Gone But Not Forgotten

Writers: Avery, Suzee
Date Posted: 9th June 2015

Characters: Bryvin, Elarie
Description: Things From the Past
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 9 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Xeladrie, Xelfin, Morin

Bryvin

Elarie still couldn't believe her audacity, sneaking out like this.
She was going to meet a man! One who wasn't a formally announced
suitor, but one who she still found herself dreaming about, craving
his touch and his words. This was so unlike her normal, collected self
who would never dream of doing anything improper.

So far, so good. No one passed her in the halls, or stopped to ask her
what she was doing. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest she
was surprised the whole hold didn't hear it. She wasn't sure she could
have managed to speak words if she'd been confronted.

She hesitated at the door of the garden, then opened it a crack,
peering out. No one was out there, or so it looked. The garden was
peaceful and appeared unoccupied from what she could see, at least
where the light of the two moons was enough to brighten the path.
Since they weren't full, there were long shadows falling across the
ground in places. She didn't know if someone was waiting there.
Someone who she didn't hope to be.

Well, she couldn't see him if she didn't try. Elarie twisted her
fingers in the soft material of her dress, took a deep breath for
courage, then stepped out into the garden, closing the door behind
her. She'd walk towards their favorite tree and hope he'd meet her
there.

"Elarie," a decidedly male voice whispered from the shadows. "I wasn't
sure you'd come."

She stepped towards the voice and peered through the shadows, looking
for him. "Bryvin?" she said softly. "How could I pass up this chance?"

A soft loving chuckle escaped and he reached for her. "Thank you for
meeting me," he said softly and drew her into the shadows.

She blushed and surrendered to his touch. "How could I not? You're so
compelling."

His smile grew a little crooked. "No, just a man in love," he said and
lowered his head to run soft kisses up her neck.

She shivered and melted against him. "And I love you."

His arms tightened around her. Never in all his Turns had he felt this
way about anyone. He led her to a little alcove where he'd prepared a
nest for them with a bottle of wine and blankets in case it got
chilly. "Come here sweetheart," he said as he sat down on the blanket.
"Let me hold you."

She settled into his arms. "My day was dealing with the ladies at the
solar gossiping. They think it's a shame I don't have anyone yet and
some of the aunties are hinting I'll wind up like them." She wrinkled
her face.

He knew her rank was above his and her father had made it clear he
wouldn't entertain any offers from such an insignificant Assistant
Steward. But Bryvin couldn't resist her and hadn't backed off. "I
tried," he said softly. "Your father..." he groaned and kissed her.

"Is being unreasonable. I know." She let herself be distracted by his
lips against hers, their bodies close together and the way it excited
her. "I wish I could pick someone...malleable."

**Malleable?** he wondered if she knew he was nothing of the sort. But
then was a lot about him she didn't know and for that he was thankful.
His hands began to roam and follow the path of her thigh to its
glorious apex.

Her idle thoughts were about imitating her father's steward and having
lovers on the side. With a weak enough husband she could slip away and
see Bryvin instead. But then he began to do something delightful and
she shivered. "Do we have...privacy?"

"We do," he said softly.
~~~
When he finally fell beside her replete he gathered her to him.
"You're going to have to go back to your rooms before you're missed
love," he said. "I'll clean this up so no one will ever know."

As he watched her go, no one would have recognized the hard man by the
soft smile of love on his face. He began packing up the blankets and
refreshments he'd brought into a basket. He didn't even hear a foot
fall on the soft grass nor did he see the men who knocked him out and
tossed him onto a boat in the harbor. In fact he didn't wake up until
they were well at sea.

~*~

Bryvin woke with a gasp and sat straight up in his bed. Anger and
readiness to fight, mingled with loss as the intensity of the memories
faded. When no fight was forthcoming his head fell into his hands. He
hadn't had that dream in turns and thought he'd shaken it at last. But
no, it was still there and still as powerful as it had ever been. It
had to have been the events of the last month that had brought forward
such negativity.

He'd spent almost a Turn at sea before he'd been able to get back to
the Hold and by then she was gone and no one could tell him anything.
At least not while he'd had to keep a low profile. He hadn't wanted
another bout at Sea to delay his life yet again.

At least along the way he'd met Morin the visionary Holder at
Sunstone. So he'd gone there and applied his skills to the needs of
Sunstone. There he'd risen to become first its Steward and now through
a terrible accident, its Lord.

He'd been apprehensive when he'd gone to Turquoise Bay but not after
the old Lord didn't recognize or know who or what he had done. Unless
the man was playing a very close game, he didn't know who Bryvin was
or had been to his daughter Elarie. Neither would Xeladrie if he had
any luck. Bryvin was rather glad he still slept most nights in his own
room. He didn't want to talk in his sleep and allow his wife to know
this secret.

Perhaps she'd help him finally close that chapter of his life and
transfer his affection to herself. He shook his head knowing himself
for a fool for thinking it.

Last updated on the July 8th 2015

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Gone But Not Forgotten