Just A Child

Writers: AL, Nici, Estelle
Date Posted: 14th September 2005

Characters: Enrizial, Kohler, Mirdra
Description: Kohler tries to persuade Enrizial not to be too hard on Cazlik
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 15 of Turn 3

Once Mirdra had left with Cazlik, Enrizial relaxed visibly and drew up a chair to his desk for Kohler. "Come, sit down. We've got much to talk about..." He frowned, not understanding the look the holder was giving him.
"Is something wrong?"

"That depends, milord."

"Depends on what, Kohler?"

"On whether you wish to listen to your Steward's first words of advice or not..."

Enrizial dropped wearily into his chair. "I might have known you'd have some of your advice for me already. Very well. What is it?"

"Cazlik. He's just a child Enrizial. And he lost his father but seven months ago. You sent him to us and it took months to get him to trust us. Now, you're taking him away abruptly and expect him to fit some mold you've decided he has to fill."

"He's not just any child. He's the Heir to Emerald Falls - or will be, once I find a harper who'll deign to draw up some documents for me." That was a problem - even those harpers who had remained in Emerald Falls, not approving of the relocation to the Weyr, had a hostile attitude towards the Lord they blamed for the fire at the Hall. "He has much to learn and it's best he starts early."

"Perhaps you might want to wait until he can _read_ first," Kohler said dryly.

"He can't read yet?" Enrizial frowned. "Surely you've been teaching him?"

"Mirdra sits with the children, as does my sister. Also, the harper assigned to our area visits as often as possible. They are well taught but you cannot expect a four turn old to be able to read the hides and scrolls I'm sure you've got designated for him. I don't deny he's your best choice of Heir...just that you might want him to finish being a little boy _first_."

"He can play in the nursery once he's finished his day's lessons. If he works hard, there'll be time enough." What toys there were left in the room once occupied by Faraline and Alalia had been chosen for girls less than a Turn old, but that was more than Enrizial had had since he was old enough to begin his training. "For now, we need to concentrate on teaching him to read, write and count as soon as possible. I'll see about getting him a tutor...one of the understewards ought to be suitable."

Kohler pinched the bridge of his nose and counted to ten...then added another five to that. "Lord Enrizial, when I first brought Cazlik to my home, he'd just lost his father and it took us weeks before he would even talk. It took months before he would sleep in his own bed because of the nightmares. What if it happens again?"

"Then he'll have to learn to be a man and face up to his nightmares rather than running to a woman for comfort," Enrizial replied firmly. "I know it sounds hard, and I don't doubt you and Lady Mirdra meant well by indulging him. But I need my Heir to be strong - and not dependent on anyone."

Kohler tried not to laugh. The first time Cazlik had a nightmare, he was going to bring him right to Enrizial's bedchamber. "Yes, milord. Anything you say..."

"Good. Now perhaps we can talk about the more important business of the Hold?" Enrizial suggested. "I have all the unfinished work in my study...there's a rather large pile. I can deal with most of the letters from holders but there are the tithe records and the inventories to be dealt with..."

"I look forward to starting, milord. I figured we could address the inventories and tithe records first..." Kohler replied, warming up to the subject.

_Finally_ something they'd agree on...for now!

Last updated on the September 15th 2005

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Just A Child