A Letter and Offer From Home

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 17th October 2019

Characters: Humari, Yriadha
Description: Humari receives a letter from her mother
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 15 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Taril, Riadem

Humari

Yriadha

The letter was sitting on the small table of her room when Humari
stepped in. Setting down her thin scarf, Humari picked it up and
immediately recognized the flowing script. Sitting down and stroking
her fingers over Jib as he settled with a peep against her neck, she
opened it slowly

"Humari,

It has been two months since I've had word from you. Are you healing well?"

Trust her mother to point out immediately that she hadn't written
since her arrival, Humari mused with a sigh. She'd not given her
mother a reason for her departure, but she knew that Riadem would have
informed her about the incident in the infirmary. Idly she wondered if
her mother had confronted Taril about it, but then shook her head.
After the last time her mother had meddled with their relationship,
Humari doubted that she would dare risk Bryvin's wrath again. She
continued reading.

"You are very missed here, as is Tumaril. Torinya and Riadem ask of
you often. They worry for you."

Ah, guilt. She should have expected that and it worked. Perhaps she
should have written to her siblings to ensure them that she was well;
Jib could have easily carried letters to them, but she'd not thought
of them at all. She had enough on her mind without worrying about
their feelings too, she decided firmly.

"I worry as well. I've not spoken to your husband..."So she had been
right about that. Humari gave a humorless smile as she continued to
read, "but I am concerned about your well being at his family home
with the constant reminders of what was done to you. I write to offer
you another choice." Humari's brows rose. "You may recall that my
father had significant holdings on the border of Garnet Valley and
Amber Hills. I have spoken to Wicoran, who acts as an unofficial
steward of those lands. He and his family have long been associated
with ours and though you were not born when I left those lands, I have
told him about you. He and his wife would be happy to have you in
their cot for as long as you may need. Perhaps it will give you the
space and time that you need without any outside influence."

Humari frowned, staring at the letter. She was aware of the land, of
course, but only as a vague concept. But the offer was surprising and
to her mind, more than a little suspicious. She'd never known her
mother to do anything for a single purpose and she did not hide her
dislike of Taril, despite being the one to arrange their marriage.
Still... she did often feel conflicted here. Taril's family had been
so kind and welcoming, true, but there were daily reminders of him.
She saw him in his brother's and parent's faces and there was a
constant gnawing feeling of misery in her gut that she couldn't shake
off.

Her eyes went to the stack of unopened letters and packages that Taril
had sent. Perhaps she should read them, but... She shook her head,
then returned to her mother's letter.

"If you decide you would like more privacy and time without anyone who
may try to sway you, simply let me know and I will pay our watchrider
or a visiting weyrling to transport you and Tumaril. If however, you'd
like to come home, I will welcome that as well. Love, your mother."

It was actually quite tempting. Humari laid down the letter, fingers
stroking Jib's side as he napped. Perhaps the misery would ease if she
went. She frowned, then shook her head. It wouldn't. She missed Taril
with every piece of her, but even as she missed him, still felt a jolt
of anger and betrayal that accompanied each thought of him. Changing
where she was staying wouldn't change those feelings.

Humari sighed, folding the letter and putting it aside. She didn't
want to be a part of whatever else her mother was planning; there was
little trust between the two of them and for very good reason. No, she
wouldn't let her mother insert herself into a private family matter,
even if her intentions were honest, which Humari very much doubted.
This could only be settled between herself and Taril; her mother's
influence was likely to only make it worse. So, she decided, she would
not accept her mother's offer; perhaps one day she would see those
lands, but not now.

Last updated on the October 26th 2019

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A Letter and Offer From Home