Missing Girl

Writers: AL, Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st April 2011

Characters: Wirnan, Benani, Zathris, Yavoran
Description: Zathris, Wirnan, and Benani discuss the missing Kaya and where they might find her.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 6
Notes: Takes place at night, after 'Where is she."

Wirnan

Benani

Zathris

The rumours had circulated through a good portion of the hold, if not
the entirety of it. Zathris hadn't heard the rumours, he'd heard it
straight from the horse's mouth. Yarovan was livid, but had joined in
on the search with his men. Zathris and Wirnan had organised parties
and Wirnan was even accompanying them. But they had all returned, to
no avail. Kaya was still missing and no one had any idea where she
had gone.

"Can anyone think of any place she particularly liked to go?
Somewhere that someone saw her going?" His eyes drifted between
Yavoran, his men, and Wirnan. "She's not in the Solar, but there are
plenty of nooks and crannies. Maybe she found a particular spot she
would retreat to?"

"We've checked the hold and she isn't anywhere unless she's hiding."
Benani tried to keep her voice calm and level not accusing Kaya's
father though her heart sympathized with the girl.

"Aye, the Lady Benani is right. We've turned up no trace of her anywhere
within the Hold. There are still a few lesser used areas some of the men are
trying to reach and search as we speak, but I think we must assume she's
gone further than any of us have expected." Wirnan was watching Zathris and
refused to look at Kaya's father. He didn't wish to incite any further
arguing from the man as he'd witnessed that morning.

"Shaffit." A girl, out there, alone? That wasn't good, not good at all.
"But where? Have the parties spread out. Wirnan, you head in this
direction with Yarovan. I'll have the other parties spread in the other
directions. Where would she go?" There were various paths the girl could
have taken, but which one? "If we could just figure out where she would
have gone, we'd have a direction."

Wirnan nodded his head, though he wished he did not have to spend more time
in the presence of Kaya's father who still seemed suspicious of him. Wirnan
contemplated places they had discussed and visited.

"We might want to examine the cots out by the butcher and tanner, and the
caves up to the North. I, well, recall, Kaya showing an interest in those
two areas on a tour of the grounds we took."

"The caves?" Zathris tore his eyes away from the map and looked at his
steward. "You really thinks she'd go up there? Alone? Some of those caves
aren't stable."

"Yes, it's possible. We rode up to them shortly after she arrived as she
expressed great interest in them." Wirnan frowned. "I don't know why I
didn't think of this sooner. I _do_ think it's worth checking out."

"Shuert." Zathris turned to one of his men, a guard who was leading one of
the parties. "You check by the tanner and butcher cots." Then he looked to
Wirnan. "You know the caves you went to. Take Yarovan's party there and
search for her. Hopefully we'll find her safe and sound."

"Alright," Wirnan nodded, rising almost immediately. "We'll need lots of
glows as it's already dark outside and the caves aren't even all that easy
to navigate in full daylight. Yarovan," Wirnan indicated they should join
him. "With you permission Lord Zathris?" He looked back over his shoulder to
Zathris for dismissal before leaving.

"Go. find her." Zathris waved his hand, dismissing everyone. He
watched as they all trooped out, then sat hard in his seat. "Shards,
Benani. What do you think would make a girl do something
this...this...stupid?"

She was wringing her hands just thinking of poor Kaya out there by
herself as she watched the men go out to search. But her brows drew
together at Zathris' question and anger welled up like she hadn't
known for a very long time. "Oh maybe a loveless marriage?" she said.

Zathris snorted. "How many loveless marriages do we see? We are
fortunate Benani, but the fact of the matter is, marriage is
necessary. Unfortunately, that means love has to be left out of it
most of the time. I'm pretty sure Kaya's learned this." Her father
certainly seemed the type to make sure she would learn it.

"Yes we are fortunate, and I am very grateful to my father for
actually considering my feelings." By now she was pacing. "But that
doesn't make it less sad that she herself has no choice at all."

"But this is not the way to deal with a problem like that." Zathris
pointed out, then motioned around the room where people had gathered
only moments before. "Now she has an entire hold on the alert. There
are wild felines out there. She could fall, get hurt. Her family is
worried about her. This is not the brightest idea."

"I didn't _say_ it was smart!" she said rather sharply and then was
sorry she'd spoken in that fashion. "I only meant I understood why a
desperate girl might do something unwise."

"I can see it too." Zathris stiffened and threw his hands up in the
air. "But surely common sense should be consulted in matters like
this."

Her eyes opened wide as she stared at him "Common sense? You really
think a young woman who's being forced to marry a man she doesn't like
is going to use _Common Sense_?" she almost spat at him.

"There are other ways to resolve this sort of issue." Zathris stood,
eyes flashing at his wife. "Do you really think I prefer things to be
this way? Do you think I _like_ it? I don't. But I'm not a fool,
Benani. I can not change things, not that quickly. It has to be done
carefully. If she had come to me, I would have seen about making a
better match, spoken to her father. Shards, Wirnan was interested in
her! She seemed to like him from what he told me. But she didn't and
I can not justify letting her go. It's too dangerous out there for
her and I have a very upset holder who's determined to get her back."

Irrational tears welled up in her eyes for some reason she couldn't
fathom. She had no clue why she was so emotional over this whole thing
and couldn't handle it another second. She stomped her foot. "Men!"
she cried throwing her hands in the air and ran through the door
toward her bedroom sobbing.

"Benani!" Zathris called after her, but she was gone. He sighed and
rubbed at his brow. Zathris would go after her, but one, she was
rather irrational, but more it was an issue of him having to stay
there until that girl was found. Or wasn't. Shards, he hoped she was
found soon.

Last updated on the April 27th 2011

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Missing Girl