Quite a Shock

Writers: Ainsley, Paula
Date Posted: 30th April 2009

Characters: Zelanka, Nimroy, Lantriv
Description: Nimroy finds out some shocking news when he inadvertently walks in on a private conversation between Zelanka and Lantriv.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 13 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Benaran

"So, how are you doing, mom?" Lantriv asked. He sat down to his
mother's desk, disturbing some hides, which made Zelanka rise her
eyebrown's in disapproving manner. He blithely ignored it.

"I'm hanging on," Zelanka replied the question.

"You don't look too well," Lantriv continued in straightforward
manner. He was right, she looked wain and had dark circles around her
eyes.

"I don't sleep well," Zelanka admitted quietly. "It feels so strange.
I miss him. I keep glancing the clock, thinking if it's time to take
him his lunch and then I realize that his office is empty. There is no
Lord Holder to eat it, or leave it uneated, as he often did."

The tall guard made a symphatic sound. "You know, I miss him too. I
would never thought I would miss the old man," he said with mirthless
laugh.

"He was your father," Zelanka said.

"No, mom, he wasn't. He was just the man who sired me. He never played
any major part in _my_ life. Petriv is my father, he deserves to be my
father," Lantriv said.

Nimroy stood stock still in the doorway, staring at his childhood
friend and the woman who had cared for him like a mother. Due to this
degree of familiarity, he had not even paused before pushing open the
office door. He'd come to check on Zelanka, she still wasn't looking
well. Sometimes it seemed his father's death had taken a greater toll
on her than anyone. And now he knew why. Speechless, Nimroy
continued to look at Lantriv, searching for the family resemblance,
trying to collect his thoughts.

Lantriv spotted him first. "O-ou," he said.

Zelanka's face turned pale and she made a little scared sound.

Taking a deep breath, Nimroy entered the office and shut the door
behind him. He expelled the breath slowly as he turned back around to
face the room's occupants. "I guess Benaran came by it naturally," he
said quietly, alluding to his brother's indiscretions which had
resulted in more than one illegitimate child.

It took a while for Lantriv to catch his implication and he offered
Nimroy a crooked smile and an affirmative grunt.

Zelanka still looked like she could faint. "Nimroy," she managed with
strangled voice.

His blue eyes looked up to meet the headwoman's and he offered her
just a bit of a smile. Through the turmoil of thoughts and emotions,
he did know that he could not be angry with her. His voice was quiet
and even when he spoke, "You loved him didn't you?"

"Yes, I did, very much," Zelanka replied quietly.

"I guess I should have known that..should have realized, but..." But
he hadn't. Nimroy looked at Lantriv, probably his best friend growing
up. As close as brothers some might have said.
They weren't even a full turn apart in age. Benaroy had certainly
done his bit to repopulate the Hold, Nimroy thought with some anger.

"It's a surprise no one haven't," Lantriv said. "You only have to look
in the mirror..." He shifted little uneasily.

"I suppose that's true. It just didn't occur to me to think along
those lines." He turned to Zelanka, "Does anyone else know?"

"Well, Benaroy knew of course and I suspect Petriv is always know, but
no one else," Zelanka replied.

"I did tell my wife," Latriv added. "We have kept it inside the family."

"Considering the size of _our_ family that could come to mean half the
Hold," Nimroy said shaking his head, though he knew what Latriv was
saying. He still could not believe his father! Not only had the man
buried three wives and fathered seventeen legitimate children, but
apparently he had not limited himself to his wives. Looking at
Zelanka, taking in her drawn features and the circles under her eyes,
he wondered if Benaraoy had shown care and consideration for this
woman who obviously loved him, or if he had only used her. "I hope
Father was..." How did he say what he was trying to express? "Kind to
you."

"He was. I believe he loved me," Zelanka said, emphasing that it was
_her_ belief.

"Good. I am glad of that." Nimroy looked at Latriv again. They
looked more alike than certain other of his siblings, actually. Come
to think of it, Lantriv was as closely related to him as several of
his siblings. Which also meant he could be considered as an heir - if
people knew. Really, he had as much right. "You could be in the
running for Lord Holder, if people knew."

Lantriv snorted. "I don't want to be a Lord holder. I plan to be the
captain of the guard one day and that just how high my ambitions run."

Nimroy nodded. He could understand that. He had never particularly
wanted to be Lord Holder either. Perhaps Lantriv was the luckier son.
He had been free to pursue his interests. "I will keep your secret,
then, if that is what you wish."

"Thank you, Nimroy," Lantriv said, his tone serious.

"None needed, my friend," he replied, wanting to let Lantriv know that
this in no way changed their longstanding camaraderie. He then turned
to Zelanka. "You still look as if you have seen thread inside the
Hold doors. You should sit down. Can we get you something?"

"There's bottle of brandy in that cabinet. If you could pour me a
little? This has been quite a shock," Zelanka replied. She blaimed
herself for the carelessness. She should have locked the door before
starting to talk so openly with her son. Still, part of her was glad
that the secret was out and that it had been Nimroy. Nimroy seemed to
take it well and he was unlike to use the information against them.

Nimroy moved to do just that, deciding to pour himself one as well.
This _had_ been quite a shock. He caught Lantriv's eye, holding the
bottle up in silent query to see if his brother also wanted a drink.

Lantriv nodded in silent affirmative.

Pouring three glasses, Nimroy distributed the first two then raised
his glass in mock toast "Quite a shock," he said echoing Zelanka's
observation.

Last updated on the May 10th 2009

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Quite a Shock