Stowaway (2/6): Missing

Writers: Beth
Date Posted: 10th September 2005

Characters: Reideen, Linmarta
Description: Reideen and Linmarta discover that Reilina is missing
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 25 of Turn 3

"Reideen!" Linmarta threw her arms around her husband's neck, frantic with worry about her youngest daughter. She'd been missing for most of the day, and Linmarta had no idea where she might be found. Her husband had just come home for the evening, and she hoped he'd have some more ideas.

"I'm sorry! I've lost her!" she said, in a shrill voice.

"'Marta, slow down. What is it?" Her panic affected him somewhat, though he hadn't determined what it was that had her in such a state.

In a quieter, but no less urgent voice, she said, "Reili is missing. She's been gone for most of the day."

"What?!" Reideen knew exactly the amount of trouble his daughter was capable of getting herself into, and he was not looking forward to sorting out another of her messes. He took a deep breath, then continued, "Where have you looked so far?"

Together they discussed the options, and what they most needed to do next.
Then, they alerted most of the Hold as to what was going on. Reideen sincerely hoped that the Lord Holder would not have to be involved. He knew the man had no love for his daughter as she'd already had two unpleasant run-ins with him.

Finally, they found themselves back in their quarters as they had started, without any more ideas. The Hold had gone quiet for the night, and they'd agreed that it was becoming too late to continue searching.

Still, Linmarta couldn't settle. "It's cold outside. What if she doesn't have shelter?"

"She's not a stupid girl. If she wasn't safe somewhere, she would have come home by now. We need to sleep a bit, and we'll keep searching when it's light and other people are awake to help us again. Don't worry." Reideen talked her into bed, and tried to soothe her to sleep before nodding off himself.

The sky was the dim grey of pre-dawn when Linmarta woke with a start. "She left!" she cried, her voice colored by tones of realization. "She left with them, she must have."

"What?" Reideen answered her groggily.

"The harpers. They were headed for Dolphin Cove, and that's just where she wants to be. It's all she talks about. She left with them. I know it."

He cursed, silently. Of course, they had to go to the Lord Holder now. And Linmarta might not wait for him to wake, even. She was dressing already.

"Linmarta, we can't go yet. The sun isn't even up." But she wouldn't listen.
She was dressed and out the door before he'd even managed to get two feet on the floor. He groaned and began to dress.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He caught up with her, just as she was accosting the guard in front of the Lord's room.

"I need to speak with the Lord Holder! It's an emergency!"

Reideen wasn't sure what he could say that would put the guard at ease without upsetting his wife more, so he remained silent, standing behind her, trying to look apologetic.

The man eyed them both suspiciously and took a firmer grip on his staff, though they seemed to pose no threat. "You can't. It's far too early, and you'll need to make an appointment."

Fearing she might throw herself upon the guard, Reideen stepped in front of his wife and said, "Yes, of course. We will come back later with an appointment."

Linmarta began to protest, but he steered her away, saying, "Think, 'Marta.
It won't help to wake him in the early morning. They've already left, so if she is with them, a few candlemarks won't change much." He talked her back to their quarters in this fashion, swearing that he would make an appointment as soon as he possibly could without waking sleeping people.

Last updated on the September 11th 2005

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Stowaway (2/6): Missing