Hidden Treasure

Writers: Bree, Estelle
Date Posted: 4th August 2005

Characters: Lenala, Enrizial
Description: Lenala makes good on her promise to visit Lord Enrizial at Emerald Falls.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 10 of Turn 3

Lenala

The holders of Emerald Falls were rather surprised by the preparations made for the visit of a woman who was, after all, a dragonrider. Her kind were not usually welcome in the Hold, but the Lord Holder had ordered a fancy dinner to be prepared and served to him, his Lady and his guest in one of the finer reception rooms. Not only this, but when her golden dragon was sighted above the Hold he left off working, changed into a clean shirt and one of his finer tunics, and went out to greet her as she landed.

"My lady." He took her hand and raised it to his lips, bowing his head. "Welcome to Emerald Falls - your visit is a true pleasure."

Lenala smiled prettily, dropping a curtsey in return when Enrizial released her hand. "And I'm honored to be so kindly welcomed, Lord Enrizial."

"I hope you'll stay to dinner," Enrizial said, offering his arm. "The cooks are preparing our meal as we speak. Meanwhile, I wondered if you would allow me to show you around my Hold? You'll have seen the waterfall from the air, but it's quite a marvellous sight up close."

"I'd love to see the waterfall!" she replied, not needing to feign enthusiasm. It had delighted her from the air, and she could only imagine how pretty it would be from the ground. "And I would be happy to stay for dinner as well. It will be a rare pleasure for me."

"Usually we don't allow people to get too close, because of the risk, but I can take you right up to the water's edge," he explained proudly as they set off towards the river. "I go there often. It's very refreshing to feel the spray on your face, especially at the height of summer."

Lenala admired the landscape as she kept pace with him. "I imagine it is... I have to say, it's terribly warm at River Bluff Weyr. I'm used to a slightly cooler climate... I suppose it will take some getting used to."

"This building houses the machinery which converts the power of the falls into electricity for the Hold," Enrizial explained, unlocking a gate in a high fence that surrounded the hydroelectric power plant, keeping the curious out. "It's been here for hundreds of Turns - the founders did good work."

Once inside the enclosure, they were only a mere dragonlength from the edge of the river and the clouds of foam thrown up by the falling water. The Lord Holder took care to stay well back from the guard rail that kept the careless from falling in - he had no heir yet to follow him should he drown, and the loss of a goldrider would be no small matter either!

"There's a persistent legend that the Lords of Emerald Falls keep treasure in a hidden cave behind the waterfall..." Enrizial had to raise his voice to be heard above the roar of the falls. He remembered telling this story to Anaia when they'd met for the very first time - how long ago that seemed! "I'm sorry to say that it hasn't the least bit of truth in it. I've checked!"

Lenala laughed delightedly. "But it's a _very_ exciting tale! Is there a cave behind the waterfall though?"

"Yes, but it's rather small and bare - and you'd have to get quite wet in order to see it." Enrizial had not been there since being confirmed as Lord Holder - it was a rather risky climb over slippery stone, and certainly not very practical for the storage of boxes of treasure. "Perhaps you'd prefer to see the interior of the Hold now?"

"I suppose your Lady would be rather cross if I dragged you through the waterfall just out of curiosity." She smiled and took his arm again. "Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing your Hold! It's quite impressive from the outside."

As prickly as he could be, Enrizial was quite disarmed by the praise of the Hold that was, next to his family, the dearest thing to his heart. He actually grinned. "I'm glad you think so. I like to think it looks impressive from the inside as well, but you will have to be the judge of that." Though that was due to the efforts of the Headwoman and his wife, after the neglect it had suffered during Lady Anaia's absence.

"I'm sure I'll find it every bit as manificant on the inside as I do from the outside." Lenala let him lead her back towards the Hold, pleased that Enrizial was so easy to charm. It was almost sad, in a way, that the Lord Holder was so happy to have a few compliments--it seemed obvious that he wasn't used to being treated kindly.

***

Estelle (estelle@triadweyrs.org)
Enrizial, Lord Holder, EFH

Bree - bree@triadweyrs.org
Lenala, rider of gold Vilarth, RBW

Last updated on the August 16th 2005

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