Courting Walk

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 18th October 2020

Characters: Bryvin, Asaile
Description: Asaile and Bryvin have a quiet walk together
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 5, day 3 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Brina, Lusilk (not by name)

Bryvin

Asaile

It had been such a lovely day. It had been a lovely month! Since her
initial formal dinner with Lord Bryvin, it seemed like she'd been
walking on air. He was so kind, so gentle, and paid her sweet
attention whenever he was able. Horse rides, quiet conversations at
meals, joining she and the other young ladies while outside during
creche duties. Now, as Asaile walked along the parapets, she could
only smile happily as she looked up at the stars. She loved it at the
Hold and sent her family letters detailing her enjoyment.

Her mother, of course, was hoping that the attention would lead to
something more... a proposal. Asaile couldn't deny that it was also
her greatest wish. Every time she saw Lord Bryvin, her heart pattered
in her chest and she grew warm with a secret longing for the man. She
sighed, her eyes lingering on the evening lights playing over the
waves in the distant harbor. What would it be like, she wondered, to
be the Lady here? To be his Lady?

Bryvin was out of her line of site as he gazed on her profile. Hers
wasn't a stunning beauty but a true sweetness of character. Unlike
other women of his acquaintance there was no guile in her. Her every
thought was reflected on her face. She was an innocent and that made
him feel almost protective, almost like the man he used to be. He
thought about that for a moment and almost laughed at himself, like he
could ever go back to what he used to be. He smiled and stepped from
the shadows. "Good Evening Asaile," he said as he walked toward her
and her maid.

"Goodness!" Startled, she turned with a gasp, hand going to her chest.
She had assumed that she was alone with her maid. "My Lord? Forgive
me, you startled me." She dipped into a deep curtsy, her cheeks pink.
Her maid, a quiet young woman her own age, followed with a deeper
curtsy, remaining still until her mistress rose.

"Ladies," Bryvin's amused look shifted between the two young women
then focused on Asaile for a moment before he turned to look where she
had been moments before. "It's a lovely view is it not?"

Asaile's eyes followed Bryvin's face, her expression one of gentle
adoration before she turned to look in the direction he did. "It's
beautiful. I'm surprised more people don't come out to look over the
harbor. I love the way the light hits on the waves. Your Hold is one
of the most beautiful places I've ever been."

"Most don't know, or don't take the time out of their busy lives to
simply appreciate the beauty around them," he smiled slightly with the
oblique complement.

She blushed, cheeks pink in the evening light. "I think there's always
time to appreciate what's around you." Asaile pointed to some of the
cotholds near the bay that could scarcely be seen, but dim lights
glowed in the windows. "Some people might say that the buildings
aren't beautiful, but just think, in some of those homes, people are
eating dinner and or mothers are singing to their babies before they
put them to bed. " She leaned against the wall, eyes soft. "The lights
are beautiful because it shows the life here. And life is beautiful.
Don't you think?"

His smile tilted slightly as he looked down at her profile. How long
had it been since he'd believed that. When had anyone around him been
less than cynical about the world around them. None that he could
remember clearly. So he leaned on the wall next to her. "I do," he
said looking out over the homes of his holders. He thought back to his
youth before the earthquake and how those memories seemed tinged with
gold or pink just like the light shining through the clouds as the sun
set.

"Asaile," he said. "Would you care to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"

She turned to look at him quickly, obviously delighted at the offer
even as her hands trembled. She took an indrawn breath and smiled,
nodding. "Oh, I would love that, my Lord. I am honored, of course."
She pulled away from the wall to give a deep curtsey. "Will Lady Brina
be attending?"

"As we both know she must," he smiled gently. "Your reputation must be
maintained without fault," he said and raised her to her feet. His
eyes shifted to the maid for a moment and he smiled before returning
them to Asaile and lifting her hand to place a lingering kiss on her
fingers. "Until tomorrow."

She was about to acknowledge that he was indeed correct, but when his
lips touched her fingers, something in her melted. A warmth bloomed in
her belly along with the quickening of her heart and breath. She gave
a quick breath and couldn't hide the adoration in her gaze. "Yes, my
Lord. Tomorrow." She licked her lips quickly and blushed looking down.
"I look forward to it very very much." Was this what love felt like?
This warmth? This desire to be closer to him? She didn't know, but she
wanted more of it.

He gave her a small bow and walked past her maid and through the door
into the room beyond. Then he turned into a small storage closet and
slid back the pocket door into the hidden stairwell that led directly
down into his office. Treek chirped at him and offered his leg.

Bryvin read the message and sat back in his chair with a thoughtful
smile on his face. "Rorrigraf's heir?" That was _very_ interesting. He
picked up a quill and penned two words. He then wrote another note to
Garion and sent Treek on his way.

His plans for the next evening's dinner had just changed a bit. So he
called for a servitor. "Please present my compliments to Lady Brina
and ask if she would be able to receive me this evening."

Last updated on the November 11th 2020

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