We Cannot Let That Happen

Writers: Ainsley, Eimi
Date Posted: 9th February 2009

Characters: Shadux, Nimroy
Description: Nimroy and Shadux search for some clue about Benaroy's final wishes for the Hold
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 9 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Zelanka, Cyrek
Mentor Approved

"So there will be no need for Benani's involvement in these
preparations? She told me specifically that she was not up to it."
Nimroy knew there were many people available to help with Lord Benaroy's
funeral preparations, but he found he had wanted to offer his assistance
as well. Standing now in his father's office, Nimroy felt both
comforted by what he perceived as Lord Benaroy's lingering presence and
saddened by the knowledge that this feeling was artificial.

"No, don't worry. Zelanka and Cyrek will do the bulk of the planning.
Family members need time to grieve and planning a huge event like this
on such short notice is a little overwhelming if you're not in the right
state of mind." Shadux eyes wandered over to the window that afforded
the best view of the amber colored hills off in the distance. Benaroy
had often stood and stared out at them from that spot, and the young
assistant steward could almost imagine him there now. But not as he was
in the last few turns, but as he had been when he was a young boy - tall
and proud. Determined. Strong. He had seemed a giant of a man to
Shadux then. Invincible.

It was not difficult to follow Shadux's thread of thought. "Countless
times I saw him stand before that window," Nimroy said, moving forward
to look out at the landscape that his father had loved. "A lifetime of
accomplishment. It cost him much, but the legacy he left is
undeniable."

Shadux joined him, pushing back the curtains and letting more sunlight
fill the room. It was the perfect view. "If the Hold falls into chaos
because of a lack of an heir, I'm afriad his legacy will be ruined
forever."

"We cannot let that happen, Shadux. I _will_ not let that happen."
Nimroy owed that to his father. Owed him the dedication he had not
shown while the Lord Holder yet lived. "I still cannot believe he did
not leave something. Some indication..."

"I've heard of nothing. I'd been begging him, we all had. He just...
kept putting it off it seems." THough putting things off had never been
Benaroy's style.

"It was so unlike Father. I keep thinking we are missing something."
Nimroy turned to look around the office as if some answer would
materialize from the creamy sandstone walls or the hangings upon them.

"Well, maybe we have," Shadux replied thoughtfully, his own eyes
scanning the room for... he wasn't sure what. Anything out of place.
Anything that didn't seem to fit. Anything that might hold some sort of
clue as to why the Lord Holder had remained silent.

"I suppose we could take a look around. Perhaps he did leave an
explanation," Nimroy suggested.

"Well, you're his son. It's your right to ask me to go through your
father's personal things..." And Shadux very much wanted answers
himself.

"Then I think that is what I will have to do," Nimroy answered his lips
twitching. "I assume that the steward checked his desk already?"

"Check behind the wall hangings? You know how sneaky he could be when
he wanted to." He had spent the last fourty odd turns in this room.
Who knew what kinds of nooks and crannies he had found or designed.

"Yes," Nimroy responded rather dryly, "I'm very aware. You check that
one I'll look behind this one," Nimroy instructed as he headed towards
the one nearest him and lifted the fabric to feel the sandstone beneath.

The old tapestry, colors faded behind a film of dust, was heavier than
Shadux had thought as he lifted it off the wall. How often had he
glanced over this tapesty and never given it a thought? Wouldn't it be
ironic if it covered the Lord Holder's greatest secret? He felt
underneath and felt a rush of excitement as his fingers passed over a
change in the stone. "I found something!"

Rushing over, his heart pounding fast, Nimroy helped to settle the old
tapestry so that they could investigate the wall more closely. "Yes,
there is an identation!" he exclaimed with excitement. A tendril of
hope played at the back of his mind. Perhaps all the worry had been for
naught. "It looks like it might have been a shelf, but the crawlers
have defintely taken up residence. Zelanka would be appalled!"

Shadux sighed as he let the tapesty fall back over the hole. "Then we'd
best not let her see. This tapestry was obviously here for a reason,
but unless one of those crawlers has a stroll tucked in his web it's not
what we're looking for." He looked around the room once more. "What
about these rugs?"

With a nod, Nimroy moved a chair off to the side then got on his knees
to roll back the floor covering. Was that a hide? His eyes turned
to catch at the assistent steward's and he reached for the hide. It was
small, thin, and of poor quality, not to mention rather old, but then
Benaroy had been known to be eccentric on occassion.

"What's that?" Shadux asked, feeling a rush of exceitement at the sight
of the hide.

Turning it over Nimroy looked at the old hide. It had his name on it.
His face flushed and he shook his head. "Just evidence that I was never
destined to be an artist," he said dryly showing the other man the
charcoal drawing with very large crooked letters spelling out his name.

His friend smiled as he took the drawing from him. "I wonder how long
that's been down there."

"More than twenty-five turns, though, how in Faranth's name I have _no_
idea. Here, help me with the rest of this rug," he suggested.

"Let's move the table first." Shadux lifted one end while he friend
grabbed the other. "So what if we find what we're looking for - that
your father did leave a named heir - and it's not you?"

Nimroy gave his friend a smile, "You don't understand, Shadux. I never
believed for one moment that it _would_ be me," he explained with a
shake of his head as they settled the table in its temporary location.
"You are good son to your father, Shadux, and have always shown fierce
dedication and loyalty to this Hold as well." Nimroy's jaw tightened.
"I cannot say the same, but it's a little late to fix that. The best I
can do now, is uphold his dream. This Hold could be torn apart before a
Conclave of Lord Holders finishes with its political manipulation and
chooses Father's successor." Nimroy swallowed hard and ignored a
tightening in his chest. "I just cannot let that happen."

"Neither can I," Shadux said thoughtfully. He would hardly be doing his
duty to the Hold otherwise. "So let's keep looking."

Last updated on the February 17th 2009

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We Cannot Let That Happen