Working for Lavender (1)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 10th March 2021
Series: Lavender Run
Characters: Brennault, Zavek, Cerault
Description: Brennault needs lavender and Zavek is his man.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: J'ackt, Lorican
Brennault felt that he was surely nearing the end of his quest to obtain the materials for J'ackt's sword. But even once he had everything, and no matter what Lorican said, he wanted to give him something for his labor beyond using the sword for his masterwork.
He found himself back at his father's waystation – which had finally started to feel like a place he was visiting rather than home. The weyr was home now. And it seemed that his father might have begun to feel the same way, because when Brennault was there, Cerault had begun to make sure they were having his favorite food for dinner or he might open up a new cask of ale.
"So, I've got almost everything put together," Brennault finished. "And I'll be ready to deliver it to Lorican, soon."
"Are you sure Lorican isn't one of your sweethearts?" Cerault asked. He seemed to ask every time Brennault brought him up.
"I'm pretty sure, Dad," he chuckled. "He's still not interested."
"What are you giving him for his time?"
Brennault nodded, glad that his father was on the same train of thought.
"I haven't decided yet," he said. "I thought you might have a good idea, actually. Preferably somewhere I can run from here in a day or two."
"I may have at that," Cerault answered. He smiled for a moment and then said, "Head on down the road to the west, and then..." He rattled off the directions, and Brennault committed them to memory.
"They grow lavender there for oil. Get him a vial of that. I suspect if you offer a day or two's manual labor, they might consider letting you have one. Or you could work something else out."
"Have I delivered there before? What's the Holder's name again?" Brennault asked.
"Zaverak," Cerault answered. "And I wouldn't be surprised if you've dropped a package or a letter or two there. There's a small waystation there at the road fork, so it's more likely you dropped what you were carrying there to go the rest of the way with someone else."
"Yeah, that sounds about right..."
"Well. Get a good night's sleep. You'll need it if you're in for some farm work."
...
A few days' run later, Brennault finally arrived on Zaverak's land. The holding looked a bit newer and smaller than he expected, but perhaps it was not the main building. He had set out from the waystation at the road fork early that morning – little more than a few bunks and a little kitchen. The sun was still well below noon, so he was most likely to find someone to talk to out in the fields.
Brennault smelled livestock, so he made his way out toward what he thought were stables and pastures.
In the corral with a runnerbeast, Zavek's bare back was to Brennault. He could tell that someone approached by the flick of the runner's ears and the glint in the large black eyes. "I'll be right with you," he said, without looking at the person who had approached.
The runner in the corral was a wily one and Zavek dared not turn his back on him, or else he might get a hunk bitten out of him.
Brennault was used to seeing very attractive bodies unclothed, whether from his time at the weyr or sleeping in close quarters with other runners at tiny waystations.
But this man was in a class all his own. Brennault's eyes went wide, and he was more than happy to use the time he had to wait to enjoy the view.
"Take your time," he said.
Zavek had his hands raised, his head tilted to the side, sweat trickling between his shoulder blades as he shuffled sideways towards the runner.
The runner grunted and tossed his head but did not move.
"Easy," Zavek murmured in a warm tone, reaching out one hand to touch the runner's quivering flank.
The beast suffered the touch for a couple of seconds before wheeling and racing toward the opposite end of the corral.
Smiling, Zavek turned and walked over to the fence, looking at his guest for the first time. "What can I do for you?" He retrieved his button-down shirt, which hung over the top railing, and slipped it on. He didn't bother with buttons, but left the shirt fluttering open while he tipped his hat up out of his eyes.
**I can think of a few things,** Brennault thought to himself as he smiled back at the man. He was positively gorgeous. And courteous enough to leave his shirt open, at that. It was a shame holders were not as open to such forwardness. He would have to play things a bit more coolly than that.
"I'm on a quest," he said. "And I've heard you have exactly what I'm looking for."
Zavek's eyes swept the length of the runner. "A quest, huh? For what?"
"A perfectly balanced, masterwork sword, of course," Brennault answered. He adjusted his stance to pull his shirt tight across his chest. "It will buy me six months of swordplay lessons from a master swordsman." And after that, Brennault might just need six months of herding lessons from a master herdsman.
"I've tracked down everything I need, except for a payment for the master smith's labor. And for that, I need a bottle of the highest quality lavender oil."
A master swordsman, hm? Zavek found that interesting. He wondered why the runner would need to wield a sword. The runner seemed fit and trim enough to take care of himself, he thought.
"I do have high quality lavender oil. I guess the question is, can you afford it?"
"I'm willing to put in the work for it," Brennault answered, and he grinned. He was pretty well prepared to do whatever the man asked. "I'm Brennault," he said, offering his hand.
"Zavek," the dark haired man said, clasping Brennault's in a firm shake. "I think I can find a few uses for you." The beastcrafter's svelte mouth tipped into an easy grin. "It's going to take you a few days to work off the cost."
"I've got as much time as you need to use me how you see fit," Brennault promised. There was most definitely a bit of something going on here... but it was a rare Holder who was willing to go beyond flirting after they had just met. But if he built a little trust and did some honest work, he might find a warm welcome the next time he came back. And _this_ could not help but be a relationship worth cultivating.
"Well, come on then, I'll give you a tour of the place." Gripping the top rung of the fence, Zavek vaulted smoothly over and landed beside of Brennanault. "You ever worked on a farm before?" He asked, buttoning his shirt as he led the way towards the main house.
"I have," said Brennault. He was only a little disappointed to see the man close his shirt. "It's a good way to get a hot meal instead of eating jerky and hard cheese. And a soft bed instead of a cot, for that matter."
"That building," he pointed to the one adjacent to the main house, "is where the stablehands, herders, and field hands sleep. As it sounds, it is a little crowded. We've been talking about expanding but haven't gotten around to it yet." Lifting his hat, Zavek raked his fingers through his black hair before placing it back on his head.
"A day's ride that way," he pointed behind the house, "is the main farm, my father's place. Zaverak. I started this farm about ten Turns ago, specializing in bovines and runners, and growing lavender on the side for extra profit."
They reached the large, wrap around porch built onto the front of the main house. "You can stay here, if you want, I have spare bedrooms for when my family visits."
"It's a beautiful place, and it would be my pleasure," said Brennault. "And if there's any extra work – anything at all I can do for you to make up for the boarding upgrade, I'd be more than happy to take care of it for you."
Zavek shot Brennault another grin, although his eyes were unreadable as he said, "Oh, I'll think of something."
Last updated on the July 21st 2021