Arrival of a Sister

Writers: Estelle, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 10th November 2019

Characters: Bryvin, Yriadha, Brina
Description: Brina arrives at Sunstone Seahold and is met by Bryvin and Yriadha
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 9 of Turn 9

Bryvin

Yriadha

Brina

A slim, dark-haired woman stood at the rail of the trader ship as the
sailors brought it slowly in towards the harbor, leaning out and
looking across the clear blue waves to the Hold standing on the hill
above the bay. Though she was in her middle Turns and dressed soberly,
there was a lightness in her pose, an eager anticipation that more
resembled that of a young girl. The sea breeze had ruffled a few curls
free from her neatly braided hair, and she brushed them aside, gaze
fixed intently on the shore.

From this distance she could hear voices as dock workers called to
each other, the cries of birds and the trills of firelizards, and
caught the scents of salt and seaweed and fish. As they drew closer, she
began to make out figures waiting on the docks, and her heart lifted
in elation. It had been such a long time since she'd seen him, and she
had never seen his Hold before now.

When the ship was secured, she waited only long enough to thank the
captain and say a quick farewell to the crew before she was hurrying
down the gangplank, hardly needing the hand one of the sailors offered
her for balance. On dry land once more, a smile lit her calm face with
joy as she approached a man standing apart, the bustling merchants,
sailors and porters who thronged the docks keeping a respectful
distance. "Brother!"

Yriadha stood back, studying the woman as she approached. Her eyes
flicked from Bryvin to the woman, then back again. Her face remained
passive, no expression except polite civility making an appearance on
her face.

"Dear sister," Bryvin smiled warmly down at her. He leaned in and
kissed her cheek. "It is so very good to see you," he said and tucked
her hand into his arm. "This is our headwoman Yriadha," he said as he
turned. He let the bustle of the docks fade and led her toward his
coach where several of the dock workers were loading her trunks. "How
was your journey?"

"Oh, it was very swift, and smooth. The ship you recommended was an
excellent choice." She glanced back over her shoulder, eyes bright, as
he handed her up into the coach. "I was hardly seasick at all." She
smoothed down her skirts as the other woman followed her towards the
coach. "Headwoman Yriadha, it's a pleasure to meet you at last. Bryvin
often mentions you in his letters." Her gaze clouded suddenly. "I was so
sorry to hear of your ordeal and...your loss."

Had he? That surprised her. But, she reasoned, she was important to
the Hold's operation, so perhaps she should not be. Yriadha didn't
glance towards Bryvin, but instead gave polite smile that held just
the right amount of feigned expression of grief while inclining her
head to give a brief curtsy. "Thank you for your condolences, Lady
Brina. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you. I'm quite relieved to hear
that your journey was without trouble. My Lord has been most eagerly
expecting your arrival."

Bryvin smiled and handed Yriadha into the coach opposite Brina and
took a seat beside his sister. Then he patted the side of the coach
and they began to move forward. "I'm very glad you found it
comfortable," he smiled. He'd promised the Captain a handsome bonus if
she was happy so he'd send someone back with it once they got her
settled.

He reached out and gently took her hand and lifted it to his lips. "I
will provide for you now Brina," he smiled. "Just as father said I
must."

"Thank you, brother. I'm truly fortunate." Her moment's sadness
forgotten, she turned to him, her voice warm. "Though I intend to earn
my keep here at the Seahold. You said you had some young fostered ladies
in need of a chaperone?"

Bryvin gave a low chuckle, "Perhaps it is I who needs protection. They
appear to be coming out of the wood work in the hopes of catching a
husband and I seem to be the senior candidate." He quirked an eyebrow
at Yriadha. "My headwoman appears to be aiding and abetting them in
their hunt."

Yriadha smoothed her hands down her skirts, looking up and kept a
perfectly straight face as she replied. "I'm only thinking of the
welfare of my Lord and the Hold. My Lord does need to marry well and
find someone suitable to his needs. "

"The Headwoman is right, brother," Brina teased. "A Hold should not be
left for too long without a Lady. Though perhaps it's a little soon..."
Her smile faded for a moment as she recalled what she'd heard of his
former marriage. "Well, I will do my best to instruct them in proper
behavior, and make sure you aren't troubled by them."

Bryvin rolled his eyes but with a smile on his face. "Faranth! Not you
too," he chuckled. Then his eyes narrowed, "You'd better not gang up
on me. I need a woman not a child bride." His eyes turned serious.
"Young women don't seem to work out for me."

"I can think of a couple of the young women who might be suitable,
actually." Yriadha interjected. What we can do is arrange private, but
chaperoned meals with them so you can get to know them and see if you
might be interested." Her gaze was understanding, but restrained in
front of his sister; she didn't attempt to tease him, not in present
company. "If they are not, then we can simply concentrated on their
training."

"That would be appropriate," Brina agreed. "You might invite one or two
suitable young men, too, so that you are not entirely at their mercy."
She squeezed his hand gently. "We only want your happiness, my Lord.
None of us have had an easy time these last Turns, but now we are
together, everything will be better."

"Brina," he said with a tinkle that didn't go with the disapproval in
his tone. "Don't 'my lord' me. I'm your brother for Faranth's sake."
He gave her a crooked smile then, one he hadn't often worn since he'd
left home. The boy he'd once been shone through for just a moment
before it faded again as he covered her hand with his.

"Alright," he said to the pair of them. "Go ahead and arrange it and
we'll see how things go." He turned to look out the window as their
short ride ended. He squeezed Brina's hand and stepped out of the
carriage. Then he turned to watch as first his sister then his
headwoman were handed out of it. He offered his arm to his sister.
"Welcome to Sunstone," he said.

"Oh, it's magnificent!" She gazed up at the tall towers of the Hold in
delight, then turned to look at the view down to the harbor. She could
just make out the ship which had brought her down at the docks, its
sails now furled and the tiny figures of dockhands swarming over it to
carry away the cargo. Turning to her brother, she clasped his arm, a
spark of merriment in her eyes. "I always knew you'd be a great man one
day, and now look at this Hold of yours."

Yriadha held back, directing footmen to unload Lady Brina's luggage.
"If you will excuse me, My Lord, Lady, I will direct these men to your
quarters with your belongings and prepare for the evening meal. I'm
sure you'll want to spend time together before then." She curtsied,
inclining her head to both.

"Thank you, Headwoman. We do have a lot to catch up on, and I'm so
looking forward to meeting my little niece and nephew." She smiled. "If
your duties permit, of course, brother."

He smiled at Yriadha and then indicated the stairs to his sister.
"This way," he said. "I can't tell you how glad I am that you've
come."

Last updated on the December 18th 2019

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Arrival of a Sister