Far Too Trusting

Writers: AL, Eimi
Date Posted: 30th May 2008

Characters: Briata, Kiomo
Description: This time, Briata runs into Kiomo.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 12 of Turn 4
Notes: Takes place after "When Strangers Meet"

Briata

There were so many hallways, so many twists and turns. The inside of Garnet Valley was almost as confusing as the outside, but Briata was loving every minute of it. She knew that if she got lost, all she had to do was ask and someone would point her in the right direction. For the moment, however, she was on an adventure, daring to go places she had never visited before.

Kiomo seemed to frequent seldomly explored corners of the Hold. He found they made the best places for the little trists he was so fond of. Today, it seemed, he had some company in wandering the halls. Her figure was certainly appealing from behind - young, obviously well born, and possibly a little lost... "Excuse me, miss," he said quickening his pace to catch up to her. "Are you in need of some assistance?"

Briata turned at the sound of a voice close by, one obviously speaking to her. She smiled at the gentleman and bowed her head in a friendly greeting. "Well, I must admit, I don't know exactly where I am, but at the moment that is fine with me." She realised that sounded a little bit strange and added, "I'm exploring."

"Ah, I see. You are not from here, I take it." She certainly did have a rather pretty face. Kiomo loved making new aquaintances of the female kind.

"Well, no, not Garnet Valley itself." Briata admitted, "My father is holder of Onyx Peak, beholden to Garnet Valley. He came here to deliver the tithe." She seemed to realise then that she had not introduced herself. "Oh, I'm sorry for being rude! My name is Briata. May I know yours?"

"No, you may not," he said with a rather impish smile.

"What a shame." Briata smiled in return and clasped her hands behind her. "I have no idea what to call you then."

"Ah, but if you have something to call me, that would mean that we are aquainted. You do not seem to be the kind of young woman who would make aquaintances with strangers in dark hallways. I am saving you from yourself, you see."

Briata couldn't supress the giggle that threatened and she covered her mouth with her hand. "Sir, you speak as if you were a man of uncertain character. Surely that could not be so. I have heard nothing but honourable things about the residents of Garnet Valley."

"Ah," he said, raising a finger to ephasise a point, "but to wagging tongues it doesn't really matter so much what I _am_. It only matter what I _appear_ to be, now doesn't it. I don't want to appear to be the kind of man roaming the halls in the hopes of making the aquaintance of solitary young ladies, now do I?"

"Was that what you were doing?" Briata queried, though there was humour in her voice and visage. "Looking for a solitary young lady?"

"No, but it seems to be what I found," he chuckled. "I was actually checking the ageno three tanks in the store room."

"Are you the Steward, then?" Briata tried to bring up the name she had heard in reference to the steward. Her father had spoken of him a few times..."Penryn." She said finally as the name finally came to her. "Or perhaps one of his assistants?"

Kiomo smiled easily enough, though it annoyed him slightly that might think he was merely the Steward's assistant. "No, I am not Penryn, and I am not one of his assistants. I am an assistant to the Lord Holder, actually."

"Oh!" She had misjudged, but she supposed it was an easy thing to do considering that she didn't know that many people there. "I met Lord Ishek this morning actually. Now I meet you. How funny."

"It is a small Hold," he agreed. "And now you are wandering our halls for no apparent reason. Tell me truthfully now," he said, leaning a little closer. "Are you a spy?"

Another giggle escaped as Briata shook her head. "Why no sir, just a holder's daughter visiting the Hold it's beholden to."

"So you say, and so you would appear. But people are usually more than their appearances, and I do find it highly suspicious that you would meet the Lord Holder and his assistant and be roaming the halls..." He squinted down at her suspiciously.

"Actually, I didn't meet Lord Ishek in the halls." Briata corrected gently. "We met outside. I don't always roam the halls."

"Ah, so our meeting is purely chance? How sad," he said with a slight pout. "I was kind of hoping you had sought me out for some nefarious reason."

"Nefarious is not a word I would I would to describe me." This man was funny - having a sense of humour was certainly an attractive aspect. "I am a completely innocent creature."

Kiomo shook his head disbelievingly. "That's what all the baddies say."

"Really? I will do my best to remember that. After all, you could be the nefarious one instead of me. How do I know that is not the case?"

He gave her his most charming grin. "You don't."

"Well, then," Briata countered, "I suppose I shall have to watch my step, won't I?"

"Perhaps we both shall have to keep an eye out for the other." She was pretty, witty and far too trusting. Kiomo liked that in a woman.

Last updated on the June 1st 2008

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Far Too Trusting