Unsettling Rumors

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 6th August 2005

Characters: Daigoro, Cinale
Description: Daigoro asks Cinale about the rumors he is hearing about Jio and Miryene's relationship...
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 3

Cinale

"Isn't the ground a little frozen for planting?" Daigoro asked, amused to find Cinale in her little herb garden. Even though it was a sunny day, it was still quite cold; not exactly gardening weather.

"I can't just _abandon_ my herbs when it's cold, hon. Someone needs to care for and nurture them in this unforgiving weather!" she grinned, rising from her crouched position. She put a hand to her wide, straw hat, tilting it up so she could see him better. Even in the winter, Cinale still needed to wear her hat when outside - otherwise she would burn to a crisp! She'd found out the hard way that the winter sun could be very harsh indeed.

"I'm glad I found you," he said with a half-smile. "I have... well, there is something I want to ask you about."

Her grin faded and a more serious expression flickered in her blue eyes. She gestured to the nearby bench, indicating that they should sit. "What is it?" she asked once they both had seated themselves.

"You know Journeyman Jio, right?" Daigoro asked. His voice had a grave edge to it. "What sort of man is he?"

She looked at him before turning her gaze to her hands. "I know him. He's a good man, Daigoro." Cinale was unsure of what else to say. Why was he asking?

"I have heard some rumors..." Daigoro said carefully. "Some unsettling rumors, about Jio and Miryene."

**Ah.** Cinale nodded. "What have you heard?"

"That Jio visits Miryene at her cot sometimes when Jhonnel isn't home." It was hard for Daigoro to hear such rumors about Miryene. She had always been a dear friend. To hear her reputation being called into question _again_ so soon after her hasty wedding was disturbing.

Cinale was silent. So Jio hadn't really listened to her. She studied her hands, rubbing the tip of one nail against her thumb. Finally, she murmured, "I talked to him last month. I told him about the Hall whispers...and I told him to be careful." She glanced at him. "He told me he would never dishonor Miryene."

"And do you believe him?" the Hallsecond asked gently. He knew this was probably a difficult situation for Cinale to be in, and he felt for her.

"I _want_ to believe him. The look in his eyes was fierce when he told me, hon." She let out a sigh and slowly shook her head. "But I don't know. I just don't know anymore. I've seen the way he looks at her." Cinale bit her lower lip lightly, wishing she hadn't said that last part. She felt as if she was betraying Jio's confidence, and she winced at the thought.

Daigoro chatted his teeth together as he digested that bit of news. "I just can't believe that Miryene would... would so anything like that."

"And I don't think she would, Daigoro..." She shrugged, feeling a little torn. "But I just don't know what to think anymore."

"But you say Jio has feelings for her. He might be able to persuade her, alone in the cot all day, the children conveniently at at foster mothers..." He shook his head. "If that boy is dishonoring Miryene, by the egg, I will..."

"Sssh..." Cinale shook her head, her expression worried as she looked at him.

"What would you have me do, Cinale?" Daigoro asked quietly. "Just sit by and watch that man dishonor and take advantage of my friend? Miryene was an honorable woman before that mess with Jhonnel. And in my heart I want to believe she is _still_ honorable. But she was persuaded once. Who knows what that journeyman could talk her into doing?"

Cinale rubbed at her brow, then slid the hat from her head. "No. I would _not_ have you sit by and watch Jio take advantage of her. She's my friend too, Daigoro. And so is he." Again, she looked down at her hat. "You could talk to Miryene..."

"That is hardly the kind on conversation I should be having with Miryene, Cinale," Daigoro said with a shake of his head. "She already has one man walking in and out of her cot at all hours. The last thing her reputation needs is another man visiting her when she's alone."

"You're right," she replied quietly. Cinale's eyes lifted to the herbs in front of them. "I think... Shells, hon, I need to tell you something about her. She came to visit me...it must've been last month...and she told me something that...worried me. And it still does worry me."

"What is it?" Daigoro gently prodded.

"She told me that Jhonnel is hardly ever at home anymore. They don't speak, Daigoro."

"All the more reason to suspect that something is going on between those two." The Hallsecond's brow knotted together. "Perhaps I should speak with Miryene. I cannot trust my temper if I talk to Jio."

Cinale nodded. "I think you should," she replied softly.

He frowned. "Do you think I'm over-reacting?"

"I don't think it's an over-reation if you're checking up on a friend."

Daigoro nodded. "Then that's what I shall do. I don't like assuming the worst. I would rather hear the truth of it."

Again, she nodded, her gaze worried as she looked at him.

"Don't worry so, Cinale," he said as he closed the distance between them. "We'll get to the bottom of all this." Daigoro wrapped a tentative arm around the cook's shoulders and pulled her close.

Despite her anxious thoughts, Cinale felt something inside her ease a little at his touch. And she nodded against his shoulder. "We will."

Last updated on the August 16th 2005

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Unsettling Rumors