Useless

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 2nd May 2008

Characters: Kiomo, Ishek
Description: Kiomo and Ishek discuss politics and love
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 13 of Turn 4

"So... Evergreen Hold," Kiomo said thoughtfully as he poured a glass of Saphire Meadows Whiskey for them both. "Quite a mess, eh? Three contenders and no clear-cut heir."

"Indeed." Ishek said. "From what I've heard, each of them has a very valid claim. If only I could disqualify at least one of them, but as siblings and children of the former Lord, the blood ties are good.
Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to meet them yet." That would certainly factor into Ishek's decision, although the Lord also knew that it was likely they would put on their best face for him. "I wish I had more information."

Kiomo hid a smile as the Warder walked straight to where he was leading him to go. "Perhaps I can meet with them informally and give you my impression of them. They would be much more likely to be themselves around someone with so little importance."

Ishek considered that. As usual, Kiomo had a point. "That would certainly work. I will still want to meet with them myself, however."
Kiomo's forewarnings would be useful. "How do you plan to approach them?"

"Allow me to deliver their invitations to an interview with you. I can also see how the Hold has been managed since the death of the Holder, and see who has stepped up and taken an active role in the running of it." And he could see just what this Hold of theirs was really worth...

That seemed a logical reason for Kiomo to meet with them. "And knowing who stepped up will indicate who might be the best leader." Ishek mused aloud. "I think that's a good idea."

"All right, its settled then," Kiomo smiled, not wanting to give Ishek much chance to think about it too deeply. "Tomorrow we can start work on the invitations. Here, your glass is all ice! Let me refill that for you."

Ishek passed over the glass obligingly. "Have you any other news?" Kiomo did seem to hear of the most interesting things.

"Nothing new, unfortunately," Kiomo sighed. "Thalia is still being stubborn. I really don't know what to do, Ishek. I understand her need to protect her son, but not at the sacrifice of her own happiness."

"Protecting Aslian and her own happiness do not necessarily have to be at odds, but she may not have realized that yet." Ishek said thoughtfully. "She hasn't seemed very troubled to me lately."

"Of course not. She is a Lady of the Blood, after all," he replied with a tone that said the thought of her revealing her true feelings was a ridiculous notion, as everyone knew. "But, in private, Ishek... She's lonely."

"Isn't everyone?" Ishek replied. He paused for a moment. "She may not believe this is the right time to alleviate that."

"Perhaps, but... Ishek, she won't even consider me. I'm good enough to relieve her loneliness when we're alone, but marriage is a forbidden subject. It's driving me mad. Not," Kiomo quickly added, "that we are doing _anything_ dishonorable when we are alone. She is a Lady and I treat her as such. But... when we are alone, she is so sweet and affectionate, and yet when I mention marriage she just tells me that she must think of her son. I don't understand her."

Ishek fully believed Kiomo's disclaimer of their activities. "Thalia is a gentle person," he said. "I think she would do anything for her son, and that that is blinding her to the possibility that she could both protect him and be happy." There had to be a way to fix that, though. If she and Kiomo enjoyed each other's company, well...and Kiomo was an honorable man. A man who could provide for Thalia and Aslian. "If she realized that she could have both, I am sure she would consider it."

"Yes, but I can't make her see that. I'm not exactly partial in this case. Even if part of her does believe me, she wonders if it is her reason or her heart that is telling her my words are true." However, if the words and recommendation came from the Lord Warder... perhaps he could add a the pressure that Kiomo could not.

"She can't remain unmarried forever, and I think she knows that." In theory she could, but Ishek thought that social pressure to have a male role model for her son would influence her, just as social pressures that a Lord must have a wife were affecting him. "I think she would prefer it to be someone she enjoys spending time with, not just anyone."

"And I could give her that, and love besides." Kiomo shook his head sadly as he splashed a bit more whiskey in both their glasses. "I don't have to marry her now, of course. I just don't know if I can keep waiting for her to decide that I am worthy of her. If all she is ever going to allow herself to see me as is just someone she enjoys the company of, I should let it go. I know this in my head, but my heart, Ishek..."

Ishek knew. If you loved someone, and they didn't seem to care, that would be misery. "I don't think you'll have to wait long, Kiomo. Thalia knows your good qualities, and she knows what will happen. It seems a choice that both head and heart could agree on."

Kiomo fingered his glass, looking mournfully into the clear chunks of ice tinted brown by the liquid they sat in. "Do you think she might be right, Ishek? Do you think I might be unworthy to be a step-father to a Lord Holder?"

"No." Ishek answered. "You are a smart man, an honorable man, one who could provide for a family and be a model to a young boy. And I don't believe that Thalia thinks you unworthy, either."

"Could..." Kiomo frowned as if he regretted what he was about to do.
"Could you talk to her? She would respect your opinion. She could trust you to be impartial in your judgement. I just don't think she'll listen to me."

"I will." Ishek said. "I won't pressure her into accepting it, you understand." he said. He could never imagine basically telling a woman in his Hold that she must marry a certain person, or that she must get married at all. "But I will try to let her know that I support whatever decision she might make. And I will try to see how she feels on the matter."

Kiomo resisted the urge to roll his eyes. For Faranth's sake, the man was useless! Why did he have to be so sharding _sensitive_?! "Well, just don't forget to mention my name in there."

"I won't." Ishek said. He certainly wasn't going to press any opinion on anyone though.

Last updated on the May 5th 2008

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