Independence

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 24th December 2020

Characters: Tarani, Humari
Description: Tarani approaches Humari with an interesting request
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Asaile, Brina, Taril

Humari

Tarani carefully blotted the ink on her letter and rolled it up, ready
to be sent to her mother at Flint Hills Hold. The responses had been
rather terse ever since the death of Lord Rorrigraf. Her parents had
lost their chance to arrange her marriage to their advantage - her uncle
had taken care of that - and she could only imagine how aggrieved they
must be. But she kept dutifully writing, since Lady Brina would notice
if she didn't.

It wasn't as if there was much to write about, not since the Lady
Holder's happy news. It was so quiet. Some unlucky girls had gone home
with their parents after the wedding, and no-one had heard a word about
Oufelle. Had she made it to the Weyr? Perhaps she was entwined in the
arms of a handsome dragonrider even now. Tarani sighed, for though she'd
never be so foolish as to disgrace herself and lose her rank and
position, she couldn't help daydreaming about what it would be like.

She put away the writing materials and returned to join the others,
wondering how to pass the rest of the afternoon. She could play at
trying to say something that would shock Lady Asaile without earning a
rebuke from Brina. That was always fun... But instead, she chose a seat
beside the newest lady in waiting. "Hello, Humari." They hadn't really
had a chance to talk, and she was the Headwoman's daughter. Maybe she'd
have some interesting gossip.

"Hello, Lady Tarani." Humari murmured with a smile as she looked up
from her embroidery hoop. The baby blanket she embroidered was already
decorated with intricate knotwork along the edges, but Humari was
adding waves, fish, and flying ships into the corners with a steady
hand even as she occasionally glanced up at the other ladies. She
didn't know Tarani very well, other than what others said of her, that
she was a bit wild, carefree, and much different from the new Lady
Holder. "How are you this morning?"

"I'm very well, thank you." Sitting with the ladies might not be
terribly interesting, but Tarani wasn't going to complain. Her situation
could have been so much worse. She leaned forward in her chair to look
at Humari's embroidery. "Oh, that's pretty! Is it for Lady Asaile, or..."

"It is." Despite their attempts, she and Taril had yet to succeed in
getting her with child again. Her fingers stroked over the teal
blanket. "It should be finished by three time her babe is born. I set
you're finished with your letters."

"Yes, I was writing to my mother. It has to be done, so she knows I
haven't eloped to the Weyr or run away to sea." Tarani sighed and leaned
back in her chair, closing her eyes and stretching out her legs in a
relaxed pose that her mother would have thoroughly disapproved of.
"Faranth's Egg, sometimes it's tempting, but I'm not sure any captain
would take me." She opened her eyes and glanced over at Humari. "Your
husband owns trading ships, doesn't he? Do you think I'd make a good
sailor?"

Humari choked a little. Tarani? On Taril's ships? Sweet Faranth, the
men would eat her alive. She cleared her throat, a smile playing about
her lips as she struggled not to immediately laugh. "Yes. He owns
several for his trading. I don't think that uhm...being on one of his
vessels would be a good experience for you."

"I suppose not." Tarani heaved a sigh and closed her eyes again. "When I
was little I used to daydream about cutting my hair, dressing as a boy
and running off with the traders. Like in the harper tales. But I never
quite did."

Humari began to laugh softly, just enough to not disturb the other
ladies. "So did I. I used to give my mother fits as a young child."
She tugged on a thread, then carefully sewed a stitch. "But I was far
more interested in befriending the boys on the docks, fishing and
mischief."

The other girl's head turned, the words catching her attention at once.
Humari had seemed so...proper. Not that she wasn't still, but she seemed
harder to shock, at least. "I don't blame you. That does sound
interesting." She turned in her chair and leaned on the arm. "Is that
where you met your husband? On the docks?"

"Hm?" Her brows rose, then she smiled. "Oh, no. When I started coming of
age, my mother never allowed me back on the docks. My marriage was
arranged between my mother and Taril when I was sixteen. His trading
warehouses are on the docks like his office, though. He spends much of
his time there. "

"I've never seen the warehouses, not properly. I haven't been there
since I arrived on the ship." Tarani sighed wistfully. Brina had placed
the docks firmly off limits for the ladies, so she could only look down
to them from a distance. There'd been the sneaky visit to the tavern, of
course, but now enough time had passed that she'd half forgotten how
disastrous it had nearly been, the idea of going back was exciting.
"What does your husband trade in?"

"It's not a good place for Ladies of any breeding," Humari replied
easily. Even she didn't go to the warehouses; Taril had specifically
warned her against doing so. Despite over two turns of marriage, she'd
only been to his office once. "He trades in anything of value." She
sewed another stitch, then examined it carefully before beginning
another. "If it turns a profit and the Hold has need of it. He does
very well and also runs a minor seacraft Hold."

Tarani supposed he must be successful, for his wife to be one of
Asaile's ladies. Sometimes she could wish she wasn't quite so highly
bred. "He must be very busy. Ships, warehouses, a sea hold..." She
thought for a moment, then sat up. "What about jewelry? Does he ever
trade in that?"

"He is, but he's happier that way." She made no mention of his other
pursuits, nor her assistance in keeping his books. Some things didn't
need to be discussed. "Yes, he has. There's not much he hasn't traded
for. Why? Are you looking for something? The market has jewelsmiths,
but if you're wanting something unique, I'm sure I can mention it to
him."

"Oh, no. I have far more jewels than I need." Tarani shook her head. All
her lassitude had vanished, and her voice was thoughtful, as if she was
turning over a plan in her head. "Actually, I was thinking of selling
some of them."

Humari's brows immediately twitched upwards as she laid down her
needle on the stretched cloth in her lap. "Selling them?" Her lower
lips pursed. "Why ever for? Your jewelry is quite lovely and can be
passed down to your children after a time." She considered the young
Lady's face, noting the intelligence and working mind. "And it would
depend on the quality whether or not Taril would be interested."

"It's only a few pieces that I want to sell." Tarani schooled her
expression to one of mild sorrow and regret. "I was betrothed to Lord
Rorrigraf of Beryl Peak Hold, who sadly passed away before the wedding
could take place. During our brief engagement he sent me several gifts
of jewelry, all of the best quality." She hoped so, anyway. For all his
many unpleasant qualities, the old man had at least not struck her as
miserly. "We had only met once, so I don't have any sentimental
attachment to them, but I don't feel that I could ever wear them.
Certainly I never could if I were to be marry some other man." She
sighed. "It seems a shame to leave such fine pieces locked up in my
jewelry case, gathering dust. They should be worn by some luckier lady.
I would so like to see them find the right home."

"Of course not," Humari murmured in quiet agreement, her mind working.
Taril might earn a tidy profit, if she introduced them; she has no
doubt that her husband could handle a trade in what she had, if it was
worth anything. There was, however, the fact that Tarani was a very
free spirit; marks or a trade in other items could potentially bring
even more trade to Taril, if she wanted items not commonly found in the
market. "I understand, of course. Why don't you come to my home for
dinner? I can introduce you and perhaps he'll be interested."

"Oh, thank you! I'd be delighted." Tarani managed to hide her excitement
behind well-practiced politeness. She could never have taken the jewels
to the market herself, but no-one could possibly object to such a visit.
She thought for a moment, then lowered her voice. "If you wouldn't mind,
though - Lady Asaile doesn't have to know about this. Lord Rorrigraf was
her grandfather, you see, and I wouldn't wish to distress her with a
reminder of her loss."

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why she simply didn't give the
jewelry to the Lady Asaile, who might like the reminder of her
grandfather, but she refrained. Would Taril ever question or suggest
that something valuable be given away? Most likely not. "Of course
not. Not in her delicate condition." Humari agreed. "Let's just keep
this private, then."

"I think that would be best." Tarani glanced over at the Lady Holder.
"If your husband is agreeable, then let me know which day would suit you
best and I'll come, with the jewels. And a guard, in case of trouble on
the way." She knew just the one.

"I'll speak to him this evening." Bringing a guard wouldn't be welcome
by Taril, she was certain. "I wouldn't suggest a guard, not if you're
wanting discretion. An escort would make the drudges and maids tongues
wag. Just wrap them in a pouch and bring them with you. You'll be fine. "

The girl thought for a moment, considering how well she really knew
Humari. The Headwoman's daughter would be above reproach, she hoped, but
she had never met the husband and could not judge whether he was
trustworthy. Going out alone with the jewels would be a risky move. But
it wasn't as though they were doing her any good in her jewelry case.
Sometimes, risks had to be taken.

"If I do, will you promise to tell no one but your husband that I'm
bringing anything valuable?" she asked. "Then there would be no reason
for me to be targeted by ruffians on the way." And if she was, the list
of suspects would be short.

"Of course." Humari agreed easily. "We live right in by the main Hold
building, so it's not a long walk." She paused, pursing her lips. "Why
don't you meet him first and then you can decide if you want to him to
handle your jewelry? Then you can bring it later unless you're wanting
this done quickly."

That sounded safer, but she also wanted the merchant to take her
seriously. What if he thought she was a girl trying to sell off silly
trinkets?

"I'll bring one," she suggested. That should be easy enough to conceal.
"Then he can judge the quality, and decide if he's interested in the
others." It was how her uncle had often dealt with traders; he wouldn't
bring out all of the gems from his mines at once.

"That sounds very reasonable." Humari paused then, slipping the needle
back into the fabric to make another stitch, she asked, "Doesn't your
family provide you with support? I'm actually surprised that you've not
been recalled home."

"They think I'll have more opportunities here, attending on Lady Asaile,
than I would back at Flint Hills." Tarani didn't specify the type of
opportunities. "And they do support me, of course, but such support
comes with obligations. I'm sure Lord Rorrigraf would have been pleased
to know his gift had brought me a small measure of what I value more
than jewels." She smiled. "Independence."

That gave Humari pause. Though older than Tarani, Humari had also been
young when first betrothed. Though she adored her husband now, she'd
been initially against marrying him; would she have, given the
opportunity that Tarani now had for independence, done things
differently? Perhaps. But she had not been as strong willed as Tarani
seemed to be. If not for her marriage to Taril, she most likely would
have continued to be pressed under her mother's firm hand. She
couldn't blame the girl. "I can understand that and why you'd want
that. I'll send a message to him with Jib and let him know that he can
expect you as a guest for dinner. Come this evening with something
you'd like to show him." She paused, thinking of time frame. "Perhaps
a candlemark after dusk?"

"That would be perfect. I'll ask the Lady Holder if she can excuse me
from dinner." Tarani had no doubt she'd get permission, as long as she
didn't arouse Lady Brina's suspicions. What could be more innocent than
dinner with a respectable merchant and his wife, the Headwoman's
daughter? The Lord Holder's sister might even approve.

Humari nodded. "Alright then, I'll send word to Taril immediately."

Last updated on the January 14th 2021

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Independence