Every Advantage

Writers: Aaron, Suzee
Date Posted: 22nd May 2024

Characters: Corofel, Jylanya
Description: Corofel seeks advice for how to deal with Jyltor, his Headwoman's brother and one of his minor Holders.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 26 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Corowal, Jyltor

Corofel

Jylanya

"I'd certainly like to have as much foreknowledge as possible," said
Corofel. "What's your brother like? How will he respond to me coming
to see him?"

“My brother,” she said softly. “Is very traditional in his views. He
was the eldest of us and ran our lives according to what he thought
would profit him the most. He married me to an old man so I could care
for him after I’d already cared for our parents. He promised me he’d
find another husband for me that would help the family maintain the
Hold.” She strove for calm but being married to a man old enough to be
her grandfather at sixteen had been difficult and he hadn’t even
considered any of her pleas.

“But even with all that he was loyal to Lord Corowal and always sent
his full tithe. It was the right thing. He’s very concerned with
doing the right thing.”

Corofel frowned. Half of that did not seem very right to him. But that
was not something he could expect to change easily. Rather, he was
probably better served accepting what loyalty he had rather than
squandering it. At least for now.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that." He laid his hand on
hers briefly. "And I thank you for your candor."

"Yes sir," she nodded. "I was lucky, I escaped with the help of a
dragonrider who took me to Dolphin Cove. But the Weyr really wasn't
for me so I went to Dolphin Hall.

"But going back to my brother, if you praise his work as Holder he'll
be putty in your hands. He thrives on praise."

"Seems simple enough... Since Captain Oriel has convinced me to make
these trips next Turn, I want to invite all of the minor Holders here
for Turnover. How would you feel about that, and how do you think he
would respond to being invited here first?" That part might have been
Oriel's idea, but Corofel could not deny it had been a good one. As
long as Jylanya did not mind playing hostess.

"I will always make sure we have all necessary resources to Host any
events you wish sir." she said with a small nod. "Oh and please let me
know any of your personal preferences as far as food and drink are
concerned. So I can have the necessary foodstuffs on hand."

"Oh, um. Well, I want to make sure that what we have is something the
guests would enjoy," said Corofel. "To be honest, I can't think of a
single Gather food I _don't_ like. I suppose I still have that teenage
b... er... young man's stomach. As long as there's brownies."

Jylanya couldn't help but smile. "I have many menus to choose from but
I imagine your time is rather full these days? Would you like me to
just put something together for this event?"

"Of course, I trust your judgment!" Corofel said cheerfully. He would
never be able to contribute much of use to such a thing, and the whole
point of having a Headwoman was to rely on her, not to try to do her
job for her.

"Alright, one last thing if I may sir?" She was still smiling. "We
need to move you into the Lord's chambers. Your childhood room is no
longer big enough for you. So, I inventoried the furniture storage and
found some pieces you might like in place of your fathers bed if that
is what's keeping you from moving?" She ended on a question as she
didn't want him to feel her pushing him into a place that was
uncomfortable for him.

"Uh..." Corofel had been hoping to avoid this particular topic. He was
simply not ready to give up on finding his father alive and bringing
him home. If he moved into the Lord's chambers, it would be tantamount
to admitting that he was not coming back. "I should think my father
would be a touch put out if he returned to find I had stolen his
chambers for myself."

Jylanya folded her hands in her lap and took a deep breath before
putting on her best managing tone. The one she'd used on her staff
and family. "Sir, I've found you asleep at this desk or on the sofa
almost every night. If your bed was right next door, do you think you
might make it there for a good night's sleep instead of getting a
crick in your neck?" From all she'd heard about Lord Corowal she
didn't believe he would begrudge his son a good night's sleep.

"I... Yes. I probably could." It was hard to argue with that. Corofel
blushed, as he was unaware of just how often Jylanya had noticed him
sleeping in the office. And he had to admit, a good night's sleep was
rather tempting. "I suppose Father wouldn't mind me using his bedroom
while I'm filling in for him... But there's no need to replace his
bed. Or any of his things. I can... pack away some of his clothes if I
need to make space for mine. But his things must still stay where they
are as much as possible. Please."

She nodded approvingly. "I can have your wardrobe moved from your
current room to the Lords' room. There is plenty of space for it
there. I'll also have fresh linens put on the bed before you retire.
Is there anything else m'lord?"

"That was everything I wanted to ask you." Corofel stared at the
desktop and tried not to feel as though he were betraying his father
for the sake of a comfy mattress. "Thank you, Headwoman Jylanya."

She stood and gave a small curtsy at his dismissal. "Sir," she said
and left the room quietly. She had quite a few things to get moving
and a short time to get it done.

Last updated on the May 24th 2024

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Every Advantage