Dinner and a Request

Writers: Estelle, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 8th March 2022

Characters: Trayger, Bryvin, Asaile, Brina
Description: Trayger visits the Lord Holder and family for dinner, and makes a request
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 11, day 15 of Turn 10

Trayger

Bryvin

Asaile

Brina

Trayger had looked forward to this evening ever since their walk the
previous day. But now as he walked up the hill from the Harbor to the
main hold. He was greeted by one of the household staff who conducted
him to the private family salon.

"Good evening," he smiled pleasantly as he entered.

"Evening Trayger," Bryvin said and crossed the room. "I'm glad Brina
invited you tonight."

Asaile, still looking wan and frail, remained in her seat as he came
in, a warm shawl settled around her shoulders. Despite her
appearance, she greeted the newcomer with a warm, sweet smile. "Good
evening, Captain Trayger. Thank you for joining us."

"My very great honor, Lady Asaile," he smiled warmly at the young
woman. "Your color is better, I think. We are all very happy to hear
that you are recovering," he added as he bowed over her hand. Then he
reached into a pocket and pulled out a small package holding it out to
her. "This is for you," he smiled.

Asaile glanced at Bryvin, then took the package with a winsome smile.
"You didn't have to, but thank you Captain. I'm feeling much better
now. Please, have a seat. I think the Headwoman's made us all a very
nice dinner this evening."

Bryvin smiled down at his wife and nodded to Trayger. "I'm fairly sure
that the Captain has found something to delight you my dear," he said
with affection.

Trayger's eyes strayed to the door as he saw Brina enter the room.
Still he sank down to the chair next to the Lady Holder and gave her
his attention as she began to unwrap the gift.. "I'm certain I shall
enjoy it immensely," he smiled.

Brina had chosen to wear her favorite gown for dinner, one that she'd
brought from her former hold in grey and pale amethyst, and had spent
the past hour trying out different hairstyles with her maid. None of
that anxious preparation showed in her calm expression as she came over
to greet her brother. "Bryvin. Captain Trayger, it's so good to see you
again." She looked down at her sister-in-law with surprise and pleasure.
"Oh, Lady Asaile, is that a gift?"

"Yes, Lady Brina. Captain Trayger was kind enough to bring me
something." Asaile's delicate fingers slid open the wrapping and
opened the box, then gasped, delighted. Inside was a small,
intricately carved decorative box that appeared to be gilded with
glossy mother of pearl iridescence. "Oh, Captain...it's absolutely
lovely!"

"I'm glad you like it," he stood and bowed his head to Lady Brina. His
eyes slid to Bryvin who was beaming at his bride. Trayger stepped
aside to allow the Lord to sit and approached Lady Brina. "You look
lovely," he murmured.

Bryvin seated himself next to his wife. "What a wonderful little box,"
he smiled. "We shall have to find something precious to put in it."

Brina's bright eyes said far more than her soft word of thanks to the
Captain. "It's beautiful. How thoughtful of you," she said as she took
her seat opposite her brother. "Did you find it on your voyage?"

Asaile laid her hand lightly on Bryvin's ignoring how the fingers
almost seemed too thin and pale against his own hand. She beamed at
him, her smile soft and adoring before turning to the other pair. She
noted Brina's eyes and her own softened at the look the woman was
giving the Captain. She glanced at Bryvin, pleased, and took a sip of
water. She didn't partake of the proffered wine, having little stomach
for the beverage.

"I did," Trayger stepped toward Lady Brina his eyes fullty engaged
with hers. Then cleared his throat without looking in Bryvin's
direction. "My Lord," he said. "Might I have a moment of your time?"

Asaile flicked a glance at Brina and gave a small smile before lightly
squeezing Bryvin's fingers and releasing them. She was not so dim as
to catch what was happening between the handsome Captain and Lady
Brina, and she fully approved. Everyone should have a love like her
own in their life, she mused silently. She only wished however, that
she had been fortunate to give Bryvin another son. Perhaps soon, they
could discuss it.

Brina's gaze remained fixed on Trayger for a long moment before she
remembered herself and grew uncharacteristically flustered. "Oh - would
you like us to give you some privacy, brother?" She'd usually have made
some polite excuse to withdraw if the men wished to speak, but didn't
want to ask poor Lady Asaile to move in her fragile condition.

Bryvin saw his wife's smile and looked up at Brina noting her
heightened color and Trayger's attention. Then he patted his wife's
hand. "No my dear," he said. "You stay here. The good Captain and I
will go to my office". He kissed Asaile's cheek then rose motioning
for the Captain to follow him.

The two men exited via a side door that took them directly into
Bryvin's private office. Bryvin walked behind his desk and Trayger
came to stand in front of it.

"My Lord," he began his most uncomfortable speech..

Bryvin waved his hand. "Bryvin in private Trayger, after the turns we
spent together."

"Bryvin," Trayger nodded and came to a parade rest worthy of the Hold
guard. "I would like your permission to formally court your sister
Brina," he said firmly.

Bryvin loved his sister more than anyone might have believed possible
for him. Most believed he was almost heartless and in some ways, he
supposed, that was true. But not in her case. "I've seen the way she
looks at you Trayger...," his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I've not touched her," Trayger held out his hands, negating the
thought he saw forming. "I have found the desire to marry again, if
she wishes. You, if anyone, knows how torn up I was over my wife's
death." He shook his head as if in amazement. "Somehow Lady Brina has
brought my heart back to life again. I want that for the rest of my
life."

Bryvin sat back in his chair with a finger to his lips for a long
uncomfortable moment. Then he remembered the look in his wife's eyes
and the hopefull one on his sister's face. "Alright," she said slowly.
"But if you hurt her, I'll kill you." and they both knew that was not
an empty threat or colloquialism. It was a promise.

He pointed his chin at the door. "Send her in," he said.

Trayger crossed to the door in two steps and pulled it open. Then he
stepped through and met Brina's eyes, "He wants to see you," he
pressed his lips together in a partial smile.

Brina looked up, a soft intake of breath and the color in her cheeks
suggesting some apprehension, but her voice was calm, and something in
the Captain's expression seemed to reassure her. "Of course. If you'll
excuse me, Lady Asaile." She rose and passed through the door to
Bryvin's office. "Brother?"

Bryvin rose from behind his desk with a warm smile for his sister.
"Brina," he took her hands and kissed her cheek. "Trayger tells me he
wishes to formally court you." He watched her face but kept his
pleasantly guarded as he led her to a pair of chairs near the
fireplace..

Asaile waited patiently, but with a sigh, as she was left behind at
the table. Instead of being hurt, she kept a soft smile on her face as
she picked up the lovely box the sea captain had given to her.

Although they'd never said it aloud, Brina had her hopes about the
purpose of the captain's visit - though there had also been moments when
she wondered if she was being foolish, if she'd misinterpreted a gesture
of friendship. Hearing the words spoken was different. "And..." She
tried to keep her voice even, but the joy was too much - it was there in
the color in her cheeks, the slight tremor in her voice, the breath she
drew in to calm herself. "What did you say?"

"You've done your duty by our blood. And, going only by what I've seen
it seemed to me that you welcome him warmly when he comes to visit. So I
gave my permission, but I can withdraw it if that is not what you want."
Bryvin smiled gently and tilted his head down to her level to look into
her eyes. "Is it what you want?"

Brina rarely revealed the full depth of her feelings to anyone except
her brother. Now, the Turns fell away with her radiant expression, and
she looked just like the young girl she'd been, back when they'd been
children together. "It is very much what I want. Nothing would make me
more glad." She squeezed her brother's hand. "Your approval means a lot
to me. I could never consider a suitor who didn't have your respect."

"And I would never allow him near you if I thought he would not treat
you well." He mused a moment before he put an arm around her shoulders
and pulled her against his side in a warm embrace. "I've known him a
long time. He does have my respect. But you have my love, so go, be
happy sister."

"Thank you, brother." She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.
Then she rose, bent to kiss her brother lightly on the cheek, and
hurried back out to where the Captain was waiting for her. She was
flustered and excited enough to forget the presence of Lady Asaile - or
perhaps she was hardly aware of anyone else in the room, other than him.
"He's said yes! He's given his permission."

Trayger turned from his restless pacing at the sound of her voice and
broke into a broad grin. Later he wouldn't recall if he'd run to her
or she'd run to him but suddenly she was in his arms. After one long
embrace his hands traveled down her arms to her hands. He gripped both
of them and lifted them to his lips kissing one after the other.
"Dearest Lady," he breathed.

Bryvin had followed his sister out of his office and smiled as he
crossed the room to his wife's side. "I doubt they know we're still
here," he observed as he sat and claimed one of his own lady's hands.

Asaile looked up at Bryvin and a soft smile lit her face as she spoke
softly. "You've made her very happy." Despite her smile, her eyes were
shadowed with growing exhaustion that she didn't complain of. She
gently squeezed her fingers around his own. "And I am happy for her."

"I'm glad you approve," he said. Ever alert for the signs, Bryvin noted
the exhaustion. He smiled, then stood and gently scooped her up in
strong arms. "Let's get you back to your room sweetheart," he murmured
and carried her out of the room.

Brina heard the door softly close behind them and looked up at Trayger,
her eyes very bright. This was the first time they'd been alone
together, without the other ladies or even a maid, and though she knew
they wouldn't have long she was grateful for her brother's tact. "I'm so
very, very happy."

One hand gently cupped her face as he kissed his Lady love.

Last updated on the July 15th 2022

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Dinner and a Request