Pretty Words

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 25th February 2006

Characters: Kiomo, Thalia
Description: Kiomo and Thalia meet for the first time
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 3

There was a dragon in the courtyard.

Thalia reined a nervous Nipper to a stop a short distance away, entranced by the whirling jewel tones of his eyes. For a brief moment her thoughts flew on brown dragon wings and sun kissed summer air touched her frosty cheeks... Nipper sidled nervously, bringing her out of her daydream. She reluctantly turned the runner's head toward the stables, but not before wondering just _who_ was arriving on the back of a brown dragon...?

It was something to think about as she dismounted and began to walk Nipper, to cool her down.

~*~

When Ishek took him on a tour of the Hold, Kiomo had caught a glimpse of a beautiful young woman with long blonde hair walking a runner around the courtyard. She seemed to be someone of great importance, and yet she seemed to be doing the work that was often left to those who worked in the stables. Once Ishek had shown him to his rooms, Kiomo thanked the Lord Warden profusely, and promised that they would speak more as soon as he was settled. He hurried back the way they had come. Perhaps the woman was still there. As he passed through the great hall down and back out into the sunshine he caught a glimpse of golden hair. She was heading back towards the stables. If he hurried he could catch up with her.

A stable boy came out to take her runner, and Thalia quietly thanked him before turning back toward the Hold, absently pulling off her gloves and stuffing them into her pocket as she walked. Movement caught her eye and she looked up to see a well dressed young man heading toward her, and he smiled when he caught her looking. An unfamiliar face - perhaps _he_ was who the dragon brought? **But why would he be out here?** "Excuse me, ma'am," he said with a small bow. "May I ask you a question?"

Thalia hesitated a moment, then smiled. "You may."

He decided she had a lovely smile. "Is that runner yours? Or is she available for all Hold residents to ride?"

"She is a gift from my late husband - and is for my personal use."
Thalia began to walk again. "Although there are other runners available for the Hold's guests. I take it that you were brought here on the dragon from the courtyard?"

"Yes, I did," he nodded as he fell into step with her. "Your runner is a magnificent animal. A beautiful color and they take good care of her."

"Thank you. She is a good animal, although she's possessed of some rather... irritating habits." Thalia was silent a moment. Aswic had meant well, but giving her a runner that bit... thoughtful, and yet thoughtless all at once. "I apologize - I've been remiss. Welcome to Garnet Valley Hold...?"

"Kiomo. My name is Kiomo," he said, filling in the information she was looking for.

"Welcome to the Hold, then, Kiomo. What brings you here?" **On the back of a brown dragon?** Thalia smiled to soften her words. "It isn't often that we receive visitors at this time of year, what with the passes snowed in."

"Well, I'm not visiting, actually. This is my new home."

Thalia paused, and gave him a second look over. From the look of him, it certainly wouldn't be a _bad_ thing... "Then be doubly welcome.
What do you plan on doing here?"

"Well, it seems I am to be the personal assistant to the Lord Warder," he replied with a slight shrug.

The Lady found herself struck speachless. Ishek's assistant?! The Lord Warder had made no mention of bringing in an _assistant_... and neither had Penryn. All at once she found herself feeling lost and out of the loop... _again_. "A-ah. I see. You have known Lord Ishek long, then?"

"No, actually, I just met him today when I arrived. He seems a very nice and competent man."

"You just..." And Ishek just _hired_ him?! Granted, Kiomo was good-looking, but Thalia was pretty sure that Ishek wouldn't be swayed by a handsome face. Who _was_ he?! "Then you were recommended to the post?"

"I've had experience assisting the Lord of a Major Hold," Kiomo nodded. "My Father was Bireki, Lord Holder of Ancient Stones Hold. I assisted him for several turns until his death."

"Oh! I didn't realize that you were- ah, forgive me." Thalia looked down at the flagstones passing beneath her feet. He was of the Blood... that was interesting. But still... why had Ishek hired him so quickly? "I am sorry for your loss."

He shook his head to ward off her pity. "Well, that was turns ago, when I was seventeen. My older brother took over the Hold, but I couldn't remain anymore. I had to find my own life. So I took my inheritance and looked for my own path. And it seems to have lead me here."

They'd reached the front steps, and Thalia nodded politely at the guard who held the door open for them. She stopped just inside and held her hand out to Kiomo. "And I'm sure that this will be a good place for you, and I'm also sure that we'll be seeing much more of each other." "It would be my pleasure..." he waited for her to supply the name as he took her hand.

She smiled. "Lady Thalia."

"Lady Thalia? Oh, ma'am, I am so sorry, I didn't realize." He placed a polite kiss on her hand. "I am very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. There are... a few of us here who have faced loss. I'm sorry to hear that you are one of them." "Loss is just another challenge for the living to overcome."

"Pretty words. Are you sure that you're not a harper?" Thalia said teasingly, but there was a little more truth behind her statement than she'd like. Platitudes bothered her.

"No," he said with a half smile, "just someone who has had to justify to themself missing someone they loved everyday for the last seven turns."

The Lady was silent for a moment before she retrieved her hand from Kiomo's. "I hope that you find whatever it is that you're looking for here," she said softly, then smiled. "But I have things that I must attend to. It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Yes, of course. I didn't mean to interrupt you," he smiled. With a polite bow and a little wink he said, "Enjoy your day."

"Thank you. I hope the same for you." With that, Thalia turned her back and began walking back to her own quarters to change, bathe, and continue on with her work. She could feel Kiomo watching her until she turned a corner out of sight, and wasn't entirely sure how she felt about it. Pleased, she thought. Just maybe.

Last updated on the February 25th 2006

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Pretty Words