You'll Do

Writers: Miriah, Mirren
Date Posted: 15th February 2016

Characters: Bortem, Yriadha
Description: When Yriadha commands, Bortem has to obey
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 4, day 2 of Turn 8
Notes: Vreena, Humari, Bryvin

Bortem

Yriadha

Shifting from foot to foot, Bortem knocked on his mother's office door
and waited for her to answer. He was sorely tempted to bolt, but he
didn't. Yet.

"Enter." The voice was crisp, yet sounded a bit distracted. Yriadha
bent over her desk, writing down notes on a hide with steady
precision.

Bortem pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Morning Ma." He tried
to sound cheerful, but his voice squeaked, giving his nerves away.

Yriadha looked up and one elegant brow arched. "Good Morning." She
laid her hands on the hide she was working on and her expression was
expectant. "Have a seat, Bortem."

"Um…I…um…all right." He sat. "Um, so you know how you asked me to make
a list of suitable women I could marry? Well…" He held up empty hands.

The headwoman looked cool and distinctly disapproving. "And you
thought of no one?"

"No Ma." He looked down at the table. "Sorry Ma."

Her eye twitched. "I thought you wouldn't." Her lips thinned. "Very
well. I will speak to Vreena's parents. She is a widow and needs a
husband."

His face paled. "But… but." He could think of a dozen arguments
against this, but none that his mother would listen to. "Yes Ma."

"You shouldn't have any complaints." Her voice was sharp. "Vreena is a
lovely young woman who is well born. If her parents agree, you can be
wed within the month."

"Great." So why did he feel like he's been staked out for Thread? He
didn't want her, or any woman and no woman with any sense would want
him.

"Thanks Ma."

"You're quite welcome. I had her in mind at any rate." It would be
another way to keep an eye on the young woman. She was getting close
to Xeladrie and reporting, but it would provide some level of
stability for her.

"You did?" Would she have dismissed any list he'd brought to her?

"Yes. I rather hoped you would have placed her on a list as she is
quite available." She eyed him. "And I suspected that you wouldn't
even try to do as I asked." She gave an elegant sniff. "I know you
quite well."

"I-" She was right, he hadn't. There was no point in trying to lie
about it. He wasn't going to be honest about why though. He might not
be the smartest tool in the tannery, but he wasn't a total idiot. "I
just thought…you'd find someone better than I would."

Her brow arched. "Indeed. And I wouldn't suggest you bring up this up
to your sisters either. Vreena may not like you very much because of
the past, but I expect you to mend it promptly. Understood?"

"Yes Ma." He wouldn't like anyone who snitched on him, so he'd hardly
blame her. Still, if it deflected attention from him then it was worth
it. Or had been until now. He'd be lucky to escape with his manhood
intact.

"I expect you to have dinner with her within the next sevenday,
Bortem. Whatever difficulties that may arise, I expect you to overcome
them. I will not have any more dishonor on this family."

Dinner? With Vreena? "If she's amenable." Did they have to use
utensils? She might be dangerous with anything sharp. Maybe soup? No,
she could probably hurt him with a spoon.

"She will be." She would make sure of it. While it was true that the
girl wanted her daughter back, she could convince her that it was more
likely to be good camouflage. It was a disgusting preference to her
mind, but using it against her was necessary.

She seemed so sure, but Bortem wasn't. "If you say so Ma." In a
perfect world she'd have chosen a Vreeno for him, not Vreena. Of
course she could never know that.

"I do say so." She replied firmly. She flicked her eyes over him again
and sniffed. "Go see Torinya to get your hair cut and do remember to
shave before your dinner."

"Yes Ma." Bortem absently rubbed his chin. It was a little stubbly.
Apparently too much so. "I should let you get back to work." He needed
a stiff drink, maybe several.

"Indeed." Yriada arched her brow. "I expect this to go well, Bortem."

"I'll try." Why did he have a feeling of impending doom?

"You'll do." Her eyes narrowed. "Do not make me discuss this with the
Lord Holder, Bortem."

What could he say but, "Yes Ma."

Last updated on the February 20th 2016

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

You'll Do