I Can Be a Friend To You

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 27th December 2017

Characters: Kiomo, Zelah
Description: Kiomo visits with Lady Xeladrie during her confinement...
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 8 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Ranni, Fymer
Notes: Concurrent but separate from the Ghost Ship series

Zelah

Kiomo was whistling a rather bawdy song softly to himself as he walked
down the corridor. It had been one of his favorites when he had lived
in the Weyr since that was where he first heard it. So many happy
memories. So many pretty girls. Maybe that was why he thinking of
it. He was on his way to meet another pretty girl, though in this
case, she was his Lady Holder!

Xeladrie's confinement at Turquoise Bay had certainly proved a useful
excuse to allow him and Fymer access to the Hold's Records. But he
was also looking forward to seeing the Lady again. They had only met
briefly, but she had seemed very nice and friendly towards him, and
she had that pretty little glow about her pregnant women seemed to
have... Yes, he was looking forward to doing his duty by checking in
on her.

He made sure to stop his whistling before reaching the door. She
wouldn't know the tune, but still, it didn't quite suit the image of a
man who was on a mission from his Lord. Kiomo gave the door a smart
tap before running his hands through his hair to make sure all was
still in place.

A drudge opened the door right before Kiomo was there. She was
carrying a load of dishes but hastily bobbed a curtsey when she saw
him. "Are you lost, sir?"

"Ah, no..." Kiomo said, stepping aside and reaching out a hand to
hold the door for the laden lass. "I'm here on behalf of Lord Bryvin
of Sunstone Seahold. I was hoping to speak with Lady Xeladrie."

"She's inside the room. She was just reading," the drudge said,
flashing Kiomo a grateful smile as she kept heading on the way to
remove the food.

"Ranni? Is that you?" Xeladrie called.

"No ma'am, it's me, Kiomo," he said, ducking his head inside with a
warm smile. "I've been sent to see how you're doing."

It had been interesting to come home to Turquoise Bay and see just how
different it was - she'd expected to feel happier here than Sunstone,
but instead she'd been confronted with a wave of unpleasant memories
and feeling like she was treated like a child. Like nothing around her
really fit, or was satisfying. Like she was caged here by the
expectations one put on a child, and caged at Sunstone by the prison
of being a mother and trophy.

But she tried to show none of that on her face. She was glad to see
Kiomo, because he was a familiar face from Sunstone that she didn't
have emotions of dread attached to.

Xeladrie looked down at her swollen belly and gestured to indicate
herself. "The Healers tell me this sevenday or the next," she said. "I
must confess it will be a relief."

"I'm sure it will," he said, then gestured to a nearby chair. "May I
sit with you a while?"

"Of course. I think that the maid left juice somewhere if you'd like
some. I'm afraid I was told no klah or anything else right now," she
apologized.

"Are you traveling here on your own?" By which she really meant, was
Bryvin with him.

"One of the Harpers accompanied me," he said with a dismissive wave as
if he was no one Kiomo had any association with. "Something about
wanting to consult with the archivist here. I'm not exactly sure, but
he seems a nice enough fellow. And are you enjoying this time with
your family?"

"It's nice to be catching up with my brothers and mother. My father
hasn't had much time for me," she said honestly.

"Oh well, you know, Lord Holders are pulled in so many directions..."
He gave her a slight shrug of acceptance as he leaned back in his
chair. "I remember wanting my father's attention as a boy but he was
always so busy."

"Did your other children get his attention? she asked. "I think he
only cares about his daughters as he can marry us off. Once we're
someone else's responsibility, it's back to his sons."

"Ouch," Kiomo said softly, his eyebrows lifting as he leaned his elbow
against the arms of the hair and his head against his hand. "I think
we've touched a nerve, here, have we?"

"I didn't realize how strained my relationship with him was, until I
came home again," she said honestly. "I apologize if I said more about
my family dynamics than I should have."

"And who can understand the dynamics of a Lord Holder's family better
than I?" Kiomo had many brothers, but there had been sisters his
father had sired as well. "Why do you think your relationship is
strained? Are you sure it's not that he's just busy?"

"It's just a feeling. I don't have proof either way," she admitted.

"Well, it's very sad that you feel that way. I hope he is just busy
with pressing concerns on his mind he doesn't want to burden you with
in your condition." Though Kiomo knew it was entirely possible her
assessment of the situation was right. "At least I can tell you your
Lord Holder husband is thinking of you and hopes you are doing well."

"Is the Hold well? I know they were doing repairs and that my husband
had much to oversee after the damages," Xeladrie said, because it was
the politest way she could think of to express concern without having
to fake too much excitement.

"Repairs are progressing, and in some areas improvements are being
made. The Seacraft Hall is a complete loss as I'm sure you know."
That was an unfortunate loss for the Hold, which was now without a
Hall of its own. "The Turns End celebrations went well, but if course
you were missed. And I lost two marks which I will never see again on
the boat races. I am not a good judge of boats it seems."

"I like looking at the colors they put on the boats but I don't
understand it," she admitted.

"The mast climbing I could understand, but I can't believe no one gets
killed climbing so high so fast!" The chance that someone might
really get hurt definitely did make it more exciting.

"It's a true mystery," she said. "What else happened at the celebrations?"

"Lots of dancing and good music. A boat parade. So much good food,
and too much good wine." Of course, Kiomo was not going to mention
his and Fymer's escapades with all the beautiful women. "How did you
spend your Turns End?"

"There was a small celebration here for family, but my father didn't
put on a very large event, since they were still recovering."

"That sounds very somber," Kiomo said with a sympathetic nod. "Well,
I'm sure there will be a great celebration to welcome you back with
our new little Lord or Lady."

"I expect so. Especially if it's another son. I'm sure that's what my
husband hopes for - and I do as well," she said.

"That surprises me. You have already given Lord Bryvin his son. You
don't want your girl?" He wondered if she really felt that way or if
she was just saying what she thought she should.

"I want only sons," she said fiercely. Because a girl would be born
into the chattel life.

It certainly seemed like there was no wavering in that opinion. "It
sounds like there are strong feelings behind those words," he said
gently rather than accusingly.

Shards, shards, what could she say to this? He sounded sympathetic,
but he was also her husband's man. Wasn't he?

"I'd rather have multiple boys to give the Hold better options. I
think Brylex would be better off with a brother to be his companion
and friend then a sister. Perhaps they could be heir and steward when
they're of age. Or if one's not fit to inherit the other one would."

"True," Kiomo nodded, but he was not convinced that was all to the
statement. Leaning forward, he covered her hand with his. "Lady
Xeladrie, I know you don't know me yet, but I want you understand, I
am not only here to serve Lord Bryvin, but _you_ as well. You and I
have a lot in common in the way we were raised that your husband just
cannot understand. I hope you know, I can be a friend to you."

Xeladrie bit her lip, and then decided to give him a bit more of the
truth. "We were both overshadowed by siblings unlike the Lord, yes,"
she agreed.

"The truth is, I wish a boy so that he has more options. Two mean an
heir and a spare. Three means one could be free to Craft, or strike
out to find his own fortune as you have. But girls must marry, there's
no other way. I'd rather children who have their options."

He reached his other hand under hers, cradling it as sympathy shone from his
eyes. "You feel you had no options."

"A bit, yes. What can a daughter of the Blood do that is not marry?" she asked.

"Well, if her father is kind, she can marry the man she wants." But
from the tid bits of information Kiomo was picking up, theirs was not
a marriage born of mutual interest. "You were not given a
choice in marrying Bryvin, I take it."

"Marrying who they want... did that happen to your any of your
siblings?" she wondered.

She didn't want to make her distress with Bryvin too obvious, and yet
it was a matter of record that the marriage between herself and Bryvin
had included her father surrendering some land to Sunstone.

So it was safe enough to say, "Lord Bryvin was granted Sunstone if he
would marry and produce an heir of the Blood. My father offered him
land he wanted on the border in exchange for him taking me as his
wife. So no, I had no say in choosing him."

Kiomo sighed heavily. "That must have been terrifying for you."

"I knew very little about the Lord at all. It's unnerving to have
yourself bound to someone you've never met," she said.

"Well, that works both ways," he pointed out gently. "After all,
that's why I left my family Hold. I didn't want to be bound to a
woman or a fate of another man's choosing either. But I know that
wasn't an option open to you."

Xeladrie nodded her head. "And that's why I want a son. He can be more
of whatever he wants."

"Well, I hope Lady that you will get everything that your heart
wants," he said as he released her hand. "Will I see you at the
dinner meal?"

"I've been taking the meal in my quarters alone, but I could vary that
for an evening," she said.

"I would be happy to see you this evening, but I don't want you to
vary your schedule just on my account. Perhaps I could stop by for
tea and dessert after the evening meal?"

"I'll tell Ranni to expect you to come in and she'll help have that
ready," Xeladrie said, flashing him a grateful smile. "To be honest I
haven't been good for large crowds for a sevenday or so."

"Well, if I exhaust you, just let me know," he said with a wink. "But
for now, Lady, I must rejoin the Harper. Until this evening then?"

"Until this evening," she agreed.

Last updated on the January 1st 2018

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I Can Be a Friend To You