A Proper Division of Labor

Writers: Bree, Clancey
Date Posted: 14th January 2006

Characters: Daynar, Miralani
Description: Gruff Hallmaster Daynar meets a charming Lady, sister to the new Lord Regent Ishek.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 6 of Turn 3

Miralani considered it her duty as Ishek's sister to mingle among the guests after the banquet, and in truth she rather enjoyed it. The only thing that would have made it more enjoyable would have been if it had been her Hold in truth, instead of her brother's Hold by regency.

She'd dressed carefully for the evening, in a dark blue gown that she knew set off her eyes. Matching sapphires decorated her ears and throat, and she'd pulled just enough of her hair back to keep it from her face, letting the rest hang free. She'd attracted more than one admiring glance over the evening, but now that her brother was a Lord Regent, there was only one man at the gathering who had the position to attract her notice.

"Master Daynar." She gave him a graceful curtsy. "I met you briefly when you arrived, but I haven't gotten a chance to greet you properly. I'm Miralani, sister of Lord Ishek."

Daynar himself had donned his finest tunic and breeches for this occasion, and truly hoped to find a bit of time to speak to the new Lord Regent of Garnet Valley, Ishek. It was said the man was a traditionalist, but Daynar wished to make certain of it.

His dark eyes were intent upon the focus of his thoughts when a delightful scent, followed by a delightful voice intruded into his awareness. Drawn to look at the woman before him, the Hallmaster was surprised to find a smile brightening his face as she curtsied. "Why, my lady! You should not have waited so long." His eyes began to sparkle a bit at the lovely woman, who just happened to be very well-connected.. and he without a wife...

"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, however." He took her hand and bowed over it, remembering his manners. His head could be turned as fast as any man's, and Otriana had been gone from his bed for a month now.

"Since we're neighboors, I'm sure we'll have _many_ opportunities to get to know each other," Miralani replied with a pleasant smile. She knew this game well enough, and so, it seemed, did Daynar. He looked more than willing to consider what she had to offer--though she was smart enough to imagine that having the new Lord Warder as a brother by marriage would probably be far more inticing for the Smith Hallmaster than Miralani herself.

"I certainly hope so, Lady. Your brother appears to be a fine man. It is my wish he keep things traditional here." He said softly, his eyes tracing his companion for a moment. He had never chosen to sleep with another woman while Otriana was willing, and for whatever reason, she had stayed willing until she died. A faint hint of sadness cross his eyes briefly before he could stop it.

Miralani's smile widened. "I think you'll find that my family appreciates a proper division of labor. There are some things men are simply more suited to, and some things they're hopeless at."

Daynar blinked at her once, quite taken aback by her forthright honesty, and finding it rather pleasing after years of a mouse. "I would have to agree with you, Lady. I am quite hopeless at feeding myself, and have nearly wasted away since my wife was killed. My daughter tries, but needs more instruction. Perhaps you'd come by the Hall sometime and visit with her?" He said slowly, with an uplifted brow. He had just met her, but he found her intriguing nonetheless.

"I'm sure my brother will want to visit the Smith Hall. When he does so, I'll just have to accompany him." Miralani was pleased that they both seemed to understand exactly what was being discussed here. She'd had romance in her first marriage, but she'd chosen her husband for sensible reasons and had been pleasantly surprised to find herself in love. Only fools married for love without considering everything else, and Miralani had never been a fool.

"Your presence will be more than welcome, Lady. I should be glad to show you my thriving, successful Hall." He did need to think about marrying
again, despite his age. It was either that or hire a cook to run the
kitchen and the Hall, and he'd rather have his bed warmed if it was up to him. But he had just met Miralani, as delightful as she seemed to be. Time would tell.. "Perhaps we might dance when the music begins, my Lady?"

"I'd be delighted, Master Daynar."

**What a charming woman.. ** His mind was thinking, even as the Harpers struck up a tune. "Well, what timing." His grin was arch as he extended his
hand. The Hallmaster was a gruff pig most of the time, mean and quick to
yell, but he had been schooled, as every person of any rank must be, in
dancing and correct behavior. For all his size and bluster, he could dance
passingly well. "My Lady? Shall we show the younger set that we still have life in us?"

Miralani wasn't sure what she thought of being excluded from the younger set, but she took his hand and let him lead her to the open floor. "Let's."

Daynar took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor, where he showed proof that he could still move right along despite his size. He held her gently but firmly, leading her through the steps naturally.

In spite of her pleasant smile and friendly small talk, Miralani's mind was slowly churning through the possibilities as Daynar spun her around the room. With her brother Lord Warder--Lord _Holder_, if he could work his way around Aswic's little widow--and herself married to the Hallmaster of the Hall... well, her daughters would be the cousins of the heir of Garnet Valley with a wealth and connections enough to attract the finest sort of men.

All she had to do was convince the Hallmaster of Smith Hall that she had as much to offer as he did. Seeing the hunger in his eyes for a woman--and recognizing the echo of her own ambitions in his eyes... well, Miralani didn't expect that to present much of a challenge at all.

It had been a month since Otriana was killed, and perhaps it was too soon to think of marrying again, but having a fosterling and children all about was making him angrier than usual. And, since he'd banned fire lizards from inside the hall.. well, let's just say, he needed a woman to run things.

She was very lovely, and his eyes smiled at her. "You dance beautifully, my Lady. As I would expect from so gracious a Lady. Perhaps I could persuade you to come for dinner at the Hall in a night or two? I can't promise much, although our cook is very good. At least I think she is, though I let my daughter try to see to the running of the kitchen."

"Well, I'd be happy to give her a few pointers." And the first thing she'd do once _she_ took up residence would be to find a husband for the girl and get her out from underfoot!

"You would be saving my life, and my stomach, dear lady." He swept her a little closer, making his intentions a little more clear. "Is tomorrow too soon?"

The Hallmaster certainly didn't waste time! Miralani smiled at him. "We'll have to ask my brother what he thinks, Master Daynar. But I would be happy to visit as soon as possible."

At his age, Daynar was not sure he had turns to waste. Aside from that, the both of them were grown. And he had only asked her for dinner. In response, he just smiled at her. "Take you time, dear lady. I suspect neither of us are going anywhere soon, hmm?"

Last updated on the January 21st 2006

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A Proper Division of Labor