A Friendly Visit

Writers: AL, Paula
Date Posted: 21st May 2008

Characters: Briata, Alrog, Wenina, Alfida
Description: Wenina and Briata take a trip to visit her friend Alfida and her son Alrog.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 4

Briata

"Are you sure this trip was a good idea?" Briata asked for probably the hundredth time. Wenina clicked her tongue. "I'm not due for another two months, I've had no complications, and you're with me.
It's fine, dear." She leaned over and patted her daughter's hand.
"Besides, we won't be going back today, so there's less stress since I won't feel like we're in a rush to get home before dark.

"I suppose." Briata had been troubled by her mother's suggestion that they visit her friend Alfida. Granted, the hold was only a half a day's drive and they had started early, but Wenina was pregnant with child and Briata thought it would be better to have her stay. But, the older woman had insisted and Briata had done everything she could to keep Wenina from doing too much in the way of preparations.

"Look, someone's coming out to greet us!" Wenina raised her hand in greeting from the back of the cart that was headed by two strong runnerbeasts. Tritten, Briata's cousin who was guiding the runners, looked back and grinned at them, but didn't say a word.

Alfida had come outside to wait her guests. Visitors weren't that common in Iron Lake Valley. She lifted her hand in greeting when she spotted Wenina. It was nice to meet her again. It had been a while since the last time.

Tritten brought the runners to a stop just a little ways away from Alfida. Briata helped Wenina down and then stood back as Wenina closed the distance between her and Alfida, offering her friend.
"Alfida, you look lovely! I'm sorry I haven't visited in so long.
How are you?"

"I'm fine. Welcome. Did you hear, I'm grandmother now?" she replied and gave Wenina a brief hug.

"No, I didn't!" Wenina pulled back, her smile brightening.
"Congratulations! Boy or girl?"

"A girl. You do remember my middle daughter? Of course you do, you were at her wedding! Well, they didn't even wait the proper nine months before having children. Come inside. The montain wind is so chill."

Wenina clicked her tongue at the news. "Ah well, at least they are married now." She turned and motioned for Briata to join them.
Tritten was already heading toward the barn to take care of the runners. "Alfida, you remember my daughter, Briata, don't you? It's been a couple of turns, I know, so you may not recognise her." Briata smiled over to Alfida as she walked beside Wenina. A couple of turns indeed, though she did remember accompanying Wenina before. "Hello again Alfida."

"Welcome, Briata", Alfida said and escorted them inside. Iron Lake was carved inside the montain and had several levels. She led them to the solar, which was against the outwall, so it had windows and light. "I still haven't been able to get Alrog married," Alfida said and cast an odd look to Briata. She looked to be right age.

"Really?" Surprise flashed over Wenira's face. She would have thought a young holder would have drawn interest from any number of girls. "I'm surprised. Has he just shown no interest?" She also caught the look that Alfida gave Briata. While Wenira would never under any circumstances arrange a marriage without her daughter's consent, she did know that Briata wanted a family. Perhaps if she introduced them, they could get to know one another, see where it led.

"Well, he has been seeing this fosterling from smith hall, but," she gave an eloquent shrug. "He's like his father. Dawdles around unable to make up his mind until someone comes and drags him into a marriage with her,"

Well, Wenira wasn't going to help with the dragging, but perhaps he would take a shine to her daughter. "We should introduce you, Briata."
Wenira offered a smile to the younger woman. "He's a nice fellow."

"It would be a pleasure to meet him." Briata stated softly though politely.

"I shall call him over then," Alfida smiled and called a drudge to do the errand.

"So tell me all about your new granddaughter while we wait." Wenira suggested, easing herself into a chair. Briata sat down in one next to her, folding her hands in her lap and listening with an earnest expression.

***

Alrog was annoyed of the interuption, but the habit of obeying his mother was too deeply ingrained to his personality for him to ignore her call. He had always been the good boy. He came to the solar, interrupted his mother chatting with other lady. She was vaguedly familiar, like some one who he had seen before, but not paid any attention. "Mother? You wanted to see me?" he asked.

"Ah, Alrog dear. Do you remember my friend Wenira?" she said.

"M'am," Alrog bowed to her direction.

"Hello Alrog. It's good to see you again." Wenira smiled, inclining her head politely, but decided not to get up. She motioned to Briata who did stand and gave a small, polite curtsey. "This is my daughter Briata."

"Well met." Briata stated softly.

"Well met, Briata," Alrog replied with a friendly smile but inwards he groaned. One of those again. How many young women his mother had already introduced to him?

Wenira paused for a moment, then stated, "Actually, Alfida, I do wish to discuss something privately with you. ALrog, do you suppose, Alrog, that you could entertain my daughter for a bit while I bespeak your mother?" She hoped she wasn't being too bold, but perhaps it would give them a chance to get to know one another without others barging into the conversation.

"Of course," Alrog replied politely, but his heart sank. What could he possibly said to the young woman?

Wenira looked from her mother to Alrog and nodded. "Shall we?" She asked softly, indicating the door. Whe he turned, she did also and followed him from the solar with one backward glance to her smiling Wenira. After she closed the door, Briata turnd her smile back to the young man. "Not too obvious, was she?"

"About as obvious as club in a head," Alrog smiled.

"She means well." Briata released the handle of the door and turned back to Alrog. "Don't worry, she won't try to arrange anything -
Wenira is not like that. I think she just wanted us to have a chance to get to know one another."

"Unfortunately, my mother _is_ just the type to arrange something," Alrog said.

"I guess that means you're not looking to get married anytime soon?"
Briata couldn't help but laugh softly at the expression in Alrog's voice. "Wenira won't let your mother try to talk her into anything, I promise." She glanced around, clasping her hands behind her. "So, would you at least be willing to show me around a bit?"

"I'm not hurrying into anything. And I just love to show the hold around," Alrog replied with a proud smile. "Shall we go? I'll give you the grand tour."

"Certainly." Briata raised a hand to indicate that he begin. "Lead on."

Last updated on the June 1st 2008

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A Friendly Visit