Help For Benani

Writers: AL, Paula
Date Posted: 26th May 2011

Characters: Zelanka, Zathris
Description: Zathris tells Zelanka he wants less stress on Benani.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 3 of Turn 6
Notes: Takes place before "Hiring Help"

Zathris

Zathris didn't pause when he saw the headwoman coming to his door just as he
too was arriving. "Ah, Zelanka, thank you for coming." He had requested he
meet her there, but unfortunately, his business had taken a little longer
than he expected. Fortunately, he wasn't particularly late. He unlocked
the door, then held it open for Zelanka. "Please, come in, sit. I have a
matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Lord Zathris," Zelanka said and curtsied before entering to the office.
"What about?" she was curious. She was no longer invited to the Lord
Holder's office as often as before. She now dealt mostly with Benani, and
that suited her just fine. The office held so many memories, even after the
changes Zathris had made.

The smile for Zelanka was warm and he pulled one of the chairs set out for
visitors and motioned for the Headwoman to sit. "It's about Benani,
actually." Once she was settled, Zathris took up his own chair and leaned
forward on the desk, hands folded together.

"Oh, is she all right?" A concern coloured her voice.

"She's fine." Zathris stated quickly. He didn't want Zelanka to get
worried over nothing. "But as you know, she's pregnant." That was enough
cause for concern right there, but no only she was pregnant, but it
was..."With twins."

"Oi! Twins! You two are really trying to catch up with her siblings, aren't
you?" Zelanka was surprised and delighted. That was followed by concern.
Having twins usually meant difficult pregnancy and risks to both mother and
the babies.

"Aye." Zathris' face cracked into a grin. "We seemed to be trying to do
just that." There was a flash of worry on the headwoman's face, and it
matched his own concerns on the matter. "I have encouraged Benani to pick
out some young women to be assistants to her during the pregnancy and after
the births."

"Well, that's a good idea, sir. She needs to rest a lot," Zelanka said,
approving his caring attitude.

"Indeed she does. I don't want her working hard. In fact, I'm afraid most
of her duties will fall upon you and those who will help her. It may
warrant getting more help for you as well." Zathris was not going to risk
the life of his wife and children and would do anything he could to protect
them. He jaw clenched at that thought. He wasn't going to lose another one
- not if he could help it. "I want everything as calm and quiet for her as
possible. I want her to feel like she has time on her hands."

"That won't be a problem," Zelanka assured him. "Me and my staff managed
decades without a Lady Holder."

"Ah, but I'm sure Benani was one of those who helped you manage." Zathris
pointed out. "Not that I doubt your capabilities, but I wanted to warn you,
I will not be asking Benani to do any duties for at least six months after
the children are born." Shards, if he had his way, it would be a whole
turn, but he had a feeling she wouldn't agree to that. "I want her to be
able to concentrate on the babies for a while, then ease back into things
slowly."

"Well, she was," Zelanka admitted. "Perhaps we have to recruit more staff to
cope but one way or other, we make it work," she continued.

"Start now." Zathris stated, a finger tapping his desk. "I want her load
lightened now and I want it to remain light, if not completely free,
throughout the entire pregnancy. If someone wants to go to her with
something, you take charge. If it's something you can't do without a higher
authority, check with me first."

"Alright, I shall do so," she promised. "We go past her or over her if
necessary, but she shall have her rest."

"Around, not over." Zathris shook his head. "But yes, please do as I ask
Zelanka. I want Benani to have a trouble free pregnancy and an easy time
after the children are born." The man smiled a little, though there was
something in it, a tint of worry hovering over the expression. "That's
really all I had."

"Don't worry, Zathris. We love her as much as you do and I'll do everything
unsure her safety," Zelanka said with warm tone. It was hard not to warm up
towards someone who was so obviously a loving, caring husband. The intial
reservations she had when Zathris became Lord Holder, had melted away.

"Good." Zathris relaxed a little, his smile returning. "I thank you for
your attention to this matter. Benani may protest, but I do hope that you
will not cave in. She can be rather insistent."

Zelanka nodded. "I can handle it," she said confidentaly. After all, she
could be very insistent too.

"I know I can trust you." Zathris stated without any lack of confidence in
the woman. "I haven't anything else, unless you do."

"No, I haven't and I do have lunch to make, well to oversee," Zelanka
replied.

"Can't keep you then. Lunch would be a disaster without you." Zathris
grin, then made a small motion. "You're dismissed."

"Thank you, my Lord," Zelanka said and got up to leave.

Last updated on the May 26th 2011

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