Knowing Something
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Kaysea, AL
Date Posted: 26th August 2008
Characters: Eliste, Marilea
Description: Marilea tries to get Eliste angry, but Eliste catches the other woman off guard.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 23 of Turn 4
Notes: Takes place in the morning, just after breakfast.
How much longer? Not too much. Yet, not enough.
Eliste sat in the garden wearing Follen in her carrier and working on piecing a quilt top. She used his back as a rest for her hands, something the baby didn't seem to mind at all and just slept right on. As she worked, her mind wandered. Every day brought her closer to a confrontation of some sort. She hoped sincerely it wasn't one with Helvar. She wanted to avoid that man all together. Yet, she didn't really look forward to having to face the Lord Holder either. She wavered between bravery and fright, though one looking upon her wouldn't see the turmoil below the serene image they were presented.
"Nice for some, isn't it?" Marilea's voice was harsh as she entered the clearing. Her hair was pulled down low over the left side of her face. She carried her baby in front of her, wrapped tightly in a shawl. Over her shoulder she wore a bag, heavy with produce she had purchased that morning down at the quay. "Nice when you have nothing more to do than sit on your arse doing needlepoint."
"Hello Marilea." Eliste looked up from what she was doing but only briefly to nod to the woman. Marilea made her angry, but it seemed that anger only encouraged her. So, Eliste resolved not to let the other woman see it. Remembering Marilea's situation which was similar to her own actually helped in this regard. She pitied her. She had also decided to channel that anger into doing something useful and thoughtful - the quilt. "Your son is growing. Already he looks bigger than when last I saw him."
"He is..." she replied, a little disappointed that Eliste hadn't risen to her bait. "Yours still appears to be a little - runtish."
"Yes, he is small, but he'll grow." Eliste paused in her sewing to pat her son's back. "You know, I don't think I ever got your son's name. What is it?"
"Cavnar." Marilea answered quickly, surprising herself in the process. It didn't seem to matter how much she baited the younger woman, Eliste didn't seem to react. No one could be so nice - she must be a little backwards, that would explain her attraction to Fog, Marilea decided.
"Cavnar. It has a nice ring to it." Eliste motioned to the bench across from her. "Please sit down, Marilea. Rest and talk with me a while."
"Why?" Marilea's suspicion was immediately aroused. "Fog's here, isn't he?" She glanced around, expecting him to appear any moment; having heard he had been asking about her in the hold, his anger evident to all he spoke to. It was the reason for the fresh bruises on her face. She tugged self-consciously at her hair again, to make sure it was still in place.
"No, he's not here right now." Eliste assured her and motioned once more to the bench. "I just want to talk."
"You want to talk - about what?" Marilea stepped forward, curious though wary. What could they have to talk about?
"About you." Eliste secured her needle and thread into the fabric and set it aside. "About your situation."
"My situation? I'm not sure I know what you're talking about." Marilea said warily, surely this woman didn't know what was happening in Marilea's home? How could she?
"Yes you do. You know very well." Eliste motioned toward the woman's hair. "And I know exactly what you're hiding behind that makeshift veil."
"What?" she tugged her hair even closer to her face. "You know nothing!" Marilea could feel her bravado failing, as quick tears came to her eyes. "You spiteful woman, trying to cause trouble in my family." Before a tear fell, she turned and fled, the baby hugged tightly to her breast.
Eliste watched the woman, concern creeping over her face. Hadn't Marilea realised that she knew exactly what was happening? Eliste had revealed indirectly her own previous situation in an earlier and rather heated conversation. Perhaps the woman didn't realise she was speaking from experience.
So what now? The young woman gently patted her son who had begun to stir and gathered up her needlework. Follen was probably hungry. She would go feed him and, perhaps, when Fog returned, she would discuss matters with him.
Last updated on the August 26th 2008