A Simple Request

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 26th June 2021

Characters: Lorican, Bryvin
Description: Lorican has a request to make of the Lord Holder
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 9, day 26 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Asaile, Lusilk, Urlene (Not by name)

Bryvin

Lorican waited with a small group of other holders who were hoping to
see the Lord Holder, his fingers tapping nervously on the folder of
designs in his lap. He wasn't the only one who was finding it hard to
relax. Most of these men - and one woman - looked as though they'd come
from the outer holds with petitions. One of them was accompanied by a
harper. At least, he thought, he wasn't bringing Lord Bryvin a tricky
land dispute or a family quarrel to adjudicate, but he didn't know how
the man would react to his request. This wasn't the Weyrhold, they would
be more strict about such matters here.

At last, his turn came and he followed a young man from the steward's
staff out and down a corridor to the Lord Holder's office. The man
knocked at the door and, when called, opened it and announced his name
and rank. Taking a deep breath, Lorican followed him in.

"Senior Journeyman," Bryvin nodded at the chair across his desk
granting the man permission to be seated. "What can the Hold do for
you today?"

Lorican took a seat and cleared his throat. "It's more about what I can
do, my Lord." With a glance at the Lord Holder for permission, he opened
the folder he was carrying and laid it on the desk. "I remembered you
mentioned that you might want some jewelry for your wife. I took the
liberty of working on some sketches, so that you might see if there's
anything she would like."

Some of the designs were traditional, though nothing too heavy or
elaborate since he'd noticed that the lady was quite young and delicate
in her features. But he'd also included some of the more abstract shapes
he favored, inspired by the shapes of the waves or the sails of the
ships in the harbor. He only hoped they didn't seem too plain for a Lady
Holder.

Bryvin looked through the sketches and smiled when he came to one he
thought would look well on his wife. It was a simple strand of pearls
but with a square cut stone pendant hanging from the middle. To him
it was simple and elegant. He ran his finger across the imagined
piece. "I like this one," he smiled at the smith. "Could you also make
earbobs to match?"

"Yes, of course. Perhaps like this..." Forgetting for a moment where he
was, Lorican took a pencil from his pocket and leaned over, quickly
sketching a shape in next to the necklace Lord Bryvin had chosen. "A
single pearl and then a stone, and the metal link in the same design..."
It would be delicate work, but at least in a sea hold, he wouldn't have
too much trouble finding a trader with pearls.

"I would like the colour of the gems to match her eyes," he mused
softly. Asaille did have the loveliest blue eyes. "Have you been
presented to Lady Asaille," he asked.

"No, my Lord, I haven't had that honor," Lorican replied, remembering
his manners. He had only seen the Lady Holder from a distance in the
Hold's main hall.

Bryvin nodded, "I should remedy that soon if you are to acquire the
appropriate gems. Her eyes are a light blue grey like the sky on a
hazy day. Do you know of a gem that colour?"

"Hmm...perhaps aquamarine?" Lorican had to think back to his apprentice
classes on jewel-smithing. "Though you do find light coloured sapphires,
sometimes. I have a friend at the Smith Hall who specializes in making
jewelry, he has some contacts in the mine craft who'll be able to help
find the right stone."

Bryvin nodded. "I will make sure you are introduced to my wife so you
can see the shade I desire," he nodded. "I believe the right
aquamarine could be the right colour. Please let me know if you need
transportation and I will arrange a dragon to take you where you need
to go. How does that sound?"

"Thank you, my Lord, that will work well." He closed up the folder of
sketches and got to his feet, then hesitated, realizing he'd almost
forgotten what he'd come for in the first place. "Ah - speaking of
dragon transport, there was another thing..."

"Yes?" Bryvin lifted an eyebrow in inquiry.

"Well, I..." Lorican hesitated, wondering if he was making a terrible
mistake. Surely the Lord Holder would be shocked by his story. What if
he turned them out and sent for a new smith, one with an unblemished
character? Still, the man had helped Lusilk and Silgan. He had to try.

"You see, before I came to the Weyrhold - before I was married - I
stayed at Dolphin Cove Weyr for a while, recovering from an injury. And
I - I met someone there, and I thought... But then I was posted to
Barrier Lake, and for many reasons we had to part, and I didn't find out
until much later that I have - " He took a deep breath. "I have a son
there. At the Weyr. And I would so much like to see him from time to time."

Bryvin took a moment and visions of his children's faces rose up in
his mind. Both legitimate and illegitimate. His eyes narrowed at first
then he raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I can understand your desire to
see your child. Does your wife know?" Though he couldn't imagine
Lusilk didn't know everything already.

"Yes, she knows. She doesn't object to me supporting him. I've said
nothing to anyone else here, though, out of respect for her." His cheeks
flushed slightly. "If I were to go to the Weyr, I give my word that I
wouldn't engage in any inappropriate behavior. I only wish to see my son."

Bryvin chuckled internally but tried not to let it show. "Well here in
the Hold, we do have a different way of doing things." he nodded. "And
I'm aware of your wife's former... entanglements. You and she have me
protection while here." He couldn't help the smile that tilted his
lips. "But I wouldn't want to have to clean up after Lusilk if you
were to piss her off. So I'd advise you to stick to that plan."

"Yes, I certainly will." Lorican knew better than most what his wife was
capable of, though he trusted that she would never use her skills on
him. "Of course, I'd pay for my transport, if I were to be able to go -
perhaps once a month, on a restday?"

Bryvin waved a hand and shook his head at the mention of payment. "It
will only depend upon the riders willingness to take you and I'm happy for
you to arrange it with them." He stopped for a moment. "I do wish you
luck with your son," he added.

"Thank you, my Lord." The craftsman's face broke into a sudden, warm
smile of relief. "This means a great deal to me." He made an awkward
bow, then tucked his sketches under one arm and turned to go, his
thoughts full of the Weyr, the little boy and his mother.

Many thoughts swirled in Bryvin's mind as he watched the smith walk
away, arms crossed and a finger slowly stroking his upper lip. Then he
turned to his desk and opened a secret compartment withdrawing a
private notebook. He made a short entry and replaced it.

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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A Simple Request