Difference between revisions of "Logs:Mother's Test"

"He said no."

It was the third time Weylaughn told her; the third time she'd demanded to know what happened. Yewlani's features tightened further and he feared her mouth might well vanish.

"You will have to go back."

"He was quite clear, Mother. He will not-"

Yewlani's hands flew skwyard and she turned in a whirl of steel-gray skirts. She was clad in a severe gown of gray and white; a fitting match for the miserable weather.

"Honestly. Must I do all of this myself?"

"Mother, please."

"Don't you dare 'Mother, please' me, Weylaughn." She whipped back around and thrust a finger at him. "You must have said something or done something or- or-" Her hand trembled and she pulled it in to briefly cover her mouth.

Weylaughn was silent and patient, but he had no choice. She was getting worked up and the only way to calm her was to be calm.

Once her slight tremble settled down, he murmured, "There are still some other holdings I need to visit, anyway. Perhaps I might go back after we get the letters-"

He immediately regretted his words. Up went Mother's hands again, her features contorted with fury.

"Damn those letters! If that's what they need to support you-" she howled.

"... that's not what..."

"-then you see to it. Take them. Take them all, Weylaughn. Take them straight to Harper Hall if you like." She twisted away and clawed at the trunk near her bed. The process of unlocking and opening was done with such a frantic energy that Weylaughn was forced to take a step back.

When she rounded on him with an armload of letters wrapped in twine, he had to fight the urge to step back again. It was a thick heap of them, each sealed with Crom Hold's sigul; she thrust them out at him and he had scarcely enough time to get his hands on them before she was whirling away again.

"The Harpers will tell you the truth - and you will return to that Weyr to secure their support. Is that understood? In the meantime, go to those other holdings as you like. Get their support. But we will need the Weyr to secure your claim."

"But even if they can do that, it's not as if Lord Aughan will choose-"

Yewlani angled a look over her shoulder and it sent a chill straight down Weylaughn's spine.

"He will choose you. He won't have a choice, dear."

"Of course, Mother."

Weylaughn dipped into a stiff bow and departed with haste - but the image of her smile, as cold as her eyes, was much slower to leave him.