A Rock And A Hard Place (PG-17)

Writers: Suzee, AL
Date Posted: 6th April 2011

Characters: Zathris, Benani
Description: Benani and Zathris discuss the situation that Kaya has put Wirnan into.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 12 of Turn 6
Notes: Takes place after 'A Setup' Second to last Paragraph PG-17ish.

Mentions: Zelanka, Wirnan, Kaya,
Rating: PG-17

Zathris

Benani

It had been a long day. And it was going to be an even longer day the
next day. Zathris was not looking forward to it. How had things gone
so wrong? So messed up? What was that girl thinking? Wirnan wasn't
lying, Zathris knew him well enough that he didn't doubt his
sincerity. But she had plunged them all into a mess and forced their
hand into something that neither he nor Wirnan wanted. But what
choice did he have? Sacrifice his Steward or a good relationship with
a fairly large hold? Politics would suffer.

It wasn't often Zathris had to make a choice like this. Choices were
usually easier, less grey. He didn't have to choose between what was
best for a person and what was best for the Hold. Not usually. But
this time, he was between a rock and a hard place and he only had one
way to get out from it. He slumped in his chair and rubbed at his
eyes. This was the part about being a Lord Holder he didn't
particularly like.

Rumors were flying and some of Benani's ladies had been gossiping
about the girl she'd met Kaya. She refused to discuss anything with
them but she had to talk to someone and sought out her husband. When
she arrived at his office there were people going in and out so she
just slipped into the room to wait until he was free.

No, not someone else. Ah, but someone he didn't _mind_ seeing.
Zathris motioned for Benani to come in while shooing the others out.
They had work to do and they knew it. It wasn't long before the last
person scrambled out and Zathris was left alone with his wife. "Why
do I have the feeling I know why you're here?"

"What is going on?" she asked in a lowered voice. She would assume
someone was listening since they'd only just stepped out. "I've heard
some very odd rumors. I can't believe them."

"What have you heard?" Zathris hadn't heard rumours, he'd heard
plenty of what had supposedly happened by those involved, though. He
rest his hand upon his brow, as if shading his eyes. "Please,
enlighten me."

"Well," she sputtered unwilling to muddy the Steward's good name.
"Only some odd ones about Wirnan compromising some young woman. You
don't think he would do that do you?"

"He's told me so himself that he hasn't, and I believe him. Wirnan
wouldn't lie about something like that." Shards, Zathris didn't think
Wirnan would lie about _anything_. "According to him, he walked into
his room and found her there, wearing only one of his shirts. And
then she kissed him. Unfortunately, he was so shocked he left the
door open and her father as well as some of his men and the holder
with his son to whom Kaya was _supposed_ to be married walked in while
it happened."

"What!" exploded out of her before she could think. From everything
she knew about the steward she didn't think he would lie either yet...
She'd met the girl and liked her on the spot. She couldn't imagine
what had... "Oh my," she said as her hands rose to the sides of her
face. She felt herself coloring. No wonder she was hearing those
things.

"Yeah. Oh my." Zathris rubbed his hands over his face. "Holder
Yarovan is livid, of course. And now he's demanding that Wirnan marry
his daughter since he has soiled her." Not that Wirnan did, but
Yarovan refused to believe otherwise.

Benani's fingers moved to her mouth "Shards! Wirnan would never do
something like that Zathris." her brows furrowed She was certain her
husband knew that far better than she did. She would trust her own
safety to Wirnan at any time.

"I know. But I don't have much choice in the matter." Zathris didn't
like it, but it was the good of Wirnan or the good of the Hold. "He's
going to have to marry her."

She sat down heavily "There's no other solution?"

"Not unless you can think of one." Zathris' eyebrows arch upward as
he let his gaze fall upon his wife. "Yarovan wants his honour upheld.
Narum refuses to let his son marry a soiled woman. What else can I
do?"

Her brows drew together into a frown. "You don't think she's trapped
him against his will do you?" If that was the case, Benani would be
upset. Not by Zathris, or Wirnan, but by the girl who pulled such a
stunt.

"Whether she has or not, it doesn't matter. What's done is done and
they will have to marry." Zathris' jaw tightened. He hated putting
Wirnan into this position, but he didn't have a choice. "But Wirnan
doesn't particularly want to marry her. Unfortunately, there's no
other way."

Benani's jaw also set at the information that their Steward had been
trapped into marrying a woman he didn't want. "I will speak with
Zelanka. We will have to find her an appropriate place and work so she
can contribute since she's foisted herself upon us." She folded her
hands in her lap, a bit if coolness had settled between them after her
outburst the other day at least from her point of view and she wanted
to make amends. "I'm sorry about the other day Zathris," she said
quietly to her hands. "It was very unfair of me."

"She'll be a Steward's wife. That will be her job and while I don't
think Wirnan will mistreat her, I doubt he will let her lax in her
duties." Zathris pointed out, then nodded. "Thank you." He
murmured. He understood it hadn't been a pleasant situation. But was
this one any better? Certainly not for Wirnan.

"Yes, but it does seem unfair to him to place all the burden on his
shoulders. Hopefully, they will do well together. That is _my_wish at
any rate." She smiled. "Is there anything you need me to do for
their wedding?" she asked.

"Mine as well as yours. We both know there was at least a hint of
interest before...all this." Zathris sat up and shook his head. "I
think small, simple, and quiet would be best in this case. And quick.
Yarovan is pushing for that." Quick as in...tomorrow or the next day
it would seem.

"Oh, that soon?" Her mind whirled with the needed preparations. She
would need Zelanka's help for even a minor Holder's daughter required
_something_ more than standing in an empty hall in her dowdy day wear.
"I think she's about my size, I may be able to loan her a dress at
least." She nodded and rose. She leaned over her husband to give him
a soft kiss and caress his face.

"I don't think Yarovan cares about that right now." Zathris reached up to
catch her wrist before she could pull away. His other drifted in up,
brushing against her breasts before gliding up to her neck and pulling her
down in a kiss. All the stress, all the tension that had coloured the last
few days...he needed a break from it. When he broke the kiss, he asked, his
voice low. "I think we should go to bed." Though sleep wasn't necessarily
on his mind.

Benani was definitely breathless and willing once Zathris pulled away. She
blinked unable to think for a moment. Then a slow smile spread across her
lips and her arms went around her husband. "Absolutely," she breathed.

Last updated on the April 29th 2011

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A Rock And A Hard Place (PG-17)