The End Draws Nigh Pt 2

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 13th November 2014

Characters: Rethisa, Pevran
Description: Rethisa and Pevran develope a plan.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 24 of Turn 7

Rethisa took extra care with her appearance that evening, the way she
would have if she were home, at Jade Harbour. Every tendril of hair
was curled and placed just correctly, her clothes neatly pressed, and
the dress she wore was a deep blue, one of the only nice ones that she
had left. For a place like Jade Harbour what she wore would have been
considerd rather ordinary, but for the small spit of land that she
lived on, it would seem grand. She didn't care. She was going to enjoy
every moment of Verlow's absence.

Stepping out into the main room she earned a low croon of approval
from Befuela, who her clapped her wizened hands together, "It is so
nice to see my lady dressed up."

Rethisa smiled, "Thank you, Befuela. It is nice to have an excuse _to_
dress up."

"I shall let master Pevran in then." Befuela turned and opened the
door that led outside. Crooking one finger she smiled and then turned,
"We will serve your supper shortly, ma'am."

Pevran stepped into the doorway, his dark hair combed back against his
collar, his clothing clean and fresh. He carried the sweet smell of
the outdoors and freedom.

"You look lovely, milady." Pevran smiled, and refrained from ducking his head.

"Thank you. You are looking good yourself." Rethisa said, finding it
felt refreshing to receive a real compliment.

The pair smiled and made their way to sit at the family table that was
empty except for them. Light from the fireplace, along with candles,
lit the room, washing everything in a warm, orange light. Befuela
opened the door and carried out two steaming bowls of chunky beef
stew. Behind her another kitchen maid carried a fresh loaf of bread
and a bowl of butter to share between them.

"Thank you, Befuela." Rethisa said as the meal was spread before them
and two goblets of wine provided. Verlow would have a coronary if he
knew they were drinking his wine.

"Of course, ma'am. We'll be in the kitchen should you need anything."
The old maid dipped in a humble bow and left the pair alone to eat.

"I think they are just as happy with Verlow's absence as I am."
Rethisa said as she lifted her first spoonful of steaming stew to her
lips.

Pevran supposed there was nothing wrong with speaking his feelings
about Verlow, after all, he was being fired anyway, "He shouldn't
treat you the way he does. You deserve better." The way Pevran saw it,
Rethisa was a real lady.

A tinge of pink touched Rethisa's cheeks and she lifted her shoulders
into a shrug, "I try not to think on it too much. I am sentenced to
the rest of my days here."

The words hung between them for a moment, the silence overwhelming as
Pevran crunched his bread and Rethisa brought her cup of wine to her
lips.

"It doesn't have to be that way." Pevran finally said, as if the words
had cost him a great deal of courage.

Rethisa's white-gold eyebrows lifted marginally, "Doesn't it?"

"You could run away." Pevran suggested.

The woman's lips screwed up into a bitter smirk, "I already tried that
once. The first time Verlow beat me I ran home to my father. He sent
me back and told me that I needed to learn how to please my husband
better." Where would she go? Who wouldn't send her back to her
husband?

"If we ran off together...." He ventured, "You wouldn't have to be
Rethisa, and I wouldn't have to be Pevran... We could be whoever we
wanted."

Run away? With Pevran? How much did she really know about him? He
worked hard, he had always been polite to her and treated her like a
lady despite the way Verlow and his children behaved... It didn't take
her long to think that the idea sounded glorious, and it lit a small
flame of hope inside her. No one could be as horrible as Verlow. What
did she have to lose? To be free from Verlow's oppression, to never
look at their bleak little cothold ever again...

"When?"

"It should be soon, before Verlow returns." Pevran urged, knowing that
if they were caught.... He didn't want to follow the train of thought
too far.

"Tomorrow." Rethisa decided. Why wait and run the risk of Verlow
returning unexpectedly?

Pevran slid his hand across the table, turning his palm up, and he was
gratified when she placed her smaller hand in his, "This terrible
nightmare is almost over." Rethisa whispered.

"Soon." Pevran promised.

Last updated on the November 20th 2014

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The End Draws Nigh Pt 2