Tunnelsnake in lordly clothing

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 29th October 2007

Characters: Corowal, Erassa
Description: Corowal tries a new tactic to get Erassa into his bed
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 6, day 8 of Turn 4

Erassa had gone to change Wallia, she had soiled herself from both ends, Corolia told her father when he stepped in to the nursery and asked where Erassa was. She was playing with doll while Erassa's son was trying to eat toys. Corowal stopped to look at him. He hadn't really paid any attention to him before. Belaran had just been there, part of the background. Now he picked him up. "I'm sure those marbles aren't meant to be eaten. You might choke," he scolded the baby. He sat down and started bounching him on his knee.
"Quite handsome little fellow you are. Have you been nice to your milk-sister? No chewing her ears or stealing her milk?"

Erassa finished buttoning Wallia's little dress and lifted her to her shoulder. "There you go, little one. Do you feel better now?" she asked, giving the baby's chubby cheeks a loud kiss. Wallia like sounds of all kinds and she grinned widely at her milk mother. "Come on. Let's go make sure Beleran hasn't gotten himself into any mischief."

She froze in the doorway when she saw her little boy bouncing happily on Corowal's knee. Her first instinct was to rip him away from that sharding prick of a man. Of course it was irrational. The Lord Holder wouldn't hurt her son. He had always been good with the children. His own children at least. But Beleran was most certainly not his child. "Is there something you need, sir?" she asked, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Hello, Erassa. I just came to tell you I've made appointment with the weaver's to have the children fitted into new clothes. They keep growing all the time," Corowal replied genially.

"If you tell me when the appointment is for and what exactly you want me to get for them I will be sure to take care of it." She felt her stomach churn as Beleran giggled in the Lord Holder's arms.

"Tomorrow, eleventh candlemark, " Corowal replied and tickled the boy's belly. "Ofewal has grown out of his gather tunic, Corolia needs more dresses, Corofel has destroyed several pairs of pants and little Wallia and Felcoron need new gather outfits too. And maybe I should include this little man too," he added thoughtfully.

Erassa fought the urge to narrow her eyes and glare at the man. How dare he try to use her son as a tactic to get her into his bed. She carefully schooled her expression and her tone of voice. "That is a kind offer, sir, but it's not necessary. You are generous enough with my wages, I can buy clothes for my son."

Corowal tsk'ed with his tongue. "Stuborn, aren't you," he said mildly. "I could offer all kind of nice favours to you mother, if she weren't so...chaste," he wispered to the baby's ear. "She migh even enjoy it." His breath on his cheek made him giggle.

"I very much doubt it," Erassa hissed, no longer bothering to check her contempt.

"Careful, Erassa, there are children in presence," Corowal said.
"Considering how you had this little one, I found you attitude bit hypocritical."

"Hypocritical? Or insulting?" she asked with a sneer. "It must be a blow to your ego to know I'd rather be a dragonrider's lover than a Lord Holder's whore."

Corowal covered the little boys ears with his hands. "Your mamie is talking dirty," he said, his tone lightly mocking.

"What's whore?" Corelia asked curiously.

"Ask your father, dear," her fostermother said with a sickeningly sweet smile. "I believe he might be an expert on the subject."

Corowal didn't know if he should be angry or amused with her. "I'll explain it to you later, hatchling," he answered his daughter.

How Erassa had ever mistake that tunnelsnake in Lordly clothing for a good father, a good man, was beyond her. "And I think I had better get dinner on the table before I lose my appetite."

"Whatever you wish," Corowal said. He lowered Belaran back to the floor. "You keep away from marbles, you hear," he instructed the boy.

Last updated on the November 3rd 2007

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Tunnelsnake in lordly clothing