Resolve

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 16th December 2013

Characters: Vell
Description: Vell prepares for her journey, and overhears something that she wishes she hadn't
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 4, day 2 of Turn 7
Notes: Follows "SWE: Why Can't I?"

Vell received the expected tongue-lashing from her mother for abandoning her afternoon chores, but went meekly when she was told to help prepare and clean up supper. It was ovine again tonight, roasted with tubers in a herb sauce. Fresh greens and small, dense rolls speckled with seeds rounded the meal. Vell was set to chopping greens and herbs, and then to serving once everything was out of the ovens. Afterwards she spent a good candlemark elbow-deep in greasy water.

Traditionally the women got together in the evenings to card wool and spin, and to knit and weave the yarns that didn't get sold to the Weaver Hall or other Holdings. Vell paused in the hallway, her belly knotting with anxiety because of what she was about to do. Her mother wouldn't know when she'd be finished in the kitchen, so there was a small period of time when nobody would come looking for her.

She turned and headed down the darkened hall toward her father's office, tiptoeing to keep the hardened heels of her riding boots from tapping against the stone floor. Her father would be in her parents' rooms, likely reading and enjoying a small glass of stout beer. Her heart still fluttered against her ribs as she turned into the hall that led to his office.

The hall was dark, the glows shut to preserve them. She ran her fingers along the stone wall to guide her steps. There was no light streaming from the crack beneath the door. Vell pushed it open, slipped inside, and shut it behind her. The darkness was absolute. She exhaled, exhilaration making her light-headed. It was five steps to his desk, where she fumbled around until her hand brushed a matchbox. She withdrew a match and lit a candle, the soft yellow light illuminating the room and throwing sharp shadows against the wall.

Vell smiled in satisfaction as she stared at the flame. Matches. She'd have to remember to bring some along.

Reminded of her task, she turned to the enormous bookcase that lined one wall. Rolled hides and bound books were stuffed into every cranny in a display of Eron's organizational skills. As unlikely as it seemed, Eron knew where everything was. As far as she knew, the maps were kept rolled. Vell began pulling rolled hides from the shelves until she found one detailing Stony Field's holdings. Going through that particular shelf unearthed a fine, detailed map of a goodly amount of Pern, including the roads to Opal Cove, but it was too big and valuable to steal. Vell regretfully rerolled it and returned it to the shelf. The next map was a better choice, smaller and etched onto sturdy hide. The traders' routes were inked in and labeled, as were streams and cotholders' crofts. Vell pulled the candle close to examine it. The Sea of Azov wasn't on the map, but the road that led there was clearly marked. This she could use, so she carefully rolled it and tucked it under her arm.

Blowing out the candle, Vell started toward the door but froze. Voices echoed down the hall, faint but getting closer. "I can't accept it." Her father. "My patience is at an end. Her behavior is shameful."

"She lost someone. It's not her fault." Vell smiled in the dark. Her brother Elor was defending her. Her smile quickly faded as she realized that there was every possibility that Eron and Elor were coming to her father's office. She looked around wildly but the room was too dark to see anything, let alone a hiding place, so pressed her back against the wall and held her breath.

"The time is long past for her to take responsibility for her fate, but she won't. I have to do it and she hates me for it," her father said.

"She doesn't hate you. You know Vell. She's just..." He trailed off. Their voices were right outside the door now. "She's stubborn. And young." The sound of their footsteps passed the door and Vell let out the breath she'd been holding. Her eyes narrowed. Stubborn? "She'll grow out of it. You just need to give her time," Elor said.

"Mother said that she wandered off again this afternoon, no doubt mooning over that man. She's shirking her duties and that endless moping about is going to drive me mad."

"Be gentle with her, father," Elor sounded resigned. "It grates on everyone's nerves, but she's acting out because she's frustrated."

"Save me from the stupidity of youth. And by the Egg, let this melodrama end! I'm finished?" Her father's voice faded as he went around a corner.

Vell sagged against the wall. Stupidity? Melodrama?! Is that was her family really thought of her? Her heart hurt thinking of it. Clearly her sadness was an inconvenience at best. No wonder nobody was looking for Yarron. They didn't care.

Quietly she exited the office, careful to shut the door behind her. She met no one on the route to her room, where she hid the map in her desk and quickly changed her grease-stained work clothes for a light, comfortable dress. Picking up her embroidery bag she tried on a smile. The edges of her mouth lifted but that was the best she could do. She missed Yarron. Her family was sick of her grief.

Her father was right-it was time that she took her fate into her own hands. It was time that she went to find her husband.

Last updated on the December 18th 2013

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Resolve