An Evening Interrupted

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 9th October 2007

Characters: Daigoro, Cinale
Description: Daigoro gets an unusual middle-of-the-night visit
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 6, day 1 of Turn 4

Cinale

"That tickles, love," Daigoro chuckled, squirming a little under her light touch.

Grinning, Cinale cuddled closer, sliding her hand away from his ticklish side to his chest. "Who would've thought: the Hallsecond ticklish!" she teased, nibbling the base of his throat.

"Well, there are some things only you're supposed to know about," he smiled relaxing back into the pillows. Married life certainly suited him.

Smiling, she propped herself up on her arm to look down at him, red hair falling over her shoulder. "And I do know a great deal, wouldn't you agree?"

Daigoro reached up to pull her down into a kiss when they were startled to hear a sudden pounding on the door. It was no gentle knock, but an urgent summons. "Shards," he whispered sitting up. Who could be that be at this candlemark? "Stay here love."

"But--" Cinale scrambled upright, reaching for her robe. The almost frantic pounding on the door set her nerves on edge. She didn't want him going down there alone. "But Daigoro--"

"Please, Cinale, just stay here," he said a bit more forcefully as he slipped his legs into his sleeping trousers once more. "It's probably just a problem at the Hall and with Fielton gone they're coming to me.
Please love, just stay here."

She frowned uncertainly and stood, shrugging into her robe. "All right...." But the feeling of uneasiness didn't leave as she watched him. Shards, what could have happened at this time of the night? Unless Fielton was back...

"I'll be back, my beauty. Don't fret yourself." Daigoro quickly slipped out the door, cursing whoever it was who disturbed their pleasant evening.

Cinale listened as Daigoro's footfalls faded further and further down the stairs. She folded her arms across her chest nervously as she heard him open the door. Anxious noise burst into their quiet home, but she couldn't make out what the man was saying--or Daigoro's replies. The thick stone walls muffled their words, and yet both tones sounded agitated. Very agitated. Cinale bit her lip, edging closer to the door. She had to know what was happening. Carefully, noiselessly, she slipped from their bedroom to the top of the stairs, letting the shadows hide her as she stood near the banister to eavesdrop.

Daigoro's voice carried through the hall and up the stairs. "But they know _nothing_! What have they to accuse you of?"

They? Who was they? And who were they accusing? Cinale leaned further over the banister, wishing she could catch a glimpse of the man who stood in the doorway--wishing she could hear what he said.

Their voices were unintelligible then, and she had to strain to hear.
"But won't they call me to testify? I'm as much a part of this as you."

Daigoro? Testify? Shards and shells, what was happening? Was he in trouble? No...not Daigoro. How could he be? If he was in trouble, he would have confided in her. But he couldn't be in trouble. Not her husband. And yet the seed of doubt had been sewn, and she twisted her hands together fretfully, listening as closely as she could to the snippets of conversation she could catch.

"Shardit, Fielton, don't be a fool!" The Hallsecond was quickly hushed and the rest of the words were spoken too softly for his wife's curious ears to catch.

Fielton?? Faranth, so he _was_ back! But...why the secrecy? And what on Pern was he involved in that involved her husband?

The two men moved further into the living area, their voices now even more muffled. They spoke in hushed tones for nearly another quarter candlemark before their feet could be heard in the hall once more.

"Fielton," her husband said, the agitation replaced by resignation, "you don't have to do this. I wish you wouldn't."

Finally Cinale could hear the Hallmaster clearly. "As I said before, Daigoro, I'm going to protect my Hall and everyone in it."

"Yes, sir." The door opened, sending a waft of chilled night air up the stairs. "If you need anything, Fielton, anything at all..."

The Hallmaster's reply was lost, but Cinale had heard enough. Her eyes were huge as she slowly backed away from the banister to slip back inside the bedroom. Slowly she eased down onto the bed, allowing herself another moment to let the shock consume her before trying to quickly school her expression. And she wondered...would Daigoro tell her the truth when he came in? Swallowing nervously, she trained her eyes on the doorway, and the seconds that passed felt like an eternity.

Ah. There. The third step had creaked. He was coming back.

Daigoro quietly opened the door. "Oh, you're still awake? It's late, love, let's... let's get some sleep."

She didn't move. "Is everything all right, Daigoro?" Cinale knew perfectly well that nothing was all right, but would he let on? Would he tell her the truth? Of course he would. He had to. She was his wife, his confidant. She shared everything with him. Everything. He did too. And yet.... The seed of doubt in her mind grew. And yet it had sounded like he and Fielton had a secret, something important. Something even dangerous. And he hadn't told her about it before..... She gazed up at her husband. Would he tell her now?

Daigoro paused for a moment as he pulled back the covers to slip inside.
"Just some apprentice mischief," he muttered, hating the lie but knowing it was for the best. "I will deal with it in the morning. Let's get some sleep now."

She felt as though she'd been struck. He'd lied to her. Outright. And just like that. No hesitation...and he hadn't even looked at her. Did he not trust her? She would have kept whatever secret he was protecting. She would have! But he didn't trust her... Her eyes flashed with the beginnings of anger as she shrugged out of the robe. Now she supposed that was a two-way road. As she lay down, she turned her back to him, squeezing her eyes shut as bitter thoughts chased one another through her head.

It was a long time before she fell asleep.

Last updated on the October 9th 2007

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An Evening Interrupted