Happy Memories

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 18th February 2021

Characters: Bryvin, Ashela
Description: Ashela sees a familiar face at Aglayath's Hatching
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr, Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 8, day 9 of Turn 10

Bryvin

Ashela

The Hatching was over, and the cavern filled with the sound of excited
chatter, families celebrating and dragonriders cheerfully recalling
their own special days. Once all of the dragonets had left for their
first meal, Aglayath departed also, with one last disdainful flick of
her tail, leaving Chioneth in sole possession of the Sands.

Ashela gracefully accepted congratulations from those around her, while
her eyes roved the stands, looking to see which Lords and Ladies had
graced her lifemate's Hatching with their presence. She was pleased to
see how many had turned out for the spectacle of two golds on the Sands.
As she came across one very familiar face, seated next to a very young,
delicate-looking girl, her lips curved into a knowing smile. He was
married now, but she recalled a rather diverting afternoon...

~*~ Four months ago ~*~

The golden dragon glided down and made a graceful landing in the
courtyard before the main Hold, basking in the admiring glances of the
holders who stopped to stare at her. Her rider was no less conspicuous.
She descended from the dragon's back, slipped off the riding jacket to
reveal an elegantly cut red blouse, and shook out her long golden-brown
hair from her helmet.

**Thank you, my love.** Ashela stopped to stroke Aglayath's nose, then
walked boldly over to a young man who was staring, dazzled, at her
golden lifemate. "Please tell Lord Bryvin that Ashela, rider of
Aglayath, requests an audience?"

He snapped his mouth shut and tore his eyes from the glorious gold
dragon "At once My Lady," he bowed deeply and gestured toward the
entrance "This way," he said and led her toward the Lord's offices.
Of course, word spread in front of them like fire.

Bryvin was just heading out of his office when the Lady goldrider came
up the stairs following the understeward. He strode to meet her with a
slowly spreading smile. "Welcome to Sunstone, My Lady," he said
warmly, bowing over her hand.

"Thank you, my Lord." Ashela surveyed the Lord Holder with interest. She
hadn't taken the time to visit the Sea Hold when she'd been living at
Barrier Lake, but now her bid to become its Weyrwoman had failed she
took any excuse to escape from her new home. This visit looked as though
it'd be more fun than she'd anticipated. "I hope you don't mind that
Aglayath and I dropped in without sending word first. If you're busy, of
course I'll wait. Perhaps take a look around your beautiful Hold."

"Of course not," he assured her. "It is an honor to have you here,"
then he turned and tucked her hand into his elbow as he escorted her
into his office. "I'd be happy to show you anything you might like to
see," he said and lifted a finger toward his faithful canine who had
come to inspect the new visitor.

Captain, ever alert to his person, immediately dropped into a sitting
position with a lolling tongue and canine smile for the weyrwoman.

"Thank you. I'd be delighted." She glanced around the office, then
looked down at the canine with approval. "He's very well trained." There
was nothing she detested more than a pet who dribbled and got muddy paws
on her clean clothes, but this one seemed to be behaving himself.

"Yes, he is," Bryvin smiled. "His name is Captain and he is both a
guard and my companion. But your lovely gold is far more than that.
Please tell her she is welcome to swim if she desires. There are also
several places over on the top of the other hill where she could sun
herself."

Ashela closed her eyes, sharing Aglayath's sensations as the gold dragon
took eagerly to the air and glided down towards the harbor. She skimmed
over the heads of some startled dockhands before folding her wings and
plunging into the clear blue ocean water.

Back in the office, her rider shivered a little in pure pleasure as she
felt the cool water running over sun-warmed hide, then opened her eyes,
her cheeks flushing lightly. "Oh - I'm sorry. She's taken you up on your
offer of swimming, and she's very happy. It's been a while since she had
the chance, not since we left Barrier Lake and came to Dragonsfall. I've
told her to keep away from any shipping."

A slow smile spread across Bryvin's face and his eyes twinkled at her
reaction. "Thank you," he beamed. "Looks to me like she's enjoying
herself?" He paused a moment and stepped slightly closer. "And what
might _you_ enjoy this afternoon?" He was better mannered than to
attempt to touch anything she didn't first offer.

"Well..." She let that linger, temptingly, for a moment, her voice
amused. "If you really wouldn't mind showing me some of the sights of
the Hold, I would enjoy that very much. I'd love to wander around that
lively-looking market we flew over - but of course, only if you're not
busy. I wouldn't dream of taking up too much of your valuable time."

He lifted a brow but his smile never wavered. "I'm never too busy to
escort you around my lovely Hold," he said and offered his arm. "Let's
go tour the market."

Ashela rested her fingers lightly on his arm and they left the office
together, retracing her steps through the Hold. She could tell they were
attracting attention, and she reveled in the curious glances and the
whispers that followed them. The gossip would be all over the Hold
before evening, if she was any judge.

She also loved a market, and the trade goods at a Sea Hold were always
filled with variety. The rich scents of spices and baking filled the air
as they approached, and polished wood, gleaming metal and glass shone on
the stalls of the crafters. Drawn to a weaver's booth where costly
fabrics hung on display, she pinched the cloth between her fingers to
feel the quality. "Oh, this is very fine! You must have traders come to
your Hold from all over the South, my Lord."

"And the North," he smiled. "As I said, goods from all over." He led
her deeper into the market. "And here are some trinkets you might
enjoy."

Ashela's eyes sparkled as brightly as the jewels on the stand he'd led
her to. "What fine work! These must have been made by a Master." She
leaned closer to examine the delicate gold framework that twined around
an oval-shaped, sea-blue stone.

"Yes, my lady. That was made by Master Kerintan at the Smith Hall. His
work is very popular. Very fashionable," the journeyman explained.
"There are matching earrings. Would you like to try the pendant?" He
took out a small mirror.

"Oh, I don't know if I should," Ashela said, laughing, with a glance at
Bryvin. "I might fall in love with it."

Bryvin smiled at the Journeyman. "Ah but the gem will only enhance
your beauty," he smiled at her. "And if you fall in love with it, how
can I not bear the cost?"

"My Lord! You're too generous," she protested, but didn't hesitate to
brush her long hair to one side, exposing the back of her neck, before
taking the pendant on its chain from the journeyman. But it was to
Bryvin she turned when she spoke again. "Would you help me with the clasp?"

"Of course," he said and brushed her neck with warm fingers as he
fastened the lovely piece to her neck. Then he turned her to admire it
where it nestled. "Lovely," he said. "Send the bill to my Steward,"
he said to the journeyman, "and please present my compliments to
Master Kerintan for such magnificent work."

Ashela treated the Lord Holder to her most dazzling smile, as she
enjoyed the sensation of the smooth metal against her skin. "Thank you,
my Lord. I will treasure this always, as a memory of our first meeting."
She nodded at the journeyman before they turned to stroll away,
continuing through the market. "I hope that I can leave you, too, with
happy memories of today."

He smiled a wide and toothy smile of understanding . "I am honored by
your mere presence. " he said and tucked her hand into his elbow.
"Where to next?" He had his thoughts, but she was directing this visit
at the moment.

The goldrider tilted her head to one side, considering, as they wandered
through the market. Her fingers lightly caressed the smooth surface of
the jewel at her throat. "Mmm. Why don't you choose somewhere to show
me? Somewhere in the Hold...that most visitors don't get to see,
perhaps? You must know all the most interesting nooks and corners."

He smiled as they walked and thought for a moment, "I do know several
places, but I can think of one that is very special. Did you know I
have a secret passageway? Several of them actually." He lifted a brow.
"Would you like to see where they go?"

"Oh, yes! I would very much like to see that." She looked at him
sideways, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I love secrets."

"Then please come with me," he smiled and headed toward his office.
Once they were inside and the door closed he turned and walked toward
one wall. Pressing on a wood panel it seemed to pop out slightly and
he swung open to reveal a short passageway and stairs. He picked up a
glow and handed it to her then grabbed one for himself. "Follow me,"
he said.

Ashela stepped into the passage with a breath of genuine awe and
delight, holding up the glow to light up her surroundings as the panel
closed behind them, shutting out the light of the office. "This is
exciting! I grew up in a Hold, and I used to daydream about finding
hidden passages behind the walls. Of disappearing, and coming out in
another place altogether..." She started up the stairs after him. "I
never found one. The advantages of being Lord Holder, I suppose."

"It does," he said in a pleased voice. "This is my private suite," he
said as he pushed the door open.

"That's convenient. Easy to slip away from your office, unnoticed, to
relax for a while." Ashela wondered briefly where else the passage led
to - she could see it continuing on and what looked like another
staircase - but stepped into his rooms instead. "Or to bring someone
here to relax with you, when it looks to all the Hold like you're merely
doing business..."

He smiled. "Yes he said, you catch on quick. Would you like to see more?"

Ashela's fingers lightly caressed the gem at her throat. "I always like
to see more," she said, her voice low and rich with amusement. "Some
people say I'm never satisfied..."

"Some say that about me as well," he replied.

Last updated on the February 19th 2021

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