The Moment Of Truth
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 11th August 2009
Characters: Briata, Parale
Description: Briata asks Parale to tell her the truth.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 4, day 2 of Turn 5
"Parale." Briata looked up as the girl entered the room. She had requested Parale join her in the receiving room, the portion of the quarters she shared with Ishek where they would receive callers and guests. "Please, come in."
She entered, looking around. This was the first time she'd ever entered this room. Bringing her attention to rest on Briata, she couldn't help but wonder why she was here now. "Good day, mlady...what can I do for you?" Perhaps Briata was interested in her dyed fabrics?
Surely Parale would speak plainly with her. Others had avoided the conversation when Briata had brought up Ishek's mistress. Briata had been seeking out the truth for the last couple of sevendays, but it was difficult to do so when few would meet her eyes, much less speak truthfully - and she knew they were hiding something. "Please sit down. I have something to ask you, though I fear it will not be pleasant."
Frowning slightly, she hoped she wasn't in trouble. What had she done? Wringing her hands, she did take a seat. Banishing her nervousness for the moment, her eyes rested solely on the other female. "Aye?"
"Have you..." Briata trailed off, her eyes lowering to her hands which clutched fearfully at one another. "Have you...seen or heard anything about Lord Ishek?" It was a formality, really. From the reactions of the people she had questioned, Briata had come to know that there was something to what Talmina had said. She simply wanted to hear it out loud - or hear some one deny it without turning away from her. She wanted someone to speak the truth - and that was when Parale had come to mind.
Well that was an awfully broad question. The Lady Holder was fishing. What was she fishing for? And just then, it dawned on the foster mother. Putting two and two together with rumor and what she'd seen, she knew it for certain now. She only needed Briata to confirm it. "M'lady..I..am unsure of what you mean?" She didn't want to blurt it out if it wasn't her place, after all.
Briata took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Regarding...visits. With a certain...greenrider."
This was the moment of truth. How did one tell another about their husband's infidelity? Better just to say it. "Well M'lady..a certain greenrider is seen with a certain Lord on occasion. I'm..so sorry." She frowned, trying to convey that if she could do anything to help, she would.
"In a way that indicates they are more than friends?" Briata had confirmed it with the dragons, but she wanted to make sure she heard it from multiple sources.
"Aye, in a way a respectable woman would not meet with a man," Parale nodded, hoping that was sufficient. She didn't want to just come right out and say the Lord was likely having conjugal visits with the greenrider whore.
Briata nodded slowly. "Thank you for being honest with me, Parale. I appreciate it." At least _one_ person was willing to be honest with her. It didn't make her feel any better and she thought regretfully of what she felt she had to do. "Would you be willing to do some things for me?"
"Things? Well I suppose it'd depend on what they were..but tis my duty to see you protected and well, M'lady." Indeed it was. Though it was hard, sharing loyalty with the Lord and the Lady in such a mess.
"I need to pack my things and have them sent to the Weyr." She could only carry a little and there were some things she refused to leave behind. "And I need a message sent to the harpers. Would you be willing to assist me?"
"Aye M'lady, I will help you." Parale could do that much. "Just show me the way."
Last updated on the August 16th 2009