There Never Is Guarentees in Life
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: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 13th July 2006
Characters: Shadux, Zelanka
Description: Shadux and Zelanka have a serious discusion
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 25 of Turn 3
"Shards, I haven't seen you look that serious since Lantriv and Tarvon got lost in the foothills," Shadux said as he slipped onto the bench across from the Headwoman. The audible clunk of ceramic on wood echoed through the silent kitchen as he set his own mug of klah on the table in front of hers. "What could be making you look so serious, hmm?"
"Life," Zelanka replied with a faint echo of a smile. "There's much going around." "Yeah, I know," the younger man said with a nod. "I'm just wondering what part of life has got you down. Gotta be something bad if it would wipe the smile from _your_ face, Zelanka."
"I'm concerned over our Lord Holder's health," Zelanka confessed. Shadux nodded. "Isn't everyone. Is he forgetting things again? He seemed to be doing that a lot lately." Despite the fact that he was still as angry at the Lord Holder for ousting his father so under-handedly, it was hard to forget the turns of love and admiration. It was hard staying angry at the man who had meant so much to him over the turns. Sometimes he really had to work at it.
"Yes, sometimes he doesn't even remember all his grandchildren," Zelanka sighed. She didn't mention the headaches, she didn't want to burden the young man too much. "Well, I can't blame him there," Shadux said with a wry smile. "He did more than his share in re-populating the Hold."
"Yes, he did," Zelanka replied and mischievous little smile appeared to her face. More than most people knew. "He still hasn't named an heir, has he," Shadux said with a slight frown. Everyone seemed to be whispering about that fact. It seemed it was no secret that Lord Benaroy wouldn't be long for the world. "Has he... mentioned anything to you yet?"
"No, I'm afraid not. All his sons are capable in their own way," Zelanka replied. "That they are," Shadux nodded. "It will be strange when the old man is... Well, not Lord Holder anymore."
"Yes, it's going to be a hard adjustment to all. And if you're trying to cheer me up you are not doing a good job," Zelanka said. "Sometimes its better to let it out than forget it," Shadux shrugged. "You always seem to hold it in. It can't be easy on you."
"Sometimes you just have to hold it in," Zelanka shrugged. He nodded and glanced at her as he brought his mug to his lips. There always seemed to be more going on under the surface than Zelanka ever let on. But perhaps it was that mystery that made her unique. "So, is Lantriv going to be a father again? I believe Tarvon mentioned something about Alalya going to see the healer."
"Yes, he is, presuming everything goes well, of course," Zelanka said and smiled. "Ah, well, congratulations on another grandchild," he smiled, raising his mug to her. Zelanka replied his gesture with her klah-mug. "And when you will start having grandchildren for your father to pamper on?" "Are you trying to put the cart before the herdbeast?" Shadux smiled. "Shouldn't I find a _wife_ first?"
"That's optional, you know, " she said with whimsical smile. "Are you truly advocating my impregnating a woman out of wedlock?" the young man asked with a skeptical laugh. "What are you trying to do, corrupt me?"
"Well, if I can't find a wife for you..." Zelanka let the rest of the sentence to hang in the air. She was teasing him. "Are you afraid I'm going to grow old and lonely?" Shadux asked with mock indignation. "I'll have you know the ladies find me quite charming."
"And why haven't one of them managed to capture you yet?" "I guess I haven't yet found one with the right kind of charms to catch my attention," he shrugged. "It would take a special kind of woman to do that. I have a whole Hold vying for my attention, after all."
"Don't wait for the right one too long," Zelanka cautioned. She got up and started to gather her dishes. "I'm not worried," he said as he stood up to help her. "I am lucky enough that I will always be considered a good catch, even if I were old, grey and wrinkled, there would still be young girls in line to marry me. I'm to be steward some day, after all. Unless Benaroy and Cyrek decide to cut me out of line entirely in favor of someone new." Shadux knew he sounded bitter, but shards, if his _father_ could be usurped, Shadux's position was called into question as well. At least the new Steward had no sons of his own. Yet. "Don't worry too much, Shadux," Zelanka said softly. "Benaroy has several sons, too many to have Holds of their own, and more than one are assistant stewards," he replied, finally voicing the thoughts in his head. "He ousted my father in favor of a man with no sons to take his place. If it could happen to my father, there is nothing to stop him or his heir from doing the same to me."
"There never is guarantees in life. But your father had a health issue, that's why Cyrek's is now a Steward," Zelanka said calmly, and gave his hand a squeeze. "My father is just fine. Chupsin even said he would make a full recovery and be back to health in no time. Then _suddenly_, after a meeting with Lord Benaroy, my father developed a heart murmur that Chupsin just didn't _happen_ to catch during the first optimistic days of my father's recovery. And it sure didn't take him long to decide who he wanted to replace him. No one will ever be able to convince me that Benaroy didn't retire my father for reasons of his own. Its all too...
shady."
Zelanka cocked her head and considered. She knew the Lord Holder very well, and he could be rather ruthless if he had to. He did what he had to, or felt he had to. So, it was possible. But then, it also wasn't none of her business, so she just shrugged it off. She did feel sorry for Shadux and his father. Part of him had hoped that she would deny it, that she would defend Benaroy and berate Shadux for even thinking such a thing. She seemed to know the Lord Holder better than just about anyone. They had been friends for turns. Her silence made him wonder just what the Headwoman knew about all this business. If she did know something, Shadux knew she would never tell... All Shadux could really do was wait, and try to push down the nagging questions about his future and his true position in the Hold.
Last updated on the July 16th 2006