Placing the Pawn

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 30th July 2015

Characters: Yriadha, Vreena
Description: Yriadha plots with a pawn
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Xeladrie, Humari

Yriadha

Yriadha waited in her office, her impatience only displayed by the
drum of her fingers over her desk. The chit would be here soon and she
wanted a look at her. She'd only really paid attention to her before
she'd been sent off, and now she wanted a complete measure of the
girl. She flicked her gaze over the hides one more time: widow to an
elderly guard who died in his sleep. The guard had been in his fifth
decade while the young woman was scarcely eighteen and the child of
the union had been a stillborn girl. It was no surprise then that her
parents had called her back, despite what had happened when she had
lived here previously. But still…a young widow, even this young widow,
would be suitable for the Lady Holder, provided that she was of the
right mind for Yriadha to place her.

There was a knock and Yriadha answered it with a crisp "Enter." She
looked up to meet the eyes of the young woman who entered. Bright blue
eyes met hers with no small degree of wariness, but a good deal of
intelligence. The golden hair was neatly done and braided around her
head, but the gown dipped a bit too low for her taste. Her dresses
would have to be adjusted should she be hired; there was propriety to
be considered, after all. "Have a seat, Vreena." Yriadha gestured to
the seat across from her.

Folding her skirts under, Vreena sat, looking at Yriadha cautiously.
"I was told you wanted to see me, Headwoman." She stroked her skirts,
then took a breath and sat straighter. "If this is about Hu…"

Yriadha interrupted her immediately, her hand lifting to still the
words. "We will discuss that soon enough."

Vreena fell silent, her lip thrusting out in a bit of a sulk, but held
her tongue.

Yriadha considered the girl for a moment before continuing. "Your
mother requested that I consider you for a position in the Lady
Holder's retinue due to your upbringing and the fact that you are
recently widowed." She steepled her fingers and watched as Vreena's
eyes lit up with the possibilities of the position; it was no small
thing to be close to a Lady Holder and it was a position of esteem.
Far better than being the wife to some old man. Yriadha latched onto
the interest. "I'm inclined to do so, but with certain conditions."

That brought the caution back to Vreena's eyes. "What conditions?"

"You will report to me on the Lady's behavior and actions and behave
appropriately at all times." The Headwoman watched as Vreena took this
in, her mind working and continued. "And you should know that my
daughter is one of her maids as well." Vreena went still and for a
moment her breathing quickened, but Yriadha couldn't tell if it was
from excitement or fear. "Should you report well, I would be pleased
enough to turn my attention from private, discreet encounters that may
be…ill thought of." She left the meaning clear.

Vreena's eyes widened. Was she finally giving permission for her and
Humari to be together? When she had last seen Humari, she'd made a
horrible mistake and she'd never been able to apologize. She had heard
that Humari was wed, but surely it was a horrid match like her own had
been; she'd been desperately unhappy and hadn't mourned when he had
finally died. If all she had to do was tell Yriadha what happened with
the Lady Holder, it seemed a small price to pay to try to get Humari
to forgive her. And she could do it; Humari was smart, but soft
hearted. Even if she were wed, they could learn to be discreet or
maybe…just maybe… Her attention went back to Yriadha. "But I thought
that you didn't approve…"

She wasn't able to finish her sentence. Yriadha kept her face
straight, but allowed a little sadness to creep into her expression.
"I fear I overreacted where my youngest was concerned. I only want for
her happiness now. Her marriage is not a happy one, I fear, and she is
angry with me. If you could do this for me, and Humari seeks you out,
then I may see if I can arrange for you a more permanent solution. At
the Weyr, perhaps. And if she does not, at least you will have a good
position. But you may not tell her that I approve or of my ideas."

"Why not?" Vreena frowned, her mind working.

"Because she is angry at me, and if she thinks I brought her here as a
sop to her hurt, I fear she would take it out on you." Yriadha's voice
was gentle. "The best chance for you is to let her believe that
everything is your idea. You know she'll appreciate that. And it may
well woo her. I will just simply help in secret and it will be between
us. And I do so apologize for my behavior last we met. I hope this
can, in some way, repair that breech that I caused. "

Vreena's eyes lit up with hope at the words. "So all I have to do is
just tell you what the Lady Holder says?"

"Just so."

Vreena nodded hurriedly. "I can do that, Headwoman."

"Good." The brisk voice returned. "I will introduce you to the lady on
the morrow then."

After the rest of the polite niceties were observed and Vreena left,
apparently floating on a cloud, Yriadha leaned back in her seat and
smiled with dark satisfaction.

Last updated on the August 6th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Placing the Pawn