A Spirited Beast

Writers: Ainsley1, Vix
Date Posted: 7th May 2007

Characters: Evaleine, Benaran
Description: Evaleine and Benaran meet and decide to get better aquainted
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 16 of Turn 4

Reaching across the rails to give the impressive runner a good pat, Evaleine admired the spirited beast before her. He must belong to the Lord Holder or one of his sons. "I bet it takes a skilled rider to handle you, doesn't it handsome?"

"Of course it does." Benaran swaggered toward her.
"He's one of my favorite mounts."

Evaleine turned to take in the approach of the Lord Holder's son, a corner of her mouth lifting as she noted his confident air. She straightened automatically adjusting to bring her long brown tresses forward over her left shoulder. Not in the least bit embarrassed to be caught conversing with the man's runner she answered, "I can well imagine. He's a fine animal."

She had heard mixed opinions of Benaran since coming to Amber Hills. Some felt his confidence and leadership paired with an intense devotion to the Hold should result in his being named heir. Others insisted that his insensitivity and arrogance would lead to ruin. Evaleine had yet to form her own opinion. From what she had observed thus far he managed people well, and could be charming, though he did obviously think much of himself.

"He was bred to be spirited," continued the man. "His dam's bloodline has been with this Hold for Turns. His sire was purchased from Opal Cove after careful consideration - and at a good deal of expense."
Benaran remembered the arguments that he had waged to bring about that expenditure - and that his own marks had been required to get his way. Many had thought him foolish for the investment, but the offspring of the stallion had proved him to be right.

Evaleine smiled, "He's one of the finest I've seen. It must have been a wise investment on your part. He reminds me of the Lord Holder's favorite runner back at Coral Bay. I think that one might have come from Opal Cove as I think about it."

"That could well be," remarked Benaran, though his eyes narrowed. "You've had opportunity to inspect Coral Bay's steeds?"

Turning her head under the pretense of watching the runner depart, she pressed her lips together firmly to quell the laugh that wanted to escape. He was shrewd, she'd give him that! With perfect calm she looked back to Benaran with wide-eyed innocence. "Yes, I have. I've even ridden several."

"Indeed?" He refrained from looking her over - there would be time enough for that. "Then you are a friend of the Lord Holder of Coral Bay?"

"I've spent a great deal of time with the family, the Lady Holder in particular. Her younger sister is a close friend and my sister-in-law," Evaleine explained not caring to go into more detail about how she had become close with Coral Bay's bloodline. "My name is Evaleine, by the way," she added with a smile.

His expression was still fixed in a frown. "I heard of no official visit from Coral Bay."

True surprise colored her face as Evaleine realized that Benaran had no way of knowing she was one of the refugees. Shaking her head, she was quick to correct this misconception, "I, I'm not visiting. That is to say, well I was at Amethyst Cliff staying with an aunt when the earthquake hit. After my husband died, I,"
here she paused, "Needed some time away. I've been here since the earthquake." Evaleine mentally chided herself at her fumbled response.

He nodded, regarding her with more interest. "Does that mean that you're visiting here while you take that time to yourself or have you made Amber Hills your permanent home?"

"I must say that I find your Hold very much to my liking. Though my family and the Lady Holder have urged me to come home, I believe I will stay," she said meeting his crystal blue eyes and wondering at his interest. She supposed as the Lord Holder's son and one of those responsible for Hold management, such information would be of some consequence to him.

"Then I will personally take on the task of convincing you of that," he announced. A tie with Coral Bay Hold
- his father could not help but see that as a benefit to the Hold, and any advantage Benaran had over his brothers was to be sought. He bowed to her. "Lady Evaleine, I welcome you to Amber Hills Hold."

Only the slightest blush crept to her cheeks at the thought that perhaps there was a bit more behind the interest he had evidenced. Evaleine was hardly a girl just out of harper classes, but it had been some time since she had experienced this type of attention and Benaran _was_ the handsome son of a Lord Holder.

"My thanks, Lord Benaran," she answered "I shall look forward to getting to know you better."

Last updated on the May 10th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Spirited Beast