See You Soon
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 11th September 2021
Characters: Brennault, Zavek
Description: It's time to go, but Brennault has a letter carrier of his own.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 21 of Turn 10
It was a rare morning that Brennault was not ready and eager to get on the road. If he could stay just a little longer... But that was just not possible. For more reason than one. Zavek had appearances to keep up. And Brennault had a job to do.
He had a package to deliver for Zavek. But he hoped that the man would follow him out to say goodbye on the road where they could have one more kiss.
Zavek had risen early that morning and slipped out while Brennault slept. Saying goodbye was not something that he was good at or looked forward to. Completing some early morning chores had helped clear Zavek's mind.
When he came out of the stables he held a lead rope in each hand and slightly behind him two runnerbeasts followed like obedient canines.
"I figured you might like a ride out to where the trail starts." Zavek said, looking up at Brennault as he approached the porch of the main house.
"It would be much appreciated," Brennault agreed with a wide smile. He was glad to see his hopes were well-founded. There had been a small worry in the back of his mind after he had woken up alone that he would not see Zavek again at all, let alone at the head of the trail.
"I had Cook pack you and Marvel a few things as well." Zavek gestured to the leather satchel hanging from the saddle horn.
He placed the reins in Brennault's hand, saying with his eyes what he couldn't say outloud. Turning, Zavek swung smoothly up into the saddle, giving his mount, Moonshade, a pat on the neck. Whistling through his teeth, Zavek's black and white canine, Alfalfa, came bouncing out of the stables, clearly ready for an adventure.
Brennault smiled back, hoping that his eyes carried the same meaning.
"Cook is a sweetheart, and I'll be sure to send her a gift from the road as thanks." It took Brennault a couple of tries to get into the saddle, and Marvel squawked and flew into the air as the maneuver disturbed him from his usual riding place.
"Hi, puppy!" he called to the canine. "Are you ready to go?"
Alfalfa yapped excitedly, tongue lolling as he danced around the runnerbeasts' hooves, who were too used to the canine's antics to pay him any mind.
Zavek led the way out, positioning his hat so that the brim shaded his eyes from the morning sun as they rode through the main yard, past the barns, sheds, and storage buildings.
When they were alone on the trail, Zavek's shoulders relaxed and he glanced sideways. "So where are you headed once you get back to the station?"
"Since I've been off everywhere else for a month on the road, it'll be my turn to stick to the daily-or-so route from the Weyr to the station," Brennault explained. "For at least a month. But I've stayed local for longer than that before." And it had been a few Turns since he had gone on an extended long distance trip. The kind that led to distant territories on foot. And it was likely going to be a while before he was going to want to do that again. Sleeping in shelters too small to sit up in and eating dried fish for months was not an experience he was eager to repeat just yet.
Skies above, but the man looked amazing in the saddle like that. And the hat did not hurt matters, either.
"After the trek you went on, a little rest sounds like it would be in order." Zavek knew that runners trained for the distances they covered, but it seemed that Brennault had been going nonstop.
"It will be nice to be home, close to my friends and family for a while. And to be available if anyone needs me," said Brennault. "You definitely won't have to wait as long as last time next time you need to make a delivery."
Zavek smiled at Brennault from under the brim of his hat. Reaching out he snatched a piece of long grass from the trailside and popped it into his mouth to chew between his teeth.
"I foresee many lavender deliveries needing to be met in the next month." A teasing grin twisted his lips.
"And I will be more than happy to ensure they reach their destinations," Brennault answered, Zavek's grin eliciting a matching one from him. "I can keep sending Marvel to be sure I know when you'll need me."
Marvel squawked happily at the prospect of more treats from Cook.
"I would like that. I will do a better job with my replies this time, I promise." Zavek hadn't really thought Brennault would return last time, not after he'd set out on his long journey. Zavek wouldn't have blamed him, he didn't know why anyone with Brennault's freedom would want to step into his holder world of subterfuge.
"I know you're a busy man," Brennault said, smiling. He could hardly expect more from Zavek than he gave himself. "But I will be glad to hear of your good fortune. Or of anything I might bring to improve it."
"Just bring yourself, that's enough."
They arrived at the fork where the trail to Lavender Run met the more widely traveled wagon road. The tree where they had shared their first kiss stood to the left, and Zavek guided his runnerbeast in that direction. Swinging down from the saddle, the beastcrafter took the hat from his head and hung it on his saddle horn to run his fingers through his mussed hair.
"Well, here we are," Zavek said.
"Here we are." Brennault climbed down a touch more gracefully than he had climbed up. Only a touch. He tugged his own runnerbeast along toward the tree, too.
The runnerbeasts nibbled on the grass around the tree while Zavek took Brennault's hand and pulled him in for a hug. "Be careful."
"You, too," said Brennault as he rested his head on Zavek's chest, relaxing into his embrace. A more tender goodbye than he anticipated, but appreciated nonetheless.
"If we stand behind the tree," he said softly after a moment, "nobody would see from the road if I give you a little parting gift..."
Zavek's mouth curled in response. "Hmm, I like gifts."
Brennault tugged Zavek by the belt loops behind the tree and then knelt down on the ground before him, grinning up….
***
Knees weak, chest heaving, Zavek panted a little as he pushed his shirt back inside of his pants and cinched his belt again. **A parting gift to remember.** He thought as he pulled Brennault up to him and kissed him.
Brennault let the kiss go on for as long as Zavek could. And when it was finally over, Brennault was already looking forward to his next chance to come back.
"See you again soon," he said.
"Soon." Zavek agreed, leaning in for one more kiss before stepping away. "Send Marvel to let me know you arrived safely?"
"As soon as I get back to the station," Brennault promised. "And you'll write back this time?"
"Every time." He promised, swinging up into Moonshade's saddle. Alfalfa came bounding back to his master's side, having been off exploring in the field.
"Bye, Zavek." Brennault waved to him as he prepared to start running. He was breathtaking.
Marvel cheeped as he glided down from up in the air where he had been watching, and he landed on his place around Brennault's shoulders.
"Bye, Brennault," Zavek said with a two finger salute before turning Moonshade back toward Lavender Run. The gentle mare that had carried Brennault followed obediently behind her master as Alfalfa zoomed down the trail ahead.
The brief taste of uninhibited freedom Zavek had with Brennault faded away with each step of Moonshade's hooves; the heavy veil of oppression enveloping him once more.
Last updated on the October 1st 2021