Newly Arrived

Writers: Chelle, Lakota
Date Posted: 6th September 2012

Characters: Sarban, Abrella
Description: Sarban meets Abrella and drops her off at the stables.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 21 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentor Approved; Mentioned: Jeyme, Aivorn, Felyna, Corofel, Corowal, Arippa

It was becoming harder and harder to walk anywhere without running into some
young, husband-seeking female Sarban was old enough to father most of them but
he couldn't ignore the fact that he was still unmarried, had a good occupation,
and was probably being whispered into their ears as a prime candidate. He just
wished they were a bit older, that was all. And had more worldly experience maybe.
Sighing, he wondered if Corofel might not feel the same way someday.

Turning the corner, he bent down to tie his shoelace only to come up and
come face-to-face with yet another one of these girls.

Abrella was taking a quick stroll through the hold, since she wasn't allowed
outside of the hold unaccompanied after her aunt and uncle informing her about the
recent Holdless thief. Sighing, and deep in thought, she turned a corner nearly running
into someone not paying attention to where she was going.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized. "I wasn't paying attention." She recognized
him, seeing him briefly upon her arrival here, what was his name? "Sarban right?"
she asked. "I'm Abrella," she said smiling and curtsying.

"Pleased to meet you Abrella. And where did you come from?" It was hard to
keep them straight except for Jeyme and Arippa, but mainly because Arippa was
Blood from another Hold. He hoped Felyna would get these girls married off quickly.
Of course she had her own pregnancy to consider.

"I'm from Dolphin Hall sir," she said politely. "I was sent to be fostered
by my Aunt Adena and Uncle Oderno." She didn't know if he wanted that information
or not, but it couldn't hurt to tell him anyways.

"Dolphin hall? Don't they allow female crafters there?" Of course they were
doing the same thing to a point at the harper hall that would be returning again
to Emerald Falls, but the dolphincraft was different. It was made up of mostly
northerners. Sarban wondered what a girl like her was doing at a southern Hold.

"Yes, sir female crafters are allowed," she said. She had wanted to be a
crafter and while her father would've allowed it, had to send her off to Emerald
Falls because of the lack of suitors at Dolphin Hall.

"Hmmm...well have you enjoyed your stay here so far?" He wasn't very good at
making conversation and she didn't seem to offer up too much, but he was trying.
Sarban just wasn't a smooth talker like Corowal was.

"Yes, though I would like to go for a ride on a runner outside of the hold,"
she said softly. "Given I learn how to ride one first," she added.

"Oh well, our Master Aivorn would love to teach you I'm sure. He's got
plenty of grooms who can escort the ladies as needed. That's
what they're there for, mind, as well as exercising the runners." Of course
Sarban was a little leery about young women going riding
since Jeyme had done such a stupid thing.

"I'll be sure to go talk to him later then," she smiled. She held her hands
behind her back, not quite sure what to say. She was quite nervous right now
speaking to someone new. In fact she was nervous just being here in this new
place. She hated being so shy.

"Do you know the way to the beasthold?" he asked offhandedly. Sometimes new
folks could get lost.

She thought a minute. "I believe so," she said but she didn't sound too
sure.

"Well I'm going half the way. Come on," he replied as he walked in that
general direction. He was going to have to talk to Aivorn
about Jeyme's little stunt as well to make sure his men were more vigilant.

"Alright then," Abrella smiled. She followed him. "Do you ride for fun?" she
asked him curious.

"Not very often. I'm not a very good rider. I'm better off on my own two
feet. I do every now and again, though, either for work or simply
to get out and exercise." He was much more at home on the river boats or his
little fishing dingy.

She smiled and said simply, "Oh, is riding hard? I've seen others ride
runners before who seem to make it look easy."

"It depends on the runner, but yes it can be hard sometimes. It makes you
sore and if you aren't careful about terrain and watching for
animals that could frighten the beast, you could find yourself badly hurt."
Runners were big animals. They were tamed, but they were still
animals.

She thought about that a minute. "Well, I'm still willing to try." Nothing
could really sway her once she made a decision to do something.

They arrived at the beasthold and Sarban flagged down a groom to go get
Aivorn. "Wait here and the Master will be along shortly. He will
help you get started I'm sure. It was nice to meet you Abrella."

"Nice to meet you too Sarban and thank you," she smiled at him and then
waited patiently for Aivorn.

Last updated on the November 17th 2012

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