What the Future Holds

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 15th October 2005

Characters: Thalia, Penryn
Description: Thalia recieves news from the Conclave regarding the fate of Garnet Valley - and her son
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 8, day 1 of Turn 3

'To Lady Thalia and the holders of Garnet Valley, The Conclave has chosen a Lord Warder for Garnet Valley until Lord Aslian comes of age. Lord Ishek will be arriving shortly to assume control of the Hold. Our condolences, and best hope for the future,' The short letter was signed by each member of the Conclave and verified by a Harper. The paper was expensive, and was accompanied by a letter from her father.

'Dearest Thalia, The Conclave has decided in favour of your son, and after much debate has settled on Lord Ishek as Lord Warder. You might remember his father - he visited Eastern Point once when you were a child, but I do not think you and Ishek have ever met. He has a reputation for fairness and a strong work ethic and will soon be able to put Garnet Valley back together. More to the point, he is a widower, as you are, and has no children. As your father I want nothing save your happiness, and remarrying would guarantee that, I'm sure.

I love you, and your mother misses you. When will you come visit, and bring Aslian? Kanaya is driving me mad with questions, and your sister is eager to meet her nephew.

Lord Rethral.' The letter from home Thalia tucked into her pocket, and after giving the waiting blue flit a scratch on the head (since she had no food to give him), went off in search of Penryn to show him the letter. Maybe he'd know a little more about this 'Ishek'.

Penryn reread the letter again. "Well, Lady Thalia, this is indeed good news for you and the young Lord Aslian."

"I hope." Thalia smiled. "I know it is. I'm just so _happy_ that they've finally decided - and come to the right decision."

"Yes, I'm glad that they have decided to recognize your son's claim. I have never met Ishek personally, but from what I have heard of him, I think he is a good choice."

"My father wrote me a letter as well, but he doesn't save much except that Ishek has a good work ethic - and that he's unmarried."

Penryn wasn't sure what to say on that last account. It would be advantageous for the lady to be married to the Lord Regent, and at the same time, he would not have wanted to marry so soon after Jaika's death. Turns still felt too soon. "Well, a good work ethic is something that will come in handy here, I should think."

"Yes, but my father made it sound as if Garnet Valley has fallen into chaos. And while I admit that things are not as... smooth, as they were before-" her late husband's name caught in her throat, and she swallowed, "Things are not as smooth as they once were, thanks to you we are set for winter and nothing much has changed."

"But I have failed to capture Meijah and Verora," Penryn replied matter of factly. He had merely stepped up into the role Auren had already established. He saw bringing the murderers to justice and maintaining unity in the Hold until the new Lord could arrive as _his_ responsibility.

Thalia frowned. "No one can fault you for that. It was... chaotic, for a while here, afterwards. And Meijah was a guardsman, and he obviously knew the hills much better than we do. Besides, Amethyst Cliff still hasn't found Lady Jerandra. And if they're not found soon, I imagine that the cold will kill them both." It was a matter-of-fact statement: she was mountain-bred and knew the risks of exposure.

"Well, that is one kind of justice, I suppose." But Penryn would rather have them face _true_ justice for their crimes. "It's good to finally know that a Lord is coming."

"Yes. What _do_ you know about Ishek?" Thalia asked curiously.

"He is the second son of a minor holder. He is ambitious and a hard worker. I have heard nothing bad of him. And he is a widower."

Everyone mentioned his marital status, it seemed. Thalia bit her lip.
"Do you know what happened to his wife?"

Penryn nodded slowly. "I seem to remember it wasn't a natural death."

A small shiver crept up her spine. "Not natural? Not... an accident, surely. Not- like here."

"I cannot say. I don't know the details. That is just what I have heard." It would be a terrible coincidence, however.

Thalia's thoughts were running along the same lines as Penryn's. A terrible coincidence. Or _was_ it? **Don't be stupid,** she told herself firmly, and rose to her feet. "I ought to write a reply to the Conclave on Aslian's behalf, and write a reply to my father.
Perhaps my mother will know something more of Ishek - and his late wife. In the mean time, if you hear anything, you will tell me -
won't you?"

"Of course, ma'am. I can make an inquiry or two myself if you wish."

Thalia smiled. "I would like that very much. Thank you, Penryn."

"Not at all. And I'm happy to hear that you and your son will be staying with us, m'lady." And the surprising thing was, Penryn meant it.

Last updated on the October 15th 2005

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What the Future Holds