Weaving Tangled Webs

Writers: Aaron, Corrin, Heather
Date Posted: 1st June 2024

Characters: Toman, Veslera, Tomendre, Toveran
Description: Veslera throws a welcome home party for Tomendre because it makes Toman happy.
Location: Leeward Lagoon Hold
Date: month 7, day 17 of Turn 11

Veslera

Tomendre

Veslera did _not_ see the need for a welcome home party for Tomendre.
After all, it wasn't as if it was the first time he'd been out on a
ship. She rolled her eyes inwardly at how excited her husband had been
about the bastard son's return. He wasn't _technically_ illegitimate,
but she still called him that in her mind.

"No, no, the garland's should _not_ be hanging that way. They look as
if they are sagging. Really, Deversim, do fix them." The lady of
Leeward Lagoon was not an easy one to please. Even though she'd rather
be hosting a party for a holdless heathen, she would still make sure
that every detail of Tomendre's return feast was exactly as it should
be.

**Maybe he'll choke on his cake tonight,** she thought with one arch
of a slender eyebrow.

Toman practically danced down the corridor. He had finally worked
everything out once he had learned how eager Tomendre was to learn how
to be a Steward-- he would make the perfect right-hand man for
Toveran. He had drawn up and sealed the letter that would officially
name Toveran his heir, but he would wait, keep it a surprise for
everyone, until Toveran's upcoming birthday.

"Ahh, there you are, my love. Everything looks wonderful; you're
brilliant." Toman kissed Veslera. "How are you feeling?" He had been
especially concerned with her health since learning that she was
carrying another child.

Veslera smiled up at her husband, a hand automatically going to the
gentle swell of her stomach. "I'm feeling well. At least, no nausea
today so far." She didn't want to say she was actually feeling hopeful
about this pregnancy. It was best to squash all of that hope down into
a tiny box and lock it away incase the baby didn't make it, like the
others.

"I'm glad to hear it," said Toman. "Are you ready to get off your
feet?" He hated to leave her to work herself exhausted, especially
with the baby.

"Not until Tomendre arrives," she said with a flap of her hand. "Where
is he anyway? It's _his_ party."

As if on cue, Tomendre arrived looking healthy and happy and none the
worse for his recent sea voyage. He came striding in from the outer
hold, a slim and colorfully wrapped parcel in his hands. He was in a
grand mood from his earlier talk with Toman and his spirits rose even
further when he saw the festive decorations that had gone up while he
was out. "The hold looks beautiful, is this all for me?"

Veslera's practiced smile slid easily into place. "Of course,
Tomendre. Welcome home."

"What have you got there?" Toman asked, curiously examining the
package in just about every way but taking it to shake it.

Tomendre dutifully bowed over his step-mother's hand, before
straightening and presenting her the package with an awkward smile.
"It's a gift, all the way from Sunstone."

Veslera opened the package, which revealed citron hard candies, her
favorite, and exactly what she had been craving this pregnancy. **What
a devious play, presenting me the perfect gift right in front of his
father. He's working harder than I thought at becoming the heir of
Leeward Lagoon.**

She smiled at Tomendre. "Thank you, this is wonderful. My favorites,
as you know."

Toman beamed proudly at the thoughtful present. He had not even
reminded him of what Veslera liked, and he still remembered!

"This is going to be perfect!" he said. "What do you say we have a
seat, and you can enjoy one now?"

"As long as no one tells Cook," grinned Tomendre.

+++

Tomendre waited until they were seated before revealing the secondary
purpose of the gifted candies. "I was thinking, father... There's no
reason we should have to go all the way to Sunstone for little
luxuries like these. We have fine citrons here, better even," he said
with local pride. "What if we started doing something like this? It'd
give us more to do with the harvest that isn't pretty enough for the
market stalls."

Toman grinned. He liked where this was going, especially if it
resulted in something that would make Veslera happy.

"What's your plan?" he asked.

Leaning forward, Tomendre excitedly began outlining the business
proposal he'd worked up and rehearsed on the voyage back to Leeward.
He'd need some funds and personnel, but within the Turn he thought
they could definitely begin a solid local operation at least. "And, in
time, I think we can have a good market share even with Seastone still
in operation. After all, they're quite far away. We can undercut them
in our region."

He had all but forgotten about Veslara, his focus and hopes entirely
on his father now. This was the first big proposal he'd set to the
man. This was his first attempt to really make his mark on the Hold
and show he was ready and able to lead it to a prosperous future.

As certain as Toman was that Tomendre wanted the Steward position, he
was completely oblivious to the possibility that this was meant to
show interest in -- and more importantly -- capability of taking over
the primary operation of the Hold someday. After all, it would not be
out of the question for any or all of his children to have their own
projects on the island even with Toveran as the heir.

"I love it. What do you think, darling?"

**Perfect little Tomendre, being perfect as usual,** she thought with
a mental sigh.

"I think it all sounds very lovely," she said with a smile. She did
love seeing her husband so enthusiastic and excited, she just wished
it was _her_ son that caused it.

Tomendre glowed with their praise. His father's was what really
mattered here, but he treasured a soft word from Veslera as well.
Their validation soothed his nerves and drowned out the fearful
thoughts that said he didn't belong, that he'd never belong. "Well!"
he sat up straighter, smiling. "Give me the men and the marks, and
I'll get it done. We'll have citron candies here before you know it!"

"You'll have them! I'll have Paladrich earmark the funds for you, and
you can hire whomever you see fit," said Toman. The ancient old man
had been Steward for longer than Toman had been alive.

"Brother! You're home!" The jovial voice belonged to Toveran who
eagerly approached his older half-brother for a hug.

"I won't let you down, father-- Tov!" Tomendre was on his feet and met
his brother with a hearty embrace. "Home and bearing gifts! Though
yours and the rest will have to wait until after dinner. You'll love
it though, I promise."

"Come, come, sit with us!" said Toman to Toveran. He was almost
excited enough to let his surprise for Toveran slip, but this was
Tomendre's party, and Toveran's surprise could wait for his own
birthday celebration. It would not be terribly long, after all.

Love and pride swelled in Veslara's heart as she looked at her son,
the shining, perfect example of beauty, health, and brains. She was,
perhaps, a bit biased, as most mothers are.

"Mother," he greeted her warmly with a kiss to her cheek before taking
a seat beside of his father and half-brother.

"Tomendre was just telling us about a plan to make citron candy,"
Veslara said, filling Toveran in.

"Oh, really?" he asked, eyebrows raised with curiosity.

"I was inspired by my trip," explained Tomendre. "I think it can be
another good export for us, and I'll have some time on my hands since
I won't be going back to sea. Uncle Tomesh will be disappointed, but
father and I talked-- my place is here. I'm going to be working under
the steward, and trying to start the candy business on the side. I'll
make sure you get some of the first batch-- first _good_ batch,
anyway."

He had been talking primarily to his brother, but he expanded that
last statement to all of them with a smile.

**Working under the steward?** Veslara's brain latched onto that
phrase. **What a great way to learn what you need to be the next
Holder of Leeward Lagoon.** She folded her hands together tightly in
her lap.

"Won't it be lovely to have your brother back home with us, Toveran?"
Toman was clearly thrilled.

"Absolutely," Toveran agreed.

**So lovely,** Veslara thought sourly.

Tomendre beamed. "It's good to be back."

Last updated on the June 7th 2024

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Weaving Tangled Webs