Good Men

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 9th November 2007

Characters: Kiomo, Ishek
Description: Kiomo continues to influence Ishek into following his plans.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 7, day 2 of Turn 4

"I will never understand how you find so many new things to try, Kiomo."
Ishek remarked as he sipped at the latest drink that Kiomo had brought to the table. Some kind of fruit wine, he thought. It was very good, whatever it was made from.

"It's made by a friend of mine, holder Sawori. He makes it from redfruit. Apprently its his family's secret recipe." And with a relatively high alcohol content, he thought it perfect for the Lord Warder.

"You have many talented friends." Ishek replied, taking another drink.
"Is there an occasion for tonight?"

"No, I wouldn't say there was an _occassion_..." Kiomo shrugged, catching a drip of cider with his finger on the neck of the bottle. "I was wonder, though, if you happened to have a chance to speak with Thalia..."

"No, not yet I'm afraid." Ishek replied. Even after his conversation with Penryn, he hadn't known what to think or say, so he'd avoided bringing it up. "To be honest, I don't know what I can tell her. I wouldn't want her thinking I'm ordering her to."

"Oh no, no no," Kiomo hastily agreed. "I would not want you to order her to do anything. I'm pretty sure in her heart, this is what Thalia desires. In fact, well... between the two of us, she and I have had a few... private exchanges which lead me to believe she is very interested in me. But, I worry that she might feel I don't have enough to offer her. I mean, let's face it, being your assistant is not as prestigious as being a Lord Holder. Even so, Ishek, I feel I have a lot to offer.
I don't need you to convince her to marry, just that its ok for her to _want_ to marry me. Do you see what I mean?"

Ishek considered that. He did wonder about the private exhanges. Maybe it had just been a discussion of marriage in general, although he couldn't fathom why they would be talking about that. Ah well. "I can do that."
he answered.

Kiomo gave the Lord Warder a smile of pure, in insincere, relief.
"Thank you, Ishek. You're a true friend. I can't tell you what a relief it is to know that I have your support."

"The next time we're speaking in a casual setting, I will be sure to bring it up." Ishek said.

The holder nodded his understanding. "Anything you can do to help, Ishek, I would truly appreciate it. I mean... I know its hard for her, trying to do what's right for her son, believing that she can't make him and herself happy. I just... I want her to see that she really _can_
have both."

"Hopefully I can show her that, then."

Kiomo leaned forward to refill the Lord Warder's glass. "I could make her happy, Ishek. I know I could. I just... want the chance."

"I am sure she'll see that, Kiomo. You're a good man."

"No, Ishek, _you're_ a good man. You're thoughtful and loyal and I wish there would were more men like you." Trusting to a fault and easy to direct just where Kiomo wanted him to go. Unlike Penryn. Penryn was loyal, but no fool. He could ruin a great many plans... "I have a question, Ishek. What are your intentions for Penryn's future?"

Penryn? Why would Ishek have any plans for Penryn? He said as much. "I wouldn't say I have any plans. I assumed he'd stay here as my Steward."

"Ah, I see," Kiomo nodded thoughtfully as poured a bit more cider in his glass.

"Why do you ask? He's not unhappy here, is he?" Ishek hoped if Penryn was, he would have come to him about it.

"Oh no! No no," he assured Ishek. "I just thought... Well, Penryn is just so capable. He's a bit wasted in a Steward position, don't you think?"

"He's quite capable in the position, and I'd hate to lose him. Where else could he go, though?"

"Why, a Hold. A Hold of his own. You _need_ loyal Holders like him, Ishek. He's a wonderful Steward, for sure, but how much more valuable would he be in a position where he could effect real change?" And stay out of Kiomo's hair...

"Would Penryn even take it?" Ishek wondered. "He seems to like it here.
Would he necessarily want his own place, away?"

"Really, Ishek, you can't work your way up from nothing to a Steward without ambition," Kiomo pointed out. "But Penryn is also very loyal to you. That is plain to see. He'd never ask you for his own Hold. He'd feel too much like he was abandoning you. I think he'd go if he knew you wanted him to, though."

"I suppose I could ask him." Ishek said. If Penryn wanted to run a Hold, how could he deny him that? Everyone should be free to pursue what they wanted to.

Somehow Kiomo could already guess Penryn would say no. He was nothing if not a loyal little canine. "Do you have a Hold in mind?"

Ishek shook his head. "No." He'd just heard the idea now, after all!

"I'd wait until you have a Hold in mind for him. After all, you wouldn't want to get his hopes up and just make him wait a turn until a spot opened." And it would give Penryn less time to think of excuses for refusing the honor...

"That makes sense." Ishek agreed.

At least the seed was planted. And that was all he needed for the moment. He'd continue to add a little water now and then and watch it bloom. Poor Ishek. He was so easy. "Come on, drink up, Ishek. This bottle isn't going to drink itself."

Ishek finished his glass and held it out for a rifill. "It would be a shame to waste this."

"Indeed it would," the holder agreed with a smile, obliging the Lord Warder by filling his cup. **Yes, Ishek, drink up. I have plans for you...**

Last updated on the November 9th 2007

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