Doggone It
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Leigh M-F., Suzee
Date Posted: 15th April 2016
Characters: Benani, Nohria
Description: Lady Benani's devotion raises questions
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 9 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris, Zelanka
Nohria wasn't entirely sure she wanted to make this delivery, but orders were orders. It just rubbed her the wrong way; she wouldn't be able to snoop around and potentially find something useful to steal, and she would be face to face with an example of Zathris' incompetence. She was still outraged on Benani's behalf. But she schooled her face into a drudge's professional anonymity, braced herself, and knocked on the appropriate door, calling "Lunch delivery, my Lady."
Benani looked up with what approached a smile but didn't quite reach her sad eyes. "Thank you," she said realizing the young woman hadn't served her before. She pointed to a nearby table as she rose from her desk. "You can put it right there."
Off to the side, so she could ignore it if wanted. Nohria did as she was told, trying to surreptitiously glance around. While she could not out and out snoop, maybe there was something left in the open that could be useful and retrieved later. While no objects stood out, Nohria noticed Benani looked very wrung out. Perhaps she was actually worried about her useless husband. "Forgive me for saying so, my Lady, but you will eat, won't you?" she asked, playing the part of the loyal, concerned drudge. "Our Lord will not appreciate coming back to see you've wasted away." Perhaps, anyway.
Benani rose from her desk in a rustle of skirts walked over to where the food awaited. "I'm assuming Zelanka gave you the proper instructions on what to say to me to get me to eat." A corner of her mouth curled up.
There was no doubt she'd lost weight, if it weren't for her head women's harping on her she'd have simply forgotten to eat.
Nohria shook her head; she hadn't spoken to the Headwoman about this at all. "No, my Lady. I was just married once myself," she said, figuring that was as good a cover as any for her feigned sympathy. "There was no hope for my husband, but surely there is hope for yours." But hopefully not- no, damn it. Nohria realized she couldn't think that with any form of honesty; not when Benani appeared genuinely distressed. Love truly knew no reason. **I've been far too compassionate lately,** the bandit thought, feeling a pang of worry herself.
"Thank you dear," Benani reached out to the other woman. "I'm so sorry for your loss," she added with concerned eyes.
"It's all right, my Lady," Nohria said, confused by the compassionate gesture. "I've had time to make peace with it." And technically she had; while it had hurt when Ardihan had told her he was falling for another woman, she had still wished him well. "It doesn't matter now. What does matter is the fact you need to take care of yourself, if you'll pardon me for being so blunt."
"Yes, yes," Benani said mildly and moved to seat herself at the table. "You can come back in half a candlemark to clear and I promise I'll eat it all." She really did appreciate the care her people seemed to take of her.
Camnae padded over from where she'd been laying on the hearth and gave the young woman a good sniff before sitting next to Lady Benani with her eyes fixed on Nohria. She wasn't exactly welcoming but more watchful than normal. Benani reached down and rubbed an ear affectionately.
Whoa. Oh boy. Big dog. Not good. This was not comfortable. Nohria had been fine with the canine when it was over there, out of the way. The sniffing made the bandit realize there could be no thieving from Lady Benani's office. Not if the dog could be used to sniff her out, or worse. Curse it. "You have a lovely, attentive guard there," she said after swallowing hard to cover her nervousness. "Before I go, can I ask where you found her?"
When the Lady's touch wasn't the least bit alarmed Camnae relaxed again into the body language of a family pet though her attention remained on the unknown visitor. This was a learned behavior to hide how dangerous she really was when unknown people came into her Mistress presence. Her mouth opened and her tongue lolled in the timeless smile of canines.
Benani chuckled. "She's such a goof. The guard captain and his wife gave her to me as a gift. His wife has Camnae's sister."
Trained guard canines were hard to come by. Nohria wondered who had given up the Marks needed in order for the head guard and his wife to gift the canine to Benani. With a sinking feeling, she realized it had probably been Zathris. Maybe he just didn't want his property stolen again. Or maybe there was a reason for Benani's devotion. "I see. Thank you for your time, my Lady. I will take no more of it." She dropped a curtsy and turned to go for the door.
"Thank you," Benani dismissed the young woman and turned toward the window and lowering clouds. Another storm. At least the Weyr would have less Thread to contend with when 'fall started in a few hours. The thought of her husband lost and alone against the elements and Thread itself sent a shiver up her spine. She refused to think of him as dead no matter that everyone else seemed to be giving up on their search. She absently began to feed her lunch to the canine sitting faithfully by her side.
Last updated on the April 20th 2016