An Indefinite Period

Writers: Dana, Estelle
Date Posted: 13th September 2005

Characters: Enrizial, Fayne
Description: Enrizial tells Fayne that she must take over some of Anaia's duties
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 5 of Turn 3

After visiting his Lady wife, Lord Enrizial had remained shut in his quarters for the rest of that day and all of the night, receiving no visitors. Lady Anaia had been confined to a room in the Ladies' Quarters, and the Hold was rife with whispering and speculation as to what had caused the latest quarrel between them. A gloomy atmosphere prevailed, for everyone remembered the state into which the Hold had sunk while Anaia had been away at Amethyst Cliff.

The guardsman stationed outside the Lord Holder's quarters was unnerved by the silence from within, though he did not quite dare knock and inquire if Lord Enrizial was well. He had caught a glimpse of the man's tortured face as he'd stormed back in there and slammed the door, and the dreadful thought that Enrizial was inside planning to take his own life had occurred to him.

He was greatly relieved when the young Lord emerged, looking pale and serious but calmer than he'd been before, and asked to see the Headwoman.
Wondering what this could mean - for in general the Lord Holder saw little of the Headwoman - he sent a messenger to find Fayne and ask her to come at once.

And Fayne came as swiftly as she could. She put a hand to her hair, smoothing the strands away from her face as she followed the messenger to Lord Enrizial's quarters. She tried to keep the nervous flutterings in her stomach in check...but it was hard. She'd never been "sent for" by the Lord himself before. It had usually been through Lady Anaia. She wondered what he needed...

"Fayne, thank you for coming so quickly." Enrizial had been pacing his study and turned to face her. He was clearly agitated, but kept himself under firm control as he motioned her to a seat. "I have come to an important decision regarding my Lady wife and I'm afraid it will mean more work for you, but I see no other course that is honourably open to me."

Fayne inclined her head to acknowledge what he said before looking back up to study his face. He didn't look well at all... A decision regarding Lady Anaia? She'd heard whispers, of course, but they were only whispers.
Weren't they? Keeping her face a smooth mask of neutrality, she waited for him to continue.

"Lady Anaia is to leave Emerald Falls and return to her family home for an indefinite period." Enrizial said flatly. "While she is absent, someone will need to cover her duties, since I do not intend to let the Hold fall into disrepair as it did during her last...absence. I plan to ask Lady Felyna if she will supervise in the ladies' quarters and make sure our fosterlings are properly educated and behave well, and that our guests of rank are given the appropriate welcome. However, that still leaves her other duties...keeping charge of the storerooms and the drudges and the laundry and so on. I'm afraid these tasks will fall to you."

**An indefinite period...** Again, Fayne inclined her head, trying not to let her emotions show on her face. What had the Lady done? What had made Enrizial so angry with her that she had to leave _again_? "I'd be glad to do anything else that is required, my lord."

"Good. You'll have to start today, since the Lady Holder will remain in her room in the Ladies' Quarters until the time comes for her to leave." He frowned. "I imagine there will be gossip about this, and I'll expect you to curtail it as much as you can."

Fayne nodded. She could curtail it. She had before. She could be distant and vague, and accurate, without really telling anyone anything. "Is there anything else you require of me, my lord?"

"Not at the moment. Though if you could tell a drudge to ask Lady Felyna to come and see me when she has time, I would appreciate it."

Fayne slowly rose. "I'll pass the message on, my lord."

"Thank you." Enrizial watched her go with a feeling of despair in his heart.
He had made the decision he knew he would have to ever since his Lady had betrayed him and lied to him, and yet he had no sense of relief or vindication. All he knew, much though he despised himself for it, was that he would miss her.

Last updated on the September 13th 2005

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An Indefinite Period