Or Else

Writers: Miriah, Mirren
Date Posted: 6th December 2015

Characters: Yriadha, Bortem
Description: Yriadha gives her son an ultimatum.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 3, day 15 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Sophque, Taril

Yriadha

Bortem

Yriadha sat in her office, idly twirling an intricate bracelet over
her slender wrist as she prepared the klah. The upcoming conversation
would prove to be a difficult one, and she wanted to be prepared to
soothe her son's nerves with the beverage. If it was just a little
spiked with liquor, the better. She settled back at her desk and
folded her hands on the hard wood, waiting.

Bortem tapped lightly on the door. He's hesitated for a moment before
pushing it open and stepping inside." You wanted to see me Ma?"

Yriadha looked up as her son entered, then flicked a glance over his
clothes. Her mouth tightened slightly before she gestured to the seat
across from her. "I did. Have a seat, Bortem."

He sat and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. He should probably have
tucked it in. Maybe she wouldn't noticed. Oh who was he kidding, of
course she'd notice.

She eyed him for a long moment, letting him grow more and more
uncomfortable while she looked at him. She tapped her fingers on her
desk as she examined him, her lips pursed. "I've not seen you in
several weeks, Bortem."

"I've been busy." He shifted in his seat. "I'm sure you have too." She
probably knew exactly what he'd been up to. His palms suddenly felt
sweaty.

"Not to busy to see my children." Yriadha rose and poured two cups of
steaming klah. She handed one to Bortem and kept one for herself,
sitting back at her desk. "I've been told that you haven't seen
Sophque again."

"Well…" It was true. "I've been busy, and…" He shrugged.

"Too busy." That was said flatly and without any semblance of humor.
"Busy at the tables, I presume?" One thin brow arched high.

"Yes," he replied without thinking. "I mean no. I mean, yes, the work
tables." His face was red from trying to think his way out of trouble.

"Don't _lie_ to me, Bortem." Yriadha snapped, her eyes hardening. "Did
you actually think you could frequent those despicable gambling dens
without me knowing?"

His face reddened further as he stammered. "I…but…I…" He hung his
head. "Yes Ma." How did she always know?

Her face pinched, Yriadha drummed her fingers on the desk. "I expect
that reprehensible behavior to cease immediately, Bortem. Furthermore,
it is high time you found a wife. Since you think that _gambling_ is a
far more interesting subject than a lady as lovely as Sophque, she is
out of the question for you." She valued the one friend she had. "You
have three months, Bortem, to find a suitable wife. If you do not, I
will pick one for you. Is that understood?"

"But…but…but…" Where the shells was he going to find a woman who would
actually want to be stuck with him. Most of the women he knew were too
smart, to genteel or both. Having no obvious choice, he said "Yes Ma,"
his tone submissive but sulky.

"Don't sulk. It's unbecoming of you." Yriadha sniffed. An idea
germinated in her mind, the image of a buxom blonde paired with her
son. Whether or not the girl liked it was immaterial; she had good
birthing hips. She would keep it in mind should Bortem not be capable
of finding his own wife. "Drink your klah, Bortem." She drummed her
fingers against the table. "How much do you owe?"

He sipped and thought about lying. She'd know if he did though. She
probably already knew the answer anyway. He sighed and told her the
truth. "I'm trying to pay it back though," he added quickly.

If possible, Yriadha's face tightened even more." To who? Who do you
owe this money to?"

"Taril," Bortem said, sulky again. He wasn't sure the man wasn't a cheater.

Taril. That man again! Yriadha silently fumed, he could have Humari,
but trying to break her son was infuriating. Yriadha's face hardened.
"You will not deal with him again, Bortem. I will take care of your
little problem. This time." Her eyes turned flinty. "If it occurs
again, I will have you cleaning the stained drudges leathers instead
of working on your little projects. Is that clear?"

Bortem brightened up. "Really? I mean, yes Ma. Thank you Ma."

She huffed slightly. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again. I expect
a list of possible wives in two sevendays."

"Yes Ma." Bortem was certain that would be a very short list. Very, very short.

"Very well." Yriadha sipped her klah. "When you finish your drink, you may go."

"Yes Ma." He swallowed the rest of his drink in two mouthfuls and
stood. "Thanks Ma. You're too good to me."

"Yes, I know."

Last updated on the December 14th 2015

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