Happily Ever After (part 1 of 2)

Writers: Emma, Yvonne
Date Posted: 27th November 2008

Characters: Thalia, Carlan
Description: Thalia doesn't take the news of Ishek's upcoming marriage very well
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 9 of Turn 4

Thalia knocked, but barged into Carlan's office before he had a chance to
reply. She was pale and was twisting her rings on her fingers as she paced,
and her green skirts flared around her like a tide. "He's getting
_married_," she spat.

"Ma'am?" The hides the young harper was marking were set aside as he
realised just who was in front of him.

"_Ishek_! He's getting married!" How could he not know? The entire _Hold_
knew by now! "To Briata - you remember her. She fostered here... and _she_
obviously got what she wanted. And now he's marrying her, and he didn't even
have the decency to tell me himself-- oh no, it's just _fine_ for me to find
out along with every other person living here!"

"I see," of course Carlan knew, but in cases like this it was always best to
get the person to tell you themselves what was bothering them, or so he'd
found. "Why don't you take a seat and we can talk about this."

Reluctantly Thalia sat, and looked pleadingly at Carlan though teary blue
eyes. "What about my son?" she asked plaintively.

"You want to know where he stands?"

"Yes, I want to know where he stands! What if they have children? What if
those children try to challenge his right to the Hold, or Briata or Ishek
do? Ishek's signed a contract saying that he'll step aside when Aslian comes
of age, but Briata hasn't."

Carlan reached for a hide and stylus, beginning to take notes. It seemed
that this could be a complicated matter. "Do you know if that document
concerned just him, or any of his heirs?"

"I don't know. I wasn't present at the Conclave - all I know is that they
ruled in favour of my son's inheritance, not whether or not Ishek's heirs
could have a valid claim. It seems rather... untrustworthy if the Lord
Warder's children could inherit should something happen to my son. What
motivation would he have to care for Aslian if that were true? Would there
be another 'accident', perhaps, just like his father's? " Greed was an
insidious, slippery thing - and Aslian was just a child. Ishek seemed to be
an honourable man and Briata didn't seem the sort to go after what wasn't
hers, but greed changed people... and a Major Holding was a rich prize,
indeed.

The Harper nodded as he took notes. "Well the first thing it seems is to ask
for a copy of that document, but what I will have to do is consult with the
Hall for advice here. I'm not a specialist in this area, but I do know who
to ask and I will explain the urgency."

"I don't know why I haven't asked for a copy before, if only for my father's
records. Probably because he hoped that Ishek and I would marry. I think
everyone did..." A small, sad smile flitted across her face. None of this
would have been an issue if they had, and to be fair, Ishek had proposed.
Perhaps she'd been rash in her desire not to marry again so soon after
Aswic's death. "I suppose I should also look over my marriage contract.
Ishek is binding us to Onyx Peak, but my father married me to Aswic for
trade reasons, too. I won't have Garnet Valley renege on their contract."

"That would help," said Carlan, "I can write a more informed message to the
Hall then, the more they have, the quicker they will be able to help you."

The Lady was silent a moment. "Am I... do you think... will they take me
seriously?" She was a widow, after all. A woman - a _young_ woman. And Ishek was a man, and so
could do things like present his own case to the Conclave. "I just feel
so... helpless."

"Ma'am, there's no need for that. You represent your son's interests and
any Conclave would have to take that into account. Let me send to the Harper
Hall for a more informed answer and then you will know what you can do."

"Thank you." Thalia sat quietly, staring at her hands. Her son, her
future... she felt as if she was trying to protect it all, and all she knew
how to do was garden and play the gitar. Ishek's marriage and the threat it
posed to her felt immense and unknowable - so much depended upon the
kindness of others, and if her late husband's murder had taught her
anything, it was that trust was a fragile thing and easy to break. Thalia
hadn't felt this alone since Aswic had died.

"I'm sure that I can find someone with a firelizard to take this straight
away, I'll mark it as urgent and for the attention of Hallmaster Almonteo,"
explained Carlan. "I'll also make a note that this matter should be
addressed as soon as possible."

"Thank you. I'll- wait, then." Thalia stood and smoothed out her skirts,
even as she did her best to smooth down her anxieties. The letter would go
to the Hallmaster, then, and that was the best she could do for not. "Please
let me know as _soon_ as you have a reply, Carlan."

"Of course I will. You have my word."

Once again, she had to rely on someone's sworn word. Thalia summoned up a
smile in thanks as best she could, then left Carlan alone to attend to his
letter.

Last updated on the December 4th 2008

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Happily Ever After (part 1 of 2)