Hiring Help

Writers: Suzee, AL
Date Posted: 22nd May 2011

Characters: Zathris, Benani
Description: Zathris tells Benani he wants her to get help.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 3 of Turn 6

Zathris

Benani

Some days were longer than others. On occasion, Zathris was able to let
matters lie by the time the day officially ended for many of the workers of
the hold. As often as not, he was working up til dinner and then
afterwards. Tonight was one of those nights and it was three hours past
before he managed to make his way back to his quarters. A trip was coming
up - a trip that he wish he could cancel because he would prefer to stay at
the Hold while his wife was pregnant. But it would be difficult to do so.
It was a round he had to take before it got too cold and snowy to travel.

Zathris slipped into his quarters and smiled as his wife came into view.
"Sorry I missed dinner." He offered in apology as he crossed the room to
slip one arm around her and plant a kiss on her forehead. "Have a good
day?"

She'd been worried but when the drudge came to tell her he'd ordered a tray
in his office she knew he'd be late and just dined alone. "Yes," she smiled
up at him. "Long one for you though, everything ok?"

"Everything's fine. Just hammering out the details on this trip I'm
taking and having to deal with correspondence with the holders I'll be
visiting." One thing he did make sure of was that he would miss at
few of the healer appointments as possible. "You just make sure to
take it easy while I'm gone."

"I feel fine," she smiled. "I'm not that far along yet." But she knew
he was just planning, that was part of what he did. She reached across
her body with her other hand to hug his arm. "Don't worry, I'll be
careful."

Zathris nodded, his fingers dancing lightly over her skin briefly. "I
know." He regarded his wife, his brow furrowed in thought. "Have you
started looking for more help yet?"

"Not actively." she said "I don't really think I need it yet."

"Maybe not, but I want you to be sure to get at least a couple of
ladies on board." Zathris rest his head on top of Benani's. "I don't
want you to have to do too much once the baby is born. You will be a
wife and mother first."

"Well I've talked to that new girl, Lyranel. She seems to have a knack
with children. Ailnim took to her like a fish to water. But I don't
know that I'll need all that much help."

"Even if you don't, I want you to have women interviewed and ready to
step in." Zathris didn't think Benani truly realised how much a baby
took out of a woman. While he'd not had _that_ much experience, he'd
seen the effect on other women - particularly those his father
impregnated. "I want you to scale back and delegate more."

She pulled back and looked at him with a small frown. "Are you giving
me orders Zathris?"

"I am sharing with you what I desire." Zathris clarified, his hands
gentle as they rest upon her arms. "You are my wife. You are the
mother of our children. And then you are the Lady of a Hold. I want
you to be able to focus on the children after they are born, at least
for a little while."

She was somewhat mollified by his tone and gentle explanation but she
wasn't entirely happy with it. "Very well," she said. "I'll talk to
them and work with Zelanka to have a plan in place should it become
necessary."

"Not should." Zathris shook his head. "Is. You're pregnant with
twins, Benani. I want something in place _before_ you go into labour.
I want to make sure you don't have too much stress. I would prefer
that you go ahead and start lightening your duties."

"Now?" her voice rose again. "I barely feel any different than I did
before I got pregnant. I'll go crazy if I have nothing to do for
months on end." She shook her head. She wasn't even showing yet and he
already wanted her to slow down. It wasn't like she was _sick_ or
something.

"No, but you are pregnant with _twins_ Benani." Being pregnant with
one was difficult enough, but two? No, Zathris didn't want to take
any chances. "If you don't feel up to interviewing ladies, perhaps
you should ask Zelanka to do it. It might be less stressful on you."

She sighed a very deep sigh. "Oh alright, but you have to kiss me to
seal the bargain."

"Only if you promise to do this and very, very soon. I'd like you to
start within a sevenday." Zahris insisted, his eyes steady upon
Benani's. "Promise me that you will get help and soon."

He knew her too well but she smiled and said, "I promise."

"Good." Zathris leaned down and pressed his lips against her own,
then opened his mouth to deepen the kiss, making it long and
passionate. When he finally pulled away, he rest his forehead against
hers, holding her tight. Twins. Their children. He just hoped to
Faranth she would do as he asked and take it easy.

Last updated on the May 23rd 2011

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