A Fortunate Alliance

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th January 2007

Characters: Benaroy, Royani
Description: Benaroy and Royani discuss an interesting invitation that arrived from Garnet Valley Hold.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 19 of Turn 4

Royani set the tray with her father's evening tea down on the side of his desk and leaned down to give Benaroy a kiss on the cheek. "I hope you're almost finished, father. You've been in here for candlemarks!"

"Yes..." the Lord Holder nodded thoughtfully as he continued to scan the letter in his hands. He pointed to the nearby chair. "Have a seat for a moment, Royani."

She sat obediently, smoothing her skirts down as she waited for her father to finish reading.

"It seems the Lord Warder of Garnet Valley Hold has a sister who is getting married to the Smith Hallmaster," the Lord Holder said as he set the piece of paper aside.

"Oh?" Leaning forward, she poured a cup of tea for her father and held it out to him. "That must be a fortunate alliance for them."

"Hmmm..." He hummed in agreement, looking at his daughter more than the cup she offered as he reached to take it from her hands. "Yes, Garnet Valley has been doing quite well under the Lord Warder Ishek's care."

"That must be a relief for everyone. It was so terrible, what happened..." To imagine a Lord Holder being poisoned by his own Headwoman! "Are you going to send a representative to the wedding? I could help pick out a gift."

"Actually, I have a received an invitation for _you_ to attend the wedding." He wondered if she could read the obviously implied opportunity written between the lines.

"For me?" Royani's surprise lasted only a moment. Of course the invitation had nothing to do with the wedding... the only reason anyone would invite her anywhere would be as an excuse to measure her potential worth as a bride. "Who was the invitation from?" she asked hesitantly. "From the bride herself." He picked up the letter and held it out for her to read. "Not just you. Fielton's daughter Jielta has also been invited."

Royani accepted the letter and scanned it briefly. "That's right... I'd almost forgotten that Jielta's sister had fostered with the Smith Hallmaster. I'm sure she'd be excited to see her sister again."

Benaroy nodded as he sipped his tea. The fact that both young ladies had been invited could be taken several ways. It was possible they were interested in seeing both young women as potential matches. The daughter of a Hallmaster was certainly a good alliance for a Lord Warder. However, considering there already was an older daughter of the same Hallmaster who was closer and still eligible, that seemed unlikely.
It was far more likely that Royani was the young woman they truly wanted to see. Jielta's invitation was a polite and tactful offer. Royani wasn't noticeably being singled out that way.

But Benaroy really knew nothing about Lord Warder Ishek, and though he had heard reports of how Garnet Valley was prospering under his leadership, he would like to see for himself. With the recent business at Emerald Falls and the continuing salvage of Amethyst Cliff, he was sure it would be hard to find the time to see to this matter properly. She needed a chaperone to accompany her. Someone he trusted who could keep an eye on her and take the measure of the Lord Warder. Some one who loved Royani as much as he did and would look after her best interests...

Setting his cup back on its saucer he simply stated, "I'm sending Royah with you."

"Thank you, father!" Royani didn't bother to hide her excitement. She hadn't been completely sure she'd be allowed to go--after all, it wouldn't have been surprising to not meet her potential groom until the wedding was practically upon her. Not that she was terribly interested in catching Lord Ishek's eye--though he would be a good match, of course. But traveling to Garnet Valley would be an _adventure_, and one of the sort she might never get to have again.

"Yes, well," the Lord Holder smiled at her enthusiasm, "its time you saw a bit more of Pern." **And that I find you a husband and see you settled...**

Last updated on the January 29th 2007

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A Fortunate Alliance