The Captain's Trial (12)

Writers: Anaria
Date Posted: 11th June 2011

Characters: Tiernan
Description: Recovering after the storm
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 10 of Turn 6

The Seawing had intercepted the Dragon's Talon without further
incident. Galliet was now under the care of their Master Healer, and
they were safely en route back to shore. They would arrive at Topaz
Sea Hold in about 3 days, where Tiernan would be met by a group of
Master Seacrafters, and his future as a Sea Captain would be decided.
He had finally been able to change into clean, mostly dry clothing,
and have a proper warm meal for the first time in days.

All in all, things weren't going so badly for the Captain.

At least for now. He knew that Galliet was never going to fully
emotionally recover from the loss of his arm. He also knew that he'd
never stop feeling guilty about the loss of his half-brother, and that
he'd never look at his father the same way.

He remembered then the packet full of items that Squirt must have
found and dropped on his office floor while he was asleep. He went
into the temporary quarters that he'd been offered on the Dragon's
Talon, and rifled through his things until he found it. He'd peeked in
it once before he left the Seawing, and had seen that it contained a
few relatively nice golden necklaces. He hadn't noticed some of the
notes though.

"Dearest Vanilesa,

Please accept this necklace as a token of my love to you. It pains me
to know that you don't wish to leave your husband for me. I understand
that it's rough that I can't be around all the time because I am off
at sea, but I do think that it would be worth it for the time we'd
have together. I do hope that you'll tell Fievan and Vanera of us once
they're old enough to understand. Shards, Fievan is 12 turns now. He's
old enough to craft. He's old enough to know.

Love Always,
Fieranan"

Tiernan's heart thudded in his chest as he poured out the remaining
contents of the envelope. Vanera. There was another one. He had a
sister. That was the only explanation that made sense. He picked up a
harper's portrait of a little girl. She appeared to be around 10 turns
of age, and had the same eyes as Fievan and Tiernan.

There was another note, this one in unfamiliar hand.

"Dearest Fieranan,
I am sorry that I have played games with your head for so many turns.
It's been very hard to deal with being married to a man who doesn't
love me, and to love a man who is away at sea. My husband has recently
passed away, which is why you haven't heard from me, as his firelizard
has went /between/. I couldn't think of any other way to get in touch
with you, and Fievan has insisted that he will join the Seacraft in
hopes of contacting you. I have sent this note along with him so you
would believe him, although he looks just like you. I have enclosed an
espousal ring. I do hope that you'll wear it.

Your Love,
Vanilesa"

Tiernan sat back and took deep breaths for a few moments. The way that
Fievan had been talking, it had sounded like Fieranan had just had a
brief fling with Vanilesa, and he had assumed that it was over for
turns. These letters though - they spoke of a history that had spanned
at least several turns.

Tiernan considered his father's actions for a moment. He remembered
that 2 turns ago, when he had walked the Tables to become a Master
that his father had taken him aside, and told him that he was planning
on taking a position that would allow him to spend more time at home.
He had blamed old age, but now Tiernan was left wondering if it wasn't
because he no longer needed to visit his other family.

He sat back in the chair, resting his head against the wall of the
ship. It didn't rock the same way the Seawing did, as it was a much
larger vessel. It made him feel disorientated, away from home. It
certainly didn't help his present mental state any.

**Meledei...** the name floated through his mind for what must have
been the millionth time since the storm started. He wanted to talk to
her. He wanted to be with someone that he was comfortable around. He
didn't want to admit that he was quite rapidly developing feelings for
the woman. Since the Seawing had been en route North, and he knew he'd
be away for a few months, he had tried to ignore it. But in 4 days, he
could see her again. All he needed to do was get through the
formalities with the Seacraft Hall.

He hoped he could last that long. And moreso, he hoped that she would
want to see him.

Last updated on the June 13th 2011

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The Captain's Trial (12)