The Bad Uncle

Writers: Cali, Emma
Date Posted: 13th September 2008

Characters: I'lan, Balthan
Description: Balthan informs I'lan about Sorsha's impending marriage.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 15 of Turn 4

Balthan was overseeing several of his men scrubbing the growths off the side of a ship when a dragonrider popped into view overhead. Instead of landing in the courtyard like a normal messenger would he went to one of the clearings.

Sorsha's dragonrider. He looked around for Balisor, but figured he must be inside when he didn't see him. He tossed the rag he'd been holding down to the deck and started towards the clearing... better to get rid of him quick before someone _helpful_ encouraged him to go to Willet Grove.

"Hello there!" called out I'lan after dismounting. "My duty to you."

"My duty to you." Balthan repeated automatically. "Do you need something, dragonrider?"

"I was hoping to visit Sorsha, if it's not too inconvenient," explained I'lan. "I promised that if I was in the area I'd come and say hello."

Balthan couldn't keep the disgusted look off his face despite the fact that he was expecting that answer. "She left after last Threadfall, she's been fostered out."

"She didn't say..." began I'lan.. The bronzerider felt disappointed, he'd known it would be a possibility, but not thought it might happen so soon.

A plan began to form in Balthan's mind, a way to keep the rider from causing any problems for his son at Willet Grove. "Yes well, she was quite excited to leave... barely a glance back."

"Really?" That didn't sound quite like the Sorsha he had come to know.

"Hmm, yes." the man continued. "And did you know she's to be married? I believe you met him at that dinner you attended, Railen, the holder's son."

"Married," he repeated slowly taking it in.

"If you recall, she appeared quite fond of him." Yes, she was throwing herself at all the young men that night, it's a wonder she didn't know marriage was being planned for her.

"She was just being friendly," or so he'd thought. Maybe she'd kissed Railen too?

Balthan's mouth turned into a sneering smile, "She is quite the _friendly_ girl, isn't she."

"She, she was well thought of at the weyr," commented the bronzerider, wondering just what was being implied by those words.

The man hissed under his breath at the all but confirmation of his earlier suspicions of Sorsha's behavior while at the Weyr. It was a good thing Balisor had shipped her off so quickly, if word got out it would mean the end of _all_ their arrangements, including his son's fostering. "Well, if she thinks of you, I'm sure she'll send an invitation to her wedding."

"That would be nice," came a polite reply. "I hope she'll be happy."

There, hopefully that will stop any idea he has about flitting over and trying to grab her attention again. And good riddance. "Well, if you haven't anything else, I really must be getting back to work..."

"Yes, yes, I should get back to the Weyr." And think about things, he'd not have thought that Sorsha would be the type to lead anyone on, she must have known about a potential betrothal.

Last updated on the September 14th 2008

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The Bad Uncle