A New Task

Writers: AL, Miriah
Date Posted: 26th July 2014

Characters: Zathris, Karhal
Description: Zathris gives Karhal another task to add to his already long list.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 8 of Turn 7

Zathris

Karhal

Zathris observed the guards in their morning ritual with a critical
eye. Karhal had been tightening an already seaworthy ship and it
showed. With a nod off approval, he waited until they were done and
dismissed, then approached the Captain of the Guard. "Karhal. A word
with you." He wasn't sure what Karhal would think, but at least hoped
that the man would understand. As it was, he'd mulled over the idea for
quite some time, but not matter what way he looked at it, he just
couldn't see how the cons outweighed the pros.

"Of course." Karhal nodded his head, his face impassive. Despite the
fact that they had brought the ragged remains of Crolarin's body back to
the Hold a few days ago, Karhal hadn't eased in his security measures
one whit. If there was one Crolarin, there could always be another; he
was determined never to let an incident so horrendous happen again, not
for his family and not for the Lord Holder's. "What can I do for you, my
Lord?"

"I would like you to start training some of the residents of the hold,
mainly those who are near the Lady." Zathris eyed the Captain closely
as he spoke. "I want the ladies to learn how to fight, particularly
hand to hand. They need to learn self defense." And he would suggest
Benani do the same - once she was better. If she ever got better.

"You want bodyguards for Benani." Karhal said softly. "Who won't be
expected." He could see the benefits of it, but it went against the
grain of everything he'd been taught about women's places in the hold.
The men were supposed to protect them. He paused at that thought. He'd
done a shoddy job of protecting both the Lady and his wife. "Are these
ladies currently wed? I believe husbands may take issue with me teaching
their wives. Up close and personal training requires contact that some
of these ladies won't be prepared for."

"They'll have to get used to it. It will be good for them in the long
run - they'll be able to help protect themselves as well as others.
Make sure you do it where it's open and not behind closed doors. As for
husbands, if any of them give you grief, send them to me directly."
Zathris doubted they would argue with a Lord Holder's command. "I'll be
glad to convince them."

Karhal scratched his head slowly, then ran his hand over his face. This
was something that would be difficult to accomplish, not to mention it
would take even more time away from his wife fitting in to his schedule.
He also didn't know how Loella would take to him being hand on with not
just one, but several women. That could get rather ugly. But, then
again, it was Zathris' command. Shaffit. "If I do it in the open, then
it won't be much of a surprise to anyone, my Lord. There is also your
reputation to consider." He added the last softly. "And the reputation
of the ladies."

"Good point." Obviously Zathris wasn't thinking. Honestly, he hadn't
really been thinking clearly since Benani disappeared and return
honestly hadn't helped that much. Not with the damage that had been
done to her. "All right, but perhaps it would be best to have at least
one woman trusted by them to be among them, or at the very least just
present. It might help ease concerns." He paused, then suggested,
"Perhaps your wife might agree to that arrangement?"

"She might." And she might just insist on being trained herself;
Karhal particularly didn't like that idea. "But I must ask that this
be done quietly. Pick the women that you think will benefit the most."
He paused and then frowned. "You know, my Lord, would it not help the
Lady if she learned how to defend herself? It could...empower her.
Make her less fearful."

"I thought of that, Karhal, but with the way she is right now, that's
not possible. It will have to wait until she is better. Until then,
her ladies in waiting will be trained first." Zathris didn't like the
idea of keeping it quiet, but Karhal was right. "Then perhaps we may
consider starting classes for all the ladies of the hold. Self
defense. Help them to empower themselves as well. There are far too
many men in this world who look upon women as little more than cattle.
That, however, is a long term goal. We should focus on short term for
now."

"You never know, my Lord. You may find that if she discovers she can
protect herself, it may help her getting better. But, as you say, it
may have to wait." Karhal rubbed his chin as he thought about his own
schedule. "Very well, I can begin training with her Ladies. But if any
of the ladies are with child, then they will have to forgo training
until after they give birth. That's not something we can risk."

"If you saw what condition she's in currently, Karhal, you would readily
agree that it will have to wait. She won't let any man near her, and she
barely tolerates my presence." Zathris had to be careful, his anger
flared far too easily when he discussed the condition of his wife. "As
to the training, yes. I will not risk any children. Shall we begin
lessons in a sevenday? That will give them time to acquire appropriate
clothing. Oh, and include Rynthian as an assistant."

"Rynthian?" He preferred not to work with those he didn't know well, but
inclined his head. "Very well. A sevenday will give me enough time to
get a private area cleared. I'll need a list of those you want trained
as soon as you can."

"I'll have them to you tomorrow."

Last updated on the July 26th 2014

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