Courting at Sunset

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 19th September 2019

Characters: Lorican, Urlene
Description: Lorican and Urlene have a sunset dinner date
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 23 of Turn 9

Urlene

The ink portrait was finished, and Lorican had left it all afternoon
to make sure that it was completely dry, placing it up on a high shelf
so that the cleaning drudges wouldn't see it. He'd returned early from
the forge, where he'd spent the rest of the day, to bathe and change
into clean clothes - wishing for a moment that he'd thought to invest
in finer garments from the weavers - then spent anxious minutes
waiting until it was time to go to meet Urlene.

With the picture placed in a folder to protect it, he left his small
room with his heart racing and headed for the Weyrhealer's quarters.

Almost the moment she expected the sun to start setting, Urlene heard
the knock on her door. She smiled; he _was_ punctual. Freshly bathed
to remove the sterile scent that she commonly had after her duties,
and dressed in a green day dress with elegant lines, she finished
tying off the single braid, letting it fall down her back. Rising to
answer the door, she met Lorican with a warm smile and stepped back to
allow him in. "Come in please." She gestured to the small basket that
was on the table. "I asked the drudges to make a dinner for us."

Lorican followed her in. "Thank you. Oh, you look lovely..." The words
came out instinctively, and as soon as he'd spoken he felt the heat rise
to his face, wondering if he'd been too bold. Trying to cover his
confusion, he offered her the folder. "I completed the portrait. I hope
it's what you wanted."

"Thank you." Knowing it was sincere and without belittling intent,
Urlene accepted the compliment with warmth. "You look very handsome. "
She took the folder from him and opened it, then went still, her eyes
widening, then softening. "Oh, it is indeed perfect." She laid her
hand on the portrait, fingers tracing lightly over the lines. Lorican
had true skill; the man could have been a Harper if he'd wanted to be.
It didn't have the minute detail most portraits had, but she could tell
it was her; the lines flowed together with a sense of grace and
movement. He'd kept the style of the first portrait and added a flair
of form.

Urlene looked up at him and lifted a hand to his cheek. "Thank you."

His gaze met hers, eyes widening in surprise. There was something about
that gentle touch that was more intimate than the times she'd treated
his wounds as a healer, that sent a thrill through him. Greatly daring,
he mirrored her gesture, touching her arm lightly. "I'm glad you like
it. I enjoyed drawing you very much. I don't often get the chance to
draw just for the pleasure of it." He smiled. "I hope it won't be the
last time."

"I'm sure it won't be once people at the Weyrhold see your skill."
Urlene's brows lifted as she remembered what she'd insisted upon. "Just
a moment." She turned, rummaging in her desk. She took something, then
returned to Lorican and took his hand. Laying a full mark on his palm,
she firmly closed his fingers over it. "Payment as promised. Part of it.
The other part..." Looking up at him, she lifted up slightly on her
toes and very gently pressed a soft kiss on his lower lip.

Lorican felt the warmth bloom inside him, the light touch of her lips
causing a shiver of pleasure to run through him. He felt the smooth
round shape of the mark in his hand and knew he'd treasure it, as the
memory it represented was worth far more than anything it could buy him.
It might only be in friendship, or gratitude for his work, it might not
be anything out of the ordinary in the Weyr, but it was special to him
nonetheless.

"Well. If I'd known this would be the payment, I'd not have objected to
it in the least," he said, with a slight quirk to his smile. "I feel
tremendously overpaid. Urlene..." He hesitated, not wanting the moment
to end, but afraid of assuming more than she really wanted to give.
Picking up the basket, he offered her his arm. "We should go, else we'll
miss the sunset."

"Overpaid? Not at all." A smile quivered around her mouth as her pulled
away. "I wanted to do that." Tucking her hand in his arm, she led him
out of her chambers. She kept close to him, enjoying his height and his
manners. "I've never done this sort of thing before, so I fear you must
be my guide. It did sound pleasant though, and I've seen other pairs do
similar when attracted to someone." She looked up at him, a half- smile
curling her lip corner. "Is that too forward for you? Knowing that I
find you attractive?"

"I hardly know. I'm not exactly experienced in these matters, either,"
Lorican confessed. "It might be forward for the Smith Hall, but we
aren't there." Slowly, he allowed himself to relax in her presence as
they passed through the stone corridors and out into the Weyrbowl. "If
the customs of the Weyr allow me this evening with you, then I'm more
than happy to live by them. I suppose I'm more surprised that you'd
choose to spend time with me. There must be so many men who'd like to be
in my place. I'd have thought a bronzerider, maybe a Wingleader..."

She squinted at the sudden light; she normally avoided the weyrbowl,
not only because there were always dragons there, but also because her
skin was so pale and she burned easy. Walking with him was easy, she
found, matching her step to his. "I'm sure that they would, but I find
most bronzeriders to be arrogant, presumptuous, and far too confident
in their own prowess, in both bed chamber and in the sky. There are
exceptions, but not many. I spent two turns married to such a man, I
prefer not to spend any of my own time continuing that. Honestly, I've
made sure that most riders know that I do not want their private
company. I wanted to focus on my craft." She glanced at the dragons
that littered the bowl as they walked, paling a little, then quickly
looked away. "I like you, Lorican. Don't bother comparing yourself."
Urlene gave a little smile and looked up at him. "How much of your
evening were you planning to spend?"

"As much of it as I can. All, if you like." Lorican hesitated, hoping he
hadn't made an unwelcome suggestion. He was still reeling a little from
the revelation that she'd been married. He'd assumed that she'd come to
the Weyr as a girl to begin her apprenticeship, as he'd gone to the
Hall. Was he dallying with another man's wife? Yet it seemed impossible
to think of Urlene as anything other than her own woman.

He sensed, too, that it was not a pleasant subject and he'd no wish to
cast a shadow on their evening together. It was beautiful, the cool
breeze finally taking the edge off the sun's heat, the sky beginning to
glow with the reds and purples of sunset as they approached the beach.
Though it had been crowded earlier, the weyrfolk were beginning to drift
in towards the dining cavern, but there were still enough people about
that they walked along the sand in search of a quieter spot.

The smile Urlene gave him was warm but it also held a hint of mischief.
"Why, Lorican, are you proposing what I think you are?" Her eyes
twinkled, unable to resist a little tease, then she laughed softly,
hugging his arm lightly as her feet sank into the sand. "This seems to
be a good spot, do you think?" It was sheltered, warm, and private
enough for them not to be bothered by too many passersby. The view of
the sun touching the horizon gave the sand a gentle glow that both
lovely and, she realized, romantic. She turned her face to to him.
She'd never considered herself the romantic type, but was suddenly
quite certain that he was. She'd never been romanced or courted, not
seriously. "Lorican, can I ask you a question?"

He'd smiled, embarrassed even though he could hear the amusement in her
voice, and tried to hide his confusion by putting down the basket and
spreading out his light jacket on the sand for her to sit. At her
question, he straightened, turning to her. "Of course. You can ask me
anything." He'd almost forgotten, for a moment, that he had secrets.

She sat, taking his hand to gently pull him down beside her. After
taking a moment to arrange her skirts, she leaned on her arm and
studied him. "Are you courting me, Lorican? Or is that your intention?"
A forward question, true, but she had dispensed with the delicate
niceties and subtlety of her breeding long ago. Directness was far
better for understanding as far as she was concerned, it left fewer
questions.

He felt his heart beat fast. It was so tempting to make a light-hearted
answer, to risk nothing, but her question deserved honesty and he
summoned all his courage. "I have hopes. I've never felt so drawn to
anyone, deep in my heart, as I have since I saw you. I think you're
truly remarkable..." Blushing, he continued. "Only, I was afraid my suit
might be - unwanted. If that's the case then you have only to say and
I'll never mention it again, I give you my word. The last thing I'd ever
want is to cause you any discomfort."

Urlene exhaled softly. It was more of an answer than she expected, far
more. She was touched by his honesty and at the moment she wanted
nothing more than to touch his face. It made her own heart admittedly
beat faster, but it was also painful. Lorican, she knew deep in her
gut, was a good man with so much potential. "It's not unwelcome or
unwanted. I like you very much. " She looked down, took a breath, then
looked up at him, trying to keep the sad bitterness from her
expression. "But you don't want to court me, Lorican."

The best course was honesty. "I'm divorced, Lorican. I've been divorced
since I was seventeen, right before I came here." She knew how the
populace saw divorce, unwelcome and shameful. She took a moment, then
with real effort, continued. "A man courts a woman with hopes of
marriage and family but I can't bear children." She looked out at the
horizon, watching the water, her brow knit slightly. "I make no secret
of it, but I don't speak often of it either. " She turned to look back
at him and sighed. "I like you too much to give you false hopes of
something I can't provide."

Lorican watched her for a moment, taking in what she'd said, his
thoughts all in confusion. The momentary spark of hope, followed by
dismay as he realized that he had, after all, caused her pain, if not
for the reason he'd imagined. A deep sense of anger and incomprehension
that anyone could have cast her aside that way, when she'd been so
young. And the overwhelming need to keep her from feeling that pain and
shame, any more.

He pushed to his feet, came around to kneel before her in the sand and
took her hands in his. "Urlene, I'm not of the Blood. I'm a craftsman.
My family are hold workers, no-one of any note. Among us, a man courts a
woman hoping for love and companionship that will last for the rest of
his life. A child would be a joy, I don't deny it, but I've always known
my legacy would be my work, should I be fortunate enough to produce
anything of lasting value. Or perhaps, one day, what I can pass on in my
teaching." He took a breath. "I want to court you for yourself, for your
grace and your intelligence and spirit. If you don't think you can love
me then I'll do my best to live with that. But if there's a chance that
you can...will you let me try?"

Urlene could only stare at him, disbelief mingled with burgeoning
real affection for the man kneeling in front of her. He'd said nothing
of her beauty, she realized, but spoke of other qualities that she'd
felt were so often overlooked. Her lips parted and she made to speak,
but couldn't find the words. She looked down at his hands holding her
own and very slowly, wound her fingers with his. Her eyes lifted back
to his and there was only one answer she could give. "Yes."

He let out his breath in a soft gasp. "Oh. Thank you. Thank you!" A
delighted laugh escaped him. "I don't know what to say. I..." He
wasn't sure what the customs were, for courting a high-born lady. He'd
just have to trust his instincts, at least until he could find out,
somehow. Following those instincts, he leaned in towards her, close
enough that he was all but lost in the clear blue of her eyes. At the
last moment he hesitated, some final concern about propriety holding
him back though their lips were so close he could feel the warmth
of her breathing. "May I?"

"You never have to ask." A smile curved Urlene's mouth upwards, her
blue eyes filled with soft warmth. He was more of a gentleman in
manner and sweetness than any Blooded man she'd ever met; the
comparison left those previous men far behind. She closed the distance
between them, pressing her lips to his.

Lorican closed his eyes, letting the sensations of that moment wash over
him. The rush and hiss of waves on the beach, the last rays of the sun
on his back, the taste of salt in the air - and her fingers entwined
with his, the touch of her lips that stirred a heat in him he'd kept
back, suppressed, for so much of his life.

They parted for a moment to draw breath, and he raised their hands,
still clasped together, so that he could touch her cheek. "You're a
wonder. Weyrhealer, Master, Urlene..." His fingers traced the delicate
lines he'd drawn in ink, not so many hours before. "I wish we had longer
together. Three days seems so little time to win a heart. But if you'll
let me, I'll make every moment count."

Urlene leaned against his touch. The kiss, soft and sweet, had been
everything she'd hoped it would be. She wasn't so easily won, but
Faranth, she wanted to let him try. Everything about him spoke of
sincerity and gentleness that pulled her to him as though he'd been
meant for her and she for him. The more rational part of her brain
spoke in the back of her mind; she had only known him briefly and when
he left, it was likely for good. Time and distance would make these
emotions fade to a fond memory.

Despite all rationality, she grasped at the remaining days as though
they were a life line. "We'll make them count." Her voice was soft,
her eyes meeting his. "The infirmary can do without me for three days.
The three days are yours, completely."

His eyes widened a fraction. "That's a precious gift. Thank you."
Lorican could well imagine how valuable her time must be now, new to her
rank as she was, and how important her duties were. His hope was that he
could make the time they had enough of a pleasure that she'd remember
him, until he could find his way back to Dolphin Cove.

He sat beside her, slipping an arm around her to keep her warm as the
sun sank lower and the sea breeze turned cool. "I'd like to use the time
to know you better. To find out what we share, what we can do together."
He felt the blush return. Not that he didn't have ideas, but you
couldn't do _that_ for three days straight! "And - perhaps I can draw
you, again?"

She found the arm around her comforting so she dismissed her inner
reservations, resolving to enjoy the next three days as much as she
possibly could. Urlene leaned into the embrace, the warmth of his side
a closeness that she savored. "That is, of course, barring an
emergency." She reminded, hoping fervently that there would not be
one. She picked up the basket, opening it to hand him a napkin before
plucking one of her own and laying it over her lap. The wine skin was
removed and she handed him a glass.

"I'm afraid you might be disappointed, Lorican. I'm actually rather
boring. Most of my time I spend in study. There's always new
techniques to learn. I don't have many hobbies and I don't socialize
much." She paused. "But I do enjoy riding. I have a runner, a
stallion, that I ride at least once a sevenday." She saw that blush of
his and it brought a knowing smile. She lowered her voice, moving to
whisper in her ear. She wasn't a blushing maid to get flustered. "Yes,
we can do that too. Draw me after."

A pleasurable shiver of desire ran through him, and he had to hold back
a moment before pouring the wine lest he spill any. "I'd like that. Very
much." His imagination was ahead of him, vividly picturing how he could
draw her, and he was glad for the distraction of laying out the meal
though he couldn't help but feel she must be aware of the direction of
his thoughts. "We could ride, though I suspect you'll far outpace me. I
had a runner, but she was more of a pack beast, really. I used to walk
alongside her most of the time when we were journeying, until she was
stolen."

Murmuring as soft thanks for the wine, Urlene slipped meat rolls from
the basket, handing him one along with grilled vegetables and tubers
that were speared on a smooth piece of wood. "That was a loss. A good
runner, even a pack runner is a valuable animal. I've been riding
since I was a child, almost since I could walk. What else do _you_
like to do? I know you like to design and draw, but do you have any
other hobbies?" She took a small bite of her meatroll, then sipped her
wine. "Do you swim, perhaps?"

"Not well, but I try. There weren't many swimming places when I was
growing up at Garnet Valley, nor at the Smith Hall. It was only when I
came to the sea hold that I began to do it regularly. The healer there
recommended it, said it was healthful." Lorican smiled. "It was
certainly a relief after the heat of the smithy. I splashed about in the
sea and eventually learned. Never went too far out, though, there were
strong currents. I've not tried swimming here, not with my injuries.
Perhaps it would be safe enough now?"

"It's good exercise, " Urlene easily agreed, taking a sip of her wine.
"You should be fine to swim now. It might even feel good on your back,
though the salt water might dry your new skin out. You'd have to put
some moistening salve on it after, just in case." She watched him as he
spoke, a small smile lifting her lip corners. "I hear at Barrier Lake
that they have both the lake and hot springs. You'll have time to rest,
swim, and steam. You can practice there without worrying about current."

"I expect I will, though I've heard time to relax is in short supply at
the Weyrhold." Even if it wasn't, Lorican thought he'd allow himself few
idle hours. He was beginning to form a plan: he would work harder than
ever before, earn his Master's knots, and request a posting back to
Dolphin Cove. He wondered how long that would take. Master Trevyl had
mentioned advancement in his letter, but he couldn't tell whether that
was months or Turns away. Hoping for the best, he raised his glass,
tasting the smooth flavor of the wine. "Who knows, I might come back
swimming like a dolphineer."

Her brows rose at the mention of him returning and she couldn't stop
the rush of warm delight at the thought, but there wasn't any idea
when. Postings for a crafthall could last for turns. "Then perhaps we
can both go swimming." She smiled at the thought, looking out over the
ocean, then slowly leaned her head against his shoulder. "But let's
enjoy now, hm?"

"Yes. Now, and the time we have." He rested his head against hers,
feeling the softness of her hair on his cheek as they watched the
sunlight spill, wine-red and gold, over the gently rippling waters of
the cove. This was more than he ever could have hoped for, and for those
few short days he thought he'd be better off than the richest Lord or
most honored Master of Pern.

Last updated on the September 23rd 2019

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Courting at Sunset