A few questions

Writers: Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 27th November 2010

Characters: Benani, Zelanka
Description: Benani meets with the headwoman and has some questions.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 1 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentions: Benaroy, Zathris

Benani

Benani sat in her morning room where the sun streamed in making pools
of morning light on the floor. Hidework was on the table before her
and as she reviewed one of them a drudge came in with her morning
klah. She smiled and thanked the young man, though she knew the real
person to thank was Zelanka. She ran a very well oiled staff here and
Benani was quite thankful she had decided to stay on after Benaroy's
passing. She knew the Headwoman had taken quite good care of her
father and therefore Zelanka felt almost like a family member to her.

It was almost time for their morning meeting. Benani poured one of the
cups and wrapped her hands around it to warm them from the cool
morning chill. Then she rose and went to look out the window at the
busy yard with the warm cup in her hands. She spied a beastcrafter
leading in some runners and a couple of them looked very fine indeed.
She was certain Zathris would be pleased.

Zelanka knocked before entering. She was hold a pile of hides beneath her arm.

Benani saw the hides as Zelanka entered and groaned inwardly but
greeted the older woman with genuine warmth. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Benani," Zelanka smiled.

She smiled and held her hand out for the hides. "Anything pressing?"

"We need more kitchen staff. I think the Searchriders took some
obsucre pleasure in Searching our kitchen girls," Zelanka sighed and
and gave her the hides.

"Hmm" she mused between a sip and takaing the hides to her small desk.
She smoothed them and read the contents and an eyebrow rose. "I know
there is a new clutch on the sands but that many?" she sighed. "Well,
we do have a new class coming out of their harper schooling soon. Are
there any other resources you can think of?"

"Some of the older, married women might be interested. Those whose
children are grown," she said.

"Oh excellent idea." she said. She took a moment and looked over the
other hides regarding supplies and schedules and approved all of
Zelanka's recommendations. She had much confidence in the older woman
management skills. She made the Hold run smoothly and that was one of
her most valuable assets. She smiled and pushed them back across the
desk. "These are all just fine. Thank you Zelanka."

"You're welcome, Benani," Zelanka smiled motherly. She would have been
surprised if she found something amiss in those hides.

Benani learned so much from the Headwoman. There was something new
every day. She realized that in a way this was her apprentiship.
Certainly she'd been prepared to run a household but there would come
a day when Zelanka wanted to retire from her duties and on that day a
much heavier burden would fall on Benani.

She looked at the other woman and thought a moment there was so much
information locked inside that mind. She rose from her chair and
taking her cup went back to the window. "May I ask you a question?"
she started. "I find myself in need of some... guidance."

"You can ask me anything," Zelanka assured her, "I'm here to help you."

She thought a moment trying to think of the best way to ask her
question. "I know of the tea" she started "To help prevent pregnancy."
she said. "Is there one to help fertility?"

"There probably is, that's something you should ask healers," Zelanka
replied. "I think they also recommend healthy diet."

"Well yes," she smiled. "But with your pack of children, I just
thought you had some insight. Was there anything special you ate?"

"No, just normal food. And I only have three children," She didn't
consider that pack, most of the women in her age-group had twice as
many children.

She was a bit disappointed but tried not to let it show. She didn't
have the luxury of asking her own mother who had birthed so many. From
all accounts her labors had been easy but that didn't mean hers would
be that way. She smiled at the other woman. "Thank you" she said. "Now
I don't think it's too early to begin planning for Turn Over. Do you
have any ideas?"

"Well, harper performances are always good idea, I so enjoy listening
good music," Zelanka said. "I am sorry I can't help you more. It just
takes time and the man," Zelanka added softly and silently.

"I like that too, and we can even have some dancing!" she warmed to
the subject. She shook her head and smiled her thanks, "I am a very
lucky woman." she said "I have both of those. I'll just have to be
patient."

Last updated on the January 21st 2011

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A few questions