Homes and Plans

Writers: Suzee, Miriah
Date Posted: 4th September 2015

Characters: Bryvin, Arnolt
Description: An offer he can't refuse
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 1, day 9 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha, Humari, Yarmel

Bryvin

It was with more than a little nerves that he approached the Lord
Holder's door, his hand clutched tight to his chest. It was bound
again in firm wrappings, but for now it wasn't hurting. At Humari's
insistence, he'd been to see the Healers about his mangled fingers and
they had agreed that it would be necessary to rebreak them and allow
them to heal if there was any chance of him using them again. He had
feared the pain, but they had proceeded after liberally dosing him
with fellis. At least they were now straight, but there still was a
chance that he wouldn't be able to use them much. He didn't hold much
hope either way.

But the summons to Lord Bryvin's office was what concerned him now.
He'd not broken any rules; in truth, he'd been hiding a bit. He didn't
want the Headwoman's wrath coming down on him and she had other sons.
He didn't want to find out if they were anything like Yarmel had been.
Approaching the door, he knocked.

"Come," Bryvin said from where he sat at a small table eating his
lunch. He knew who he expected and looked up with a half smile as the
door opened.

Stepping in, the boy closed the door behind him and surveyed the Lord
Holder with caution. "You asked to see me, Lord Bryvin?" There was no
awe in his voice at meeting the Lord Holder as many his age might have
shown; there was only a jaded wariness about him. He knew who the
power was and he knew what someone holding power could do. He was
proceeding carefully.

Bryvin lifted an arm and draped it over the back of his chair in a
very relaxed pose. His eyes were every bit as sharp as his wits and he
knew the young kid in front of him held that same potential. He lifted
his chin in a quick gesture. "Hows the hand?"

Arnott looked down at the remains of his bandaged hand before
answering. "Hurts some." He looked back up at the Lord Holder, still
wary, but also curious. "Why'm I here, m'Lord?"

"Let's just say I was curious about how you got involved in this
mess." He turned back to his food and then pointed a finger at the boy
and the seat across from him. "Sit, have some chicken." He knew the
rare bird was probably nothing the child had ever dreamed of tasting
in his lifetime. But there were perks to being the Lord of the hold.
Chicken and their eggs were one of them.

Eyeing the chicken, Arnott felt his stomach growl at the thought. He'd
never had it before. He sat, and hesitantly picked up a leg and took a
careful bite. He paused, letting the flavor roll about his tongue
before digging in with pleasure. It took a moment for him to realize
that he was being watched and most likely explain. Wiping his mouth on
his sleeve, he swallowed, but didn't put down the chicken leg.
"Painted some pictures of Yarmel. He didn't like 'em none 'cause they
were true." His face hardened. "Dunno how he found out it was me, but
he went to m' Pa and gave him marks to have me. " He lifted his bound
hand. "Said he was gonna make sure I never could do it again. Guess he
did." His young face was surprisingly hard. "Heard he was dead. That
true?"

"It is," Bryvin said. "He was on his way to the mines when he was
apparently set upon by felines." He took another bite and chewed
thoughtfully for a moment. "Your first mistake was thinking he
wouldn't find out who you were. There are eyes everywhere all the
time. Remember that."

In Arnott's opinion, Yarmel deserved much worse, but he wished he'd
been there to see the man mauled. There was still a bit of
satisfaction in the way he'd went, and though it showed on his face,
he didn't comment on it. Instead he eyed the Lord Holder. "Sure there
are. But begging y'pardon Lord Bryvin, if you've got eyes on the
docks, theys probably blind or at least half way there. Most people at
the docks don't think too highly of ya."

"You think so," he inquired mildly. He'd been rather careful to hide
his nature and was rather glad to see it paying off.

"Know so." He took a bite of his chicken, finishing the leg and then
sucking on the end of the joint as if he couldn't get enough of the
taste of it. "Folks there says you don't care about 'em." He eyed the
Lord Holder warily, but there was a hint of bravado in the young face,
as if daring the Lord Holder to prove him wrong. "Most kids are stuck
to beggin' or girls are given to sailors when they first bloom for a
handful of marks. Folks say the guards run the docks, not you." Arnott
then shrugged. "None o' my business. But I know some stuff that you
might not know." He sucked on the joint again, his eyes calculating
and sly.

"I'm sure you do," Bryvin answered with a hint of a smile. "But I'm
also sure I know some stuff you don't know." He licked his fingers and
reached for a napkin. "Do you care about them all or just some of
them?"

"You're the Lord Holder. Course you do." He put down the bone and
sucked on his own fingers before he answered. "Some. Got a brother and
two sisters. M' brother is only ten and m' sisters are 8 and 5 Turns.
Da already has 'em out beggin' and if I don't so sumthin, he'll turn
'em out to sailors the moment they start getting..." He held his hands
out in front of his chest. "Da sold me but I don't them to get sold
neither."

"What do you think it would take for 'Da' to give them all to me?" It
was a soft question and one that he wasn't quite sure the kid would
know how to answer. He didn't mean to use the girls himself he wasn't
twisted that way like some men. But if it would buy the children's
loyalty it might not be bad to make sure they were cared for properly.
There were many ways to build a base and only so much clean up that
could be done on the docks.

Arnott stared at the Lord Holder for a long moment. "My Da doesn't
give anyone nothin' without getting' paid. And why'd you want them
anyways? They ain't your kids." There was suspicion in the boys eyes
immediately. "I want 'em. Been taking care of them all this time and
can still do it. I'll protect 'em."

"Is that all you want for them then?" He put an elbow on the table and
leaned forward. "Is that all you want for yourself? Or can you see a
bigger picture?"

"What do ya mean?" His young brow furrowed. "All they want right now
is food on the table and a warm place to sleep."

"Harper schooling, a craft," he answered. "Think beyond what they need
today to what they need to have a better life. I can give you all that
Arnott, you and your brother and sisters."

"But why would ya want to? What do you get outta it?"

"Why I get loyal and well educated hold residents. It's my job to
think about the good of Sunstone, not just today but tomorrow and next
Turn and then next after that. I think the world is far bigger than
just where your next meal is coming from young man."

Arnott studied the man's face. "And we'll owe ya. Can't forget that."

"Of course not," he smiled. "And I am loyal to those who are loyal to
me," he said honestly. "That does not mean I am a 'good' man," he used
air quotes. "Far from it. But you have talent and if you choose, a
future."

"Haven't met a Holder yet who was a good man." Arnott was quick to
reply, but he eyed Bryvin afterwards, clearly thinking over the
possibilities. "You get them out and away from our Da., and I'll do
what I gotta. "

"Good enough," he said and picked up his napkin to wipe his mouth and
fingers. "I'll handle it and soon your brother and sisters will have
harper lessons and rooms in the Hold."

He stood and walked to his desk. "Now I have someone I'd like you to meet."

Last updated on the November 6th 2015

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