Young Enough To Be My Mother

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 12th April 2006

Characters: Shadux, Zelanka
Description: Shadux learns a little something about the secret of Zelanka'syouthfulness
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 1 of Turn 3

"Here are the projected crop yields Lord Benaroy asked me to bring you," Shadux said as he unceremonially dropped the hides on the Headwoman's desk and flopped into the chair in front of her. "Shards but I could use with a few more candlemarks sleep today."

"Thank you, Shadux," Zelanka said and picked up the hides. "Have
sleeping problems?" she asked while glancing thru the numbers.

"Stir crazy, I think," the assistant steward smiled. "This feels like an especially long winter. I know its not, its just that time when signs of spring are coming, but spring still seems a way off. You know?"

"Oh, yes, I know, it always makes me restless. The increasing sunlight reveals all kind of signs of neglect and I _must_ start cleaning," Zelanka smiled. Everyone in the hold knew of her obsession to cleaniness. Any drudge who was sloppy with her dusting soon found out that the normally so mild-mannered Headwoman also had a sharp tongue hidden under her dimpled smile.

"Well, we'll be heading out into the fields soon. It will be nice to be working out of doors again," the young man smiled. "Not that I mind eating your daughter's cooking and winning Tarvon's marks three nights a seven-day, but I think its about time I leave them in peace and take myself out of doors."

"Oh, it's you who's been taking Tarvon's marks! And I thought Pelanka has been spending too much," Zelanka laughed.

"No, its her husband. Don't worry, winter will soon be over and you will see their budget increase dramatically."

"I would like to see the number of their children increase," Zelanka said quietly.

"Well, maybe my leaving them alone a bit more might help that," Shadux said, his tone only lightly teasing. He knew Zelanka well enough to know she was serious.

"Yeah, well, back to the business," Zelanka shook off her conserns.

"Oh shards, woman, can't you relax for even ten minutes?" Shadux
laughed. "My job as currier is done. I'm just sitting here now cause I don't want to walk back out that door and be expected to work right away."

"No, I don't relax, I can't," Zelanka smiled. "I need to have something to do or I go crazy. If you what to chat, that's all right. Mind if I knit at the same time?" Her hands very already moving towards the sewing basket she had in her office.

He rolled his eyes. "If you must. Though how a woman your age finds so much energy is just way beyond me."

"That's how I've always been," Zelanka shrugged. "Besides, it keeps me slim," she smiled wimsically.

"So _that_ is why women are always sewing, huh?" Shadux chuckled.

"That's one reason. Second is that children are _always_ in need of new clothes."

"So do adults," he laughed as he tugged at his tunic. It wasn't exactly new.

Zelanka's attention was drawn to it and she eyed it rather critically. "You need a new one. What's your size?"

"Same as Tarvorn," Shadux shrugged. "I don't know. I don't really pay attention to that kind of thing. I guess that means I need a woman to take care of me, huh?"

"Yes, you do. Too bad I don't have more daughters."

He chuckled. "Oh, really, do you think you could put up with me as a _son-in-law_? I give you enough trouble now, and we're not even related."

"Keep going like that and I will found some nice woman to put you into your place," Zelanka warned gently.

The young man snorted. "What do I need a nice woman for? I have _you_for that."

"Where were you when I was looking for a husband?" Zelanka asked with mischievous wink. Of course, Shadux hadn't even been born then.

"Oh dear," Shadux laughed as he got to his feet. "I know when women who are young enough to be my mother start flirting with me that its time for me to escape before I'm trapped in their wicked web."

"You do that," Zelanka laughed, looking much younger than fifty-five turns she was.

"Are you sure you don't have another daughter hiding somewhere?" the assistant steward grinned over his shoulder as he walked back towards the door.

"Yes, I'm sure. Now, get off and let me get back to my work," Zelanka replied and ushered him out the door. The kindness of her voice took the bite out of her words.

Last updated on the April 18th 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Young Enough To Be My Mother