Alliance to the blood

Writers: Suzee, Anaria, AL
Date Posted: 14th October 2011

Characters: Benani, Zathris, Namiren
Description: A suitor presents himself for a possible alliance with Amber Hills blood.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 9 of Turn 6

Benani

Zathris

Namiren surveyed Amber Hills from above as the dragon he was riding
was circling to land. Despite his better judgement, he had allowed his
mother to talk him into visiting the Lord and Lady to discuss the
potential of a marriage between him, and Benani's niece Agrippa. While
the Holder didn't necessarily wish to marry, he had to admit that
allying himself with the Amber Hills bloodline would be advantageous
to him.

He was met by one of the under Stewards, and made idle chitchat as the
man lead him to the Lord and Lady. But his mind was whirling with
thoughts about the potential marriage. She was very young, from what
he understood, and preparations to find her a husband had just begun.
While it was certainly not unusual for a 29 turn old Holder to marry a
16 turn old woman, he worried that she wouldn't be up to the tasks
that he required of her. Specifically, he needed an heir, and quickly.
With rumors of his dalliances with women running rampant around Green
Valley Hold, and not even a single peep about a bastard offspring, he
knew that his holders doubted his ability to produce an heir.

The under Steward entered the room, and announced his arrival. Namiren
followed, bowing slightly to the Lord and Lady. "Good afternoon, My
Lord, My Lady," he said politely. "I'm Holder Namiren, of Green Valley
Hold. I believe you've had correspondence with my mother, Namiria?"

Zathris nodded and gave the man a close study. So this was the man who
had interest in Arippa. The problem is, Zathris wasn't too keen on the
idea of just handing the girl off to this man. They didn't know each
other and he wasn't fond of simply giving girls to men they hardly
knew. "Welcome to Amber Hills, Namiren. You are welcome here. We
have indeed had some correspondence." Though Benani had been the one
to deal with most of that.

Benani had indeed been corresponding with several prospective Holds.
As the girls came closer to marriageable age the speculative contacts
had increased. The recent successes of Amber Hills and their increased
visibility along with the shear volume of her fathers decedents had
made for busy correspondence lately.

He seemed a pleasant sort of young man as his mother had described
him. Though she herself felt he might be a little old for Arippa. But
then she looked at her own husband. Not every girl could be as lucky
as she. "I've met your mother, Namiren. Lovely woman." She extended
her hand.

"Thank you, I'm rather fond of her myself," Namiren said with a
charming smile. He shook hands with first the Lord and then his Lady.
"Amber Hills is doing very well, I see. It looks like you'll have a
tremendous harvest soon, if the fields I passed on the way in are any
sign. And Lady Benani, I think the last time I was here turns ago you
were about Arippa's age, never leaving your father's side."

Benani smiled and nodded. She remembered those days very well though
sadly she didn't remember Namiren all that well. There had been
several suitors but no one had touched her heart until Zathris. It had
actually amazed her when her father had consented. After all he'd only
been a second son and not the recognized heir. He'd worked at her
father's hold as one of the under stewards. "I did follow him around. I
think at one point he considered sending me off to foster just to get
me out of his hair."

Zathris chuckled and motioned to a chair. "Please have a seat." He
glanced over at his wife. He still wasn't too keen on this idea. He
wanted to change the way things had been done, but Benani had been
insistent, so Zathris had agreed to at least meet the man.

Benani knew it would be difficult for Arippa to meet the right sort of
man without these types of introductions. So, she was all for letting
them get to know one another. She would not consider pushing the girl
into a union that didn't suit her, no matter the man's pedigree.

She smiled "I was very fond of my father. He was a great man." Of
course she saw the same potential in her husband. He wanted so many
changes but was willing to work at them slowly and carefully.

"Yes he was." Zathris agreed. He had admired Benaroy in many ways -
though in some ways, he hadn't cared for the things the man had done,
particularly in regards to his wives. "So, shall we get down to
business?" He almost winced at that. It made Arippa sound like a
piece of property rather than a person.

"Certainly," Namiren said. "My mother has indicated that you are
against an arranged marriage for the girl, and I respect that. I would
simply like your permission to meet with her, and if she is willing to
court her. Or potentially foster her back at my Hold with my mother."

Benani nodded. They were indeed against an arranged marriage in its
traditional form where neither party had any say in the matter. But
she was a firm believer that cooler heads had a better grip on the
right _sort_ of match for her niece. She looked at Zathris to try and
gauge his reaction to the suggestion. "I suppose if Arippa is
agreeable to the suggestion it might be a possibility."

"Arippa would have to agree to it, of course. I also want to make sure
she would understand everything and there would be no pressure for her
to enter into marriage if she does not desire it." That was the last
thing Zathris wanted to do. Too many others _still_ considered women
below men. "I would prefer that she would remain here and you court
her, but if she desires to be fostered, I will not fight it."

She smiled at her husband. "And of course my brother would like to
talk to you as well Namrien." She turned back to the holder as she
spoke. "Royan is quite protective of his girls. But we can take that a
step at a time."

"Of course," Namiren said with a smile. "Was there anything else that
you wanted to discuss, or shall we get to the meeting?" He asked.

"Nothing at the moment." But probably plenty in the future. Zathris
wanted to make sure Arippa didn't get into something she didn't want,
especially not a marriage she didn't want.

"Perhaps the best course would be for you to first meet her at the
Opal Cove Gather?" Benani could see her husband was uncomfortable
with anything that didn't give her niece time to think and she for one
had to agree with him. "I'll make arrangements to see that she goes
with her father."

"I think that's a fine idea." Zathris still just didn't know. It felt
too much like an arranged marriage discussion. He knew he was a lot
more progressive than most of the rest of the South, however, and
couldn't change everything all at once - unfortunately.

Last updated on the October 27th 2011

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Alliance to the blood