Spousal Orders
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Estelle, Lexy
Date Posted: 31st October 2005
Characters: Enrizial, Anaia
Description: Enrizial and Anaia exchange letters.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 28 of Turn 3
The wooden box on Lord Enrizial's desk was about as long as his forearm, highly polished and tied around with a dark green ribbon. The craftsman who had delivered it had guessed what it might be for, but had not dared to say a word to the stony-faced Lord when he had opened it up to display his handiwork. Enrizial's feelings towards his wife and daughters were obviously complex and stormy, and it would have taken a braver man than him to comment.
Once he was gone, Enrizial sat staring at it for a long time. It was now only four days short of Faraline's birthday, and a trader caravan or rider would never reach his wife's home hold in time. He could ask for dragonrider transport, but he feared the ridicule of the weyrfolk if they knew what it was he was sending.
Painful as it was, he could not resist going himself, and so he took up his pen to write a short note.
***
Lady Anaia, I intend to pay a visit to your family's hold on the fifth of next month, in order to see my daughter on her first birthday. Please have both of the children ready for my arrival at about three hours after midday.
Enrizial Lord Holder of Emerald Falls
***
Anaia sighed when she read the letter. No warmth was held in those few shorts words and that pained her more than a little. She had to say she was half ashamed now of the little skip her heart had given upon seeing the firelizard pop in next to her. She'd recognized Valiant immediately and had so hoped for more.
"What is it Ana?" her sister-by-marriage asked softly. She could tell immediately that something was amiss. "Who sent the letter?"
"My husband," she answered sadly, trying to smile. "He says he will be visiting on Faraline's birthingday." Well, at least there was _that_. He'd not completely disowned them all. She handed the short paper over to her sister who read through it quickly.
"Oh, Ana...I'm sorry..."
~*~*~*~
My Lord, I'm sure Faraline will welcome your visit. She has missed you and has filled in the time toddling around asking for her 'Papa'. I will have her ready as you requested and make sure Alalia is as well. We await your visit and look forward to seeing you again.
Your wife, Anaia
***
Enrizial bit his lip as he read the short note, remembering how his little daughter's first word had been "Papa" and how she'd looked up at him, bright-eyed and trusting. He could well imagine her plaintively asking her mother for "Papa" and not understanding where he had gone.
Angrily, he put such thoughts aside and returned to concentrating as best he could on his work. Faraline would have to learn to do without her Papa, just as he had been kept apart from his mother as a child. It was all, after all, for the good of the Hold, and that would always have to come first.
***
Last updated on the November 1st 2005