A New Life

Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 14th February 2007

Characters: Shalai
Description: As she prepares to start her new life at the Weyr, Shalai remembers the most important day in her life.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 7 of Turn 4

With the bronzerider on his way back to his Weyr to make arrangements for her transfer to her new home, Shalai had little to do but organize the few belongings that she had collected over the turns in preparation for leaving.

There wasn't much. A few drawings that she'd liked enough to keep, a puzzle that one of the healers had given her, and various hair bands that she consistently refused to use to tie her hair back. The only possession of real value was the one she kept tucked under her pillow--the letter sent to tell her that her husband was dead.

Pulling it out, Shalai sat on the bed and spread the letter out on her lap. She couldn't read the words, but knowing what they said was enough. Knowing that the man who had terrified her for so much of her life was gone... it was hard to believe.

Her fingers smoothed over the thick, expensive paper, and she thought back to the first time she'd realized that there could be more to life than just a creepy old husband who made her miserable. The day she'd met the man who would become the only person in her life who had ever loved her.

~*~

Shalai had been ordered into her finest gown in preparation of Thian's arrival, submitting resignedly to Yanthi's detailed scrutiny three times before her new husband declared that she was presentable. Shalai found it more than a little disturbing that her husband wanted to show her off to his eldest son in such an obvious manner, but she kept her mouth shut and smiled prettily as was expected of her. Yanthi had made it clear enough within the first month of their marriage that smiling prettily and being shown off were her primary functions, after all.

She waited obediently in the entry way as Yanthi led his eldest son into the Hold, grinning smugly as his eyes fell on Shalai. "I hope you're not too tired to greet my new wife, Thian. She's been looking forward to meeting her eldest stepson."

Thian put on smile. "I have been looking forward to meeting my new stepmother as well." He bowed to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Shalai." Although he didn't show it, he found the idea that his new 'mother' was younger than him. . . distasteful.

With Yanthi's demanding eyes focused on her, Shalai had little choice but to curtsy in return and grace Thian with another of those vacant, pretty smiles. "And you as well, Thian. The cook has prepared a wonderful meal to welcome you home."

"Why don't you escort your stepmother to the dining room, Thian, while I take care of a few duties." The triumphant pleasure Yanthi was taking in showing off his prize made Shalai so uncomfortable that she struggled to keep her expression pleasant.

Dutifully, Thian offered his arm to the young woman. "So how are you settling into the Hold?"

Shalai slipped her hand onto his elbow, her eyes not quite meeting his.
"Oh, it's very nice." With Thian still within earshot, her voice was as light and vacant as her expression.

He felt sorry for her, to be saddled with his father, but maybe she was too dim to know any better. "Is there anything in particular you like about the Hold?"

"It's very..." She scrambled to try to think of _something_ she enjoyed about her new life. "Beautiful. The land around the Hold, I mean, though it's too cold to go outside much now." "It's even more beautiful in the spring," Thian said as they entered the dining room. "I can't wait to see it." Shalai relaxed marginally once they were out from under Yanthi's eyes, but she still couldn't quite bring herself to look at Thian. She could only imagine what he thought of being presented with a new mother who was younger than he was.

Thian was sure he'd had deeper conversations with herdbeasts. "Is there anything you like to do for fun?"

Most of the things she enjoyed had been deemed inappropriate before the end of her first day here, with one exception. "I do enjoy sewing. Your father has been kind enough to procure some very fine fabric for me."

Well, that was something, at least. "What kinds of things do you like to sew?"

"Oh, practically anything." For a moment her voice sounded almost excited. "Though I'm trying to learn how to weave, now. It's so cold here, I thought it would be nice to have some thicker tapestries for the walls."

"Tapestries?" Thian had expected her to say dresses or pillows. "And what would you put on them?"

Shalai smiled shyly. "I suppose that depends on how well I learn."

"I'd like to see some nice new tapestries in here." He smiled back and pulled a chair out for her.

"I think it would make it look so much nicer..." Shalai's voice trailed off as she caught sight of her husband standing in the doorway, watching her. Instead of sitting in the chair Thian was holding, she took a step back toward the door leading to the kitchen. "I'll just go and check on dinner. Please, sit down."

Yanthi stepped into the dining room and smiled. "She's very attentive."

**Quite a little prize you've won yourself,** his son thought bitterly. "I see that."

Oblivious to his son's thoughts, Yanthi settled into his own chair. "I'm glad you're home, now. You can start helping me with the running of this place, so I can give my new wife the attention she deserves."

**Ugh.** She was young enough to be his _daughter_ for Faranth's sake. Thian took a seat near his father. "It's good to be home. And with my training, I should be able to help our Hold become even more prosperous."

"And I suppose we'll have to think about finding you a wife before too long." Yanthi smiled and raised his glass to his son. "To finding beautiful young women."

"To beautiful young women," Thian echoed, lifting his own glass and faking a wide smile.

Last updated on the February 17th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A New Life