Reunited

Writers: Chelle, Ames
Date Posted: 2nd February 2013

Characters: Lisadi, Sarban
Description: The two of them are reunited after so many months.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 10 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Corowal

Five months. Had it really been five months since she last set foot on the
grounds of Emerald Falls? Lisadi stood standing alone, preparing herself
for the difficulty she knew lay before her. Emerald Falls had become her
home, and it was the only home she had. Her heart fluttered. She hadn't
meant to be gone so long. What would happen now?

Taking a deep breath, she lifted the bag she carried. A bag which carried
the very reason she had agreed to go nurse the aunt who had reached out to
her. She hadn't told anyone what she carried, but she held the bag close to
her as she slowly took the steps toward the Hold.

Her steps were not as strong as they had been, but they were stronger than
they'd been the last few months. She was glad the marks on her arm were not
visible as she took her first slow steps home. Home. Yes, this was where
she belonged. She hadn't told anyone of her return. There was one face she
wanted to see, but worried about seeing at the same time. Five months was a
long time. Had he moved on? Could she blame him?

Walking the grounds was his usual hobby when he didn't have pressing
business. Most of Emerald Falls' residents were used to seeing their
steward's face from time to time before they exchanged greetings so he
could find out what was happening with everyone. Sarban also liked to know
if there were any difficulties or problems he could solve before they
became larger ones. As it was, he had just completed a circuit and walked
back into his office, hoping the drudge would come soon with his klah and
lunch. Humming an old sea tune to himself, he sat down and began to arrange
his hides to deal with the easy tasks first.

She made her way inside the hold, heading in the direction of her old
quarters. Lisadi finally stopped, realizing she no longer belonged to those
rooms. She had nowhere specifically to go. Realizing she would have to face
him sooner rather than later, Lisadi turned and headed in the direction of
the office she knew all too well. The door was closed. Raising her hand she
knocked and waited, anxious, hopeful and worried.

"Come in," came the automatic answer since he thought it was the drudge
with the food. He didn't even look up from the hide he was reading. Sarban
hadn't changed much. He still had that slightly windswept look along with a
tan that came from a man that was outdoors anytime he could be. He was
older and there were a few lines showing but he was still in the prime of
his life and healthy.

Lisadi pushed open the door and found she couldn't move for a moment. The
face she hadn't seen for months was before her and it took her breath away.
He looked as handsome as he had the last time she'd seen him. How had she
stayed away so long? She knew the answer to that and knew she would have
some explaining to do as well. Walking in, limping slightly, she greeted
him, "Hello Sarban."

That voice-that wasn't a drudge. They would never have spoken to him like
that. Bringing his head up, he was quiet-completely struck dumb. So long
and here she was. She looked a bit different, but it was still her. Just
like that-she was standing here in his office. He tried to say something
but the words wouldn't come. He had imagined this day many times, but now
that it was here, he was unsure. Swallowing, he wished he had some water.
**Where the shells is that drudge?** "Lisadi..you've been travelling..have
a seat then." **That sounded so stupid** It was all he had, though, as his
mind raced.

She gladly accepted his offer. Glad to sit. Her leg hurt, though she tried
not to show it she couldn't completely hide the limp. She was glad to be
back. Lisadi smiled at him, happy to see him again. Her heart was
definitely happy. She loved it here. She was _never_ leaving again. "I'm so
glad to be back," she said, uncertain how to begin, what to say after so
many months. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was coming. It was just the
right time to return and I didn't want to wait."

"Nnn..no of course not. I.." His first thought was that she probably took a
riverboat down. Surely she wouldn't have travelled overland on her own what
with these holdless about. His second thought was something was different.
He couldn't put his finger on it, but something.. Putting his hand under
his desk, he rung a string which rung a bell somewhere. That meant he
needed more food and drink. Hopefully it would be here sooner rather than
later. She looked hungry. "So how was your trip?" **Another stupid
question**

"It wasn't bad," she replied. "The captain and crew on the riverboat were
very friendly and helpful. I imagine you would have liked them alot." She
smiled, recalling his stories about the water and boats. She had enjoyed
the trip as it had reminded her of Sarban and made her feel closer to him.
She swallowed, uncertain how to proceed. "I've missed you and Emerald
Falls," she finally stated. "It's nice to be home again. I never want to
leave again." Then after a small pause she added, "I didn't think about
where I would stay once I got back. I'm hoping you still have some open
rooms somewhere." She couldn't hope to have the same rooms available that
she had when she had left. Lisadi had loved those quarters, but they had
been in a prime area and she was sure they would have been snatched up by
any other newcomer who had come after her.

Processing what she said, he realized she still cared about him. Did he
still care about her-that way? It had been so long and she had been gone
and he had made himself forget so he could get through the days. After all,
they had been betrothed-he had made a promise to her and she to him and she
had left him anyway. He hadn't been sure she would ever come back-choosing
this other person over him. But she had so maybe she had meant her promise,
after all. "You'll have to see the headwoman about quarters..I honestly
don't know. Are you going to foster again?" That would determine what sort
of quarters she would get, more than anything else.

Lisadi paused, "If...well, if I can." She wasn't sure she was up to the
task quite yet, but then again she had healed as much as she was going to
according to those at her great-aunt's hold. She sat there for a moment,
waiting and wondering what to say. Looking him directly in the eye, her own
getting a bit misty, she finally said, "I'm sorry I left with so little
explanation. I'm sorry I didn't write more. Things didn't go exactly as I'd
expected...and...well..." Lisadi sighed. He had to be upset with her for
leaving, she wondered exactly how he felt about her now.

As any other man who dealt with people often, Sarban had learned to ferret
out things. Here it was. Something had happened. "What happened Lisadi?"
His voice wasn't accusing, but it demanded an answer. His eyes rested on
her, serious. If someone had..Faranth help him, he would get on a boat and
go to wherever it was and...

She sighed. There was no use putting it off any longer. Lisadi began her
story as close to the beginning as she could.

"You know I went to assist Great-Aunt Htaru after her letter arrived. I
_am_ sorry I didn't tell you all the details then. You see growing up,
there had been stories among my family of an old family wealth that had
been lost sometime ago. Htaru promised me she knew the answer if I would
help her. I _had_ to know if the stories were true, but I know people would
have thought me foolish for going. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

She paused, shifting a bit and scratching at the still uncomfortable skin
on her leg. "Anyway, I did care for Htaru for quite some time. I sent a few
letters then, but I learned later the man Htaru trusted with her letters
was in fact taking her marks and tossing them into the river." Lisadi
frowned at that, and was glad the man hadn't gotten what he was truly after.

"As Htaru was close to dying, she told me the true secret. There _was_ a
family wealth, apparently from some Lord Holder many, many Turns ago in the
north. While much of it was lost, not all of it was. Htaru had kept it
secret in her immediate family for years, but there was no one else to
share it with, so she was giving it to me." She paused, glancing to the bag
at her feet. Inside were the jewels and vessels that her great-aunt had
gifted her with.

"Htaru died only a few short months after I'd arrived. I hadn't heard back
from you, not knowing that Narat had been destroying the letters, and I
thought you had been angry with me leaving, which I understood." She
paused, drawing in a breath, hoping Sarban would let her finish before
asking questions.

"Narat knew of some of Great-Aunt Htaru's treasures and he had been waiting
to get them. Once she died, and I was preparing to leave, he..." she
paused, gulping back the fear and hurt that had filled her for months. "He
set the house on fire. I was still inside and by the time I realized what
was happening it was...it was..." Lisadi remembered the moment vividly.
"Others had come to help. I ran, I don't even know how I got out in the
end." She rubbed her arm where the burns from the fire had left their mark.
She had been lucky that was all the fire had done.

"Narat chased me, but when I slipped down the cliffside, he turned and ran
into the fire after the treasures he knew were there. Narat died that day.
My leg," she rubbed her thigh, "was shattered from the fall. They didn't
know if I would walk again, but I did," she lifted her chin, proud of that
accomplishment. The encounter had changed Lisadi. She carried with her
treasures beyond anything she could have imagined in her meager lift, but
the true change was inside. Though now she carried with her some fear, she
also had found her inner strength. Nothing would ever stop her again.

Could this be real? What the shells kind of a story was that? The cynic in
him picked at it and picked at it, but here she was and she was hurt. And
you couldn't fake burn scars. Swallowing again, he knew it would be some
time before he could trust her again. Still, she was only asking now for
him to do his duty and that was easy enough. "Go and see the headwoman and
she'll get you somewhere to rest and clean up. Then you can eat some supper
and you'll feel better. You're tired so we don't need to spend a lot of
time talking about this now." He needed to talk to Corowal-to get his
feeling on it. Was she trying to fool him again? Was there a way they could
check this story? It was too soon and she had done so much. "Do you
remember where her office is or do I need to walk you?"

She was glad to have told him her story. She was glad to be back. She hoped
Sarban would give her a chance, but after so many months away she wasn't
sure where their relationship stood. Right now, she was happy to know she
was home again. Safe and sound. Ready to start her life anew once more.

"Thank you Sarban. I remember where it is." Lisadi stood, taking a moment
to adjust her weight on her leg before picking up her bag. "I really am
glad to be back here." She looked him straight in the eyes hoping he knew
that most of that had to do with him.

Last updated on the March 2nd 2013

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Reunited