A Reason to Return

Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 13th March 2021

Characters: Brennault, Cerault, Cerrav
Description: Brennault reunites with Marvel, his father, and his half-brother and recounts the tale of his time at Lavender Run.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Zavek, Zaverak

Brennault

The run home had been a little slower than usual after the storm, and the sun was already sinking low by the time Cerault's station came into view.

The second Brennault was visible over the horizon, Marvel had already jumped the distance _between_ and clung as tightly to him as he could manage without using claws. Brennault slowed for a moment to cuddle the stocky bronze lizard.

"Hey, buddy," he said. "I missed you, too!"

Marvel showed Brennault images of himself waiting, watching the road, the sun rising and setting several times, the rain coming. He sent his feelings of worry growing and growing and then his ecstatic joy at seeing Brennault finally return.

"I know, I know, I was gone a long time," he said. "I didn't mean to worry you."

Marvel then showed Brennault images of himself going with him down the road when he left the station along with an insistent, stubborn feeling.

"Alright, alright. You don't have to stay again for a while, I promise." He scratched Marvel's eye ridges and rubbed his head knobs, and the lizard was mostly placated, forgiving Brennault for leaving him.

Mostly placated. Brennault's stomach growled as he received Marvel's strong feelings of hunger and images of meat bits raining down into his mouth from Brennault's hand.

"Oh, you are _not_ starving. I know for a fact you have probably eaten more than your fair share with everyone at the station feeding you! I don't have any meat bits with me. You'll just have to wait. You want to sprint the rest of the way back?"

Marvel snuggled into Brennault one more time and then flapped into the air. He showed Brennault an image of him chasing Marvel back to the station.

"You're on!" Brennault laughed as he chased the lizard as fast as he could race.

***

"Brennault!" Cerault greeted him with a hug. "I'm glad to see you're OK. I was worried when you were late. I blamed the storm, of course, but it's always a relief to see a runner home safe. Marvel has been sitting outside watching the road every night since you left!" Marvel cheeped at hearing his name, and Cerault dutifully handed Brennault his bag of meat bits to feed to the hungry bronze.

"Have anything going on from here?" he asked. His tone made it clear to Brennault that he hoped he would stay at the station for a day or two to rest.

"I'm heading on to the weyr first thing in the morning," he said. "I've got a package from Zaverak that he needs delivered."

"Zaverak, eh?" Cerault tapped his chin. "I'm surprised you went all the way to the main hold."

"Oh, I didn't. I stayed with Zaverak's son out a bit further this way from the main hold."

"At Lavender Run." Cerault grinned at that. Brennault should have guessed he already knew the name of the smaller farmstead. That was where they harvested the lavender, after all.

"Did you get what you were after?" Cerault asked.

"I got a bottle of lavender oil to give to Lorican," Brennault confirmed.

"I haven't seen Zavek since he was a lad."

"You know him?"

"We've met." Cerault smiled nostalgically.

"Ha. Of course, you have." Brennault folded his arms, but he still grinned. His father seemed to have met everyone. He wondered then if it was more than just the lavender he had sent Brennault to find.

"Your brother came in this afternoon, too," Cerault changed the subject.

"Well, that narrows it down," Brennault chuckled.

"Cerrav. You should get washed up and then get out to the common room before everyone goes to bed. There's still plenty of dinner left."

"You had me at dinner. I'll head to the bath then. Will you be joining me and Cerrav, then? You look like you want to hear all about my latest trip."

"I wouldn't mind hearing how Zavek has been doing." Cerault smiled.

"Well, go tell Cerrav not to turn in early, then, and I'll be back in a few."

***

Cerrav was nearly an identical copy of his half-brother Brennault, except for the dark head of sable hair. His body and build mimicked that of his half-brother and father, and his eyes were the same light brown.

"Bren, you're back! That was the slowest run to Double Creek I think has ever been recorded." A smile tipped Cerrav's mouth as he ragged on his older brother good-naturedly.

"Hey, Rav," Brennault embraced his brother. It had been too long since their paths had crossed! "Well, you know how it goes – one day, you're harvesting lavender, and the next you're stuck inside playing cards for three days while the bottom falls out of the sky. Not all that bad a way to spend a vacation, but I did miss my little buddy here." He stroked Marvel again, who was still clinging to his neck – he had refused to break contact with Brennault since they arrived.

"Did Dad tell you about my epic quest?"

"Of course he did. He's been bragging to anyone who will listen about the lengths that his oldest son has traveled," Cerrav began imitating their father's voice and gazing out into the distance as he put a hand to his heart.

Cerault sat down at the table with them and gave Cerrav a mock frown.

"I don't sound like that," he objected.

"Ash, Dad, I thought there was two of you," Brennault clapped back, and Cerault laughed.

"Well, no one could claim y'all aren't mine," he conceded.

"So, what have you been up to, then, Rav?"

"Running, same as you, mostly between here, Emerald Falls, Green Valley, Field Meadows, and Verdant Grove." Cerrav enjoyed the scenic routes through the Emerald Falls territory and its beholden minor holds. Snatching a piece of bread from the basket, Cerrav tore into it.

"You had to stay put at Double Creek for three days? That must have been torture." It was in a runner's nature not to stay in one place too long and to enjoy being on the go.

"And that was after I spent a couple of days working off the lavender oil I needed!" Brennault laughed. "But it worked out – Zavek's cook is absolutely amazing, and there's something to be said for sleeping in a soft bed. Any longer, and Marvel would have come looking for me, I think!"

"Were there at least any cute holder boys for you to scare off with that subtle flirting of yours?" Cerrav teased.

"There were plenty of cute boys," Brennault grinned. "In the fields, at the stables... And subtle flirting pays off from time to time, you know. If you come back enough to gain a little trust."

Cerrav studied the glow on his brother's face intently before glancing at their father. "I think he's keeping something from us, Dad. He's way too happy."

"Well, discretion is the better part of valor, isn't it?" Cerault grinned. He had a very good idea of what that something was.

"You know Dad taught us not to kiss and tell, Rav," Brennault grinned. It was not as though they would be able to narrow down who he had kissed, and they were runners, too.

"Mmmhmm, well I don't mind saying that there is a very pretty girl at Verdant Grove that I don't mind seeing again." Cerrav said.

"Make sure she doesn't have any hulking, crazy brothers," Brennault warned. He had his own history with making a girl cry when she found out he did not want to settle down and get married – and then being chased off by a hulking, crazy brother.

"And I will say, too, that I am looking forward to finding a reason to go back to Lavender Run."

"I enjoyed finding a reason or two to visit Double Creek myself when I wore a younger man's shoes," said Cerault.

"To being a younger man, then," Cerrav cried, raising his glass in a jesting toast at their father's expense.

"To being a younger man!" Brennault echoed. Cerault grimaced, but he raised his glass, too.

"Ha ha," he deadpanned. "Enjoy it while you can!" He grinned then.

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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A Reason to Return