Waiting Impatiently

Writers: Chelle, Mirren
Date Posted: 4th March 2012

Characters: Sarban, Rylos, Ryla
Description: Sarban waits for Thread to finish and chats with some holders.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 8 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentor Approved; Mentioned: Lisadi

Threadfall meant coordinating the ground crews and making sure everything got taken care of. Sarban stood to the side of the Great Hall as all the holdfolk huddled inside behind the metal shutters and heavy doors. He was waiting for the signal that fall was over to send the men out. They were collecting their gear.

Ryla hated Threadfall. Being cooped up inside with the other kids and grown ups was sooooo boring! As usual for a six turn old, she liked running around being active. She walked up to Sarban and tugged on his sleeve. "Is it finished yet?"she asked, her voice a whine.

"Ryla!" her father was waiting for ground crew duty nearby and was mortified that she'd be so bold. Rylos grabbed her other hand and made to pull her away. "I'm so sorry, she's impatient sometimes!"

"It's allright. I probably would be too if I was her turns." Sarban smiled and leaned down to where he could see Ryla. "I'm afraid not. We haven't gotten word from the sweepriders yet that we can go outside."

"But it's so boooooooring!" Ryla pouted. "How much longer?"

"Probably a half candlemark if things stay on schedule." He had copies of the charts and knew the estimates but they were never actually sure bets. "Why don't you join the children in the corner there? I think they're playing games."

"They're playing boring games, like knuckle-bones an' talking about who they're going to marry one day." She made a face. "I'm not going to marry anyone! I'm going to have a gold dragon!"

"Ryla!" her father warned again. "I've no idea where she gets such fanciful notions from!"

That brought a laugh. Sarban thought of Meledei for a moment. "You know most gold dragons impress to hold or craft girls. So maybe you will." The steward watched her, thinking she probably got such a notion from the harper tales they told all the children.

Ryla grinned. "See?" she told her father. "I can too have a gold dragon!"

Rylos sighed and nodded. "I suppose it is possible," he conceded. Thank Faranth it was unlikely!

"Can I tell them that?" she pointed toward the other children, her eyes on Sarban.

"Sure, but you're not old enough to Search yet so it'll be a long time before it's even possible really." He wanted her to know that a possibility was not a guarantee.

"Huh?" she looked at him blankly. "We play hide and search all the time! I'm good at finding people! And I can count to ten. Wanna hear?" Apparently dragons were forgotten for now.

Thinking of Lisadi's small female fosterling, he sighed and nodded. "Sure."

"One, two, three...five, six, eight, seven, nine, ten!" She grinned, proud of her effort and totally unaware of her inaccuracies.

Rylos smiled indulgently and raised an eyebrow to Sarban.

"A valiant effort I think, my dear, but I think you might need a little practice. Maybe the other kids can help you?" It was almost time for him to get ready to lead the men out, he was sure.

Her face fell. She was sure it was perfect!

"Run along and play now Ryla." Her father watched her grin and skip away so he turned his attention to the task at hand. "Not long now."

"No. We'll go out soon." Sarban went back to double check that everyone had received their equipment and were ready.

Last updated on the March 20th 2012

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Waiting Impatiently