Rumours

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 24th May 2011

Characters: Benani, Sofeya
Description: Benani hears gossip she'd rather she hadn't
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 5 of Turn 6

Benani

The knock on the door wasn't timid, three raps in succession. There
was a wait, for Sofeya had learned long ago not to enter until she was
given permission. It lead to people being irritated. Not that she
generally minded irritating people, but it needed to be on her terms,
and that wasn't the sort of irritation she preferred.

Once she heard the voice inside answer, Sofeya stepped into the room,
carrying her broom. "Just came to sweep and clean my lady." She
bobbed a curtsy to Benani, glancing around. The Lord wasn't there.

"Thank you," she said almost absently. She was in the middle of
reviewing a report of the expenses from the Turns End celebrations and
deciding if the wines had been a little too extravagant.

Sofeya's eyes narrowed upon the Lady Holder and a small smile played
over her mouth. But she didn't say anything. Not at first. Oh no,
she should get to her work first. She pulled a rag that was hooked
over her belt and began to wipe down the surfaces. Nothing was
missed. She didn't like her work, but she didn't want to get
reprimanded either. Once that was done, she slipped to the door to
get the broom she had leaned against it. Then she began to run it
over the floor, glancing up again at the Lady Holder. "I would like
to say congratulations, my Lady."

Benani looked up blinking. "Congratulations?" she looked blank for a
moment. "Oh! Yes," she smiled. "Thank you Sofeya. We're very happy."

"I knew those cackling old poultries were dead wrong." The drudge
stated off handedly, her broom swish, swish, swishing with every
stroke across the floor.

She placed her pen back in the inkwell. Not normally one to encourage
gossip amongst the staff, she couldn't resist. "What do you mean?" she
asked.

Sofeya froze, her eyes widening. "Oh, I'm sorry my lady! My mouth
flaps too long sometimes." Pink darted over her cheeks and she ducked
her head. "It's...well, there was talk. You know."

Benani's brows drew together. "I'm afraid I _don't_ know. Perhaps you
can enlighten me?"

"W..well..." Sofeya seemed hesitant to talk, but perhaps the fact
that Benani was the lady holder and had told her to do so spurred her
on. "Some said the Lord Holder was...well, shooting and missing."
That pink deepened and she cleared her throat before continuing.
"Some said he spent himself all on Isily, that...that you..." She
struggled, her hands tightening on the stick of the broom.
"Weren't...woman....enough....for him."

Benani colored suddenly reminding herself _why_ she didn't encourage
staff gossip. Now was not the time to get upset. There was no point in
denying the rumors, they were just that... rumors and nothing more.
She trusted Zathris and they'd had the discussion about Isily and
wagging tongues.

Zathris was incredibly handsome and she knew more than one heart in
the hold would be his for the asking. It didn't follow that he'd done
any asking, not Isily or any one else that she knew of. She looked at
her finger nails as she remembered his father Ethris who more than
warranted his 'reputation' of lifting any willing skirt.

"I will thank you to disabuse them of that notion then Sofeya." She
paused with a serious expression on her face. "My Lord and I are quite
happy."

"Oh _I_ know that." Sofeya's eyes grew even wider and she nodded, her
expression almost dumbstruck by the notion that they might _not_ be. "But
women talk...especially the older ones. They weren't being very nice. I
never did believe them, even when they said they saw..." Quickly a hand
came up to clap over her hand and she turned away and began to sweep even
faster.

Benani practically jumped out of her seat to turn her back to the
young woman and look out the window. "I'm not interested in what they
said they saw Sofeya. I am done with this subject." She looked back at
the woman briefly. "I would appreciate if you finished here and move
along."

"Yes my lady." Sofeya muttered in a humble tone as her sweeping
continued, head bowed and eyes upon the floor. The broom moved faster and
it didn't take her long to finish her work. She'd been a drudge for
several turns before her marriage, and two turns were more than enough to
get back into the swing of things, so to speak. She was efficient when
the need arose.

Once the floor was finished, Sofeya took the broom and headed to the door.
There she stopped and curtsied low. "I'm done my lady. I'm...I'm
sorry." she sputtered, then turned to head out of the door.

"It's ok Sofeya," she turned with a sad smile. As Lady of the Hold she
knew the people talked about her. They would gossip no matter what
she did or said. "the information wasn't your fault. I just don't want
to hear more. Thank you," she looked around the room. "You did a good
job."

"Thank you my lady." Sofeya stated as she paused in her retreat,
glancing back at Benani. "Please...if I can be of assistance...let me
know." Then, she slipped through the door to leave the Lady with her
thoughts. Once outside, the door closed behind her, Sofeya
straightened and flicked her hair behind her shoulders before stalking
off down the hall. A smile creased her lips and a whispery chuckle
escaped. That had been amusing.

Benani lifted her shawl from the chair suddenly feeling a little cold.

Last updated on the May 26th 2011

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Rumours