Not Possible

Writers: Estelle, AL
Date Posted: 15th September 2005

Characters: Enrizial, Mirdra
Description: Mirdra asks Enrizial to let her and Kohler care for Cazlik
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 19 of Turn 3

Enrizial could remember very little of what life had been like for him when he'd been Cazlik's age. For as long as he could remember, his childhood days had consisted of copying records, memorising names and facts, and doing arithmetic - adding up tithe sheets and forecasting crop yields and the like. Since the boy was obviously too young for that, he had been given an alphabet and his own name to copy out again and again, with an understeward to watch over him and admonish him if he was caught idling.

Having organised his nephew's education, Enrizial proceeded to forget about him and buried himself in his own work. Often he left his new Steward in charge and rode out to inspect far-flung holds, leaving early and not returning till late at night. One day, however, when business matters made it necessary for him to remain at Emerald Falls, a guard informed him that the Steward's wife had requested an audience and was waiting outside his office.

"Very well." He couldn't imagine what Mirdra would want to see him about, but it would be rude to turn away the wife of the man ranked second after him in the Hold. "Show her in."

Mirdra stepped inside of the room, nodding politely in thanks to the guard, before moving away from the door and towards the Lord of Emerald Falls. She feared what he would say to her request, though she hoped that he would be amenable to it. She was sickened by the fact that she had so little time with Cazlik now. The boy needed nurturing, and she was the only one who seemed willing to supply that for him. She knew that Enrizial would never agree to letting him stay with her and Kohler, but she had thought that, perhaps, he would be willing to let her do this. She could ask anyway, and think of something else if he said no. She hoped it wouldn't come to that, though.

She stopped a few feet away from his desk and greeted her Lord politely.
"Lord Enrizial, I hope I haven't come at a bad time."

"Not at all, Lady Mirdra," Enrizial replied politely. "How can I help you?"

She would have to tread carefully. Shards, Mirdra hated playing politics.
"It's about Cazlik."

"Cazlik?" Enrizial frowned, wondering what she could have had to do with the boy. "I hope he hasn't been causing trouble."

"No, my Lord." Was that the first thing that came to his mind every time someone mentioned the boy? That he was causing trouble? Cazlik needed her with Enrizial obviously not taking any personal interest in him. "I was just wondering if...Kohler and I would be allowed to help with his education."
Her husband was probably going to kill her for this.

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Lady Mirdra. Your husband has his duties as Steward to attend to, and Cazlik has the best tutors from among my staff.
With all respect, I think him old enough to make better progress with them than with a woman." He smiled distantly, his attention obviously starting to return to his work. "Of course, he will have the opportunity to work with Kohler once he's older."

Mirdra almost writhed as she forced her anger down; just because she was a woman! "I understand Lord Enrizial, but I am also aware of how Cazlik best learns. I know the best ways to keep his attention and this might help him to learn more quickly." Shards, the man needed to be slapped. She wondered if she could get someone's dragon to do that for her. She paused for a moment, then added, "Perhaps if you would be willing, we could give it a trial run and see how he fares? Maybe with just one subject, one he's been particularly slow in grasping?"

Enrizial shook his head, his face hardening. "I have already said no, Lady Mirdra. There will be no trial runs of any sort. You should concentrate on giving your own husband children and caring for them, rather than interfering with my Heir."

Mirdra's eyes blazed. 'And maybe you should take some time to tend to your own wife and produce your own heir instead of taking Cazlik from me'. She had to bite her tongue to keep from saying the words that rolled in her mind; or something worse. Her hands tightened into fists and her lips thinned visibly. Yes, she should have spoke to Kohler before attempting this, but she had been so enthusiastic about the idea, about the possibility that he might let her do this that she had let impatience guide her instead of common sense.

And the comment he made! Mirdra wanted to slap her and she shook a little with the attempt to hold herself back. After a moment, she slowly stood. "I see. So be it, Lord Enrizial." Cazlik was going to suffer and this man didn't care. This man had no idea how to care for children and he didn't even want to put any time or effort into the boy who would be his heir. And what if he and his wife did produce a male child? What then? Would he cast Cazlik aside? Shards, Mirdra hoped so! At least Cazlik wouldn't have to suffer with Enrizial and his ideas on how to raise him then! Though she would certainly feel sorry for his son.

As politely as possible, Mirdra nodded to the Lord Holder, then turned and headed out the door before he could get in another word. She didn't want to give him the chance to say anything; if she did, she may not be able to hold back her tongue, or her hand!

Last updated on the September 15th 2005

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