Unexpected Happiness

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 31st July 2006

Characters: Miralani, Penryn
Description: Miralani and Penryn discuss the advantages that can be gained by Miralani marrying Daynar.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 12, day 28 of Turn 3

"Penryn. Thank you for finding a moment for me." Miralani swept her skirts aside and settled into a chair, giving Penryn a bright smile. "I need your assistance in... guiding my brother through something."

"Oh?" he asked curiously as he settled into the chair beside her. "How can I help?"

"Making decisions about a marriage contract," she replied serenely.
"Hallmaster Daynar will be making inquires about me any day now, and I don't want Ishek to squander the opportunity."

"Ah, I see. Well," Penryn smiled, "congratulations! Of course, I can help you with that. Have you spoken to Carlan yet? He will of course be drawing up the document."

"I'm sure Ishek will handle that," Miralani dismissed with a wave of her hand. "The problem is a little more immediate, though. I made an effort to insure Daynar would be willing to offer concessions to my brother in exchange for me. Ishek is... not always good at taking advantage of that sort of situation." A mild understatement, considering his reaction when she'd brought the subject up.

"Ah. And so you would like me to make some suggestions to him about ways he could take advantage of the situation?" Penryn was almost wondering if he was the right man to ask about this. He was rather new to the political side of the Hold as well.

"Make sure he doesn't hand me over for a handshake," she replied firmly.
"I'm not saying that I'm unwilling to marry Master Daynar, as I am not...
but I have every intention of making sure our family profits from it."

"I understand," Penryn nodded. "But I have to warn you, I have no experience with helping to arrange political marriages. I'm not sure...
forgive me for putting it this way, but I'm not sure how much you are worth, politically speaking. I will advise Ishek as well as I can, but perhaps the man you ought to be talking to is Kiomo. He has experience in this area that Ishek and I both could benefit from."

Miralani didn't doubt that, since she'd gotten the feeling Kiomo was a man who was going to end up with every possible advantage marriage could give him. "I'll speak to him about my expectations, but you and Ishek will need to meet with him as well. I can hardly stand behind you during the negotiations and make demands of my future husband. My duty is making him willing to meet those demands." Penryn nodded. Miralani was a powerful woman and a shrewd dealer. He wondered if Daynar really knew what he was getting.... "Of course. When do you expect the negotiations to begin?"

"Probably within a sevenday." She smiled at Penryn as she rose. "If not, I'll just have to pay another visit to the Smith Hall. But I don't think that will be necessary." "You must be very happy. It will be a most advantageous match for you, and so close to family." Not every woman was so lucky, Penryn knew.

"It will do," she replied easily enough. "Women like me don't marry for happiness, Penryn. It is a pleasant surprise if we happen to find it, but expecting it is asking for trouble."

"Well," he said as he rose to his feet to escort her to the door, "I hope you and Master Daynar find every happiness, especially the unexpected ones."

Last updated on the August 3rd 2006

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Unexpected Happiness