Married Off
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Miriah, Yvonne
Date Posted: 13th April 2014
Characters: Yriadha, Humari, Taril
Description: Humari's life is decided
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 6, day 3 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Morin
Yriadha stared at her daughter, hands on slim hips. "Again. You tried to do this again. I would have thought you'd learned."
Humari hung her head and spoke softly. "I forgot."
"No, you did not. You were trying to avoid this meeting and I well know it." The headwoman crossed her arms over her chest. "He is a nice man, Humari and Faranth knows you haven't even tried to find someone else suitable. We can not take the chance that your...indiscretions will be repeated. You're lucky enough that your brother found you and not the guard or Faranth forbid, Lord Morin. It could have ruined everything for all of us. You may be young, but you're old enough for child bearing and old enough to be a wife."
Humari paled and nodded her head. "Yes, Mother." Her hands wrung in her lap.
The arrival of their guest was announced by the tap-tap of wood muffled with leather against the stone of the floor. The sound echoed down the hall. After a moment there was a knock on the door, and it swung open and Taril strode through without waiting for a summons. Taril was a tall man with a strong chin and a mop of blond hair that he'd carefully combed back from his face. He was well dressed-- he was, after all, one of the wealthiest men in the Hold-- but it didn't distract from the pinkish scar on his face that pulled one eye into a squint, the half-missing ear, or worse, the trouser leg pinned nearly closed just above his right knee. The tapping came from the elegantly made crutch tucked under one arm. "Headwoman," he said by way of greeting, his eyes turning briefly to the girl before fixing firmly on Yriadha's face.
Anyone else who just barged in would have been given the rough side of Yriadha's tongue immediately. However, considering the situation, Yriadha didn't make a comment about his entrance. Instead, she nodded at him. "Taril, I'm pleased you could make it. This is Humari, my daughter. Please, have a seat." She turned to gaze at her daughter and gave a quick gesture with her head.
Humari looked at the man and swallowed hard. He looked intimidating and he was...scarred. Her stomach twisted into knots. Was this who her mother had chosen for her? It was hard enough for her to think about being with a man, but how would she ever be able to look at this man as a husband? She suddenly wanted to leap out of her seat and rush to the door. But her mother's face and gesture said it all. She rose, hurrying towards the klah pot and poured two cups, one for her mother and one for the man. Quietly, she offered both, refusing to look at him.
"Thank you, Humari." Taril eyed her intently even as she refused to look his way. That was usual in his world, but could be overcome with time. He sipped the klah out of politeness, then set the mug aside. "I am intrigued by your offer, Yriadha. It was not something I expected."
"You're welcome, sir." Humari's voice was whisper soft as she hurried back to her seat. She stared down at her hands, silently begging her mother to change her mind.
Pleased that Humari had been polite and well mannered, Yriadha sat at her desk, folding her hands and taking a deep breath. "I realize that. My daughter is young, but marriageable and I would have her well cared for. I believe you can do that."
He nodded. "You know my holdings are considerable. There would be few in this Hold kept better were we to wed."
"Which is all a mother could ask for. She is my youngest child and the rest of my children have married and began their own families. I desire the same for her, but she is quiet and a little shy, as you can see. " Yriadha gave Humari a look of motherly affection. "She has been well brought up and knows how to run a household. There has never been an issue of infertility in my family, so she could bring you healthy heirs as well. "
Taril dearly wanted to ask how many grandchildren Yriadha had, but thought the question might be perceived as rude. It would be nice to have his own children. They probably wouldn't hide their faces or start to cry when he approached, and it would be nice to have an heir to bequeath his wealth to. But that was getting ahead of himself. It was one thing to bargain for a wife, but quite another to live with one-- or an unwilling one. He turned to the young lady in question. She was here, and therefore deserved to have some input into her fate. "And you, Humari?" Taril asked. "What are your thoughts on the matter? I know that I am not exactly..." His mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "... a young lady's first choice, in some regards. But there would also be significant benefits to being my lady."
Humari had not been expecting to be asked her opinion of the matter. She looked up, wide eyed and met us gaze for the first time, dark eyes wondering. She saw the bitterness in them and for a moment, could understand and could sympathize. She flicked her gaze to her mother and immediately looked back down at her hands.
If she said what she really wanted, her entire family would be shamed and the belt her mother had wielded before would be a pittance on what would happen. She couldn't have what she wanted...because it was disgusting and shameful. She was disgusting and shameful.
She gave a shaky breath and said exactly what her mother wanted her to. And she hated herself for it. "I am willing, sir."
Taril allowed himself a small smile, a spark of hope lighting in his chest. He hadn't felt hopeful in a very long time. "Then we can learn to be happy together." He turned back to Yriadha. "When would be a good time to return to draw up a contract of marriage?"
Yriadha gave a nod to Humari, pleased that she had answered so well, then turned to Taril with a supremely satisfied smile. "I do hope you both can be. It would be an honor to have you as part of our family and for us to be a part of yours." She looked down at her schedule and considered it. "We can do so now, if you like. I can call on a Harper."
Humari lifted her head, her eyes wide. That quickly?
"Harper Bergin does all my contracts. I'll have him draft a copy that we could go over together. Perhaps over dinner?" Taril asked.
"Of course." Yriadha rose with a smile and offered her hand. "I will have a magnificent dinner set forth to celebrate."
Humari hid the slump of her shoulders. In only a few moments, her mother had sealed her fate.
Taril rose and tucked his crutch back beneath his arm before taking Yriadha's hand and raising it briefly to her lips. "This may be a very suitable match, for both our families," he said. "I am pleased that you thought of me."
Yriadha gave a Taril a pleased smile. "I only want the best for my child. I will see you at dinner and we can discuss your contract."
Last updated on the April 20th 2014