These Days

Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 13th June 2012

Characters: Sarban, Meledei
Description: Meledei makes another visit to Emerald Falls and is greeted by Sarban.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 14 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Janani, Cyradis, G'wen, E'naer, Felyna, Zathris, Arippa, Corowal

Meledei hadn't traveled to Emerald Falls in some time. Of course, she
didn't really have a reason, but did she really need a reason? Just
getting out of the Weyr for a while seemed good enough reason to her.
The restday proved to be a nice one and even if it was an informal
visit, even that could prove good for Hold - Weyr relations. Besides,
the falls _were_ quite pretty, though one wouldn't want to get too
close and wet. It wasn't quite warm enough for that.

The gold landed outside the Hold, away from any livestock. Livestock
and dragons didn't generally get along. The young rider swung down
from the back of her dragon and trotted toward the Hold proper. Maybe
she'd meet some of those she had met the last time she'd visited.

These days, the watch on the fireheights knew to alert the Steward when
any sort of dragon arrived. When he heard it was a gold, he started
hoping sincerely that it was one he knew and had business that he could
conduct easily. Spotting Meledei coming up, he slowed down a bit. She
was harmless- thank Faranth.

"Hey Sarban." The young woman greeted cheerfully. Well here was one
familiar face. She figured someone of importance would probably greet
her because of Elleth, though she had only arrived for a pleasure
visit. "How are you?"

"Oh the usual..." He didn't want to tell her he was single again. She
didn't need to know about his personal problems. "Better now that the
Dragonsfall riders have gone home." Indeed, that had been tricky.

"Did they cause a problem?" Most dragonriders she knew were respectful
of the Holders, but every once in a while, there were a couple that let
their heads get too big and act as if they were more important.

"Well it wasn't them per se...our holders have certain ideas about male
greenriders and there happened to be two of them. So, it was just a
matter of trying to keep everything away from everything else." He hated
politics, but sometimes they came into things.

"Ah, I see." Yes, the holds were rather string tied in their ideas
sometimes. Meledei honestly didn't understand it - but she supposed she
never would. "Well, I'm glad things are more comfortable for you. I
hope my arrival isn't disturbing you or anyone else. I just thought
I'd come for a visit."

"Oh know, you're fine. You're welcome anytime. Is there anything I can
do or get for you? How is the Weyr these days?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Oh no, I just thought I'd visit, look around, maybe see the
falls." There was a short pause after Sarban mentioned the
Weyr. "Well...we're doing all right. Our Weyrwoman left so we're in a
bit of transition till the next gold rises to indicate who will be the
next Weyrwoman." Meledei did her best to hide the hurt and anger in her
voice. He didn't need to be saddled with _those_ politics. "What about
the Hold? How are things here?"

In his experience something usually had to be wrong for a Weyrwoman
to leave or step down. He had met Janani that one time and didn't wish
her ill, but they had received the message from the Weyr saying she had
gone and that had been it. "Lord Zathris has sent his niece here to
foster for awhile as she courts one of our minor holders. We had the
visitors from Dragonsfall. Otherwise, business as usual. Lady Felyna is
also expecting." That was good news for everyone. He filed her news
away for later though. "Why did she leave? Is she all right?"

"She's fine and dandy. Her reason for leaving was rather selfish."
Meledei was still hurt by it. It didn't make any sense, no matter how
much Janani tried to justify it. "Oh, that's good!" Meledei
brightened. She wanted kids some day too, but not necessarily just
yet. Besides, she hadn't found the right guy either. "When is she
due?"

"I'm afraid I don't have the specifics on that," Sarban frowned. It was
probably common knowledge in the ladies' solar, but not in the stewards'
office. Mulling over this newfound knowledge about Janani, he raced
through the possibilities. **Corowal is going to love this**

"I bet she's excited. And the rest of the Hold too I bet." Babies
didn't bring about any sort of excitement in a Weyr. "Are people
already making bets on the gender?"

"Pretty sure, though they've kept it under the table. We don't need an
heir so it's not necessary for it to be a boy though." Faranth knew
Corowal had plenty of children to see married off already, though
another son could be a minor holder someday with all the settlements
they had empty.

One of the problems with holds was the obsession with boys, especially
in Lord Holder families. Women were quite capable of leading, so why
couldn't a girl be an heir? Meledei kept her mouth shut on that topic -
no point in spoiling relations. "Still, it's got to be exciting. What
about you? Do you have children?"

"Ah no. I haven't married yet, so no offspring." He felt a bit
embarrassed at
being such a late bloomer in a way, but he couldn't really make excuses
for it.

"Oh well, that's all right, maybe someday." Meledei didn't have any
sort of judgment to make. It wasn't uncommon in the Weyr to wait to
have children - or to have children when people weren't married. Not
that marriage was a big deal in the Weyr anyway. "Anything else
happening?"

"Well, we're trying to work on getting some of our old settlements
repopulated again, little by little. There are a lot of resources out
there that we're simply not using so if we could get the people we
need...anyway, we're identifying folk who would be good choices." In
the back of his mind, he thought about retiring in some later turn and
giving it a go himself.

"Well, that sounds like a worthy endeavor. I wish you guys the best of
luck." It had taken a while for things to recover from the plague - and
even now one could see the effects it still had. Meledei had to admit,
she was glad she hadn't been around back then. "I probably shouldn't
keep you...I'm going to head up to the Falls, enjoy the scenery a bit.
I'm sure you're plenty busy without entertaining a dragonrider!"

"Well it'd be my pleasure, Meledei. I'll leave you to it, though. It can
be relaxing on your own. If you want to stay with us for evening meal,
though, you're more than welcome." He gave the goldrider a friendly
look, knowing she would be a welcome table companion. Besides, Corowal
might want to question her about Janani's absence since they hadn't
gotten any more details.

"I just don't want you to feel like you have to and take you away from
more important things." Meledei didn't want the man to feel like she
was trying to get rid of him. He seemed nice after all. "And sure, I
wouldn't mind staying for dinner. It's always nice to have new
company."

"I'll let the headwoman know to prepare another place then. See you
later." He knew how it felt to sometimes just want to be alone and he
gave the goldrider her space. Heading towards the Hold, he went to find
his cousin and share the news.

Last updated on the July 1st 2012

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These Days