Strategy for the Defense (1/3)

Writers: Estelle
Date Posted: 19th April 2019
Series: The Great Bandit Trial

Characters: R'fal, Lirena, M'dael
Description: R'fal visits Emerald Falls to speak with his mother before his father's trial
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 15 of Turn 9

***

The two dragons emerged from /between/ into bright sunlight, and a Hold
glittering with rain from an earlier shower. Fresh puddles sparkled on
the stone flags of the courtyard and drops trickled down from the slate
roofs of the buildings. The Hold seemed even more lush and vibrant than
usual, Lirena thought as she watched them descend. Perhaps it was
because she was feeling a little hopeful, today.

The blue dragon landed first, with the ease of Turns of practice, and
folded his wings neatly while the young brown touched down beside him,
taking great care not to make a clumsy landing. Lirena's heart leapt as
she recognised the slight figure climbing down the riding straps.

Mindful of the dignity befitting a dragonrider in a Hold, even if he was
still a weyrling, R'fal waited for his companion before walking over to
greet the woman who approached them. But when he saw his mother holding
out her arms to greet him, he couldn't resist. He ran the last few steps
and embraced her, feeling her arms tightening around him and her cheek
pressing against his shoulder. Suddenly, he realised that he was now
definitely a good few inches taller than his mother. The months at the
Weyr had gone by fast.

As if she'd realised the same thing, Lirena stepped back, holding him at
arm's length. "Look at you! You're a real dragonrider now." She touched
the sleeve of his riding jacket.

"I'm still a weyrling, Ma. Nearly, though." Their formal training was
almost over, and soon they'd be plunged into the frenetic final
sevendays of practice before Blooding.

"And surely that can't be Marlath." She remembered a tiny hatching, who
hardly came up to her waist. The brown now dwarfed them both, though he
still looked slim and youthful next to the more heavily-muscled, scarred
blue. His head tilted from side to side as he watched the passing
holders and crafters with interest.

"It's him, all right," R'fal said fondly. Remembering his manners, he
turned to the other rider, an older man with silvering hair. "Ma, this
is M'dael, rider of blue Fenolth. He assists with the weyrlings
sometimes, and he accompanied me today to make sure I got to the Hold
safely."

"My duty to you and your dragon, M'dael. Thank you for bringing my son
to me," Lirena said, her hand still resting on R'fal's arm.

"It's no trouble, ma'am. I've got family at the Hold myself." M'dael's
smile was warm, but held a hint of concern. "I'll drop in and pay them a
visit while you're talking. R'fal, Fenolth will keep in touch with
Marlath, but if you feel him growing agitated, please come straight
to me."

"Yes, sir. Thank you." R'fal watched as the bluerider departed, heading
for the cots that clustered near the main Hold building. Then he turned
to Lirena, unable to hide the anxiety that had been building over the
past few days. "Ma, what happened? Where is Da? He's not hurt?"

"Not hurt, no. He's in a cell in the guard barracks." They both glanced
over at the imposing stone building. "I've been to see him, he's getting
enough food and exercise, and isn't badly treated. He's frustrated, of
course. The preparation for the trial is taking time, they have to track
down some of the witnesses."

Lirena did her best to hide her own worry. Every day of delay was
another day of uncertainty and separation from her younger children. She
had started working with the drudges, partly out of a sense of
obligation, but mostly because the enforced idleness had become
unbearable. Even scrubbing floors or doing laundry couldn't entirely
keep her mind from going over everything that had happened and what the
future might bring, but at least it was some distraction.

"We'd better talk inside." She guided him towards the main entrance of
the Hold. "I've hired a Harper to represent your father at the trial,
and arranged to meet her in my room here."

"Her?" R'fal echoed. He'd met female harpers at the Weyr, of course, but
it was strange to think of one standing up in the Lord Holder's court.
Perhaps at a big Hold like this, change had come more quickly.

"Her name is Journeywoman Tasni, and she's been a great help," Lirena
said firmly. "She's been working hard on the case, and has found out all
sorts of information." Unfortunately, not much of it had been good news
for Terren. The young woman had found a record of complaints made
against him by a local tavern master, alleging unpaid debts and shady
dealings at cards, none of which Lirena had known about. However, she
hoped that as they dated from old Lord Ziadriel's time, she might be
able to convince the court to disregard them.

"Of course, Ma. I'm glad he's got someone." He hesitated. "Can we...I
mean, her fees..."

"It's all taken care of. I had some marks saved, and your aunt and uncle
have helped." They passed into the Hold's entrance hall. Its grandeur
was familiar to Lirena now, but R'fal had not seen it before and gawked
like the country boy he was at the wealth on display. Despite herself,
she had to smile as his eyes followed a young lady in a long, low-cut
gown the colour of dark red wine, her black hair piled up in a mass of
abundant curls. She was probably hanging around, hoping to catch the eye
of the Lord Holder; Lirena had heard the gossip.

The girl gave R'fal a hard stare, and embarrassed, he turned back to his
mother. "Where does the Lord Holder live?"

"Upstairs. We'll take the stairs by the kitchen, though. My room is
higher up." Lirena never felt quite right ascending the grand staircase
in her faded working dress and plain shoes. She led R'fal down a side
corridor and up the stairs to the guest quarters.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2019

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