World of Pern
[G] [P] 739.04.28 | A Gift Of Gold - Printable Version

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739.04.28 | A Gift Of Gold - Kaylira - 28.Apr.18

Kaylira slid down the leg of her brother's brown dragon and he tossed her bag down to her. “Are you sure you can't stay for awhile?” she asked him.

“I'm afraid I need to get back to the Weyr,” N'rik replied.  “Don't worry, you'll be fine.  This is going to be your home soon so you might as well get used to it.”

“I know.  I've just never stayed so long before.”  She had planned to arrive on the day of Xyliah's wedding, but Lord Therion had asked her to come a few days early.  He had not told her why, and she was curious and a bit concerned.  She had not seen him in some time, and it seemed odd that he would call for her now.

After she had bid N'rik farewell, and watched his brown launch into the air, Kaylira approached the door to the Hold proper.  Lord Therion's steward met her and told her that his master wished to meet with her immediately and that he would escort her to his office.  He asked her to give her bag to a servant, who would take it to her room.  She had no problem relinquishing it, as it did not contain anything of real importance.  She had brought the clothes and other things she would need for her friend's wedding a few days earlier.

Her mind whirled as she followed him through the corridors.  Had she done something wrong?  Did he want to call off their betrothal? She was surprised to discover that she would be disappointed if he did, for she had grown fond of him and thought that they could be happy together.  And if he wasn't serious about marrying her, he wouldn't have let her redecorate the chambers they would share once they were wed.

The steward stopped in front of the door and opened it for her.  As Kaylira stepped inside, she immediately noticed that the fire was blazing in the hearth and Lord Therion was standing in front of it with his back to her, his tall form silhouetted by the flames.


RE: 739.04.28 | A Gift Of Gold - Therion - 28.Apr.18

When the door opened and then closed again, Therion knew that his betrothed had arrived. Turning to face her, he smiled politely but did not move from his place by the hearth.  “Hello, Kaylira.  It's always a pleasure to see you again.”  He supposed that he should have greeted her more affectionately since she would be his wife in a few months time, but he was not the kind of man who was comfortable showing his emotions.

She was beautiful, he couldn't deny that, with that dark skin and head of golden brown curls.  He had dreamed of her occasionally, dreams that left him longing for their wedding night. He had not thought that he would ever be able to feel passion for another woman, but it appeared that it was indeed possible.  Kaylira looked quite lovely today in a green and saffron gown, the inevitable flower … this time a yellow one … tucked behind one ear.  He would have liked to take her hands and kiss her on the cheek, but he didn't want to scare her.

Especially not now.

“I'm sorry I haven't been able to spend time with you lately, but I hope I can make it up to you.  Come here by the fire.  I have a gift for you.”


RE: 739.04.28 | A Gift Of Gold - Kaylira - 29.Apr.18

While Lord Therion was appraising her appearance, Kaylira was studying him too from beneath demurely lowered ebony eyelashes.  She didn't curtsy, for he had told her shortly after they were engaged that it was not necessary.  It had felt a bit odd at first not to show him the kind of deference most Lord Holders, including her own father, demanded, but she wanted to please him and had agreed to that simple request.  

She liked the colors he had chosen.  His doublet was made of blue, cranberry, and gold brocade and he was wearing a dove gray shirt beneath it.  His breeches were of black leather and his polished boots were black as well.  The only jewelry he wore was his golden signet ring.  She noticed the way his hair curled at the nape of his neck and idly wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through it.

“I'm delighted that you invited me,” she replied, finally meeting his eyes.  Even though she was of average height, she had to stretch her neck a bit to look up at him.  Would their children be as tall as he was, she wondered?

Kaylira was about to tell him that she understood that he was too busy to spend much time with her, but then he mentioned that he had a gift for her, and she crossed the room to stand beside him, her eyes widening when she saw the table placed before the fireplace.  On top of it sat a rectangular box filled with sand and in the center sat a perfectly formed firelizard egg. Therion's bronze Chanson was perched beside the box, watching it.

“Ohhhhh,” she breathed, not daring to take her eyes from it.


RE: 739.04.28 | A Gift Of Gold - Therion - 29.Apr.18

Therion watched Kaylira's reaction with an indulgent smile on his face.  He had waited for this moment ever since he had received the egg a couple of days ago.  “It's a gold,” he told her.  “I'm not sure when it's going to hatch, but it shouldn't take too long.  It is probably better that you stay in the Hold until it does.  I've told the kitchen to keep some raw meat on hand to feed her with.”

He looked down at the egg.  Chanson chirped at him and flew to his shoulder, as if he no longer felt he needed to keep watch over it now that its mistress was here.  “The box will be moved to your room.  A table to hold it is waiting by the fireplace.  I've also had a sling made so that you can carry it close to you when you leave your chambers.   Your room may need to be a little warm, but coming from a tropical Hold, I'm sure you're used to that.”

She didn't say anything for so long that he wondered if she was displeased. “I know you're going to be homesick for awhile so I thought that you might like a companion.”

Without any warning, Kaylira turned around and launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.   Her floral perfume wafted about him and he tried not to think of her bosom pressed tightly against his chest.  “Thank you, Lord Therion!  You have just given me the most wonderful gift in the world and I will treasure her always!”