Difference between revisions of "Logs:The Playdate"

It had been awkward, at first. Issedi made herself pointedly absent, and refused to let Sealene attend. Devaki had decided it would be nice to take them on a tour of the Hold proper, to see the differences with the Weyr. The fireheights, in particular, seemed to entertain them: Lily was delighted with the drums and talked about how she wanted to be a harper (or a greenrider, or both).

Dilan, when gently quizzed, said he wanted to be a brownrider, although he didn't seem entirely adverse to the idea of a craft, either. The boy was distracted with P'ken's Haibroth the entire time on the fireheights, raptly fascinated by the brown dragon.

Would it be better for a son of his to be a dragonrider? Or a crafter? Dragonriders, Devaki reflected, rarely held any measurable power unless they Impressed a metallic, and yet hard work could prove rewarding in a craft. He wanted to ask Maddy what she thought, but he held back, feeling that she'd think he was trying to influence them too much. Was he? Maybe, but he wanted the best for all his children, and even moreso for Dilan, that he not feel slighted by his stature compared to his half-brother, heir of High Reaches.

Later, they climbed the steps to the lighthouse (Vinien riding on top of his father's shoulders the whole way up), and watched the ships, while Devaki talked of his time on the Island. He was careful to avoid anything too political -- taking his cues from his glances at Madilla -- but he made sure they knew at least the outline of his people's history.

He hoped, one day, they'd ask for more.

---

Vinien loved having an older brother. Dilan was two, nearly three Turns older than him, and as far as he was concerned, knew everything.

Lily, though, was way too bossy. He was determined not to let Sealene boss him around like that.

One day, when he was Lord Holder like his daddy, he would get to boss people around.

---

Later, after Madilla, Dilan and Lily left and the kids were put to bed, Devaki went into his quarters. Issedi was there, propped up in bed, doing some sewing. It was only when he approached the bed that she gave him a look that caught him off guard enough to stop in his tracks.

He wondered what she'd do if he just got into bed. It'd been sevens since he'd told her: she didn't have a right to be mad anymore, did she?

While he stood there, though, Issedi moved, stretching over to yank the furs off his side of the bed and pile them up on top of her, before turning her back to him.

With a sigh, Devaki moved towards the couch, unfolding the blanket that rested on the back of it.

Having a wife wasn't supposed to be like this.

Ruling a Hold was much easier.