Finding the Nursery

Writers: Patrick, Vix
Date Posted: 4th July 2007

Characters: Kosten, Benaran
Description: Kosten and his children get lost within the Hold and Benaran helps set them back on track.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 11 of Turn 4

Kosten looked about in mild confusion. He had his hands full. One held his son Kozhal and the other held the hand of his daughter Ahna. Behind him trailed his eldest son Ansten looking almost as confused as his father.

"Where are we supposed to go again?" He asked his older children.

"There you are, Kosten." Benaran approached his brother-by-marriage, surrounded by four of his own children. "Did my sister abandon you?"

"No, she said her back was hurting her, what with another child on the way and everything. She gave us directions, but forgot to mention how much of a warren this place is." He looked about in confusion. "We're looking for the nursery to drop these guys off in. I have a meeting with some prospective harpers in ten minutes." He hitched Kozhal higher onto his hip.

"That depends on which nursery you wanted," the other man told him with amusement. "You're fairly close to one of the crafter nurseries, but if you wanted the family nursery, you'll need to go that way." He gestured toward the corridor behind Kosten.

"Darn." Kosten turned to follow his brother-in-law's finger. "You mean I have to back track? This is going to cut into my meeting." Kosten released his daughter's hand for a moment to run his through his hair. "Would they mind if I used the crafter's nursery?"

To this Benaran shrugged. "I've never tried. The craft wing has its own nursery for the crafters and the family wing has one for family members. Those in the family use that one."

"Oh well if that's what normally happens." He looked back the way he'd come. "You'd better show me. I don't want to cause a scene." He took his daughters hand and pushed his son before him as they began to walk in the other direction.

At a nod from Benaran, Nibaran approached Ansten. "No need for us to go to the nursery. Come along and we can visit the barns."

Meanwhile, eight-turn-old Vibenia approached Ahna and took her other hand. "We'll go there with you, if you like - Dahl and Vida and me." She waved her free hand toward her younger brother and sister.

Ansten looked at his father pleadingly. "Go," Kosten said. "Just don't bring back any more injured animals!" He called after his son. Ahna looked at Vibenia and then at her father. Kosten sighed. "If you want to go with them sweetling all you have to do is ask." He told his only daughter.

"Papa can I go to the barns too?" Ahna asked in a quiet voice. Kosten nodded. Before the little girl could run off he grabbed her arm gently. "Did you ask your cousin if she'd like to go?" Ahna turned to her cousin.

"Do you want to come with?" She asked just as quietly as before.

"It's more fun than the nursery," was Vibenia's reply, though she looked to her own father for his nod as well.

"Go and have fun," Benaran told her. He reached out to stop the two younger children, both of whom had started after their older siblings. "Not you two. The two of you get into too much trouble. You'll go to the nursery where I can be sure that you're safe."

This produced a scowl from Dahlbeni and a pout from Vidaben, but neither child spoke a word in protest.

Kozhan only looked at his father and put his thumb in his mouth. Kosten smiled. "Then lets get there so I can attempt to recover this meeting." He told Benaran quickly. "Lead the way."

"We'll get there in good time," was the other man's answer. At a nod from him, his two children set off down the corridor, setting an even pace toward the nursery.

Kozhan squirmed until his father put him down to catch up with his cousins. Kosten chuckled as he watched the trio. "Next thing I know they'll be fighting over who gets to hold." He said, more to himself than anyone.

Benaran gave his brother-by-marriage a quick suspicious glance, but looked head to the children before replying. "At Hidden Meadows Hold? Are you planning to keep them guessing?"

"No but it'll be a few turns before I can start seeing who's best for it. And I want them to foster and." He sighed in hopeful anticipation. "Someday."

The other man forced a light tone to his voice. "At least you know what you'll be meting out for them hold. Unlike those of us waiting for my father to make his decisions."

"He'll choose soon enough, I'm sure of it." Kosten didn't mention his wifes wild notions of him throwing his hat into the pool. He loved Hidden Meadows, and wanted to keep it.

"Of course he will," agreed Benaran. "My father has always been bound by duty to his Hold, and his duty is to name an heir."

"Exactly." Kosten agreed. He knew his father-in-law wouldn't let his sons down.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Benaran asked the question that had been bothering him. "So what's this important meeting you've to attend?"

"I'm meeting with Harper Faran to discuss the hiring of our new Harper." Kosten said simply. "Rythan stepped down last sevenday and we have no replacement."

"That can be difficult," Benaran stated sympathetically. "It's difficult to find one who can be entertaining as well as able to motivate the young ones to learn."

"I know it." He said as they rounded the corner, the nursery finally in sight. "But Harper Faran says he has some likely lads who'll do well at the Hold."

"It would make sense to ask him," agreed the other man. "Use a Harper to find a Harper." He watched as his children veered through a wide doorway. "And follow those who spend the most time there to find the nursery."

"Exactly. It was nice talking to you Benaran, I hope to see you sooner rather than later. Stop in at Hidden Meadows for a weekend with your kids, I'm sure they'd love it." Kosten said as he hugged his son in farewell, who scampered off to play with his cousins.

"Of course. I'll have to bring the children for a visit." Benaran managed to smile, though he thought to himself that Hidden Meadows was probably one of the last places he would want to visit.

Last updated on the July 8th 2007

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Finding the Nursery