Will You Stand for Me?

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 24th October 2020

Characters: Lorican, Dunrik
Description: Lorican speaks to Dunrik about his proposal
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 5, day 28 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Lusilk

Follows "Proposal of Convenience...Or Is It?"

Although it was a restday, the crafter village was still busy, with men
and women finishing off a few last pieces of work or chatting as they
headed over to the dining hall for the evening meal. Lorican stepped out
of the way of a little knot of boisterous apprentices, laughing and
shoving each other on the way to fill their bellies, and approached the
forge. He could see that the fires were out, but hoped he'd find Master
Dunrik in his cot. Still dazed by the events of the afternoon, he
wondered, nervously, how the master smith would take the news.

Dunrik's door was open, the Mastersmith fiddling idly with a chest set
as he apparently waited. He looked up at the shadow in his door
expectantly, then arched his brows at the sight of Lorican. "It's a
restday, lad. Shouldn't you be out and about?" He paused. "You look
like you've been hit in the gut. What's wrong?"

"Oh - nothing. Nothing's wrong, Master. I just got back from the lake."
Lorican hesitated, trying to collect his thoughts. "Do you have a
moment? I have something I need to tell you."

Dunrik was half-way to rising before he slowly sat down. His first
thought was that the incident between Lusilk, Lorican and those
wretched bandits had caused issues with the lad's mental state. Would
he be needing a break from duties? He slowly nodded, calculating if
they could spare time more time at the forge; he'd been doing so well.
But then, he said nothing was wrong. Faranth, was his best journeyman
going to request a transfer? "Of course. Have a seat."

"Thanks." Lorican came in, closing the door behind him, and tried to
collect his thoughts. Though the first hints of the idea he'd had to
protect Lusilk and Silgan had been forming since the fight and her
injury, he'd hardly imagined when he woke up this morning that he'd
actually make the offer, and still less that she'd accept.

He took a deep breath. "Well...it's about Lusilk. And me."

Dunrik exhaled and leaned back in his seat. "Alright." His brow
furrowed as he waited for Lorican to continue. "What's going on.
Relationship troubles?"

"Oh, no. The opposite, in fact." A faint flush rose to the younger man's
cheeks. "Ever since those men attacked us, I've come to realise how much
Lusilk means to me. When we were separated, and I didn't know if she'd
survived, it was the most scared I've ever been. So - " He drew in a
breath. "Well, Master, I asked her to marry me. And she accepted."

Dunrik's brows shot up and he gave a sudden deep whoop of delight,
rising to move to embrace the younger man with a solid clap on his
uninjured shoulder. "Good lad! Congratulations! It's about time you
made an honest woman of her! I'm thrilled for the both of you. When
are you planning to do it? The fall or spring is a lovely time. Wed my
wife in the spring, and she never looked more lovely than on that
day."

"We were actually thinking of doing it as soon as possible," Lorican
confessed. It was to ensure Silgan's safety, he told himself, but still,
he recalled with sudden heat the teasing sway of Lusilk's hips as she'd
walked away from him at the lake. "As soon as we can agree a date with
the Harper. And I hoped, if you wouldn't mind, that you might stand as a
witness for us."

Dunrik paused, his mouth opening as an immediate assumption came to
mind. Why else would they want a hurried ceremony? The thought of
Lusilk being with child and then being attacked caused another rush of
anger. They'd been through so much, he was glad that she'd not lost
the babe and he respected Lorican even more now that he was doing the
right thing by her. "Of course. I'd be honored. Makes sense
completely. You just tell me when and where and I'll be happy to stand
with you both. "

"All right. I'll let you know as soon as we have a date." Lorican smiled
in relief. He'd not thought the Mastersmith would object, but it was
good to know he was pleased about the match. "Thank you. Shells, I'd
better write to my uncle, as well. This is all so unexpected. I can
hardly believe she said yes."

"You're welcome. Shards, if I know women, Lorican, she's probably been
waiting for you to get up the gumption to. You've been staying together
long enough, to my way of thinking. She's a good, sweet young lady and
that boy of hers, well... let me tell you, being a father isn't always
about blood. The boy adores you. Anyone can see that. You'll make a
fine family, especially when the other children come along. " He
paused. "I'd honestly hoped you'd decide to settle here. I'd be happy
to partner with you when you've gained your mastery. You're a good,
reliable Smith and I've told the Crafthall that. I think you're almost
ready for it. End of the turn, at most. "

Lorican's eyes widened in surprise. That was good news: the prospect of
a secure position, with Master's rank, and in the Weyr. If Silgan's
grandfather attempted to take him, he would have to reckon with both the
smithcraft and the dragonriders. Surely the man would be forced to give
in and let the boy stay with his mother. Besides, he liked Master Dunrik
and could imagine a life working alongside him. Though he'd spent most
of his time here dreaming of a return to Dolphin Cove, there was no
chance of that now.

He had to smile at how he'd described Lusilk, though. **Sweet?** And
shells, he'd not even considered that they might have children, but it
had to be a possibility. Would it be safe? He didn't know.

"Thank you, Master Dunrik. You know, the first few months I was here, I
thought I'd move on eventually, but now - I could see myself staying.
It's a great honor to work for the Weyr." He thought for a moment. "I
suppose I'd better start thinking about a master's piece to work on, to
send to the Smith Hall." Such projects could easily take months to complete.

Dunrik nodded. "Yes, you had. If I might make a suggestion, you're
very good at intricate detail work needed for the technicians'
requests. Perhaps you could build on that. " He paused and frowned.
"And while I personally don't enjoy crafting weapons, especially
blades, you will be tested on bladesmithing as well as silversmithing
and jewelry work. A Master has to have working knowledge of those
crafts as well as what you want to specialize in. You do quite well in
reclamation, but your detail work is better than mine, to be honest.
You could end up with quite a lucrative reputation for artistic
metalwork if you were so inclined, especially after the Weyrhold is
fully built." He waved a hand. "But that's the future. You just think
of your new family now. I'm thrilled for the both of you. You tell
little Lusilk that I'm proud to stand for both of you!"

Lorican smiled and got to his feet, already thinking over the work
ahead, to prepare himself for the testing. He couldn't say he was keen
to see a blade again himself, let alone work one, but his experience had
at least shown him the necessity for them. Jewelry, though... "I'll
bring her and the lad round to dinner and you can tell her yourself, if
you like."

Dunrik rose as well, a wide smile on his face. "I'll be happy to. I'm
so proud, lad. So very proud for you both." His journeyman's success
in life brought about thoughts of his own former marriage and how for
such a brief time, he'd been exploding with happiness. He knew that
Lorican would find it the same. The pair of them were well matched.
"I'll see you this evening. Me and Rikol will be happy to dine with
you and celebrate."

"I'll look forward to it. Thank you, again." Lorican reached out to
shake the Mastersmith's hand and then departed, heading back around the
bay towards the main hall, his head full of designs and plans for the
future. He could start on them the next day, in the forge...

Last updated on the November 11th 2020

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Will You Stand for Me?