Just Part of Her Job

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 9th November 2008

Characters: Serend, Karai
Description: The two talk about Sorsha and Railen when they are late coming home.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 17 of Turn 4

"I'm just a little concerned Serend," Karai said as she sat with her husband on the back porch watching the last of the suns rays dip behind the hills. "Railen told me he was going to start working with Sorsha on her jumps and she could have gotten hurt."

Serend took his pipe from his mouth but didn't take his eyes off of the horizon. "They're fine." Railen was a smart boy and he knew how to handle himself. "They probably just lost track of the time."

"I suppose..." Karai trusted her husband's judgement, but the last time they had been late, Sorsha had come back soaked to the bone and covered in mud after having fallen into the small river that meandered through their land.

Serend seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. "No harm came to them." He stated, finally giving his wife a sidelong glance. "Railen took care of her, just like he is supposed to."

She smiled, thinking of her son. She was so proud of him, he seemed to be trying really hard to befriend Sorsha and acclimate her to life around here. It was a big change from a sea hold to runners and farming, and once Balisor came up to finalize the marriage contract, it would be a permanent change. "You don't think he's pushing her too much do you? He takes her out riding almost every day."

"If she is, she doesn't seem to be complaining." Serend stated with a shrug. "I would think she would mention something if he was, maybe not to him or you, but to one of the girls."

"Raise and Lenlee just love her." Karai explained. "But I don't know if she'd complain to them. I think that Sorsha is trying very hard not to do or say anything that would displease us."

"I think she would eventually let something slip to one of us and I think they would come to us if they felt she was feeling overwhelmed or pushed upon." Serend shrugged again. At least, he assumed that was the way things would happen. Frankly, if it had been him and he felt like someone was pushing him, he would have simply come out and said so, though certain to be polite about it. "She's fine I'm sure."

Karai picked up the sheet of embroidery she had been working on the night before, placated by her husband's sure words. "I'm sure you're right. I don't know why I worry so."

"You just like having things work out and things will." Serend put his pipe back into his mouth and puffed upon it as he leaned back in his chair. Karai did worry too much, but that was all right. It was, perhaps, just part of her job he supposed.

"Speaking of working out..." Karai started, "Lenlee's birthingday is next sevenday. Have you gotten a reply back from Horther?"

Serend shook his head, then spoke around his pipe, "I expect one in the next day or two."

"It would be a wonderful gift if we could tell her we're sending her to his hold so she can work with that harper of theirs." she mused "She has such a wonderful voice."

"I suppose." Serend still wasn't too sure about it. He took a few more long puffs upon his pipe before adding, "I just hope she doesn't get it in her mind that we're allowing her to craft. Not seemly."

She reached over and patted her husband's thigh, "Harper trained is a long way from harper, dear. It'll do her credit when it comes time for her to marry."

"Perhaps." Serend still wasn't sure he was completely comfortable with the idea, but Karai had been so insistent that he felt like he had to give into her wishes. "We'll see." The man puffed for another few minutes then eased himself up. "Gonna go check on Margori." She was due to foal very soon and Serend preferred not to miss the birth, so he had been checking for signs often.

Karai knew the discussion was over, and whether she agreed with her husband or not, he would make the correct decision when the time came.

Last updated on the November 10th 2008

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Just Part of Her Job