Numb Acceptance
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: Miriah
Date Posted: 11th March 2019
Characters: Yriadha, Stenlis
Description: An offer is made before there is a chance to grieve a loss.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 9
Yriadha stared silently as the Healers quietly covered the figure on the bed. A damp cloth dangled from her fingers, evidence of the last duty that she had done, the bathing of the dead. Not a tear spilled down her cheeks, though she could feel a sense of grief somewhere deep inside her. It just couldn't get past the numbness that had taken over. She couldn't bring herself to feel anything much less pretend to.
"I'm so sorry, Yriadha." She felt a light, feminine hand on her shoulder. The dangling cloth dropped from her fingers as she turned to look down at Calibrisa. The frail woman looked up at her with real sympathy and tried to lead her away. "Come, sit down, the healers will prepare him. You poor thing, you must be exhausted. You haven't slept. "
She allowed herself to be led away from the sickroom. No, she hadn't slept, she thought, nausea churning in her belly. She listened to her companion as they made their way to Calibrisa's small parlor. "My daughter is simply entranced by that little Yavin that you care for. He's such a sweet babe. She's been happy to nurse him, too. Faranth knows she's had plenty of milk with the birth of her little girl. Stenlis says that one day he'll be fostering him too." She clucked her tongue. "Well, he'll be happy to have a little boy running about again. I wish I could see it."
**My son will never come back here.** The thought forced his way past the numbness. She was led to a chair but as she sat, a deep pain that settled around her hips and thighs made her bite back a whimper.
Calibrisa noticed the grimace. "I've been telling Stenlis that we have to get more comfortable chairs." She sighed and patted Yriadha's hand and she settled into her own. "Are you hungry?"
Yriadha finally spoke. "No." The thought of eating anything turned her stomach. "I think it's time that I returned to my Hold, Calibrisa. I've been gone far too long."
"Surely Lord Bryvin will excuse you for another day or so to recover from your loss." The voice from the doorway made her go absolutely still. Stenlis stepped in, his eyes locked on Yriadha. "Calibrisa, would you excuse us so we can discuss her father's last wishes? She does need to eat. Perhaps just a light breakfast for all of us?"
"Oh, well, certainly." She rose, lifting up on her toes to brush her lips across her husband's cheek as she passed him. "Perhaps you can convince her to rest. I shall have to as well after the morning meal, if you don't mind. I'm afraid I just don't much energy today."
"Of course. Close the door, if you would, love. We'll be there in a moment." Stenlis waited until she was gone and the door closed, his eyes never leaving the woman sitting stiffly in the chair. "Yriadha," he limped forward leaning heavily on his cane. "What happened..."
"Don't." Yriadha didn't look at him her knuckles white as she gripped the arms of the chair.
The dull sound of her voice made him stop, moving towards her. "I'm sorry. I just wanted you so much. Calibrisa hasn't been able to..." His voice trailed away for a moment, but he took another single step forward. "I've missed you so much. I want you to stay with me. I can make it up to you, I swear it." A hint of desperation filled his words. "I'll adopt that babe, make him a part of my family. He'll be my son and you'll never want for anything."
Her eyes closed, her gorge rising. She turned her face away, the memories of the night before swam behind her lids. Her body still ached and the bruises the mottled her thighs were deep. The pain within her was worse.
"Calibrisa is ill, Yriadha. The Healers say she has less than a turn. The hold is growing and it prospers. It will rival Amber Hills and I'll be a Lord Holder in less than ten turns. You could be the Lady of Golden Waves." He stepped forward, his voice rough and pleading. "I swear I will never hurt you again or allow anyone else to. I'll spend every night worshiping you like it should have been."
Faranth, it was everything she had ever dreamed of. Power, prestige, and safety for herself and her son. Her hands kneaded the arms of the chair. How would she ever explain to this to Bryvin? How could she ever bear his touch again, even if he wanted her after this? He had no real need for her. How could she not grasp at the chance for Yavin? But the thought of Stenlis touching her again, laying his hands on her again... she felt ill. She wanted him away from her. She desperately wanted to weep, but no tears came.
"Shaffit all, Yriadha!" The angry, frustrated curse made her inwardly flinch. "I'm offering you everything! Surely that would make up for what happened. I still love you, woman. I never stopped. I thought about you every day. I know you think you hate me now, but you'll love me again. I'll give you anything you want. I won't touch you again until we're properly wed. I swear it."
Now she _was_ going to vomit. She could feel it rising in her throat with a burning fire. She swallowed hard and said what she felt she had to. "I accept your offer." She had to force the words from her lips. "But I need to return to the Hold. My things..."
"I can send for them." There was triumph now in his voice as he stepped forward again, then laid a hand on her shoulder. "You won't regret it. I promise you."
The touch on her shoulder seemed to burn into her skin but she didn't dare jerk away. She had to face him. Slowly, she turned her head towards him, but couldn't bring herself to look at his face. "I'd like to make my farewells to my children. And I must make arrangements for who ever replaces me. Allow me time to settle my affairs." She struggled to speak the next word."Please."
"A sevenday should be enough time." Satisfaction and relief rang in his voice. "I'll send for you then. You'll be Headwoman here and when it's time, you'll finally be my wife. " He bent, kissing the top of bowed head, but didn't see her eyes clench shut in disgust at the gesture. "Get some rest, we'll bury your father, and request N'del to take you to Sunset this evening."
Last updated on the March 11th 2019