Returning to a Revealed Secret

Writers: Estelle, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st March 2020

Characters: Bryvin, Brina, Yriadha, Yavin, Yavin, Lioran
Description: The Headwoman returns from holiday and a secret is revealed
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 2, day 7 of Turn 10

Bryvin

Brina

Yriadha

They were a couple of days late on their return; Yriadha had lingered
with Yavin, delaying their return until the scheduled Threadfall on
the morrow at the Hold had forced her onto the road home. The road was
a well patrolled one, even two days out, so she had Yavin had little
concern as they rode their runners at a sedate pace home. Yavin
enjoyed riding Pudgy, though they stopped often, and at times he rode
with her, resting his cheek against her shoulder as he slept.

A stop in a well known tavern provided a night's rest and as the
runner's hooves clattered up the central road towards the Hold, Yavin
straight sat on Pudgy, his now tanned face full of pride as he held
onto the horn of his saddle. The little pony runner followed the
larger mare sedately, brown eyes calm despite the hustle and bustle
around them.

Yriadha's dun runner was more alert, keeping a high neck and pricked
ears, but offered no resistance at the gentle pressure of the reins
against her neck. Instead, her feet stepped high, tapping out a nimble
little walk along the cobbled stones of the road. Yriadha too held the
flush of a healthy slight tan on her skin, and there was a clear
relaxation in her eyes now, though as she approached the hold, her
back straightened into a more rigid posture. She pulled up to the main
Hold, dismounting carefully to unwrap Pudgy's lead rein.

The guards at the main door bowed their heads respectfully as a slim,
brown-haired woman emerged from the Hold into the sunlight. She shaded
her eyes briefly, then smiled as she recognized the new arrivals and
crossed the courtyard to meet them. An older woman in the plainer dress
of a maid followed her at a respectful distance.

"Headwoman, welcome back," she said, her voice warm as she turned to the
boy on the pony. "And you, Yavin. You both look very well."

"Thank you, Lady Brina." Yriadha inclined her head. "I trust all is well."

"Ti-ti got me pony!" Yavin puffed out his chest as Yriadha took the
headstall. His dark eyes glinted merrily as he peered up at the lady.
"I ride him. And we swim too. This is Pudgy. Ti-ti says he's all
mine." He stuck up his chin, looking proud. "I ride good. Ti-ti says
so."

A chuckle was heard from the doorway. "Welcome home, Yriadha," he said
and walked over to the boy. "That is a very fine pony Yavin," Bryvin
said. He'd known they were on their way, He'd had his flit Treek
keeping an eye on them while they'd been gone. He turned and smiled at
the headwoman. "Did you have a relaxing time?"

"Thank you, my Lord. I did." Yriadha curtsied, then helped Yavin down
from the pony.

At her gesture, he bowed to Bryvin, then looked up with a pleased
smile. "I like my pony. Did you see me? Did you see me ride him?"

Yriadha handed the reins to the approaching groom, giving her mare a
slow pat. The groom examined the animals with interest. "A fine mare,
my Lord. Looks like fine northern racing stock." He didn't see
Yriadha's arched brow, intent on sliding his hands along the mare's
legs to examine them. "A fine addition to your stable to be sure.
Perhaps even to breed to your stallion" He turned his gaze to the pony
and bent to examine him as well. "And this one, fine breeding as well.
And calm enough to teach the Hold children to ride."

Yriadha spoke up, her voice firm. "You're mistaken. The runner and
pony are not for general use. They belong to me and Yavin and are not
to be ridden by anyone without my express permission."

"I did see you," Bryvin said and scooped the boy up so they were face
to face. "You're a very good rider," he nodded.

Then he turned to the groom. "The runners are the Headwoman's property
and will be stabled and fed with my personal mounts. they are not for
general use. As she said." Then he nodded to Yriadha. Then he turned
back to Yavin. "Did Ti ti let you fish?"

"Yes, m'Lord." The groom bowed, surprised that the pair would be
joining Bryvin's, but making no comment of it. It was unusual, but it
was not his place to speak of it. Bowing to Lady Brina, he took the
reins and led the pair away.

Yavin smiled broadly and nodded, proceeding to tell Bryvin about the
big fish that he'd caught. Yriadha watched a bit stiffly, realizing
with a quick glance at Brina, that at that moment, Yavin's smile and
facial features looked so much like his father's that it was evident
that there was kinship between the pair. She cleared her throat and
moved to take Yavin from Bryvin's arms. "Excuse me, my Lord, but he
needs a bath and rest."

"He looks fine to me," Bryvin turned to look at her with frost in his
eyes for a moment. "let him finish his story. He obviously had a very
good time." She was getting a bit too independent and aggressive.
Sometimes she needed a reminder of the true order of things. He looked
back at Yavin and his smile returned. "Did you get to eat the fish?"

Brina's eyes widened slightly in surprise and she wondered at her
brother's interest, which seemed to equal that which he showed to his
own children. As she watched them together, she couldn't help
remembering what Lioran had told her, words which she'd dismissed at the
time as mere gossip. She glanced over her shoulder to where the maid
waited, her dark eyes fixed on the Lord Holder and the child, then
followed her gaze back to Bryvin. Her breath caught as all of a sudden,
she understood what had seemed so familiar about Yavin.

"It has been a long ride for him, Bryvin," she said at a break in the
young boy's story, her voice soft, though her thoughts were all in
confusion as she tried to process what this might mean. "Perhaps we
should let him rest."

Bryvin might not have been paying attention to his sister and the
maid, but Yriadha didn't miss the widened eyes or the exchange between
Brina and her maid. Her face paled and hidden in her skirts, her hands
fisted in the material. An overriding fear gripped her; Bryvin's
threat at Yavin's birth to repudiate both her and her son should his
true parentage be discovered ricocheted around her brain as she saw
the recognition in the Lady Brina's face. It was a struggle not to
reach out and rip Yavin out of Bryvin's arms and hurry him away before
questions were asked.

"I not tired!" Yavin proclaimed in protest, but was interrupted by a
mighty yawn. "Wanna ride Pudgy more! He's my favorite!"

Bryvin smiled at the little guy "You can ride your Pudgy tomorrow. I
think Ti ti is right and you need a nap." He handed the child to
Yriadha and noticed the looks on the various faces. He looked back at
Yriadha. "It's alright," he said in a low voice only she could hear.

"Brina," he said as he turned toward his sister. "I believe I would
like a cup of tea. How about you?"

She quickly took Yavin, a little more at ease at Bryvin's quiet
reassurance, but didn't waste time before curtsying a quick farewell
to both of them even as Yavin complained that he wasn't tired. "My
Lord, Lady Brina, if you'll both excuse me." Holding him close, she
walked briskly away, nerves and a pounding heart making retaining some
semblance of composure difficult.

She had seen the recognition, the realization in Lady Brina's gaze.
She'd tried to prevent it. The Lady Brina had more influence over
Bryvin than anyone else in the Hold; should she, in her propriety,
suggest an outside fostering or placement for Yavin for the good of
the Hold and her brother's reputation, would Bryvin agree?

Recovering her composure, Brina turned to summon her maid with a
glance. Her brother would have an explanation, she was sure. "Lioran,
please arrange for tea to be served to the Lord Holder in my sitting
room, and inform the other ladies that we don't wish to be disturbed."

"Yes, my lady." The woman bowed her head to her and to Lord Bryvin,
her face suitably impassive, then turned and followed the Headwoman
back into the Hold.

Brina turned back to him, managed an uncertain smile. "Brother? Shall we
go in?"

"I'll explain it all," he said with a slightly embarrassed smile as he
tucked her hand into his elbow.

Last updated on the May 31st 2020

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Returning to a Revealed Secret