A Fine Son

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 15th August 2017

Characters: Bryvin, Yriadha
Description: Bryvin meets his son.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 12, day 14 of Turn 8

Bryvin

Yriadha

Yriadha laid back in the bed, one hand gently cupping her newest son's
head as he fed eagerly at her breast. The infant boy was already
showing signs of being a healthy but demanding, child; his appetite
was strong and when he wanted his feeding, he let out angry cries of
complaint. She couldn't have been more proud of him. Her fingers
stroked the head full of black hair, so like her own. Most of her
children had had their father's auburn locks, but not this one. _He_
was like her, she was sure of it.

Bryvin had set a loyal spy on the house and when he got the news she
was all alone, he made his way down this time without Captain in tow.
He knocked and then just walked in the door. "Well hello," he smiled
as he approached the bed.

Her gaze rose immediately and at the sight of him, her chin rose with
evident pride. "We have fine son." Her expression was one of pride.
"He's healthy too. Look how he suckles."

"Good work, Yriadha," he smiled as he came forward to place a hand on
the small head. Then he bent to give her a warm but undemanding kiss.

The babe didn't respond to the touch, far too eager in his suckling to
do much more than grunt eagerly. Yriadha accepted the kiss, smiling
into his mouth. She too was content as she stroked the infant's dark
head of hair. "He needs a naming, Bryvin."

"He does," Bryvin said and pulled a chair up to the side of the bed.
"What do you have in mind?"

When the child began to squirm, Yriadha lifted him against her
shoulder, unconcerned about her bared breast, and began patting him
gently on the back. "He's your son, Bryvin." And he had promised to
claim him, to acknowledge him. How better to start if not a proper
name? "Bryhad is a proper name for him."

"Yes it is," he smiled. He was under no illusion that this woman loved
him, nor did he doubt she'd use this as a way to gain consideration
for herself and her son. But this wasn't the time to fight that battle
so instead, he pulled out a small box from his pocket.

The child let out an inelegant belch and sighed resting his cheek on
Yriadha's shoulder. She gave a content smile, but then saw the box in
Bryvin's hand. Her brows rose and her gaze flew to his face. "What's
this?"

He shrugged with a half smile. "A gift for a job well done."

She took the box and carefully opened it, keeping one arm carefully
around the baby. Her eyes widened as she saw the pearl on the delicate
chain. "Oh...it's lovely." She beamed with pleasure at him. "Thank
you, m'Lord." She glanced at their son. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Sure," he said and reached for the boy. The tiny rubbery body slipped
easily into his arms. "Hello little man," he said. **What shall I do
with you.**

The baby opened his newborn blue eyes and peered up at his father. His
brow wrinkled, an expression so like Bryvin's it was almost laughable.
He stared at the new face with a look of concentration, then gave
another burp.

Bryvin had experienced the newborn baby with his other son and healer
had assured him he was nothing more than a blur at the moment.

"I believe I will name him Yavin," he smiled down into the little face.

Yriadha glanced from the necklace to Bryvin, a quirk of her brow
signaling the only reaction she outwardly gave. She personally liked
her chosen name better, but his choice still connected her son with
him, if only more subtly. "As you like, Bryvin."

He looked at her with a raised brow. He didn't need her agreement and
they both knew it. But he let it pass. "Your absence is been
remarked lately. You will need to return soon from your visit to
wherever you went."

"I'm sure it has been." Yriadha leaned back against the headboard and
drew her hair over her shoulder, covering her breast. "I will return
with my cousin's child and raise him since she unfortunately passed
during childbirth."

"How unfortunate for your cousin." He looked up and locked eyes with
her. "I am sorry for your loss. Also sorry to cut your time short, but
you you'll not be able to continue feeding him yourself. You _will_
pass him to a wet nurse when you return next week."

Yriadha stared at him, eyes slightly narrowing, but not daring to
outright defy him. "Of course, during the day, he'll need a wet
nurse." But in the evenings, she would feed her child.

"He will have a wet nurse at all times, Yriadha." Bryvin's tone
firmed. "No wet stains on your gown during the day to make your story
a lie. Do you hear me?"

That made Yriadha sit up, alarmed. "Bryvin, my lord, please...allow me
the evenings at least." Her eyes searched his face, immediately
pleading with a mother's need for closeness to her child. "I can pad
my gowns. I've done so before with my other children. " She looked at
her son in his arms and looked genuinely distressed. "I beg of you, my
Lord, allow me the evenings to feed him."

He held up a hand. "Yriadha, think. How will the milk mother _not_
know you feed the child at night? If she knows then soon the rest of
the Hold will know."

"Not if you tell her to be silent." Her eyes were genuinely pleading
for him to hear her. "There are those who are discreet." She searched
his face. "And I will owe a debt to you, my Lord." For all of her
faults, Yriadha did love her sons and cherished them dearly. To be
stripped of this motherly duty would not only forcibly pause a bonding
that was taking place, but it would feel as though she was being
usurped by a woman who did not realize how important this child was.
"Please."

"Me," he smirked at her. "I know nothing of this Yriadha, and as long
as you continue, I _will_ know nothing of it. So hear me." His eyes
bored into hers. "I will allow it, but _you_ will keep the woman
silent. If she breathes a word, I will repudiate both you and the
boy."

She paled immediately. "But you swore to recognize him." She searched
his face. "That you would claim him." She looked down at the child in
his arms and then back at his face. She swallowed and a felt a surge
of anger, but kept it hidden. "Give him to me." She held out her
arms."If I can not feed him like a mother ought, then I'll have my
week when I can."

He handed the boy gently back to his mother, but his eyes were cool.
"Yes, I told you I would recognize him and I will. But I did not say
_when_. I will choose the time and place. If you think to maneuver
around me in this, think again." He stood, preparing to leave then he
stopped and turned back. "I do care about you," he said. "Enjoy your
week."

She drew Yavin back to her bosom. The threat to repudiate her son
frightened her. "If you do, my Lord, then don't threaten our son. He's
an innocent in this." There was honest fear in her eyes as she held
him. "Show him the same care that you do your other son and I will be
content."

Bryvin turned back. That wasn't quite the response he was used to
getting from her. Curiosity poked at him and his expression softened.
"He is," he nodded, and I do. I'm sorry I can't give you longer, but
right now things are in upheaval and I need you at your job. Give me
some time to settle it all down."

Last updated on the September 2nd 2017

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A Fine Son