Contradicting Rumors

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 3rd October 2019

Characters: Lorican, Urlene, Wilvar
Description: Lorican and Urlene attend a farewell dinner.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 25 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Dunrik

Urlene

As the afternoon faded into evening on Lorican's last full day at the
Weyr, he couldn't help the growing sense of sadness that his time was
running short. Tomorrow he would have to leave, early, and he had no
idea when he would see Urlene again. No matter how new and interesting
the work at the new Weyrhold would be, it couldn't make up for that.

**You've still got this evening. And tonight,** he told himself,
resolving not to be gloomy. That made him remember the invitation he'd
received, earlier in the day, from the master smith. He'd been surprised
and pleased by the friendly gesture, especially since he'd hardly been
in the smithy, these last few days.

He glanced at Urlene as they walked back across the Weyrbowl together,
towards her quarters, keeping close to the cliffs. "Did you have any
plans for dinner tonight?"

Unknown to him, the fact that this was their last night was also on
Urlene's mind and she was looking forward to it with just as much
regret. The past two days had been proven to be happy; she'd gotten to
know him and found that she very much enjoyed spending time with him.
She didn't want him to leave and wished she'd given a less honest
period of time for him to stay at Dolphins Cove. Selfish, yes, but she
couldn't help thinking that she should have said a sevenday. Would
that have been enough? She doubted it.

Lorican's question pulled her from her thoughts. "I'd planned on us
having dinner in my quarters." She'd also hoped that they could spend
the entire evening together, tangled together in her bedclothes and
working to forget that he was leaving. "Why?"

"Well, I've been asked to dine with the other smiths this evening, in
the dining hall. The Mastersmith says they want to wish me well in my
new post. I said I would go, it would have been discourteous otherwise."
He hesitated, knowing that she usually preferred to keep to herself.
"Would you like to accompany me? If you'd rather not, I understand. I'll
stay for a short time and then come back to your quarters."

"How thoughtful of him. He must think very highly of you. As he
should." She took a breath; she only rarely dined in the main dining
hall, but this time it wasn't about her. Well versed in polite
necessity, she took his hand and nodded. "Of course I'll come."

"I'm glad." He'd not wanted to be parted from her for a moment, not this
evening. "It is good of them to invite me, even though I've not been at
the Weyr very long, and done hardly any smithing other than my designs
and helping the apprentices. But then, it's always easy to get on with
fellow crafters, as you must know." A note of amusement lightened his
voice. "I expect they're curious about what I've been doing, these last
two days, since I haven't been in the smithy. I doubt they'd believe me
if you weren't there."

The hint of a smile dropped from her face and though she didn't step
away from him, the corners of her eyes tightened. "So, you want to show
off by having me at your side?" That experience wasn't new to her and it
made her belly tighten to think of it.

"Oh - no," he replied, surprised. "I was teasing. I hardly believe it
myself, actually." His tone softened as he realized how he'd spoken
without thinking. "I'm sorry. Of course I'm honored that you chose to
spend these last days with me, but if you prefer it, I'll introduce you
as a friend, or as the healer who's treated my various injuries so
expertly and with such patience. I know...it's early." They'd not known
each other long, though already he couldn't imagine life without her.

She relaxed, then slipped her hand into his, the first truly publicly
open display of attachment that she'd given. "No, it's alright. I'm
sorry. I'm afraid I'm still sensitive about some things after Pangwil."
She'd told him about her former husband, though only briefly. Some
things she wasn't yet ready to share. "Lorican, you can introduce me as
you please." Urlene's eyes softened as she looked at him. "You deserve
nothing less than that." Even though she valued her privacy, she felt no
hesitation at the thought of being linked to him in people's minds. "I
don't mind them knowing."

"Well, then. How about I say that you're the brilliant Master Healer who
has unaccountably permitted me to court her," he suggested, entwining
his fingers with hers with a thrill of pleasure. He couldn't help but
feel secretly proud of that, if not for what others might think. "Would
you like to go straight there, or change first? We have time."

That brought a soft laugh and she nodded. "Very well. I believe that's a
suitable explanation." Keeping a hold of his hand, she considered her
dress. It was a lovely, but simple thing, not out of place for a
dinner in the hall, but this was a special occasion. "Let me change into
something more suitable. Give me about a candlemark and I'll meet you at
the entrance?"

"You look wonderful as you are - but all right." Lorican raised her hand
to his lips. "I'll see you in a candlemark."

By the appointed time, he was at the entrance to the dining cavern,
having bathed quickly and changed his shirt and wished, all over again,
that he had smarter attire. To be her escort, he thought, a man really
ought to be dressed as finely as a Lord, but it couldn't be helped.
Inside, he heard the usual hubbub of weyrfolk eating and talking and
calling out to friends, and felt a twinge of nerves, more on Urlene's
behalf than his own. Remembering the rumors, he could well imagine why
she might prefer to dine alone.

When Urlene emerged from the caverns to greet him, she was clad in one
of her finest dresses, one that she carried with her when she'd first
arrived. It was a dark jewel green, setting off her pale skin and
carefully coiled blonde hair to perfection. She hadn't worn it in
turns, but was pleased to discover that the cloth molded to her as it
should have, accenting curves while still remaining respectable. With
pink to her cheeks and a small bit of cosmetics that she'd kept, she
was very well aware of the impact she could have. It wasn't for
herself, but for Lorican's benefit; perhaps also she wanted to thumb
her nose just a bit at those who perpetuated the rumors about her. She
approached him on quiet feet and laid her hand on his arm, looking
every bit the Lady she had been raised to be.

He turned to look at her and his eyes went wide in surprise and sheer,
dazed pleasure at her beauty, the elegant way she held herself. He might
have felt far too ordinary, too plain and common to be worthy of her if
not for the look in her eyes, the way he'd come to know and trust her
over the past few days.

"Master Urlene, you're like a Lady in a harper's tale." He bowed his
head and rested a hand lightly on hers. "Are you ready to go in?"

"Thank you, Lorican." She couldn't help but feel pleased at his
reaction; while she may have been annoyed at any other person's eyes
on her, his delight brought a warmth to her chest. "I am." She leaned
closer, walking closely beside him to give no doubt as to the
closeness of their relationship, then murmured softly for his ears
alone. "Now, you may show me off." She looked up at him, gave a hint
of a wink, then walked with him into the dining hall.

She knew the moment they were noticed by a substantial quieting in the
room, but kept her attention focused on the man beside her and where
he led. She had known exactly what she was doing when she'd dressed,
calculating for this moment. She found it oddly amusing that the
little tricks her mother had taught her to draw attention still came
so easily to her, a slight inhale to focus eyes on her bosom, a minute
sway to her hips and a different glide to her walk. Even a difference
in her posture and positioning accented her just enough to draw eyes.
But her eyes remained on Lorican. Let them look and let them envy
_him_. He deserved that.

Lorican was aware of the watching eyes, and it was a sensation that was
part exciting and part terrifying, even though he was sure most of them
were gazing at the woman at his side. This must be what it felt like to
be Weyrleader, he thought, or the Lord of a Hold. Or to be Urlene
herself. You couldn't be inconspicuous. He glanced at her as they
navigated their way between the tables, taking comfort in her smile.

The smiths had taken over a long table surrounded by benches and chairs
at the far side of the hall, and they'd already found themselves a round
of drinks, though they hadn't been served food yet. One of the
journeywomen called out and waved him over. Lorican could sense the buzz
of gossip starting up again behind them, and he hoped he didn't look as
flustered as he felt.

"Mastersmith." He greeted the Weyr's forge master first, then nodded to
the rest of the table, seeing a few stares and gaping mouths. "Thank you
for inviting me. Ah - you know Master Urlene, the Weyrhealer?"

"The Mastersmith knows me. How is your arm? I trust the salve I gave you
has been helping?" Urlene gave the man a polite smile and felt the gazes
behind her on like prickles along her spine. She glanced at one young
man whose jaw was nearly on his chest. She recognized Wilvar
immediately, she'd had indelicately instruct him on controlling his body
with a well-timed finger flick to his nethers.

The young man sputtered at Lorican and was young enough to lack the tact
to refrain from questioning. "Wha...how...but... why is she here?" He
was silenced quickly by a jab to the ribs, causing a yelp.

Lorican had his own reasons to be irritated with the apprentice. No
matter how often he told himself that it was his own fault for believing
the rumor and he shouldn't blame others, he couldn't help wondering
whether he might not be leaving the Weyr at all if it hadn't been for
Wilvar and he had to take a deep breath before answering. "I invited her."

He turned to Urlene and felt the anger fading as he looked into her
eyes. Who knew what might have happened? They were here, together,
tonight. "I'm not sure how I managed to deserve my good fortune, but
Master Urlene has graciously allowed me to court her."

"Then there's more to celebrate!" The booming voice of the Mastersmith
drowned out Wilvar's stuttered, shocked reply. He clapped Lorican on the
shoulder and pulled out a chair for Urlene, who graciously sat. He
pulled Lorican down beside him, murmuring softly. "Good job, lad. Don't
know how, but you've managed what men have been trying to do for turns.
Now get those knots of yours and hie yourself back here." The
Mastersmith straightened, pouring drinks for both Lorican and Urlene.
"To Lorican!"

The smiths echoed the toast in tones ranging from warmth to surprise to
envy to thoroughly impressed, which only made Lorican blush harder than
before. Trying to cover his confusion, he raised his own glass. "Thank
you. For your welcome and your kindness, which has been far more than my
due." His free hand slipped into Urlene's, below the table. "I'll think
of Dolphin Cove often in my new post, and - I hope it won't be long
before I see you all again."

Her fingers curled against his, holding his hands even as she raised
her own glass. "To Lorican." She took a small sip, squeezing his hand
lightly as he spoke.

"That'll be up to you, Master Dunrik is a good, fair man, but a
taskmaster. He'll work you hard. The message I last received from him
is that he's got more work than he can handle and only apprentices to
help. He's very pleased that you're coming, especially with your
specialty. He's got a forge ready for you."

Urlene laid a light hand in his arm. "Nothing too heavy at first. Build
up to it."

"Of course." He turned his head to gaze at her with enough devotion to
earn some amused looks from around the table. "I'll start slow, I
promise. And I'll write, tell you how I'm doing. What it's like there.
I've heard there's firelizards enough, and dragonriders going back and
forth all the time, to carry letters."

The Mastersmith cleared his throat, a knowing smile pulling his lips
upwards. "Ah, yes, I'm sure there will be." Dinner was brought then,
platters of roasts and fish with vegetables and pastries, enough of a
distraction to pull Urlene's gaze from Lorican's.

There was a soft, tittered tease of, "He's whipped already, Faranth
help him," that was silenced by another quick jab in the ribs. Urlene
squeezed Lorican's hand and shook her head. "Let's eat, hmm?"

He smiled. All the foolish comments in the world couldn't change the
fact that she'd chosen to be with him. "Yes, let's. From what I hear,
I'll need my strength for the Weyrhold." And, he thought with a secret
warm glow, for tonight, when they were alone.

Last updated on the October 14th 2019

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Contradicting Rumors