Sooner is Better

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 15th September 2006

Characters: Penryn, Ishek
Description: Penryn asks Lord Ishek to act as witness at his wedding
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 3

"Lord Ishek? Might I have a moment of your time?" Penryn asked as he
peaked his head inside the Lord Holder's door.

"You always can, Penryn. Klah? Tea? Wine?" Ishek asked, looking up from
where he was oiling Yimas. He set aside the pot and wiped his hands. "As
you can see, I wasn't exactly working."

"I'm fine, thank you," his steward said as he took the seat across from
him. "I have an... announcement of sorts."

"An announcement?" Ishek asked, looking concernedly at his steward. He
appeared to be in fine health. "What is it?"

"I intend to marry again in the new Turn. After all the celebrations
have finished."

"You do? Really? I wasn't aware you had been courting." Ishek said in
surprise. Yimas poked up his head and chirped once, reacting to the
surprise.

"Well, no, we had not been formally courting." Far from it... "But we
realized it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"I see." Ishek said. "And who might the lucky lady be?" For a moment he
wondered if it was Thalia- she'd been spending time with Penryn on the
garden project. He felt himself, for a moment, wishing it wasn't.

"Ryalane. She was the assistant Headwoman. Her husband was killed and
she was injured by Meijah while he was making his escape." Injured was
putting it mildly. "She is pregnant with his child and would like the
baby to have a father. I have no family. It's good for us both."

"Ah, I see." Ishek said. It was a very good reason for Penryn to marry
her. "It's very noble of you." he remarked quietly. "Children need
fathers." He thought of the Lady Thalia for a moment and wondered if
perhaps he'd made a mistake in not offering to her- but then, he hadn't
wanted to force her into anything.

"I can't say its completely noble, my Lord," his steward admitted,
though he would never admit the true reason. "It benefits me as well,
though more on an emotional needs level than a physical. I'm tired of
coming home to empty rooms."

Ishek nodded. "I can sympathize." he admitted. "I wish you happiness and
the best of luck with it." he told Penryn sincerely. "After the
marriage, would you like me to reduce your duties any? Even temporarily,
so that you can have time with your new wife?"

Penryn's first thought was that it wasn't necessary. But perhaps it
was. Especially until the baby was born. But that would mean that if
Thalia came... No, it didn't matter. Those evenings spent together
were over. He would have a wife to go home to. Besides, it wouldn't be
right. "I think it would be for the best. For a while, at least."

"For as long as you need, then." Ishek promised him. "Believe me, I
would never penalize you for letting family come first. It always
should."

"Thank you, sir. I promise, I won't shirk any of my duties." **Family.
My family.** It was strange how hollow those words sounded. Shouldn't
he be pleased? Shouldn't the thought of having a family of his own
_ease_ the loneliness? Perhaps it just hadn't sunk in yet...

Family. Ishek missed his own as well. "Just tell me how I can help." he
said again. "So, sometime in the new year?" he asked.

"Sooner is better. The baby will come early in the second month. I
would like for Ryalane to have a chance to be adjusted before that time
comes." He knew he didn't need permission really since it came with his
rank, but he felt the need to ask anyway, "And I would like to ask the
Headwoman if we can start moving my things into the Steward's Suites, if
I may. My rooms were not meant to house a family really." Considering
he and Jaika had very little chance of having children of their own
together, they had been happy in the smaller apartments. If she had
been deamed well enough to concieve, they had planned on moving but it
never worked out that way.

"Go ahead and ask." Ishek said. "I understand why you did not need them
before. And marry whenever is convenient for you." Ishek smiled. "I'm
glad you're going to have a family, Penryn. As much as you need you can
have."

Penryn nodded. "Thank you, sir. I think we will set a date before the
first restday of the new Turn. I would... I would be honored if you
served as a witness, Lord Ishek."

"I'm honored to be asked." Ishek said with a large smile. "Is there
anything else you can think of you'd like to see done? It can be as
small or as large as you'd like- talk to the kitchens, the harpers, tell
them I said you can have whatever..." It was like with Miralani, but
Penryn seemed happy- or at least like he didn't mind- the prospect of
having a family, and so it was an occasion Ishek could at least relate
to.

"Thank you, sir, but I think Ryalane would like to keep this small. She
is just recently recovered from her injuries." The visible ones, at
least.

Ishek nodded. "Of course." he said. "Small is better, I personally
consider- just remember to ask for anything you need from me."

Last updated on the October 1st 2006

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Sooner is Better