Fatherless

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 21st September 2009

Characters: Corowal, Aishara, Erassa, Iston
Description: Erassa gets some shocking news from the Weyr.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 5, day 10 of Turn 5

Aishara

"Sir, there's a greenrider to meet you," an assistant steward announced with slight sneer.

"Well, let him in," Corowal replied.

"Her," the steward corrected and Corowal overheard him to talk to someone in the hallway: "His lordship will receive you now," his voice was patronizing.

"Don't try that attitude with me, Iston, or I kick your ankle, like when we were kids," a confident, unmistakably feminine voice threatened. The blushing, embarrassed assistant led in a pretty young brunette. Corowal suppressed amused chuckle.

"I'm Aishara, green Ayumith's rider. I'm here on mission from the Weyr," she announced.

"Well met, Aishara. How can I serve the Weyr?" Corowal replied and then took a closer look at her. "Aren't you master Aivorn's daughter?"

"Yes, sir," she responded and Corowal gestured her to sit down. "I'm here concerning rider B'lion's death."

"B'lion?" the name didn't sound familiar.

"His only son and heir lives here, as well as his former weyrmate, it's about his personal belongings. B'lion's father wanted the son to have them," she explained.

"And this son's name is?" Corowal asked, although he already guessed it. There weren't that many people in the Hold who had come from the weyr. Most people who went there, stayed there.

"Beleran and his mother is "

"Erassa," Corowal finished for her. "I'll call her here."

He summoned a drudge and sent her to fetch Erassa and her son.

When Erassa received the summons, it chilled her to the bone. Why would he call for both her and her son? Had he and his new bride finally come to a decision concerning their future? Was he calling her to tell her it was no longer appropriate that she live in his home? With shaking hands she reached for her son and walked the long hall to the Lord Holder's office.

She was surprised and confused to see another woman in the room. Her grip on her son tightened as she recognized the girl she had grown up with, and the knots that were now on her shoulder. After all this time, was B'lion going to try to make a claim to his rights as a father? If so, why hadn't he come in person. Could he demand that she return with his son? Mentally she was trying to run through her rights, her options, but her mind just kept racing back to one thought - **They can't have my son!** Erassa tried to keep her voice steady as she finally nodded to the greenrider in acknowledgement. "Aishara."

"Erassa," Aishara flashed a smile, then turned serious. "I'm sorry to inform you, that bronwrider B'lion was killed in Threadfall in the past sevenday," She said with formal tone.

**So does that mean he won't be coming to see us?** It was a strange thought to run through her head in that moment, but it was so sudden, her mind could not grasp the change in direction. "I... I'm sorry. What?"

"They got Scored, went /between/ and never came back out again," Aishara said with gentle compassion.

"But..." She looked back and forth between the Lord Holder and greenrider. "What does this mean?"

"It means that your son is now orphan," Corowal said gently. Deep down he felt... victorious. One less to compete from her heart.

"And he has inherited all B'lion's personal belongings, if you want them that is. If you don't, I guess B'lion's father will have them," Aishara added.

Numbness was starting to set in as the reality of what she had said began to sick in. "Does his father _want_ them?"

"He actually suggested that they would be given to you," Aishara told her.

"Well... He can't deal with all that... He's not good with that sort of thing and... It would mean leaving all their ovines... And since B'lion left... He's alone and... He and B'lion weren't close after his mother died anyway and... " Why was it suddenly so easy to remember all the things she and B'lion had talked about, cuddled together in the dark of his weyr? Why _now_? Why him? Why did the room seem to be closing in on her suddenly?

Corowal quickly got up and pulled a chair to her. "Sit down, Erassa. You look like you're in shock." He went to his cabinet and poured little brandy to a glass and handed it to her. "Here, drink this."

She just gripped the glass in her hand as she held her son close. "So... What am I supposed to do? Is there something I'm supposed to do? I don't know... How do I..." Her eyes looked up into Corowal's almost pleadingly. "I don't know what to do."

"First, you decide whether or not you want his inheritance, for Beleran. Then you just go on like before. As unlikely as it sounds just now, but life just keeps going," Corowal said and patted her hand. Aishara's presence prevented him to do anything more.

"I don't even know what that inheritance would even look like. Do you mean marks? Do you mean his... belongings? I don't even know what he has." No, that was not true. She knew a lot of thing they shared while they lived together. Many little things that would mean nothing to anyone but them. And perhaps someday their son. And for him, she must collect them. But that meant bringing up so many memories she had fought hard to forget. "Do I have to go back there?"

"No, I can bring them here too. Except large furniture, but those are Weyr's anyway," Aishara replied.

"But, how much _is_ it?" After all, Erassa only had a small living space for her and her son. Could she really fit another's life in their apartments. No, she thought, shaking her head. She would have to go back. Alone. "I'll go."

"The Headwoman has the inventory," Aishara said. "I can take you there in no time."

"But..." Her eyes turned towards the Lord Holder. "What about the children?"

"It shouldn't take that long. I'm sure we can find someone to watch over them for that time. Do you want company?" Corowal replied and asked kindly.

She answered without even thinking. "Yes, please."

"There no better moment than now," Corowal remarked. He had nothing pressing in his schedule anyway, nothing that couldn't cancelled or postponed. "I'll just inform Sarban and find someone to sit with the babies."

Last updated on the September 23rd 2009

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Fatherless