One Step At a Time

Writers: Ames, Anika, Suzee
Date Posted: 28th July 2015

Characters: Bryvin, Vestelem, Galrad
Description: Danrina's Groom comes to claim her
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 20 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Danrina, Xeladrie

Bryvin

Vestelem eyed the Hold with interest. He had not visited Sunstone in
many many Turns himself. The last time he had been here it had been
ever so much smaller. He knew that it had continued to grow, which was
why he had allowed his daughter her Turn to spend in the Hold. It had
been his hope she would find an even more profitable marriage than the
one he had arranged for her, but alas, she had not.

Turning to the other man in the entourage, he spoke, "I am sure she
will be pleased to know that the wedding will be soon. I understand
she has made many good connections during this Turn that will benefit
us both well, I am sure." Vestelem knew he had put off the other man
this past Turn but he had promised him that it would work out in their
best interests in the long run.

Garad's thin lips were pursed in a scowl as he looked down his hawkish
nose at Vestelem, biting back acrid words. He'd been willing to pay
well for Danrina since he believed she would produce a handsome heir
and he had not been pleased with the delay. Certainly, political
connections never hurt, but Galrad was far less concerned with such
things. Of course the dour Holder also believed that for all
Vestelem's pretty words the other man had only postponed the marriage
in hopes of finding an even more lucrative match. This rankled. As
did the fact that his well-paid informant had told him the girl had
all but refused to marry him. Well, she would soon be his wife and
would quickly learn her place. A corner of his mouth lifted, but the
resulting smile was far from pleasant on his drawn face.

"I am sure," Galrad answered evenly, his granite eyes showing no
emotion. "So long as our contract will soon be fulfilled, I am
content. Were you able to contact a harper?"

"I have been assured that the harper I've contacted will be ready as
soon as we wish," Vestelem remarked. He eyed the entrance of the Hold,
searching for his daughter. He had informed her of their intended
arrival and had expected her to be waiting there to meet them. He
frowned when he did not see her.

"I am sure Danrina will be awaiting us inside the main Hold, shall
we?" He gestured to the main doors and leaving motioning for the
others who carried their things to follow, Vestelem made his way to
the entrance.

Bryvin had known one of his Holders was coming to claim Danrina as his
bride and while the thought enraged him personally he also knew he
couldn't overturn the contract already in place without a very very
good reason. He couldn't even tip his hand regarding his own interest
in the girl. Not this early in his Lordship.

So, he'd set a young stewards assistant to watch for the arrival of
Danrina's father and her husband to be. Antel stepped forward as they
mounted the steps. "Sirs?" he bowed. "My Lord Bryvin presents his
compliments and requests your attendance. This way to his office."

Standing straight backed, his gaunt and wiry form making him appear
somewhat taller than he really was, Galrad cocked an eyebrow. He was
more than a little surprised to be ushered immediately to the Lord
Holder's office upon their arrival and wondered if perhaps he had been
too swift to discount Vestelem's claim about alliances the girl might
have forged. Perhaps something worthwhile might come of the delay
after all.

"Gentlemen," Bryvin greeted the two men when they entered his office.
"Welcome back to Sunstone. I don't believe you've been here since I
took Hold." The statement was delivered in a mild tone but there was a
hint of more, perhaps displeasure that at least Galrad hadn't seen fit
to pay his respects to the new Lord since his ascension. He knew him
to be a hard man but then so was Bryvin though he hid it far better.

"Thank you, Lord Bryvin," Galrad responded stiffly inclining his head.
"These past months have been harsh ones, and I've stayed close to the
Hold wanting to ensure peak profitability of the lands entrusted to
me, but turnover seemed an opportune time both to offer my respects to
you and to take a wife for myself." He heard the rebuke and
understood, but he was not prone to take frivolous vacations just for
the sake of politicking. Of course as was traditional he brought a
gift for the Lord Holder and he expected that Bryvin would not be
displeased with the excellent breeding stock.

"Of course," said Bryvin in return, though he privately thought the
reason was more of an excuse than anything else. It was really not a
secret that Galrad hadn't liked him in the past and probably saw no
reason to change now. The thought of his lovely Danrina in this man's
clutches didn't make him any happier. Of course long practice learned
from the need to survive kept his thoughts from his face. "I'm sure
your bride will be ready for this momentous step," he added though it
turned his stomach to do so.

"Yes, I had hoped she would be available to meet us," Galrad stated
with a touch of asperity and a jaundiced look for Vestelem. He
continued to have the disconcerted feeling that the man was not being
completely honest with him and he did not fancy being cheated. Besides
he was anxious for an heir.

"She is attending my wife who has need of her," Bryvin said mildly
with a small smile. "She will be available to welcome you later this
evening." He knew Danrina dreaded this meeting but there was no legal
way for him to circumvent the contract her father had already signed.
He also knew that Danrina status had to rise in her groom's esteem
when he realized she was in personal service to Lady Xeladrie. "My
Lady has already arranged to have her seated next to you at dinner
this evening."

Vestelem had remained rather quiet, allowing the two more powerful
Lords time to interact. He was pleased to here that Danrina's notes
had _not_ been a falsehood. She had stated she had earned a position
of importance in the Hold. Perhaps having allowed her this frivolous
year away would prove more profitable than he had initial anticipated.

"Thank you for the hospitality, my Lord," he stated. He may not have
quite the standing of these two men, but he liked to _imagine_ that he
was just as important. "Danrina will be pleased to spend time with her
future husband," he stated on behalf of his daughter, not caring
whether she would be pleased or not.

"Of course," Bryvin nodded at Vestelem. The man was only doing what he
thought was good for his daughter and he couldn't fault him for that.
But he highly doubted she would be pleased to spend time with the dour
Galrad.

He nodded to the two men. "Very well then, I let you be about it." The
door opened as if on cue, which of course it was, and the understewerd
ushered them out.

Last updated on the August 6th 2015

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