Revelations of a Complicated Kind

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th March 2013

Characters: Karhal, Loella
Description: Karhal finds out something very unexpected
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 6
Notes: Part 1 of 2

Karhal

Loella

As it neared lunch time, Karhal waved away the drudge who had come in
to ask if he needed anything. With a full klah mug, he pulled another hide
out and considered it,jotting notations down on the night
time report. Daihmin was consistent but a few of the newer guards
needed to be guided on patrols a bit more. He'd have to discuss that
with them. He took another sip,signed his name, then moved to
look at the report about the kennels being built. Scratching behind
his ear, he wrote down some necessary adjustments to the alloted space.

A knock at his door didn't pull him from his hide work. He answered
with an absent "Come in." And without looking up, continued. "What can
I help you with?"

Loella half smiled as she slipped in the door. "I brought your
laundry," she said and walked over to set the basket on the chair.
"Since you said you weren't staying at the house I figured you could
take this wherever you need it.

The blonde head immediately shot up from his hide work and
stared at Loella in surprise. "Oh...Loella." His eyes flicked to
the laundry and he shook his head with a slight smile. "Thank you.
I could have picked it up. It's not your job to fetch and carry
for me.But it's appreciated." He paused and suddenly eyed
the younger woman. "And by the way...I bathe every morning,
thank you."

**Men are so blind,** she thought. She'd known he'd take exception to
her comment but then most men smelled in her opinion. At least they
did after a hard days work. It didn't matter that she happened to like
the way he smelled she'd used it for shock value anyway. So her reply
was a little tart. "So you just let all that day's aroma rub all over
your sheets then? That explains alot. And by the way... you're
welcome."

His jaw worked from side to side for a moment as he looked at
his former sister-in-law. Picking up his cup of klah, he took a long
sip and then laid his forearms on his desk, giving her his full attention.
"You know, Loella...your father didn't paddle your rump often enough
as a child." He arched a brow. "I'm half tempted to make up for that
oversight."

"Promises, promises," she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "You're not
my father and have no right."

Unfortunately for Karhal he had been in the middle of taking another
sip of klah when she made her next comment. It was only through
choking and gasping that the klah didn't end up on his desk or out
of his nose. Coughing a little bit more, Karhal looked up at her
through watery eyes. "Promises? Sweet Faranth, woman, you don't
say that to a relative."

She tilted her head for a moment and then shook it. "You told _me_ we
weren't related anymore, Remember?"

Rubbing at his eyes, Karhal sighed. "You're right, but still,
Loella..." He honestly did not know what to do with the woman. She
managed to get under his skin every time he saw her. He pinched the
bridge of his nose and then looked back up at her, saying exactly what
was on his mind. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Oh Karhal," she sighed. There was so much she'd wanted to say to the
man if she'd ever gotten the opportunity or even had his attention and
now that she did, the words fled. "I don't know."

Rubbing the back of his neck and mussing the back of his short hair,
Karhal exhaled slowly and debated his next words. With a slight lift of
his lips he peered at her. "Perhaps your father should find you a new
suitor. I could help, perhaps?"

Loella had ruined more than one suit with her sharp tongue. She just
couldn't help herself at times. But this time the retort that rose to
her mind just didn't seem right and she said the last thing she would
have expected to come out of her mouth "Oh, I'm already hopelessly in
love."

Oh. Karhal frowned. Perhaps it was something he could help with.
"Well, would you like me to speak to this man for you? You're a
wonderful woman, Loella." **When you're aren't acid-tongued,** he
thought privately. But even then it was at least amusing. He then
paused. "Wait...he's not already wed, is he?"

She gritted her teeth momentarily then answered. "No, he's a widower."
Her eyes narrowed and she hoped the wheels would turn in the right
direction.

"Well, that should make things a bit easier..." Karhal's voice trailed
off as what she had said began to piece together in his head. With
what he was sure was an audible click, the pieces snapped together and
he sat straight in his chair. He stared at Loella as his hand
tightened on his klah mug. His voice was soft. "Or it could make
matters very complicated."

Last updated on the March 23rd 2013

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Revelations of a Complicated Kind