Taking Time (Part 1/2)

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 28th June 2017

Characters: Zelah, Kiomo
Description: Xeladrie meets Kiomo, Bryvin's new assistant.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 12, day 17 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin
Note: Part 1 of 2

Zelah

Xeladrie was sitting in one of the small sitting rooms on the first
floor of the Hold. She'd come downstairs from her chambers in the
hopes of taking a walk, but she'd gotten distracted by craving a
snack, and by the time that was finished, it looked like it was going
to rain. She heaved a disappointed sigh. If she was told to go back to
the ladies' quarters one more time, she'd scream. So she was sitting
down contemplating what to do next.

Because the door to the hallway was wide open, Glimmer kept darting
to it to peek through and look at everyone passing in the hall. When
she saw a new face, she cheeped in excitement and started swirling
around the man.

Xeladrie got the impression Glimmer was bothering someone. She pushed
up out of the chair and stepped towards the door, intending to remove
her firelizard from being a bother.

Kiomo really wasn't sure what was happening. All he knew was suddenly
out of a door, a green flash flew out in front of his face and now was
circling around and around. Eyeing her warily, he stood perfectly
still, not knowing what the little creature wanted!

"Sorry, sorry," Xeladrie said as she rushed out the sitting room.
"Glimmer's bored with me and likes new people and she must have
decided to harass you."

"Quite all right," Kiomo said with a relieved smile as the person the
green was attached to appeared. It wasn't that flits bothered him,
but he knew from experience their behavior could be unpredictable to a
stranger, and he certainly was that! Looking at the young woman, he
noticed first the fullness of her belly, and the smartness of her
dress. "Forgive me, madam, you must be the Lady Holder, am I right?"

She was a little surprised he'd recognized her immediately, when she
had no idea who he was, but her manners took over and she gave him her
best charming smile.

"Yes, I am Lady Xeladrie."

It felt strange to say her title and name together still. She didn't
_feel_ like a Lady - she felt like Bryvin's broodmare, a pretty doll
for the shelf. The irritation burned but she tried to keep it under
control and present a best impression to the handsome stranger.

"And who are you?" she inquired.

"Kiomo, ma'am," he said with a deep bow. "I am your husband's new
personal assistant, newly arrived from Garnet Valley."

"Was it a very long trip, or did you have dragon transport, Kiomo?
I've never been so far away," she said.

"I luckily have friends at the Weyr, so I came on dragonback." Of
course, what he didn't say was that he was pretty sure Garnet Valley
could not get rid of him fast enough, and was happy arrange his swift
departure for him.

"It's a lovely way to travel," Xeladrie said. She had last done so to
see the Weyrwoman's last hatching. "I wish I had more of a reason to
travel."

"You're the Lady of the Hold. Do you really need a reason?" he asked,
cocking his head to the side. "Or is it more your duty to your Lord
and your Hold that ties you down?"

Xeladrie actually loved living by the sea and couldn't imagine
anything else, but she thought injecting a wistful tone into her voice
and complimenting him might get her a good reaction.

"Mostly the latter. I'm too far along to travel now, unfortunately,"
She gestured vaguely at her belly.

"I just think I'd like to see something like Garnet Valley someday.
I've grown up along the sea, and would like to see something else,"
she added.

"Of course," he said with a nod towards her belly, "you are confined
for a time. But I'm sure Lord Bryvin would be happy to have you
accompany him when he travels to other Holds from time to time. I
know my mother often would travel with my father on his official
visits."

"Really? has she seen many places?" Xeladrie asked eagerly. Then she
paused. "Would you like to sit down while we talk, instead of standing
here in the hall?"

Glimmer cheeped and kept flapping around the hallway.

"If m'Lady has time, I would be honored," he said with a polite bow.
Now maybe he could truly separate the rumors from the fact with this
woman!

Last updated on the July 4th 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Taking Time (Part 1/2)