An Understanding

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 5th September 2021

Characters: Brina, Trayger
Description: The two come to an understanding
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 11, day 14 of Turn 10

Brina

Trayger

Brina was waiting in her sitting room, but most unusually, she found it
hard to remain still. She got up from her chair for the third time and
walked over to the mirror, tucking a loose strand of dark hair back into
place. How foolish, she thought. The wind would only tease it loose
again once she was outdoors, but still...

The Sun's Glory was in port again, and she had received an invitation
from the Captain to an afternoon walk. Most of the evening before had
been spent with her maid, choosing a suitable outfit. As tempted as she
was by light, delicate fabrics and dainty shoes, her common sense won
out. It had rained a great deal recently; there would be mud, and though
the sun was shining brightly through her window for now, there might be
showers. Eventually she'd chosen a smart walking dress in the amethyst
color of her birth Hold. Was it too sensible? she wondered, looking at
her reflection.

The door opened behind her, and she heard her maid clearing her throat
softly. "My lady? Captain Trayger is here."

"Oh - please, show him in." Brina turned and crossed to the center of
the room, smiling, though she couldn't help feeling a flutter inside.

Tryger paused in the door as it opened. He wore half a smile and an
expensive suit rather than his normal uniform. Its dark color
intensified the color of his eyes, or so he'd been told by an admirer
in the past. "My Lady," he said warmly, then came forward to bow over
her hand and kiss it warmly for a heartbeat longer than was
appropriate. "It is a very great pleasure to see you again," he smiled
into her eyes after he straightened back up.

"Captain. Welcome back to Sunstone." Brina's formal reply couldn't quite
conceal her delight. "Did you have a successful voyage?"

"I did," he answered, "I do believe your brother will be pleased with
my cargo. Have you been well," he asked.

"Very well. My first winter at Sunstone has been quite an experience,"
she replied. "I've never seen such rain, and storms! They were much less
intense at my old home. It must be even worse at sea, though," she added.

He nodded, "There are times when the sea can be quite treacherous. It
is exhilarating though." Then his voice lowered so the maids couldn't
hear. "But not as exhilarating as being near you."

Brina felt her cheeks warming as she looked up into his bright blue
eyes, and she was quite sure her maid Lioran would know what she was
feeling even if she hadn't heard what was being said. "Then I hope
you'll enjoy our walk, and won't find it too tame after your voyage. The
orchards are lovely at this time of the Turn, and when the path comes
out by the sea and you can look back at the Hold across the bay...well,
let's go, and you can see it for yourself."

He wanted to reach out and caress her lovely face. In fact, he started
to lift his arm and lean toward her slightly until a throat clearing
behind him caused him to smile and offer his arm instead. "Then by all
means. Let us go and see this wonderful view."

She took his arm and they left the sitting room with the maids following
at a discreet distance, passing through the main hall of the Hold and
out into the open air. After what had seemed like endless days of grey
clouds and pouring rain, the sun had finally returned and the paths and
terraces were busy with holders taking advantage of the warmer weather
to work or gossip outdoors with their neighbors. Brina was sure that the
sight of her and her companion would inspire talk, but she paid it no
mind and allowed herself to forget the cares of the Hold for now,
instead enjoying the tales he had to tell about his latest voyage.

Their path took them through the orchards, the air filled with the
scents of sharp citrus fruit and damp earth and the light sparkling off
water droplets caught in the leaves. Then up a gently rising path which
curved around and up a hill and finally arrived at the top of the rise,
with the glittering blue waters of the bay in front of them and beyond
them, the Sea Hold with its cots, craft buildings, taverns and
warehouses clustered around its lower slopes, and the tiny figures of
holders going about their work.

"Look! Isn't it beautiful?" The sea breeze, stronger out here above the
orchards, ruffled the loose strands of Brina's dark hair. She shaded her
eyes with a hand, looking towards the docks. "Can you see the Sun's Glory?"

Their conversation had followed an innocuous and mundane path as they
strolled up to the point. He took a deep breath and smiled in
appreciation. "I can," he nodded and pointed down at the second pier.
He stepped behind her and sighted down his arm "Right there," he said.
Do you see the yellow pennon at the top of the second mast?"

Brina followed his gesture, catching sight of the tiny patch of yellow
fluttering in the wind atop a tall mast. "Oh, yes! I can see." Her
spirits lifted with a delight she couldn't quite name. "She does look
glorious."

"Thank you," he said in a rather husky voice. The exercise had
enhanced her perfume and it was causing him to have very specific
thoughts. Thoughts he needed to control if he wanted to remain in the
Lord Holder's good graces. He stepped away and bent to pluck a pretty
yellow flower. "For you m'lady," he said. He could feel their
chaperone's very watchful eyes on them and didn't dare step over the
line.

Her eyes widened a little, and her gaze seemed to convey words that she
couldn't speak aloud. As she reached out to take the flower, their
fingertips touched, lingered for a moment longer than might have been
proper. "Thank you." Reaching up, she tucked the flower into her dark
hair. That would cause gossip, but she decided she definitely didn't care.

She thought for a moment. "Will you be staying long in port at
Sunstone?" There was a warmth behind her words that suggested at more
below the surface of the polite question. "I know my brother would be
glad to see you."

His face fell slightly, "I do have a schedule to keep," he replied. Then
he brightened, "But I can build a break for my seacrafters to have some
shore leave. Although, it must needs be short. I am due at Amber Hills
next month. They're expecting their winter citrus." He nodded. "I would
very much like to see your brother as well my Lady," He was feeling it
might be wise to speak to Bryvin about his desire to know Brina better.
Testing the waters before he was called on the carpet might be
beneficial to his chances with the Lady. "Perhaps I can speak to him,"
he said softly in the form of a question for her agreement.

"I'd like that. I'm sure you'll have a great deal to discuss." Brina
chose her words carefully, letting her expression convey all that she
couldn't say. "If you're not too busy, you could come to dine at the
Hold one evening. There'd be time for you to have a talk with him
afterwards."

He gently let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Name
the day Lady Brina," he replied with a warm smile. "I will be most happy
to attend."

She thought for a moment. "Tomorrow evening, perhaps?" That would give
her time to make the arrangements for the dinner, and let her brother
know to expect him.

He bowed his head to her in acknowledgement. "Of course My Lady," he
murmured wanting nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her
senseless. But if he was going to do this, he was going to do it right.
He turned and smiled offering his arm. "Shall we?"

Brina took his arm, enjoying their closeness, her head tilted a little
towards him as they walked, though she kept to topics that were proper
enough to satisfy their chaperones. Knowing that he was headed to Amber
Hills next, she spoke of how she'd grown up in that territory, in
Amethyst Cliff, and how she might write to her friends there. But
underneath her calm politeness, she counted the hours until the next
evening, for which she had such secret hopes.

Last updated on the October 1st 2021

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An Understanding