Things you do have to do

Writers: Cymiri, Miriah
Date Posted: 21st October 2012

Characters: Karhal, Daimhin
Description: Daihmin breaks the sad news to his Captain
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 13 of Turn 6
Notes: Follows 'Things you shouldn't have to do'

Karhal

Closing the storage closet door behind him, Karhal buttoned up his
wherhide vest and ran a hand through his short-cropped hair. Glancing
at his desk, his lips lifted as he spotted the steaming pot of klah
and mentally thanked the silent drudge who had left it. Taking a seat,
he rubbed his eyes and yawned again. He'd slept, but sometimes the cot
in his storage room didn't lend well for the best restful sleep. As he
poured a cup of klah, he wondered how long it would be before Zelanka
found out about his little quirk. His lips quirked again as he took a
long sip and sighed at the rejuvenating taste. He was still getting
his hot klah, so either she hadn't found out, or he'd out-stubborned
her. If he were a wagering man, and he was not, he would bet that she
hadn't found out.

With a glance out of his window at the rising sun, Karhal reasoned
that it would be soon before Daihmin came for his morning report and
then went back to his own place to rest. Pouring an extra cup, he
waited for the customary knock.

It was a heavy hearted knock that met him this morning, and that
distraction manifested in it being far louder then usual.
Daihmin apologised vaguely when he was bid to enter.

"Unfortunatly, the night's not been quiet, sir. The healer's wife was
found dead. The babe too."

Of course, they had more then one healer but he rather thought his
Captain would know who he meant.

The slight smile of greeting abruptly faded as Karhal put his klah
down. An invisible wall seemed to slam over Karhal's eyes at the
words, a sign that would be obvious to Daihmin that the Guard Captain
was very carefully locking what ever emotions he might have had about
the situation away. His face utterly cool and his eyes sharp, he felt his lips
thin as he stood. "How?"

Daihmin wiped his face with a hand, trying to wipe away some of the
exhaustion with it. Trying to wipe away the need to have *this*
conversation with *this* man.

"That's not entirely clear, sir. It's unlikely to be foul play."

He'd personally stood over one of the others as they examined the body
head to toe, after depositing the shell shocked Chupsin in a location
he hoped the man would have the sense to stick to. They'd found
nothing save the mark where she'd struck her head falling, and it
clearly had not been the culprit. Even he- suspicious by nature- was
satisfied there'd been no outside foul play.

"There's not much sign of anything. Nothing to suggest poison, no
significant marks at all. She's just...gone."

He swallowed.

"There's ...a few nailmarks though. Right by her hairline. The healer
thinks it was simply that something...gave...in her brain. It fits.
I'd...be inclined to agree, myself."

He'd seen a man go that way. The image, right then, was not welcome
regarding a gentle girl, a woman, a mother-to-be.

"Just awful chance and unlucky the babe was still with her."

Karhal drummed his fingers on the desk top for a moment as his
mind worked and the muscles in his jaw tensed for a quick second. Looking
at his second, he handed the exhausted man the second cup of klah and gestured
to the seat at his desk. "I trust your judgment, Daihmin, as to the cause of

her death. Sit down for a bit."

Karhal exhaled slowly through his nose. "And Chupsin?"

Daihmin took the seat and the drink with equal gratitude.

"Is every inch the man he always has been. Bustle and managment and
control will ward off the pain for a little while, and I worry what
will happen when that fails him."

Daihmin had lost before. He knew it *would* fail the man. He could
only hope he took Daihmin's own advice and alowed it to happen, rather
then waiting til it ambushed him in the dark.

He glanced up. He rather thought Karhal would understand that, too.

"He'll crack like a rotten wher egg." Karhal's voice was grim. "When
he's least expecting it." His fingers tapped on the desk again. He
caught Daihmin's glance and his jaw twitched. He did understand, far
too well, but had no desire to bring up his own grief in comparison.

"I know you are tired, but I'll need you to write a written report
while details are still fresh. I'll inform Lord Zathris." He drank the
remainder of his klah in one swallow. "And Alivya's family."

"Of course, sir."

He wouldn't be able to settle 'til it was done, anyhow.

"And that will be a great help."

It wouldn't make their loss any smaller, but the honor would be noted
for what it was, hearing it from the Captain rather then a
miscallaneous guardsman.

"Chupsin, unfortunately, found her, so he needed no telling to begin with."

Not a discovery anyone would want to make, but it couldn't be helped.

Karhal nodded in agreement"While I'm with Lord Zathris, have a guard
placed near Chupsin

discretely.Someone empathetic and steady, but not really noticeable.
We don't know how
he'll react to his grief when it does come and we'll need someone near
just in case. I want to make sure he doesn't hurt himself, or anyone
else. It's been known
to happen."

He walked around the desk and as he moved to walk past Daihmin, he paused

and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Finish the klah for me,
will you? Then get some rest. You've had a long night."

"Yes sir."

The simple statement covered everything- the order, the invitation,
the summation of his night.

He'd take care that the man he chose was discreet too- he'd no more
wish to damage the man's career then to damage him personally. In his
friend's case too, he knew, the two were not very different anyway.

Especially now.

"I'm sorry it couldn't be happier news. I wish you speed with the
morning, if not exactly joy."

He added in salutation.

Karhal nodded. "Thank you. " He turned on his heel and strode out
the door, heading to Zathris' office first.

Last updated on the November 17th 2012

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