Mutually Beneficial

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 21st August 2006

Characters: Miralani, Kiomo
Description: Miralani asks for Kiomo's advice
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 7 of Turn 3

"So," Miralani said lightly as she closed the door behind her visitor. "Are you in the mood for a little intrigue, Kiomo?"

The Holders eyes raised slightly. "It depends on what type you are referring you, Miralani."

She smiled and brushed past him to take a seat. "Let's call it sisterly meddling. Now that I'm safely betrothed, I think it's time to find him a sweet young wife."

"Hmmm. Whom do you have in mind?" Kiomo was already sure she'd have someone all picked out.

"We might as well start near the top." Miralani smiled and gestured to the chair next to her, inviting him to sit. "Benaroy's youngest daughter is reaching an age for negotiations. And Amber Hills has just come into two new Crafthalls and quite a few new residents."

"Ah, but it still is a second rate Hold," Kiomo pointed out. "And their Lord Holder, it is rumored, is not long for this world and has yet to name an heir."

"Which is what might convince him to give a fairly marriageable daughter away to someone who at the present time can not pass his Hold to any heirs he may have," Miralani countered.

"You are not going to encourage your brother to pursue Lady Thalia then?" he asked skeptically. She was, after all, the logical choice to be Lady of the Hold.

"He would be step-father to the Heir," she conceded, as she'd spent quite a few nights turning the problem over in her head. "And that is certainly not to be discounted. But there are advantages to a new alliance, as well."

"Indeed," Kiomo nodded as he settled back into a chair. "So exactly why are you letting me in on this little sisterly intrigue you have planned?"

She gave him the look she'd used on Daynar, wide-eyed and sweet and tractable with just a hint of something illicit. It was a good look, and one she'd practiced long enough to make it effective. Of course, she expected Kiomo to see through it, but that wouldn't mean he couldn't appreciate it.
"Because I yearn for your counsel."

Kiomo snorted. "You don't need my counsel, Miralani. You're the type of woman who likes to keep her _own_ council. You want me to do something for you."

"So cynical," she chided, her eyes amused. "Maybe I really did want to hear your opinion. After all, you seemed to be able to recognize exactly what I was worth in marriage."

"And outside it as well," he said with a cocky grin and a slight bow.
Flattery that sweet usually came with a price. "You really just want to know what I think of Lord Ishek marrying the daughter of Lord Benaroy?"

"Is it so hard to believe?" she asked, returning his smile.

**Yes...** "All right. I think it's not a bad idea. Benaroy is well respected and well known, even if his Hold had fallen onto hard times after the Plague. And they have access to resources we need. The real question is not if she would be a good match, the question is all about the timing."

Miralani nodded, not having to feign interest. She might have developed a shrewd mind for politics, but she had not been trained in it the same way a man of Kiomo's stature would be. After all, no one expected her to need it. "You see, if Lord Benaroy knows that he is dying, he might be more interested in seeing his daughter married off than in making the best deal he can for her. An offer from a Lord Warder might seem like a very good one indeed, and he may pounce on it, giving much and taking the minimum in return. After all, he has sons who are still unmarried. However," Kiomo said, standing up and pacing the room as his line of thought continued. "If Lord Benaroy knows he dying, he may also try to make the best deal possible
- one last gift to his Hold and his Heir. He is a fair minded man by reputation, but he could tear an inexperienced man apart when it came to making the best deal possible for his Hold." "A delicate situation," Miralani replied, a smile playing at her lips as she watched him pace. "Of course, he's not as young as he once was. My brother may not be experienced, but he could certainly find himself a shrewd friend to assist him."

"The other option would be waiting to see who is Heir is. Lord Benaroy would chose the most qualified of his sons, but inexperience could work in Lord Ishek's favor. The next Lord Holder might be easier to deal with than his sire. And yet," Kiomo continued as he turned on his heal to walk back the way he came, "they may feel a need to prove themselves and end up being unreasonable in their request."

Miralani nodded. "And what do _you_ think the best chance, is?"

He considered it a moment as he continued his slow, thoughtful turn about the room. Finally he stopped and grinned. "I'd choose the runner that I know bites over one who _may_ kick. If it were up to me, I'd deal with Lord Benaroy." "Then I suppose I should set things in motion while he's still around to deal with," Miralani said thoughtfully. Her eyes glinted with amusement as she lifted an eyebrow. "I do hope you'll consider lending my brother your assistance when the time comes. I'm sure such an arrangement could be _mutually_ beneficial."

"Beneficial to _me_, Miralani? How so?" Kiomo asked, his eyebrow lifting to mirror hers.

Miralani laughed. "If you can't find a way to turn time spent with a Lord Holder and Lord Warder to your benefit, then you are not the man I imagine.
That would be a terrible disappointment."

"Well, I have yet to disappoint a woman," the Holder chuckled. He cocked his head and regarded her curiously. "And just how does all this benefit _you_, Miralani?"

"Anything that benefits the men in my life benefits me," she replied, brushing a nonexistent piece of lint from her skirts primly. "You of all people should know that women like me only have as much influence as we can charm from the men who rule us."

"And how exactly do I 'rule' you, Miralani?" Kiomo asked with an impish grin. "Why, Kiomo! What a question." She gave him the innocent eyes again, along with the smile that was far from innocent. "I was, of course, referring to my brother and my future husband."

"Well, you have certainly tried your best to charm me, and you didn't hesitate to point out the benefits of this arrangement either. I'm sure you can see why I would have... misunderstood your meaning."

Miralani gave in and laughed. "I should think you'd be relieved you won't have to try to rule over me. Poor Master Daynar doesn't seem to know what he's in for."

Kiomo knew too well how true that was. "Well, if I don't rule over you, and if I can see through your charms, just what _are_ we to each other?"

"Dangerous?" she replied lightly. "But certainly not boring."

"I think I can handle dangerous."

"And even if you can't, it's always fun to try." She gave him an appreciative smile, even knowing it was a bad idea. She had too much to lose and he was too smart to be played easily. But her words were true: it was the danger that made it so fun.

Last updated on the August 25th 2006

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Mutually Beneficial