"The River Runs Deep"

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 16th July 2014

Characters: Caenir, Reven
Description: Caenir comes to check in on his best friend
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Arippa
Notes: bromance at its finest

Reven

Caenir had been quiet during the entire episode with his friend. When
the news came of Reven's disappearance, he had been among the first
volunteers. He had been the last to stop looking. He had regretted
that he hadn't been the one to find Reven. At the news of Reven's
rescue, his relief had been palpable, a wheat that had settled within
his chest, lightened so suddenly he honestly felt like he was standing
two feet taller than before. When Reven had returned to Green Valley,
however, he waited. The man had been through an ordeal and while
Caenir was eager to fellowship with his friend once more, he also knew
Reven was going to need his space. He inquired daily about the health
of the holder, but it was at least a sevenday before Caenir knocked
upon Reven's door to speak face to face.

Reven very nearly did not go and open the door and even sat for a
moment in indecision.

**I will not be scared in my own home.** He thought, his eyebrows
crashing together in determination as he went and swung open the door.
He did not want to live his life in fear just because some hooded man
was still out there with the intent of killing him.

"Caenir." His brows eased a little, and the rigid set of his shoulders
fell as he glanced over the Stablemaster's shoulder, "Come in."

"Reven." Caenir nodded and shut the door behind him. His eyes
skipped about the room, as if checking it for intruders before he drew
closer to his friend. "Didn't want to crowd, but thought it was time
to come see ya."

"Of course, have a seat." There was a desk to one side of the room.
Even though Reven had one in his office, he sometimes liked to take
care of work from the comfort of his own room. Especially now. He and
Caenir had known each other for Turns at Red Rush, and it was nice to
have a familiar, safe face around. "How have the stables been?" He
asked.

"Good. Got a second mare quickened. Should have foals." in the
second or third month." Generally, the closer to the beginning of the
year, the better according to some, but Caenir was just trying to get
the program off the ground. He leveled his gaze at his friend,
studying him with an intense gaze as he asked softly, his voice
gentle. "Was worried about ya."

Reven huffed, the sound resembling a mirthless laugh, "I was worried
about me too, Cae. I can't even..." he broke off and shook his head,
jaw tightening, "I can't even begin to describe what all took place."

"I'm listening." And in those two words was an invitation, though
there was no pressure. Caenir wouldn't force anything out of him and
frankly, from the mere fact that the man lost a pinky in the ordeal,
he could understand not wanting to discuss it. Still, he would offer
and that offer would stand forever.

Reven thought back to when he'd been forced to lick spit off of his
captor's boots. There were plenty more scenes very similar to that
one, all of which were degrading and humiliating, and Reven didn't
know if he would ever be able to talk about those. "I was kept in a
little dugout in Red Rush," he said instead, a safer topic, "I finally
figured out I was in Red Rush because I could smell the alfalfa."

Caenir was not the best at reading people. Runners and other animals
were far easier. However, a blind man could see that Reven was
internalising and whatever happened had deeply troubled the holder. "Good
observation."

"I'm a farmer." He said by way of explanation, the hint of a grin
tugging at his lips and making him look a bit more like the old Reven,
"When I got free I walked, with an infection no less, through the
woods. Woke up in the middle of a Threadfall and was saved by a young
bluerider." He shook his head, "I swear, Caenir, if I wasn't married
that story would get me laid countless times over."

"Might still. Bet Arippa's glad you're back." That was another
obvious observation. The woman was gaga over the man and it was far
too plain to miss. He paused, then added, "I am." He chewed on
those words, then spoke up once more. "I'm serious. I was really
worried. I'm glad you're back."

Reven nodded, clearing his throat a little as he looked back up at
Caenir, "Thanks, man. Wasn't really sure I would ever be back and now
that I am," he searched for the right words, "it's just different."

"Yeah?" Caenir didn't want to scare Reven back into his shell, so
rather than ask_too_ specific of a question, he merely queried, "How
so?"

"For some reason I was under the illusion that nothing bad could ever
happen here at Green Valley. I mean, it's_Green Valley_ of all
places." He shook his head, "And now I don't even feel safe or
comfortable in my own home."

Caenir imagined he would feel much the same way. In a sense, he
already did, but it wasn't as poignant with him. He hadn't been the
one taken and tortured. "Hm." Honestly, he wanted to offer advice,
find a way to fix the situation, help his friend to feel better, but
he had a feeling at the moment that wouldn't much good. It was better
to listen.

Reven raked his fingers through his hair, and frowned when it brought
the realization of how short his hair was now, "I guess the bigger
issue," he continued, now on a roll, "is that I have found I can't
even protect myself. If I can't protect myself how can I keep Arippa
safe? She could easily be a target."

"You will find a way. Maybe more guards could be hired." Caenir
wasn't sure that was the best solution, but that sort of thing wasn't
his area of expertise. Still, he definitely wanted his friend and his
friend's family safe and never have something like what had occurred
happen ever again. "What can I do to help?"

The holder shook his head, not quite sure that he had an answer
either, "While I was at the Weyr I saw their firelizards and... Well,
that could be a start, couldn't it? They couldn't necessarily fend off
someone for you, but they could at least get help or tell others where
you were."

"Yep. Sounds like a good way to go. Don't have one myself, but if
they're trained right, could be useful." Caenir bobbed his head in
agreement. He'd thought about getting a firelizard from time to time,
but just hadn't ever followed through.

Reven lifted his shoulders, "It is worth looking into at least. My
wife has a friend at the Weyr, maybe we can get some more information
on them and see."

"That's a good starting point. One step at a time." Caenir
straightened up and leveled his gaze at his friend. "You do what you
have to do. I'll do whatever you need me to do to help."

"Thanks, Caenir, it means a lot. Really."

Last updated on the July 28th 2014

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"The River Runs Deep"