An Astounding Offer

Writers: Devin, Dana
Date Posted: 28th October 2006

Characters: Gleniel, Zanen
Description: Gleniel meets Zanen and his canines, and is offered something she has always longed for
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 3

Zanen liked to a get a feel for places, especially ones he was going to spend a lot of time at. The vast majority of Garnet Valley Hold was encased within the mountain, but he could put off wandering indoors for a Threadfall day. Today he was walking along the grounds of the Hold, Fang and Silver padding along behind him. "Good morning!" he called to a red haired girl.

Gleniel turned around--and nearly dropped her basket of flowers at the sight of two, huge canines come looming closer. Shards! They could be miniature runners! "Good morning," she called back, wishing her voice wasn't _quite_ so shaky. She cleared it as the man and his...pets?...approached. "You must be new. I think I would have remembered seeing canines like these around the Hold."

Zanen's grin was wide. "Don't worry. They're very friendly. This is Fang and Silver," he pointed out each canine. "I'm Zanen. I came to Garnet Valley to--help out." He didn't know how well known the feline problem was in the Hold and he didn't want to scare the girl.

"Oh. Well, it's good to meet you. I'm Gleniel," she smiled, her nerves easing as one of the huge canines came up to snuffle her extended fingers.
Her smile widened when he--or she?--licked them. "Where'd you come in from, Zanen?"

"Came in with the trader caravan." A little smile played at his mouth as Silver licked the young woman's fingers.

"A caravan!" Her eyes were wide when she turned them to his, her expression rather envious. "Faranth, that must have been an adventure. How long were you with them?"

"I've traveled with them on and off for turns. Been with them a lot more often since the Pass began." He tried not to make a face. Threadfall had put limits on his freedom.

"What places have you been to?" she asked curiously, stroking the top of Silver's head.

"I haven't been to the North, yet, but I've seen most of the Southern continent."

"Have you seen the Weyrs?"

Zanen nodded. "Yep. Most of them."

"I have to admit...I'm a little envious of you." She gave him a self-concious smile. "I've always wanted to travel and see all the exotic sites..."

"I've met plenty of people who say the same thing. I think there'd be many more happy people in this world if there was less wanting and more doing."
He smiled to show it wasn't a criticism of her.

She nodded slowly. "But it's hard to do when you don't have enough marks jangling on your belt. And...when you're a woman."

"You can make do without the marks, but I understand. Things aren't as easy for women."

"No... But who knows? Maybe one day I'll get the chance to travel."

"You can come along with me, if you want. Once I take care of some business here at the Hold," Zanen offered.

Gleniel stared at him, completely astounded by his offer. "I--really?"
she stammered, blushing furiously.

"Sure! Maybe just for a short trip, if you're more comfortable with that?"
He enjoyed having traveling companions, and he liked to show people places they'd never seen.

Would it be proper? she wondered, for her to travel with him? Would she be allowed to be excused from her duties for a while here? And what about Kiomo? Shards...she couldn't leave him! She'd miss him terribly. **Will I ever get another offer like this, though?** Zanen seemed friendly, and she so did want to travel... But she'd _just_ met him. She took a deep breath. "I'd love to travel, Zanen. But I..." Gleniel smiled nervously.
"We just met, and I..." Shards, she was stumbling all over her words!

"Oh, don't worry about it. If you get a strong urge to go traveling, you just let me know. I'll be around here for a little while yet," Zanen said as he patted Fang's head.

Her smile grew softer. "Thank you."

Zanen nodded his head. "You're welcome."

Last updated on the October 30th 2006

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An Astounding Offer