You're Not Going Anywhere

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 27th March 2015

Characters: Humari, Yriadha
Description: Yriadha gives Humari some horrible news
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Taril, Eirock

Humari

Yriadha

"Sit." Yriadha looked at her youngest daughter, her face hiding the
satisfaction she felt. "There is much I need to speak with you about."

Humari slowly sat the small table at her mother's home, obeying her
mother out of habit. Even her time with Taril had not shaken the
training of obedience that Yriadha and forced into her. Her hands
settled on the swell of her stomach, mindlessly stroking the taut
roundness that seemed to be growing everyday.

Yriadha poured two cups of tea, handing Humari one and then sat down
beside her. The Headwoman eyed the rounded abdomen, her face taking on
a strangely sympathetic, grieved look that gave Humari pause. She took
the tea and sipped it, then put it down to face her mother. "What is
the matter?" The voice was soft, hesitant.

Yriadha sighed, sipped her tea, and cleared her throat. "I fear that I
have distressing news, Humari."

Humari sat up a little straighter. It couldn't be about her brother;
Taril had already informed her, so what would have her mother looking
distressed? "About?"

Pasting a solemn look on her face, Yriadha put down her tea. "I fear
your sister has betrayed us both, dear child. She did something
horrible."

Torinya? Humari frowned, confused. Torinya was nearly perfect,
according to her mother. How could she have done anything wrong? "What
do you mean?"

Yriadha laid a cool hand on Humari's arm. "Do you recall feeling
strange during your wedding?" Her solemn face masked to satisfaction
that was growing in the pit of her stomach.

"Well, yes, it was a...difficult day."

"Well, Torinya did something to you. She gave you fellis before you
took vows." At Humari's confused face, Yriadha continued. The Harper
had confirmed it and now Yriadha could continue with her own wishes.
"Unfortunately, Torinya didn't know that it would...void your vows."

"Void my.." Humari stiffened. "What? What do you mean? Taril is my
husband. The one you chose!"

"I fear not." Her expression was one of sad empathy, but Yriadha
exulted within. "And I must apologize, Humari. I should have allowed
you to wait, to find a husband better suited for you. We can find
another man."

"What? No! I'm with child! I am wed!" Humari's shock and dismay were
evident, her eyes tearing at the insinuation that her child would be
illegitimate. "The child is Taril's heir! And you! You told her to
give me fellis!"

Moving to stroke Humari's hair, Yriadha hid a smile. **We shall see
about that. He'll have to pay a good price for the child.** " I didn't
tell her to do so before your wedding. Just until the day before. I
never meant for her to continue to do that. We can't stop this and the
Harpers agree. The hidework has already been done. You weren't of a
proper mind to consent to the marriage and as much as I hate this for
you, I fear that we don't have much choice. Don't worry, we'll figure
out what is best before the child is born. I won't make you go back to
that man."

Humari stared at her mother in open mouth shock, even as tears began
to leak down her face. That man? _That_ man was her husband! Not one
of her choosing, but still the one that protected her, touched her,
made her feel like she wasn't disgusting. "No! No, I'm going home!"

Yriadha's voice firmed. "This is your home, Humari." She rose. "And as
you are not legally wed, I am once again your guardian and parent. Our
old cothold has been cleaned and awaits you until you give birth. It
is out of the way, but it will be safe and hide the shame of an
illegitimate birth." She rose and cleared her throat. "This is for
your own good, Humari. We'll find you a better match." **Like Eirock**
She thought with satisfaction. **Far better placed, though not as
wealthy.**

Humari struggled to rise. "No, I'm not going to let you do this." She
gasped as her remaining brothers entered the room and began shaking
her head. "No, please, Mother, don't do this! I want to go home!" To
Taril. She wanted Taril! He wouldn't let them do this to her! He
didn't know where their old cothold was! **Sissa!** She called to the
little green, but the young flit never appeared. Now more alarmed, she
tried to hurry to the door, but her growing bulk slowed her enough for
her brother Bortem to block her path. She turned back to her mother.
"Please, Mother, don't..."

Yriadha gestured to the boys and looked solemnly at her daughter.
"It's for your own good, Humari. Besides, once your child was born, he
would have been rid of you and settled you off with some stipend.
Especially once he found out your little... friend is returning to
Sunstone." Yriadha had received the news only that morning, and it had
only hurried her decision to act now.

**Vreena? She was...** It made her stop for just an instant in
surprise before she tried to get past her brother, but was stopped
easily. Humari struggled, but even in her panic was mindful of her
unborn child. She knew not to fight, not to strain too much. But she
could not stem her tears. **Sissa!** Where was her flit? Where was
she?

----

Sissa hadn't been able to resist the small little tin of meat left on
the table. She had bolted it down so quickly that the odd taste didn't
even register until after she had smacked her lips. The little green
firelizard hiccuped once, then swayed on the table, blinking heavily.
It was wrong. Something was wrong. She didn't feel right.

Within only a few moments, the heavy dose of fellis did it's work. But
Yriadha's son-in-law had not considered the young age of the flit.
Soon after falling to sleep, the little green's breath slowed. Her
hide grayed and then she took a shallow breath, another and then
nothing more.

Last updated on the April 8th 2015

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You're Not Going Anywhere