A Lady's Price

Writers: Avery, Clancey
Date Posted: 31st July 2006

Characters: Daynar, Ishek
Description: Daynar comes to Ishek to ask if he can marry Miralani and isn't sure if he is on the winning or losing side of the deal they make.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 3

Daynar smoothed his second best Gather clothes and dismounted from one of his prize runners.

He was ready to marry again, and he, of course, had already picked out the perfect mate. She was even lovelier than Otriana had been, and definitely of a slightly higher station.

Perfect.

Ishek was expecting him, so he stepped into the Hold and asked for the Lord himself, waiting patiently.

Knowing who was coming to visit, and hoping to save himself from being nagged at by Penryn, Kiomo, Miralani, or some combination of them, Ishek had dressed formally. As soon as he heard of Daynar's arrival, he stood and headed out to greet him, leaving Yimas curled in the room- he'd heard of the Smith Hallmaster's dislike of firelizards, and despite not understanding it, decided it was best not to cause offense to the man.

He extended his hand to the Hallmaster. "Good day, Hallmaster Daynar. I hope you are well today?" He noted the other man's Gather-like dress, and was glad he'd chosen to be formal today.

Daynar shook his hand firmly. He liked the man, for the most part.
Although, he knew he was going to have to offer him _something_ besides his good will in exchange for Miralani's hand.

"Good day to you, Lord Ishek. I am well. It was a nice day for a ride.
" he waved one hand back along the path. "You seem to be getting the Hold in hand, aye?" He asked politely, having noted lots of improvements on his way from the Smithhall.

"It goes well now." Ishek replied, having learned enough to know that talk of the felines should not be today. "The Hold has peace and order, and all is well. How is your Hall?"

Daynar had not heard of the felines yet, although rumors had been bandied about the Hall. He had decided to ignore them, thinking it was Ishek's job to inform him or take care of the problem, if there was one.
Besides, he had bigger things on his mind today.

Well, bigger to him!

"I still have a thief running loose!" He grumbled, then tried to shake it off. "Fire lizards making me crazy. No order. No tradition." He sighed, grimacing. "That is why I've come to talk to you today, Lord Ishek. At least, one of the reasons."

At the mention of firelizards, Ishek was doubly glad he'd left Yimas behind. "Tradition, Master Daynar?" Ishek asked. "Would you perhaps prefer a seat and a drink before we talk, or shall we go straight to business?"

Daynar struggled for a moment, and finally said, "Can we sit and have a drink and get right to business at the same time? I think I need a drink." He said lightly.

Ishek privately agreed. "Wine or something stronger?" he asked, gesturing that Daynar should sit. He poured himself a glass of wine as he waited, wanting to keep his head clear. He was nervous about this, somewhat, so the small delays were serving to help him, somewhat.

"Something stronger please." Daynar swallowed once and sat.

He took the drink he was handed and downed it very quickly, watching Ishek for a moment before he said bluntly, "My wife died, you see." He paused, what do you say? "I'd like to marry your sister."

Ishek prepared it, handed it over, sat himself, and steadied himself to listen. At Daynar's plain statement, he stiffened slightly- it brought up memories. Yimas, who had wound up atop a high shelf, made a soft croon that echoed a bit in the room. At Daynar's second sentence, Ishek relaxed a bit. It was out now.

What could he say? Just give permission? That was crass, and...hadn't they wanted him to negotiate? Ishek thought so. He knew Miralani didn't really love the man, or did she? He felt it was political though. He couldn't do it, didn't want to do it, but...

"You want her, and she wants you, so I wouldn't say no to it even if I saw a problem." Ishek began. "But... I care about my sister, a lot. I'm not saying I don't trust you, I just want you to swear you'll treat her well."

Daynar nodded seriously. "She'll have marks, position, a beautiful home. The Smithhall is very successful, as you are probably aware. " He paused and went on. "I am prepared to offer you some things that will see she is taken care of, even in the event something happens to me, or to you." He said nothing of love. This was a marriage of position, although he had already decided he was very attracted to Ishek's lovely sister.

Ishek nodded. He knew of the prosperity of the Hall, and how advantageous it would be to be bound closer to his Hold- he just didn't like his sister being traded to secure it. "Knowing that she will be taken care of brings me comfort." he said. "What things?"

Daynar was quiet for a moment, summoning in his mind what he was ready to give away to be married again. And not just married, but to Miralani. If anyone could take care of him, he had the idea she could.

"Six months worth of the first pick of new items we develop, and a small discount on any service or item the Hold wishes to purchase from the Smithhall, and a small percentage of our profits coming back to your family in the case something should happen to you or I." He swallowed the rest of his drink. He hated giving away anything. But he was prepared to go to a full turn's worth of first pick of Smith products in whole, not just new. Miralani had enough rank and was lovely enough on top of that to make her worth it.

Ishek would have happily taken that, but it had been impressed upon him he needed to bargain for more. "One Turn pick of new, sixth months of all, and a quarter-off discount." Ishek said. Someone had suggested that. It sounded outrageous to Ishek, but he figured if anyone was disappointed with the end result he could point to his initial offer.

Daynar considered the offer. "A quarter is quite a large discount, but I think your sister is worth it." It was both more and less than he'd hoped, and he thought Miralani would be impressed at the value they'd placed on her marriage.

He paused, considering. He should bargain a bit more, but he did want to close the deal and impress Miralani at the same time. And he could afford it.

"Done." He extended his hand to Ishek, smiling warmly for the first time.

Ishek clasped his hand and smiled back, inwardly pleased with himself.
He'd just guessed at what he could ask for! Surely they'd be pleased with what he'd bargained for. "Done." he agreed.

"So tell me, are you planning making it soon?" Ishek asked. "Turn's End is coming, it might be a lovely date." he offered.

Daynar considered this, almost coloring at the unseemly haste which Turn's End would represent. But, they were both on their second marriage. Why wait?

"That is a marvelous idea, Ishek. Here is to hoping Miralani will agree to that fast of a date." He finished off his quite strong drink, not even considering that he hadn't actually asked the Lady in question.
Why _wouldn't_ she marry him?

Ishek finished his own glass. "Are you going to speak to Miralani after this?" he asked. "I believe she's free right now, and this _is_ quite exciting news..."

Daynar swallowed heavily, wishing he had more to drink. "Ahh... yes.
I supposed I should." He started to get up, but then stopped. "Can I have another drink first?" It was, after all, only the second time he'd ever had to do this, and he was not _completely_ sure of her response.

"Of course." Ishek said, taking Daynar's glass, refilling it, and pouring himself one of the same. "Are there any other matters you care to discuss today?" he asked. "Beyond the joyous event."

Daynar took a welcome swig from the glass as it was refilled. At the question, his eyes got quite round. "Not today, Ishek. You've bargained me out of a hefty mark profit and given me your sister to marry. That is _quite_ enough for one day for me!" He chuckled, trying to remind himself this was all good.

Ishek smiled slightly. He was proud of himself for everything. "I'm glad you came to me, and I wish you and Miralani to have a happy marriage."
he said sincerely. He wanted the best for his sister.

Daynar swallowed the rest of his drink, still struggling with his emotions. He was getting _married_ again.

Assuming, of course, she said _yes_.

Last updated on the August 3rd 2006

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A Lady's Price