Something in Common

Writers: Ainsley1, Emma
Date Posted: 12th June 2007

Characters: Evaleine, Royah
Description: Evaleine meets Royah and realizes that she knew his wife from Coral Bay
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 17 of Turn 4
Notes: Mentioned: Benaroy

"It's Evaleine, isn't it?" began the Lord's son as he
spotted the woman crossing the hallway.

Coming up short, Evaleine smiled at the man with the
crystal blue eyes, taking a moment to place him.
"Yes, that's right," she answered politely.
Of course! He was one of the Lord Holder's sons.
Royah, she believed was his name. Ordinarily she would
be embarrassed not to know all of the Lord Holder's
sons immediately, but she had not been at Amber Hills
long and Lord Benaroy had so _many_ sons! "And you
are Royah, are you not? Son of Lord Benaroy?"

He nodded, "That's right. My wife thought she saw you
the other day."

"Your wife? Do I know her?" she asked trying to
remember where they might have met.

"Tenia is a niece of Coral Bay's Lord Holder," he
explained. "She said she thought you had been married
to a cousin of hers."

"Oh, of course! Yes, she and Flylonn were cousins.
She and I met at a wedding at Coral Bay a few turns
ago. I had forgotten she was here at Amber Hills
Hold. How is Tenia?"

"Ready to give birth any day now. This one will be
number four. We'd like another girl."

"Number four? Well, congratulations! Is Tenia doing
well? Might she be up for a visitor?"

"I'm sure she would like to see you. She's at the
stage where she just wants the baby to come, because
she feels big and awkward. I'll ask her."

"I'd like to see her again," Evaleine smiled and tried
to remember the last time she had seen Tenia and what
she knew of the other woman. "You fostered at Coral
Bay didn't you?"

"That's where Tenia and I met." He smiled fondly
thinking of those days. "I knew she was the one for me
back then."

>From the look on Royah's face, Evaleine guessed that
it might have been a love match, not just a strategic
alliance, and smiled. "How wonderful the two of you
met at just the right time in your life."

"It was indeed." And luckily for them that both sets
of parents had approved.

"I think a strong bond helps a couple through rough
times," she commented, thinking back to her own
circumstances. Had it been a love match perhaps she
and Flylonn might have fared better. "With three
children, a pregnant wife, and all of the refugees to
settle, you must have been very busy these past
months."

"It feels that way sometimes, but we'll get through
it. It can only be for the good of Amber Hills."

"I'm sure the Hold will soon be stronger than ever,"
she agreed pleased to hear such optimism. Changing
the subject she asked, "Have you kept in touch with
anyone at Coral Bay?"

"My wife's family mainly. We hear from here parents
at least once a sevenday."

"It is good to keep in touch. I write often to my
family as well, and to the Lady Holder. I had a
surprising letter most recently from Ulon, the Stable
Master. Was he there when you fostered? He seems as
if he could be as old as the Hold itself," she stated
with a chuckle.

"You know," said Royah after a moment, "I think he
might have been there."

"He taught me how to ride, gruff old bugger, but good
at heart and what he doesn't know about runners most
likely isn't worth knowing."

"He pulled me up on grooming runners a few times too."

Evaleine chuckled. "Ulon was always rather demanding.
He said in his letter that he is training up a
replacement. I rather pity the man. Though he will
learn a great deal, it may not be the most pleasant
education progress."

"I doubt it would be, but when he does take over, then
he'll realise."

"That is true indeed. Do you ride much?"

"Not so much these days, mainly supervising our eldest
during their lessons."

"Well, that does take precedence. How wonderful to
support your children in their endeavors." Evaleine
realized that many men wouldn't bother to supervise a
riding lesson.

"It's about the one thing I do get to do with them."

"I'm sure that finding time is hard with all of your
responsibilities."

"And one day there may be more responsibility yet."
There was always the possibility that he would be
declared the heir by his father, he just had to
convince him that he was worthy.

"Yes, and should you become Lord Holder you will
struggle all the more for time with family so you
should definitely fit in what you can now. What type
of work do you do for your father?" Evaleine
queried, somewhat curious how the Lord Holder kept so
many sons busy.

"I act as his assistant. My father is no longer able
to get to all the places he needs to, and I represent
him there."

"You must find yourself in some rather fascinating
situations then."

"A few," he admitted with a smile.

"I would love to sit down with you and hear about them
sometime. The intricacies of running a large Hold
have always intrigued me. Perhaps once Tenia delivers
we can all get together for a meal. I would like to
visit with her before then, though. You will ask her
if she's up to a visitor won't you? And let me know?"

"Of course I will, and I can always send my eldest to
come and find you."

"Please do, I would very much like to get
reacquainted."

Last updated on the June 19th 2007

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Something in Common