"Rynthian." Zathris approached the two who were training and inclined
his head to both, though his gaze rested mainly upon the young man.
"I understand that you are particularly well versed in..." He glanced
at the youth that had been sparring with Rynthian just before his
arrival, then did a double take as his eyes had caught a flash of
familiar red hair and pale blue eyes. That wasn't...was it? Zathris
leaned over to get a better view at that face. "Look at me."

When the person complied, it was as he expected. He glanced between
the two, his expression thoughtful, but continued his previous
statement. "I understand that you are particularly well versed in
sword work. With Karhal still recovering, I need a new sparring
partner. I was wondering if you would be interested until he is back
to himself." Karhal would most likely insist he was fine for such an
activity, but Zathris wanted to give the man more time - and he had
other duties that would have to be attended to and caught up on first
as well.

Rynthian's eyes slid sideways to Barenziah, who didn't even have the
decency to look properly embarrassed at having been caught, "Yes,
sir, I would be happy to assist." He answered, inclining his head
respectfully toward the Lord Holder.

Barenziah remained quiet, afraid that speaking would break the spell.
A part of her was worried that there would be some sort of punishment
for what she had been doing, and yet at the same time, she remembered
having seen a female technician- a_female_ technician- leaving Zathris's
office one day.

"Good." Then he turned his attention back to Barenziah. "How often
do you two practice?"

"Three times a seven-day, at least." She answered, her blue eyes meeting his.

He nodded, his expression thoughtful again. "Perhaps it would be
beneficial to practise with someone else. Different people have
different styles, and learning different styles can make you more
flexible and a better fighter over all. Meet me tonight, dusk, at the
far area. I would suggest you keep the same outfit.

Surprise made Rynthian's eyebrows shoot up, but Barenziah merely
smiled, a grin crossing her face, "Yes, milord." The opportunity to
continue working with her brother was a happy one, and the chance of
sparring with someone else was also exciting.

"Good. Rynthian, I was thinking we could practise around noon tomorrow
if that is amenable." It wouldn't do to eat then exercise, so Zathris
always made sure to do strenuous activity beforehand.

"Yes, sir." Rynthian gave a jaunty salute.

Barenziah reached up and tucked a stray strand of fiery red hair back
up under her helmet while adjusting the gloves she wore and getting a
better grip on her sword hilt. The idea of sparring with the Lord
Holder was exciting and anxiety-producing all at the same time. It
certainly was uncouth, and yet she was glad for his quiet acceptance.

"Good." There was a short pause, but then Zathris turned without
another word to continue on his way.

Rynthian's eye slid to the right, and Barenziah's slid to the left
until their gazes met, and then the siblings both burst out into
laughter.

"You should have seen your face!" Rynthian pointed at Barenziah.

"Mine?! You couldn't even look him in the eye while he was talking!"

Rynthian turned and whacked Barenziah's knee with his sword while
sticking his tongue out at her.

"On guard you heathen!" Barenziah cried, brandishing her sword at her brother.

Last updated on the July 17th 2014

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"The Secret Between Siblings"