Challenges

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 7th June 2008

Characters: Zathris, Tanallyck, Sardin
Description: Zathris overhears Tanallyck ad Sardin discussing a family secret
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 9 of Turn 4

Zathris

Zathris rummaged through the closet. It was in chaos, and he wondered how in the world it had gotten so bad. Of course, he should probably speak to the headwoman about it, but for the moment, he was trying to find something. He was bent on his task and didn't realise that someone had come into the main room beyond until he heard voices. He looked toward the door, finding that it had closed mostly, no longer open, but only cracked. He started to open it and let the people know he was there, but something, perhaps something in their voices, made him stop.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out about you relocating?" Sardin asked, as the older man approached him. Tanallyck continued on his way ignoring the taunt. "I said, did you think I wouldn't-"

"I heard you the first time." Tanallyck replied, turning and looking back at the man. "But it doesn't concern me about whether you know or not."

"Maybe not - but it does concern _him_." Sardin emphasized the last word. "I've seen him you know - he looks like me."

"He takes his looks from Minaretta's side." Tanallyck said quietly.
His voice had become hard, despite his age and the tremulousness of late. "And for that, she and I are eternally thankful."

A frown tugged at Zathris' lips and he moved so that he could try and peer out the crack. He could just see the two people talking. Who were they talking about?

"I didn't see that in him. He's grown into a fine man - shame he doesn't know." Sardin's voice took on a more threatening tone.

"You wouldn't - but..." Tanallyck paused, "but even if you did, you have no proof, and why should he believe you?"

"I've heard tell Kaldyn and you don't get along as a father and son should..." the implication was obvious, and Tanallyck felt impotent rage filling him. It was obvious that there was nothing he could do or say to change Sardin's mind.

Kaldyn? Zathris knew the man, and he knew the relationship with his father wasn't the greatest. But what did they mean by him not knowing? What was it that Kaldyn didn't know?

"What do you want Sardin?" Tanallyck asked with a heavy sigh of resignation. Life had been good to Mina and he, better than either had expected when first they married, but there had always been a shadow over them - and now it was more of a storm cloud. He had often wondered if they shouldn't have been honest with Kaldyn from the start, part of their strained relationship was his fault - always wondering if the boy would realise they weren't blood - now he just may find out.

Blackmail? Was Sardin trying to get something out of Tanallyck for some reason? Evidently there was something that Kaldyn's father wanted to hide. Zathris went over the words in his mind, wondering if he was wrong for assuming something from what had been said.

"To make your life a misery - yours and Minaretta's. Do you think telling Kaldyn the truth would do it?"

Tanallyck took a step forward, his hands balled into fists. "You'd destroy the family - purely for your own amusement?" he voice ground out.

"He's _my_ son, Tanallyck. Don't you think I should get to know him?"
Sardin's face creased in a derisory smile.

"If he knew the pain you'd caused his mother - no." He wanted to rip the other man to shreds, but then the whole sorry story would come out, ruining what little life Minarette had left. "You'd cause her even more now - is that really what you want?"

So he was right. Zathris' eyes narrowed, focusing on what he could see of the man called Sardin. He already didn't like this man. So what could he do? Kaldyn obviously didn't know, and Sardin was threatening.
Zathris shook his head, but remained quiet. Something should be done
- but what?

"I'd appeal to you, but I know it would fall on barren ground."
Tanallyck said, knowing it were the truth.

"Nothing you could say would make me consider changing my mind, so you may as well be ready to face the storm that will come." Sardin stood, and turned towards the doorway. "The next time Kaldyn comes to the Hold, he will find out the truth - one way or another."

"Is it me you want retribution from - or Minarette?" Tanallyck asked, the pain in his voice not masked. Mina didn't need his on top of everything else - not now.

"Either will do - but she needs to pay for her betrayal."

"She's paid every day of her life for what happened between you."

"Not enough..." Sardin shook his head in denial. "Not enough." he left the room abruptly, leaving what he hoped was a pained and confused Tanallyck behind.

Zathris remained silent, watching, waiting. He knew he needed to speak to Kaldyn. He didn't know if it would help the situation, but surely it would be better coming from him than from a man like Sardin.

Tanallyck walked across to the seat Sardin had vacated and sat down.
With his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, he felt a myriad of emotions wash over him, the strongest being despair. What would come first, he wondered: Kaldyn discovering the truth of his parentage or Minarette's passing? He hoped for her sake, that Minarette wouldn't live to see her past come back to haunt her.

Kaldyn's father...or, rather, surrogate father according to that conversation came into view and Zathris watched him. He didn't seem happy with the situation at all. Zathris couldn't blame him. He wondered if he should reveal himself, let it be known that he had over heard, but was hesitant. Should he? He hated to hide from Tanallyck, for Zathris had no quarrel with the man.

With a heavy sigh, Tanallyck pulled himself upright, and strode wearily towards the stockrooms. His errand still needed to be filled, and they were in urgent need of more linens and blankets. With Minarette's illness and the cooler weather it was all he and Karei cold do to keep up with the washing and drying of the bedclothes.

Zathris waited until a few minutes had passed before he resumed his search. His mind, however, was not on his task but on the conversation he had just heard. Kaldyn had a right to know. Zathris knew he would be seeing the man soon.

Last updated on the June 7th 2008

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