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* Myralynn is sitting at a table, near the back of the Inn, her hands clasped on the table in front of her. * Zoya enters the common room of the inn. She is wearing her shimmering priestly robes under the cloak Myralynn sent. She stops as she enters to let her eyes adjust. * Nacheyla walks in, dressed in her "traditional" outfit, garnering some odd looks from the patrons in the Old Oak Inn. * Nacheyla nudges Zoya and indicates Myralynn. * Myralynn is a slender woman with greying hair, wearing a simple homespun dress. * Zoya looks in the direction Nach indicates, nods, and begins making her way through the room. She stops in front of Myralynn's table and bows. "Myralynn du'Nache?" * Myralynn stands, curtseying. "Yes, ma'am." She drops to one knee briefly, kissing Nacheyla's hand. "Blessed Mother." * Nacheyla looks slightly embarrassed. <Nacheyla> It's nice to see you again, dear. Do sit down. ::she smiles:: * Zoya almost smirks, but manages to stifle it. * Nacheyla lays her hand briefly on Myralynn's head. * Zoya waits for Myralynn to resume her seat before sitting across from her. "I'm glad to finally get the chance to meet you, Mistress." <Myralynn> The honor is mine, Priestess. ::her eyes flicker to the cloak:: <Zoya> ::smiles:: It's a wonderful cloak. Perfect for these chill spring rains. * Nacheyla sits, looking around for a waitress. <Myralynn> I'm glad you like it. ::indicates the brooch Zoya gifted her with:: Your gift is very beautiful. You say Miss Anobium crafted it? <Zoya> ::smiles:: In a manner of speaking, yes. It was her spell that created the gem. * Nacheyla speaks quietly to the waitress, who returns with two goblet of white wine and a mug of cider for Zoya. * Zoya smiles her thanks to Nacheyla, and sips from her mug. <Myralynn> I am very glad to see you, Priestess. For the last year, my home has been troubled with this conflict between Vallel and my husband. <Zoya> ::nods:: I've seen some indication of that in Vallel. <Myralynn> My husband is a stubborn man, Priestess. And I fear that Vallel has inherited that from him. But they are both good-hearted. * Nacheyla sips her wine, smiling to herself. <Zoya> ::nods:: Vallel is a good boy. ::she shakes her head:: A good man, I should say. I'd like to help in whatever way I can. * Myralynn relaxes somewhat, a tenseness that leaves the lines of her mouth and the set of her shoulders. <Myralynn> You... ::takes a deep breath:: never did say what race Miss Anobium was. And I confess, I am curious. Would you be so kind as to tell me? <Zoya> ::smiles:: She's human, Mistress, even if she wasn't born that way. ::glances around:: Do you mind minor magics? I could show you an image, if you like. * Nacheyla takes another sip of wine, shrugging her shoulders slightly at Zoya. <Myralynn> Not at all. ::smiles:: It has been quite a while since I've seen any mage-work. Not since I left Suzail. * Zoya mutters a few arcane syllables under her breath, and a small illusion appears on the table. About a foot high, the image is of Glossaria, bent over her books and jotting notes on vellum. * Myralynn studies the image of the girl carefully. <Myralynn> She's green? Well, her hair is green? ::peers at the image:: <Zoya> Yes, it is. Vallel seems to find it charming. ::she grins lopsidedly:: <Myralynn> And she's going to be a priestess? ::smiles:: She looks very intelligent. <Zoya> She is. I'm quite proud of her. * Zoya gestures, and the picture changes - Glossaria and Vallel as they were when they left the Tower before the Mayor's party, both of them giddy with excitement. * Myralynn smiles down at the image of her son. <Myralynn> I think he's grown. <Zoya> I expect he has. ::smiles:: They have a way of doing that. * Myralynn takes a white linen kerchief out of her pocket and dabs at her eyes. <Myralynn> Excuse me. ::she blows her nose delicately:: I've missed him quite a bit. * Zoya smiles and lets the image fade. "I understand." <Myralynn> Do you think, Priestess, that they will want to move back to Khymrych after they are wed? * Zoya looks somewhat surprised by the question, and then considers it. "I... don't know. Glossaria is very fond of her library, and Vallel's abilities really aren't suited to farm life... Though they have surprised me in the past." <Myralynn> ::nods:: I didn't really expect him to. My Vallel, he's always been a dreamer. And I don't think he ever really liked sheep. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: He sometimes sings shepherd's songs... For an untrained voice, he's fairly good. * Myralynn smiles. <Myralynn> You should hear his sister, Loria <Zoya> ::smiles:: A musical family, eh? I'm afraid I'm all but tone-deaf. But it must be lovely. <Zoya> ::sips her cider again:: So. What can I do to help mend the rift? <Myralynn> ::ticks off on her fingers:: The dowry needs to cover the loss of the fifty acres of pasture, Tarri Mandiel's forfeit, and a little extra, since the couple will likely not be returning to the farm. Does that sound unreasonable, Priestess? <Zoya> Entirely reasonable, Mistress, though I am at a loss to calculate the amount. * Nacheyla watches Myralynn, her face thoughtful and pleased. * Myralynn pulls a scrap of parchment out of her pocket and a bit of charcoal and starts doing calculations, muttering to herself. * Zoya grins and glances at Nacheyla. * Nacheyla returns the look, her fingers twitching around the stem of her wine glass. * Zoya grins wider, but waits for Myralynn to finish her calculations. <Myralynn> Hmmm... ::chews on the end of her charcoal:: Would five hundred gold upon nuptials and fifty gold per annum until your death be a hardship? <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: Yearly? I thought dowries were traditionally a lump sum? <Myralynn> 'tis traditional to provide monies that can be used to support the couple, should their own crops and flocks have a few rough years. That money would go directly to my son, not my husband. <Zoya> ::frowns with concentration:: So the... five hundred would go to you and your husband, and the annual fifty to Vallel and Glossaria? * Myralynn nods. <Myralynn> It is difficult, sometimes, for young couples to make sufficient income, especially in the first few years of their marriage. Of course, as I understand it, Miss Anobium should have steady income as a priestess, so I am asking less than were she a chambermaid. * Nacheyla nods, then tilts her head to one side and holds her fingers a small amount apart, as if saying "She's asking a bit much, but only a bit." <Zoya> Well. I can certainly agree to the five hundred, but I don't know if Vallel and Glossaria wouldn't be... insulted by my assistance. Perhaps if I were to agree to pay the same amount into a fund for their children's education instead? After all, as a priestess, Glossaria - and by extension, Vallel - have full access to the Tower and its resources, so there is no question of their not having a home or food. <Myralynn> They would not be in your way there? <Zoya> ::shakes her head:: The Tower is quite large. Glossaria has her own rooms within it now; it would be an easy matter for Vallel to move into them if necessary. ::she grins:: Of course, few young men wish to live with their mothers-in-law, but the option exists, if it were needed. <Myralynn> ::looks interested:: How much space would you be able to set aside for them? <Myralynn> Certainly one of the things the stipend is for is for them to build a home... rooms set aside for their use would be considered the equal. <Zoya> To set aside...? ::she considers it:: Well, depending on what level they wanted to be on, at least four rooms. That's not counting the more public areas, such as the library, dining room, and sitting rooms. <Myralynn> ::nods and extends her hand:: I will consider that a good offer. * Zoya smiles and shakes Myralynn's hand. "Wonderful." <Myralynn> Four rooms should allow adequate space for children and private space. * Nacheyla smiles, hiding it behind her hand. * Nacheyla lays her hand over Zoya and Myralynn's clasped hands for a moment. <Nacheyla> I'm pleased that you two could come to an agreement so easily. * Myralynn smiles timidly. "Thank you, Blessed Mother." * Zoya smiles at Nacheyla before turning back to Myralynn. "And you think this will head off your husband's... unease? <Myralynn> ::back to Zoya:: I certainly hope so. He's headstrong and does not like being denied that which he wants. But certainly, since Goodman Mandiel will sell us the acreage, it ill ease his ill-will. <Myralynn> I do not know that he will be pleased with Miss Anobium. She is ::shakes her head:: not the sort of person he takes to easily. But I believe she will be a good match for my Vallel. He deserves better than a life as a farmer. <Myralynn> ::glances at Nacheyla, worriedly:: Not that I dislike my own life, of course, Blessed Mother, but it does not suit Vallel. * Nacheyla smiles. <Nacheyla> Don't worry about it, Myra. You'll notice that *I* don't live on a farm either. <Zoya> ::nods:: If there is anything else I can do, please let me know. Fathers and sons are often at odds with each other. Perhaps as Vallel grows older, he will... value his father's wisdom more. ::she smiles:: * Myralynn smiles. <Myralynn> Perhaps you could encourage them to visit? <Zoya> I'll try. I'll work on Glossaria - she's a little more reasonable than Vallel about certain things. ::she grins:: <Myralynn> Vallel had mentioned that Miss Anobium knew a cure for bleeding lungs, what the sheep get from time to time. <Myralynn> We had to raze twenty acres in the south pastures recently and put several animals down. My husband would be, I think, very grateful for an alternative solution. <Zoya> ::laughs:: She probably does, at that. Yes, I'm sure she knows any number of things of that sort. I'm sure your husband could put her to good use. <Nacheyla> Have you been enjoying your stay in the city? * Myralynn nods. "Yes, Blessed Mother. This city is amazing." <Myralynn> ::turns to Zoya:: Would it be possible, Priestess, for me to meet Miss Anobium? <Zoya> That shouldn't be too hard. Though it might well mean that Vallel would learn you were here. <Myralynn> ::nods:: I plan to see him soon. I just didn't want him to be nervous and upset knowing I was bargaining for Miss Anobium's dowry. He does fret so over things like that. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: It might be best if they don't know about it at all, but I'll leave that up to you. <Myralynn> I'm afraid that won't be possible, Priestess. Rostell will not be keeping such to himself, were they to visit. <Zoya> Ah. Well, then, I'll have a talk with Glossaria. * Nacheyla nods glumly. <Nacheyla> He's apt to boast about the acreage. <Zoya> ::nods:: How long will you be in town? <Myralynn> I plan on staying another week complete. It has been so long since I've been shopping in a city. <Zoya> ::laughs:: Yes, the shopping here is wonderful. Have you been to the bazaar on the Street of Jewels? * Myralynn nods, looking slightly guilty. <Zoya> ::grins:: I try to go there at least once a week. Always something new! <Myralynn> I've spent all my pin money, save enough left to take care of meals. But they have such lovely material. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: Yes. Though I must confess I'm always drawn to the alchemist's on the corner. * Myralynn smiles. "Perhaps Miss Anobium would be interested in shopping for her wedding gown materials? <Zoya> Yes, that sounds lovely. <Myralynn> Then, perhaps, we could meet for lunch here in two days, then do some shopping? ::smiles:: <Zoya> That sounds lovely! * Nacheyla smiles. "Well, sounds good, ladies. But I really must be going. It's been lovely seeing you again, Myra." * Zoya nods and stands. "I have duties awaiting. But it was a pleasure to meet you, Mistress." <Myralynn> ::drops to one knee again:: Good evening, Blessed Mother. ::kisses Nacheyla's hand, then rises gracefully, curtseys to Zoya and heads on up the stairs to her room:: * Nacheyla watches her go, then drops a few coins on the table. <Nacheyla> Well, what do you think, Zoya? <Zoya> Much more sensible than I'd hoped, even. ::she grins:: * Nacheyla heads out of the Oak Inn, wrapping her cloak against the chilly rain. * Zoya follows Nach outside, pulling the hood of her cloak up. |
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