About Families

Writers: Avery, Emma
Date Posted: 15th February 2016

Characters: K'dee, Zelah
Description: The watchrider and the Lady have a talk.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 4, day 9 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin

Zelah

K'dee watched the rider he had relieved take to the skies, then blink
/between/ heading back to the Weyr. There had been nothing much to report in
the handover, just routine comings and goings, and some message traffic, but
nothing out of the ordinary. It was time to settle in for a few candlemarks
of noting movements, and watching the weather, among other things.

Xeladrie had been given a sling that she could put the baby in and
walk around with. The aunties had told her to take baby Brylex outside
and let him feel the fresh air, saying it would help get her back to
health as well. So she found herself in the courtyards taking a walk
and looking for something interesting.

The watchrider's figure was familiar to her. Thanks to the advanced
stage of her pregnancy she hadn't gotten to spend followup time with
him like she'd hoped. So she headed over to have a conversation.
"Watchrider K'dee, how are you?"

A slow smile crossed the young man's face as he got to his feet. "Ma'am, I'm
doing well thank you." He cast his eyes over her now slimmer figure briefly,
hoping he wasn't being obvious enough to cause anyone to notice. "How are
you, and the young Lord doing?"

"He cries a lot and makes many messes, as babes do," she said with an
exasperated tone. "I'm glad to be out of the Hold."

"I'm sure he's worth it though," K'dee said. "Is that him?"

"It is. Would you like to see?" she asked.

**Why is that everyone's reaction?** she thought. As though the babe
was more interesting than her!

"If it's no trouble," K'dee said politely. "I'm sure he takes after you."

She laughed at the thought. "I hope he'll have my hair when he gets
older," she said, passing over the baby.

Carefully K'dee cradled the child. It wasn't the first baby he'd held,
having younger siblings, but this was different. Nobody wanted to be the
one who dropped the heir to the hold if he suddenly yelled, or made one of
those moves that babies could surprise you with. "I think he has your eyes
already."

She rather thought hers were prettier than Bryvins, and it made her
smile. "Oh good. He really should be handsome."

"And that same smile," he said hoping to flatter her a little. The babe was
giving every impression of smiling, even if he might be a bit young still to
do so. "Once he's old enough, you'll have to watch him, because those girls
will only have to take one look..."

"And everyone'll fall in love with him?"

**Like my sister and Bryvin?** A spike of worry through her gut. She
coughed quickly to cover any fear.

"Well his is pretty loveable already," K'dee said as the baby gurgled in his
arms.

"Thank you," she said. Watching him with the baby, she was struck with
a wonder. "Do you have siblings? You look very good with him."

"Two sisters, and a brother. I'm the eldest, Deenar, she's two turns
younger than me, then my brother Lakriz and my baby sister Sakri who's
eleven."

"Are they at the Weyr?" Xeladrie asked. She was sure she'd asked his
history before but it had slipped her mind.

"They are, the older two are candidates, Sakri is still in Harper Classes
for another turn at least." K'dee shifted the baby slightly, causing a
slight whimper. "Sshh, it's okay," he said softly. "Your mama is still
here."

"Sakri is a pretty name." She hesitated, then, boldly - "Are you glad
they're at the Weyr? And can make choices?"

"I, we," he corrected. "We don't know any different. Da's a rider, and if my
Ma wants to keep her knots, then, a Weyr it is."

"I think your sisters are lucky," Xeladrie said, a faint tinge of envy
in her tone.

"They'd say you were the lucky one, a husband, and this gorgeous little
one."

"Really? That fascinates me," she said with honesty.

"Both of them love spending time in the crèche, helping with the babies. I'd
lay odds on Sakri wanting to apprentice to the Harpers to be a teacher if
she doesn't decide to stand." K'dee smiled.

"Being a teacher sounds like a good job for a girl. She likes to talk
about things?"

"And explain them, but she's good at telling stories too. The harpers are
encouraging her to write her own."

The babe let out an unmistakeable sound before K'dee could say any more.
"Erm.. I think someone might want his Mama now," he said, wrinkling his
nose.

**Oh, joy. More baby,** Xeladrie thought. Obligingly she reached out
to take him from the watch rider.

"I'd better take him inside to get him cleaned up. It was nice to talk
to you again, K'dee," she said. "You should come have dinner inside
with us sometime if it's possible with your duty."

"I'd like that," K'dee said with a smile as he watched her take her son into
her arms. "I'm sure it can be arranged, that is, if Lord Bryvin is okay with
it."

"I'll ask him about it. You're a bronzerider. That's a distinguished
addition," she said with a smile. "I'll let you know what he says."

"I will look forwards to it," K'dee's smile grew wider. "My sisters will be
so jealous."

"Then you'll have a funny story to tell them!" she declared. Her eyes
twinkled with amusement as she headed back inside the Hold. This could
be a lot of fun.

Last updated on the February 20th 2016

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