The End Draws Nigh Pt 1

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 13th November 2014

Characters: Rethisa, Verlow, Pevran
Description: Verlow leaves on a trip... And while the feline's away, the mice will play.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 24 of Turn 7
Notes: Part 1 of 2

"We are going to the auction. Prob'ly be back in a couple of sevendays
or so." Verlow grunted at Rethisa early one morning. Normally when
Verlow went to auction he left Everlow and his youngest son behind,
but this time he had decided they were old enough to go.

**Thank Faranth.** Rethisa thought with relief. Two whole sevendays of
_peace_. Even Verlow's daughters were gone, visiting one of their
Aunts who was suppose to be "refining" their "talents." Although
Rethisa doubted much success would be had on that front.

"Two sevendays?" She asked, barely containing the happiness in her voice.

Verlow didn't look at her but grunted, "Yep. Gonna stop by the Hold
and pick up some supplies as well. And it is time to be looking fer a
wife fer Everlow anyways."

Rethisa wrinkled her nose, pitying the woman that was duped into
marrying Everlow. But still, that might at least give her some company
at the cothold.

"Perhaps you could pick me up some fabric and a book or two?" Rethisa
inquired gently.

Verlow's head whipped around and he barked out a mirthless laugh,
"What? So you can sew more fancy dresses? Or fill yer head with more
of them fangled ideas about romance?"

Rethisa's temper clawed at the back of her throat, but she kept it in
check, knowing that if she reacted poorly then she wouldn't get a
thing from her husband. "Do you not want your wife to be in pretty
things?"

That seemed to make Verlow pause for a moment, as if he could not tell
whether or not Rethisa was laying a trap for him, "... Fine, a bolt of
fabric, and that's it!"

It was better than nothing, "Thank you husband." She dipped her head.

"Now, come 'ere." He grabbed her up roughly, "Lest you forget who you
belong to while I am gone." And then his lips came crushing down on
hers.

~*~

Although her legs trembled, and she could still feel the places where
his fingers had clenched into her skin, Rethisa felt a sense of
excitement as she stood in the doorway and watched Verlow and his sons
ride away with the herd.

"May you fall from your runner and break your neck, dear husband." She
murmured as she watched him fade over the crest of land that would
lead him out of their territory.

A movement from the barnyard caught her attention and she frowned when
she saw Pevran. He was their "stablemaster", if you could call it
that, why wasn't he accompanying Verlow? Stepping out of the doorway
she made her way across the yard, for the first time not feeling as if
she were being watched.

"Why didn't you go with herd?"

Pevran looked up and doffed his hat, "Lady Rethisa."

"I am no lady," she admonished softly. "Tell me."

The man gave a light shrug and folded his arms over his chest, "Verlow
said that they would be hiring a new Stablemaster at the market. My
instructions were to keep the animals that remain while he is gone and
he will pay my last wages when he gets back."

Rethisa's eyebrows shot up, "But why?"

"I would think it has something to do with what happened between me,
you and Everlow that day behind the barn." Pevran answered honestly,
avoiding Rethisa's eyes or the blush on her cheeks.

The day behind the barn, when Everlow had pinned her, and would have
raped her had Pevran not shown up in time. Yes, that wasn't an easy
day to forget. Still, it counted very low on her top ten miserable
days since marrying Verlow.

The woman chewed on her lower lip for a second, her eyes glancing at
the horizon, before landing on Pevran again, "You will join me for
supper in the main house tonight?"

"Oh no, ma'am, that wouldn't be right." Pevran answered immediately,
still averting his eyes.

Rethisa reached out and touched his arm, finally bringing his eyes to
hers, "If you do not come I will end up eating alone. Everyone else is
gone. Can we forget propriety for just a few days?" A meal with real
conversation sounded divine to Rethisa.

"But Verlow..."

She shook her head, "You are leaving anyway, right? And what more can
he do to me than has already been done? It is just dinner."

Pevran studied her for a long moment, before a slow smile crept to his
lips, "If you insist."

Rethisa smiled, "I do."

"Then I shall see you at supper." He gave her a small bow.

"Excellent." The lady turned, sending her platinum hair flying over
her shoulders as she walked back to the house.

Last updated on the November 20th 2014

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The End Draws Nigh Pt 1