Promise?

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 29th June 2014

Characters: Loella, Karhal
Description: Karhal makes promises he intends to keep.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 23 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Kaya, Zathris, Benani, Crolarin

Loella

Karhal

She'd been feeling trapped in the house so that day when Karhal had
gone to meet with his guards and work on his conditioning, she had
gone to the market to get some things she needed for making their
dinner.

It had taken more out of her than she thought so she took her time
getting back home. The cold was invigorating and her color was
heightened with the activity when she finally came through the door.

"Oh, you're home," she smiled when she saw Karhal.

Karhal had been pacing, his jaw tight as she entered in the door. His
gaze shot to her and with jarring steps and grabbed her upper arms.
"Where have you been? I've been worried sick." He checked over her as
though worried that she'd be hurt. "He's still out there. He could be
anywhere. Why were you out of the cot?"

As soon as Rikka was through the door she pushed it closed and then
backed up a step when Karhal came at her like that. "I needed to buy
some food," she said. "And Rikka was with me. Besides, I met Kaya and
there were guards in the market."

"There were guards at our wedding and Rikka isn't trained yet." He ran
his hand over his short hair, then rubbed his face. "And you need to
be resting, Loella. I can go shopping. I've done it before."

"I've _been_ resting." She didn't actually stamp her foot but she felt
like it. "Look," she said rather intently. "You can't make me stay in
here by myself all the time. He got to you here too... It's daylight
out there and there are lots of people about. It's not like he's
'invisible' and can just slip around the hold any more Karhal. The
guards are everywhere looking for him. You've seen to that."

"Until we catch him, I want you safe." Karhal snapped. "He's already
taken enough." He frowned. "I'll send for my mother and she can stay
with you until I catch that bastard. I don't want you alone for one
moment."

"Let go, you're hurting me," she frowned and twisted in his grasp.

He blinked, looked down at his hand and immediately let her go. He
turned away from her, running both hands over his face as he moved to
sit down on the chair. He took several deep breaths to calm his
nerves. "I apologize." Karhal rubbed at his forehead. "I just want you
safe. I don't want anything else to happen to you." He looked up at
her. "I'm going to go hunt him down." His lips thinned. "While I'm
gone I want you to stay with my parents outside of the Hold until I
get back. "

"As long as they can bring me to the healers tomorrow for my checkup."
she folded her arms.

His jaw twitched. "They live two days ride from here, Loella."

"Then you wait 'til tomorrow," her own jaw was set in stubborn lines as
well.

"Enough time has passed. I know he's still in the area. He obsessed
over Benani and he's not going to go far. I have to find him as soon
as possible, Loella." He rose from the chair, meeting her stubbornness
with his own. "To keep the Hold safe. To keep you safe." He turned on
his heel and rummaging in the cabinet, found the small travel satchel
he carried with him when he left the Hold.

She set her jaw and took the food she'd just purchased into their
kitchen to put in storage then she began to make their lunch. "Just
how far do you intend to get today Karhal?"

"As far as I can ride." He found the travel cakes that were kept in
the cabinet and carefully wrapped them before shoving them into the
pack. "I'm not going to give him a moment's rest."

"I see," she said. "And do you intend me to sleep in the bushes for
_two_ nights in the cold?"

He paused and turned slightly, his jaw twitching. "Fine...if you
object, you can stay in the Hold proper. But not alone. I'll speak to
Zathris; perhaps you can aid Benani."

"Fine," she said without looking at him. In her opinion he was making
a huge deal about her going to the market when there were so many
people about. She knew he was angry and protective but she couldn't
just sit in one place all day every day.

"Fine." He walked to their bedroom and proceeded to pull out traveling
clothes. His movements were abrupt and jerky, but his face was set in
determination.

She sliced up bread and meat and wrapped it up in cloth and paper.
then she pulled out a small saddle hamper to pack with the sandwiches,
meatrolls and pieces of fruit and a large flask of water. She set it
by the door and then began to pack a few things for herself. She was
certain he wasn't going to leave her here by herself and maybe just
maybe she could spend some time with Kaya. Their conversation had
helped her with her feelings of loss and she felt a kinship with the
Stewards wife.

He packed his clothes and then stepped out into the living area, then
paused silently. He watched Loella and some of his anger faded. His
voice was soft. "Soon things will settle, Loella. Back to normal."

She sighed. "Promise?"

That soft sigh nearly undid him. He came up behind her and wrapped his
arms around her shoulders, pulling her back against him. He could
never stay angry at the woman for long. "I promise. And then I'll be
home for you every night."

She leaned back against him showing she wasn't rejecting his promise
in any way. Her hands rose to cross over and grasp his arms. "And will
you give me another baby?"

He went still and then slowly looked down at her. "As many as you wish for."

She turned in his arms looking up into his large eyes with a sparkling
smile. This time when she repeated her question it was in a completely
different tone and full of innuendo. "Promise?"

When she looked up at him, his hands dropped to tighten on her waist
in immediate response. His voice was husky, eyes turning warm. "Yes."
His gaze dropped to her lips. "As soon as you've healed."

Last updated on the June 29th 2014

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