A Whisper of Hope

Writers: Heather, Ames
Date Posted: 26th January 2019

Characters: Syis, Danrina, Quequa
Description: Danrina's mother and youngest sister come to pay a visit.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 9, day 20 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Dalvina, Eldren

Danrina

She had received the letter nearly a sevendday ago. Her mother and
sister were coming for a visit. Danrina had not seen her mother in
many months. She was not especially close to her as the family never
really had expressed love. However, her mother felt it was necessary
to pay a visit at least once every 2-3 months since her daughter was
born.

Each of her sisters had paid her a visit since Dalvina had been born 9
months prior, but for the most part, they had little to no dealings
with each other. Danrina preferred it that way. Syis, however, was
different. Danrina had almost wanted to protect her only younger
sister when she had lived at the hold, but she had also feared that
her parents or elder siblings would notice her attention to Syis and
use it against it. Danrina had done what she could, but had also
presented a colder should to the girl more time than not. They weren't
close because of it. Something Danrina had no idea how to change.

Syis followed a step behind her mother as they were led through
Sunstone. It wasn't the first time she had visited the sea Hold. The
first time she'd ever gone there she'd thought some of the people
there a bit.. uncouth, but now as they walked through she found
herself mesmerized. The sunshine, the beautiful colors the people
wore, everything about the place seemed much more fun and interesting
than Syis' home. Especially since there was no boring old man here at
Sunstone waiting to marry her. She wished that she could be as lucky
as Danrina, to live separately from your husband seemed a good idea to
her.

Just then Danrina approached the pair of women. "Mother," Danrina
greeted her. There were no hugs, kisses or other pleasantries. "So
nice of you to come for a visit." Then looking around her mother,
Danrina caught Syis's eye. "Sister. I am pleased you were able to come
for a visit as well."

Turning back to her mother she said politely, "I hope your travels went well."

Quequa, nose lifted slightly, eyed her daughter up and down and eyed
the hold that far outshone their own by leaps and bounds. She would
_never_ dare admit that fact, but their small hold was nothing
compared to Sunstone. "Our travels were as expected. Though I would
like an opportunity to dust off from the road before we travel the
Hold. Where is my granddaughter?" She asked noting the absence of the
child.

"She is currently being watched in a nursery by some of the maids so I
could greet you properly. After you get a chance to refresh yourself,
we will go and get Dalvina. Come, follow me to my quarters." Danrina
motioned for the to follow her. It was a few short turns and hallways
later when they arrived at the truly lavish quarters she had been
given.

Syis had wanted to hug her sister but things were always so stiff and
formal when their mother was involved. Instead she had maintained a
polite, if not frosty, smile, with her hands clasped behind her back.
The quarters they arrived in were as amazing as Syis remembered. She
couldn't imagine having so much space all to herself.

A thought occurred to the teenager that hadn't the last time she'd
been there- how had her sister managed to acquire such a magnificent
suite?

"Ah, yes, this will do nicely," Quequa remarked. She was slightly
jealous of her daughter's quarters as such a large hold, but never
would she admit it. Her daughter's success was _her_ success too. "I
will wash up a bit, and be ready to see my granddaughter shortly."

Danrina nodded and then motioned for her mother and sister's bags to
be brought into her quarters. They would not ultimately stay in her
room, but she had always gotten them decent quarters of their own,
thanks to Bryvin. Danrina, knew, however, that her mother preferred
spending most of her time in Danrina's rooms while they were visiting.

Finally, Quequa left to enter the bathing area. Danrina turned to her sister.

"Syis. It is nice to see you. I missed you on mother's last visit a
few months ago," Danrina smiled at her younger sister. She wanted so
much to hug her as they had when they were littler, but then things
had changed. As Danrina had gotten older and she'd built walls to keep
others from knowing her feelings, they had had to keep their distance
some. However, when mother and father were not around, she had
_always_ tried to find ways to play and be there for her younger
sister. She had always hoped Syis would understand the change, but she
had never been sure.

"I hated not being able to come but I had to entertain Eldren as he
was visiting." Syis tried to say the name without too much disdain,
mostly because she didn't want to hear her mother's scolding on the
matter of the "betrothed" that her father was trying to force her into
marrying.

"Oh, Syis," Danrina sighed, moving closer and placing a hand on her
sister's shoulder. "Is that who father is trying to pair you with?"
Inside Danrina seethed. Eldren, of all men. He was no fit for a 16
Turn child. Danrina had managed to hold off her father until she was
nearly 20 turns. Syis was just 16 and about to be saddled with a life
that could crush her.

Danrina's single hand on her shoulder was the only comfort or support
Syis had received since she had been introduced to the prospect of
marrying Eldren. "Yes, father is quite set on it, and I am quite set
against it but... What can I do?" Syis lifted her shoulders, blinking
away fresh tears.

Just then Quequa re-emerged from the bathing areas. Danrina quickly
removed her hand, but took a step closer to Syis. "We will have to
talk more later," she whispered in her ear.

Then, looking straight at her mother, Danrina said, "I think it's time
to go visit Dalvina. Are you ready, mother?"

The whisper from her sister caused Syis' heart to flutter with hope.
Maybe her sister could help her? After all, she had the eye of the
Lord Holder of Sunstone, surely that was good for something?

Last updated on the April 5th 2019

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A Whisper of Hope