Better to be prepared

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th September 2011

Characters: Benani, Royan
Description: Benani shows some letters to her brother
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 4 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentions: Yanley

Benani

Benani sent for some refreshments in preparation for her brother's
visit. In going over all the things that needed to be prepared for the
upcoming gather she'd found a couple of items she needed to discuss
with him. Namely Arippa and Faldrimme. She really felt her hands were
tied with not actually being able to attend the gather and make
contact with the other Lord's wives while she was there. So she'd
have to work behind the scenes to accomplish what needed to be done in
advance.

Royan smiled as he entered the room, noting how his youngest sister
seemed to radiate with the glow of an expecting mother.

"Ah, Benani, you shouldn't have gone to any trouble," he said eying
the drinks and snacks she'd provided. He, of course, dug into them
almost immediately, savoring the cool refreshment after a day of
working outdoors and around animals.

She grinned as she watched him dig in to the food. "How is sweet Pyunn
doing?" She hadn't seen her sister-in-law in a few days.

"She's well, busy as always chasing after the boys of course." Royan
said as he finished some of the refreshments and leaned back to relax
a bit. "And how have you been doing sister? Everything coming along
well?"

She smiled thinking that at some point she'd be chasing a pair of her
own. That though made her very happy and worth whatever minor
disappointment she'd had about not going to the Emerald Falls gather.

"I'm doing very well according to the healers. The babies are strong
and growing well. I get a little tired but I have more help now with
Yanley here. Your girls are a pure delight. Speaking of which, we
should probably talk about them. I've been receiving some inquiries."

He was glad to hear that all was going well for his sister. At her
words, however, he tilted his head. "Inquiries about my girls?" His
eyes reflected his confusion as he contemplated what she might be
referring to.

She placed her hand on the small stack of letters and pushed them
across the desk toward him. "They're Amber Hills blood, Royan." she
smiled at him. "We'll be able to make very advantageous matches for
them. They _are_16 turns you know. It's only normal for there to be
interest even if they weren't such lovely girls."

For a moment a look of surprise and even horror seemed to cross his
face. He gave a sigh as he glanced down at the letters she'd pushed
towards him. "I'm not ready for this yet, dear sister. It seems that
they were just wee little lassies not but a turn ago. How could they
have grown so soon?" His eyes sought hers for a moment as he thought
back to the many moments he'd spent with his daughters over the turns.
"I think I'll _need_ your help in this matter, for if it were up to
me, no boy would be good enough for my sweet girls."

"Of course the aren't!" She smiled at her brother. "I tell you what,
I'll do all the weeding out of the ineligible ones and only present
you with a candidate that meets our idea of a good match. Then we can
let them choose on their own."

Tapping the stylus against her teeth. "I'll bet Zathris will have
something to say about arranging a match but he might agree if they
have a choice. What do you think?"

Royan considered her words. "I want them both to be happy. Yes, let's
proceed with that. Of course, I want to meet them before the girls
even get a chance to decide." He would not allow his girls to be
matched with someone he felt wasn't worthy of his lovely daughters.

He paused for a moment and sighed slightly, "Ah, Benani, how is it
that they grow up so fast?"

She chuckled and stroked her well rounded belly. "I'm sure I'll find
myself asking the same question in a few turns."

"I'll be sure to remind Zathris that you would also like to review any
potential suitors should he find them a satisfactory alliance. I doubt
he'll have an issue with it." She didn't bother using his title as she
would have to a non family member. Zathris was very open with the
family and allowed the adults at least, to call him by his first name
only. She was rather proud of her very fair minded and progressive
husband, even if he did have to proceed with a bit of caution with his
reforms. Many nights they'd spent talking into the wee hours of the
morning about his plans for the future of Amber Hills.

"That sounds like a plan," Royan replied. "You will make an excellent
mother when the time comes. I'm sure of it," he added, having noted
where he hand had rested. He was nothing if not pleased for his little
sister.

"Alright then. When I have a good prospect we'll make sure you get to
meet him and evaluate for yourself then." She smiled sweetly at Royan
"thank you." Her mind was already buzzing with babies. Now maybe she
could add planning a wedding. Of course a marriage of the blood would
be a larger than average event. Her mind starting churning down the
path of guest lists and planning Arippa's trousseau. She would have to
make contact with the weavers hall to make sure they had plenty of the
proper fabrics made up. It would never do to be caught flat footed
when the event was suddenly upon them.

Last updated on the September 19th 2011

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