Unexpected Gifts

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 3rd March 2021

Characters: Bryvin, Yriadha
Description: Bryvin gives Yriadha unexpected gifts.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 8, day 12 of Turn 10

Bryvin

Yriadha

Unbraiding her hair, Yriadha watched as Bryvin settled into the chair
that he'd claimed as his own in her quarters. She hardly ever sat in
it, though it was comfortable; it was _his_ and it felt right to have
it only for his use. She poured a glass of wine for them both, then
handed one to him. "For the long day. I heard it was quite busy. "

"Very," he said as he felt his body relax into the familiar cushions.
He lifted the glass to his lips for a slip. "How was yours?"

"About the same as every day. Busy." She lifted a hand to shake loose
the rest of her hair. "Winter inventory. I have to make sure you're
fed, don't I?" She took a sip from her own glass and offered a bit of
a smile. "I understand that you've heard from Wicoran and Pifer. I
assume everything is going as planned?"

"Just about what we expected." Bryvin half smiled. "Garnet Valley sent
a representative to try and demand fealty and the people drove them
away. I can imagine we'll be hearing from Ishek fairly soon."

Yriadha's hand paused over her brush as she looked up at Bryvin with a
raised brow. Her lower lip pursed, then she sighed as she picked up
the brush. "Ah. I see." She began brushing her hair, a frown forming
on her features. "That might not have been wise of Wicoran, but he
hates Garnet Valley with a passion, so I can't say I'm very
surprised." She pulled her hair over her shoulder and began to brush
the ends slowly. "If you do decide to deal with Ishek, I'd suggest not
bringing Wicoran into the talks."

"Agreed," he said. "But what do _you_ want Yriadha? It's your
inheritance and I don't trust your son to do what's best for you. He
doesn't think, he reacts and that is a trait that can be used against
him over and over." He took a drink from his glass watching her brush
her hair with a slight smile on his face. "I won't allow him to take
you or our son away from me. You know that don't you?" He used mild
words yet they contained a promise.

The brush in her hand stopped as she looked up at Bryvin in evident
surprise. She knew that he didn't want their son parted from him but
had never figured herself as a part of that. She studied him for a
moment before replying softly. "He wouldn't try that. He and I had a
long talk after your wedding and he better understands the situation
now. As for the rest..." Her lips pursed as the brush began moving
again and sighed. "There is much I want that I simply can't have, or
that is useless to even hope for. The enmity between my family and
Garnet Valley is deep." She plucked a few strands out of the brush to
toss in the fire. "I was never allowed to have a full voice in the
running of the affairs there, being just a woman." Her lips quirked up
in a smirk. "But I do want the people who supported my family and the
lands to have the best that is possible. I want them to be successful
and prosperous."

That explained quite a bit about her toughness though he couldn't
imagine who would have treated her that way. "Who wouldn't listen to
you Beauty?"

Her brows rose at the question. "My father and my brother. They were
set on returning our family to our proper place. My father was a very
proud man, but he was very traditional. I think he became so in an
effort to appeal to Garnet Valley at first, since his father was
certainly _not_ traditional. I had no say in how our little piece of
land was administered." Her lips lifted wryly. "What could a woman
ever do to help with that? Even my marriage prospects were dimmed by
it to the point that I was married to a merchant. True, Stenlis was a
second son of a wealthy holder, but the marriage between he and I
wasn't really supported by his father at the time. I don't regret that
now, though I did then." Yriadha pushed her hair over her shoulders,
the silky strands now a soft curtain. "There's some things that simply
can't be fixed."

"Well, they weren't the sharpest knives in the drawer," he said. "But
then Stenlis was a fool in comparison." He sat forward and set his
glass on the side table. "Beauty, I'm taking care of your people,
repairing your family home and making sure the Hold is profitable. All
we need is recognition from Garnet Valley that you and your
descendants are Blood. I'm working on that." He stood and brushed her
hair aside to kiss her neck. "You may communicate directly with
Wicoran and administer your lands. Just let me know so I can back you
up if needed."

Yriadha tilted her head aside at Bryvin's kiss with a soft sigh. "I
know you are. And they're doing well. They needed your aid to be
successful. Faranth knows it couldn't have been done without it." She
looked up at Bryvin from her seated position. "They won't, Bryvin. I
accepted that a long time ago and that's why I've never spoken of it.
A dispossessed family line isn't exactly something one boasts of. My
father and brother took great pride in it, but for me, it meant
little. It still means little."

He straightened and his eyes narrowed, dissatisfied with her answer.
But there was no rush at this point and he didn't want her to dig her
heels in about it so he decided to change the subject. "Well," he
said as he turned away. "How's Yavin doing? Do you think he's ready
for harper lessons yet?"

Yriadha looked towards the smaller room where Yavin slept, a gentle
smile appearing on her face. "Not yet. He's still so young. He has a
turn at least before he's ready for the Harpers." There was a pause as
Yriadha realized what Bryvin had really offered just a moment before
and looked up sharply at him. "Wait a moment. Are you telling me that
you'll allow _me_ to make decisions about the lands?" Her brow arched.
"It's your right."

"Is it," he asked. "Then does it also follow that I may delegate
whatever I wish to whomever I wish?" There was humor in his eyes. "You
have a fine mind and I think you could manage your lands should you
wish to do so, not that I'd expect your son to believe that. He's too
hidebound. But I'm happy to discuss your options and advise you. But
you may make the decisions."

Leaning back to consider him, Yriadha fell into thought. She could and
did run Bryvin's household very well, but the lands she inherited was
substantially more complicated. Thankfully, Wicoran was very competent
and she could leave most of the intricacies to him, except for the
larger decisions he would bring to Bryvin's attention. She liked the
idea of actually having a hand in making some of the decisions,
especially since her elder brother and father had been so set against
it. Her intelligence had never mattered much to them; it was her value
as a potential wife to another that had been their only concern. The
vindication Bryvin offered was a sop to an old, long buried
resentment.

She spoke softly then, "You surprise me, Bryvin. You truly do." She
paused then reached to take his hand. "Thank you."

"Good," he smiled and squeezed her fingers lightly. "Now, I have
something for you." He let go of her hand and opened the passage
doorway to retrieve a small pot which he brought into the room. He
smiled as he placed it on the hearth.

Yriadha rose as he came back in, and then her eyes widened at the
sight of the small pot. "An egg?" She looked up at him in utter
surprise. "A firelizard egg?" There was a quick indrawn breath. How
had he known? She'd been planning to purchase one before summer began.
"Bryvin..." Her voice trailed off as she crouched by the hearth. "Oh,
thank you."

"You're very welcome," he smiled and leaned against the wall as he
watched her. He'd known she wanted one

She carefully scooted the egg closer to the hearth to ensure the
little egg drew as much of the heat as possible. Her fingers ghosted
over the shell for only a moment before she looked up at him. "Why?"

"Do I need a reason to do something nice for you?" He lifted a brow.

Her brow mirrored his and a sly smile quirked her lips upwards.
"Typically, yes." There was a knowing humor in her response that took
out any sting that could have been perceived.

Bryvin gave a soft snort and waved a hand to acknowledge the touch.
"Well not this time," he said and turned to go. "I'll be back later."

Last updated on the March 9th 2021

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Unexpected Gifts