Assignment #3
Herein a letter from Sefton to his brother Kelar; best friend, confidante, the one person in the world to whom Sefton speaks frankly on all matters. It is one of a series -- the brothers write very regularly, and (as will become obvious when the contents are examined) take great care to ensure to ensure confidentiality. Enjoy!
Kel,
Before I forget -- yes, it was the Benden 83 that he admired, but you should also send him dried fruit. His mistress likes it -- he will be grateful, and wonder if you know. Penny is back in class, much improved -- I envy her the time at home, if not the wear and tear that caused it. She tells me that now she has been reminded that you are all as sweet -- or sweeter -- her words, not mine -- than I, I must surrender my special place in her heart to her other brothers. You have all done exactly as I wished, and you know you have my thanks. Do you think Mittan would loan us Besla? I think she misses her. Your letter was full of questions, so I will answer as many as I can. I understand you were good enough not to press our girl for details of the increasingly fraught situation here, so I shall do my best to reward your discretion with information.
If you want a prediction in response to your musings, you will have to come here for a drink -- I would have you here for a day or so anyway, but I will come to the reasons for that later on. Bring your charm, suffice to say. I will offer you a few thoughts to whet your appetite for an extended conversation. It is a fascinating dance to watch, and I have no idea where the participants will stand when the music stops. It is so refreshing, to really wonder. The Igenites seem to be holding their own, but they do not advance. They spark heated debates, although I have done my best -- for once -- to keep this discussion out of my classroom. This is not a subject on which I wish to see my views publicly recorded. I am daily amazed that I am let off without interrogation. I will claim the neutrality of the Caucus as an excuse not to speak if I must -- they will accept this - but I must express some disappointment that none of my students press me. I must take the blame for this, and continue their education, I suppose.
There are so may factors to be considered, some of them changing daily. I know the Weyrwoman -- she was my student for nearly a turn -- and I am still not sure she will prevail. She has a gift for playing the materal role -- I think she is in fact maternal, which may hamstring her -- and her ability to bond sometimes outweighs the fact that she is not the political heavyweight she might be. Is that a fair observation, given her current rank? I am yet to decide whether she earned it somehow, or was simply awarded it, along with a particular man's affection.
Her Weyrleader, I suspect, would have preferred to win his place in Reaches' snowy hearts by doing what he has been trained to do -- he has the experience, they cannot deny that. Odern, however, has robbed him of that opportunity. Our Uncle had that man pegged correctly from the start. I could write a letter in itself about Odern and Nabol, but I will leave it for now -- the clinching argument, I should say, in a debate I recently invited my students to participate in regarding the merits of Blood. They either do not think, or dare not use him as an example.
The fact remains that Thread will fall, whether the riders here like their new Weyrleader or not. The constant work perhaps makes it harder to find time for discontent, although this will not last. Already you will have heard of our renegade wing. We must not, however, forget G'thon -- or Ganathon, whatever you prefer to call him. He is a part of this dance also, to be discounted at one's peril. the man held his knot -- dragonless -- for nigh on a turn, and then annointed his choice of Weyrwoman. How did he hold it? Politics, certainly, but sheer force of personality had a great deal to do with his feat. He wants an instructor's position from me, and I am inclined to let him have it, out of sheer admiration if nothing else. you are laughing now, I know -- I am too. I attempt to redeem myself by pointing out that the old man is well respected here, and it is politic to be the one who proffers a dignified retirement. When you come, remind me to speak of the infinitely complicated dance our Weyrwoman currently steps her way through in the company of her Weyrleaders both past and present. Three is an uncomfortable number for any dance, and I do not know how much longer she will manage to maintain two partners.
I looked up just now, and Aida sensed a convenient break in my thoughts, taking advantage of the opportunity to browbeat me into checking the appointments she has made for me for tomorrow. Already I have no idea what I did without her, and will have to find some inducement to keep her with me. Speaking of which , please cast about and see if you can find any particularly interesting maps for me. Interesting request? Interesting circumstances prompt it. Aida has found herself with a suitor, and one with whom you are acquainted. That narrows the field, does it now? I think she would like a map for a gift for him. You will recall Bryce -- Benden Blood, who fostered with us. Tayan's age, I think. I do not recall whether or not I have told you, but I have found him again here at the weyr. Now he is Br'ce, and regularly defends our honour with his brown Trellazoth. Yes, I still have some difficulty picturing it too. I imagine that whatever it is they do up there in the sky, it is done immacuately. It would seem our new Weyrleader thinks so too, for lately he has given Br'ce his own wing to lead. He is more or less still the same man -- which is to say that he still pilfers my library, does noting simply when he can do it in complicated fashoin, and still provides me with no small entertainment. Speaking of the stiff-necked, I am reminded that you will want to hear my latest Neiran story. I shall come to it presently. Aida is tapping her foot once more, so I pause to discover what it is that I have done wrong.
I resume, having been scolded for skipping out on a meeting she scheduled for me yesterday -- a misdemeanour she has only just discovered. I have explained the strategic importance of leaving some visitors to cool their heels, and I am satisfied that she understands. She understands a great deal, my new assistant. It is frankly a relief to find that she requires only one explanation, and her questions have so far been intelligent. I am extremely hard-pressed not to smile when she scolds me. I suspect she realises that she entertains me, and that I am only allowed my mirth on teh condition that I pretend it has some other source. I have spent an entertaining few moments now and again wondering what young Br'ce plans on doing with her. He has her naivite on his side, and perhaps that will be enough. She could do far worse in this place. You know as well as I how manifestly unlikely it is that he will intentionally mistreat her. Should he do so unintentionaly, at least he is a man over whom I have some hold.
I write a great deal about her, do I not? At least I need to waste time convincing you that it is not for the obvious reason. What sort of an education she is getting at Br'ce's hands I dare not think, (I fully expect him to come to me for an etiquette book so he can research the polite forms of bedroom address -- then again, I gave her an afternoon off recently, and I believe she was sincere when she said she planned on catching up on sleep... perhaps he is too polite to proposition her without a formal introduction? Perhaps I should give him one of Bailie's unbearable love stories, rather than the etiquette book when he comes?), but I do not intend upon involving myself beyond idle speculation. Tempting? Certainly, you will see that when you come and take a look at her -- but she is more valuable to me making my appointments and taking care of my mail. The reason -- I come to it finally -- that I write so much about her, is that I would like youto come and meet her. She is yet to lower her guard entirely, and this thing will be that much easier if she can be convinced that I do not intend on doing whatever it is that she fears. Come, charm, and you can see your Smith and your weyrwoman on the same visit. Br'ce too, if you fancy it -- even myself, if you run out of other choices.
Youhave done well to read so far, so Iwill reward you with Neiran's latest exploits before I move back to business. You are very easily entertained, although I agree he is one of the more amusing of my students. He is currently reading the book I told you about -- the volume on traders -- for the fourth sevenday running, and I fear he is in danger of developing a tic, or grinding his teeth down to nothing if I tell him to read it again. Nevertheless, I shall do so -- he will either learn something, or he will snap under the force of the lesson. There will be entertainment in either option. I am contemplating adding adult to your favourite healer to see if he combusts, but I feel Aida would refuse to clear up the mess. She is fond of him. There is, of course, nothing more he can learn from the book. There was little to begin with. The point of the exercise is to see if there is a moment at which he will put his foot down, question his teacher. Or if, indeed, he will reach that point before self-combusting. There, now, is your inducement to come -- I shall have Neiran here to introduce to you, and will try to keep him intact until then. Do you rememeber when I tried this one on Rali? He worked it out after two sevens and threw the book at my head to boot. Neiran lacks our cousin's style, although he leads him in terms of respect for authority figures. Come and see him grind his teeth -- did I mention this wretched place is finally free of snow?
I have another healer to speak of, for I forgot to include her in my last letter. I am not sure if you will remember Medina. She was posted to us shortly before I was exiled here, and used to indulge me by spontaneously combusting in a manner that leaves your poor Neiran in the dust. She and I used to debate in the library. A plain girl, but very quick. She has been sent to me as a student, and our debates are already resumed. She still goes splendidly red. I begin to think I erred in terrifying my students so, for I am far too grateful for one who will roar at me in disbelief and outrage, and stalk away from our encounters muttering uncomplimentary things.
Aida has just taken her leave, replaced by Bailie, who is lying on my bed and doing her history homework. You must forgive me if I become a little disjointed, for she is asking me questions. I have, as you can see, women working in shifts to ensure that I have as little time to myself as possible. I have told her this letter is for you, and she send her love. She is yet to entirely grasp the idea that Aida is not to be asked to fetch and carry (for her, at least), but we continue our debate on this subject, as on so many others.
I wonder who else you would like to hear of? I would like to tell you about Ginella, at any rate. She has returned her efforts to her classes once more, and has earned back her evening tutoring sessions with me. She is at something of a crossroads -- much bolder than she was when first I found her, yet still uncertain enough in many respects. It is almost time I decided what to do with her -- what sort of relationship I want with her when she leads Benden, as I expect she will. I am not sure trust and affection will ever present as realistic options, so I am left to decide whether I would rather continue her education and attempt to deal with her as an equal, or whether I should simply build her high enough that they will give her the knot, while making it clear to her that I am best consulted on all major decisions. Perhaps I should speak to Br'ce about her -- another example of the tangle this place is made up of: Ginella's own suit is to be seen most evenings dining with Br'ce, who in turn was fostered with us, and courts my assistant. If this degenerates any further, I shall need somebody to draw me a flow-chart.
Finally, the paragraph I am sure you have been waiting for -- not skimming too quickly though my other news, I hope. This, I know, is what will bring you here to see me, but we will pretend it is the prospect of looking over Neiran, or Aida. Roa is recovering, but she is not recovered -- she still has her escort of particularly grim-looking guards, and she has an extra escort to class, as well. Her knock on the head has left her struggling with her reading and writing, and she still requires help. She is not -- will you stop pulling that face? -- unwell in any other way that I can see, and I am told that this difficulty will pass. Until it does, she has recruited herself scribes and and they join her guards in parading after her. Once she is reading and writing once more, she will still have her guards, and that will only be the outward sign of what will surely be a lasting inner injury. S'lien must be, I imagine, fit to go through the roof -- or will certainly appear so. I look forward with great interest to that development, and I need not assure you, I know, that I will do all I can to see her fare as well as she can. My soft spot for her springs from a different source to yours -- she will not shout at me as Medina does, but she thinks, and I value that. Think on what you would have me do -- you can let me know when you come.
Bailie has finished her homework, and bids me stop scribbling away to you. She says that you must come to see us, and I can tell you these things in person, thus freeing up my time so that I can devote it to her just now instead. Now you have your orders from my betrothed, and I know you will be wise enough to obey.
Yours,
S
Does this work? I'm thinking of writing a monthly letter from Sefton to Kelar, although not so long. If there's something you'd like to see Sefton muse on, let me know. It might appear.
Kel,
Before I forget -- yes, it was the Benden 83 that he admired, but you should also send him dried fruit. His mistress likes it -- he will be grateful, and wonder if you know. Penny is back in class, much improved -- I envy her the time at home, if not the wear and tear that caused it. She tells me that now she has been reminded that you are all as sweet -- or sweeter -- her words, not mine -- than I, I must surrender my special place in her heart to her other brothers. You have all done exactly as I wished, and you know you have my thanks. Do you think Mittan would loan us Besla? I think she misses her. Your letter was full of questions, so I will answer as many as I can. I understand you were good enough not to press our girl for details of the increasingly fraught situation here, so I shall do my best to reward your discretion with information.
If you want a prediction in response to your musings, you will have to come here for a drink -- I would have you here for a day or so anyway, but I will come to the reasons for that later on. Bring your charm, suffice to say. I will offer you a few thoughts to whet your appetite for an extended conversation. It is a fascinating dance to watch, and I have no idea where the participants will stand when the music stops. It is so refreshing, to really wonder. The Igenites seem to be holding their own, but they do not advance. They spark heated debates, although I have done my best -- for once -- to keep this discussion out of my classroom. This is not a subject on which I wish to see my views publicly recorded. I am daily amazed that I am let off without interrogation. I will claim the neutrality of the Caucus as an excuse not to speak if I must -- they will accept this - but I must express some disappointment that none of my students press me. I must take the blame for this, and continue their education, I suppose.
There are so may factors to be considered, some of them changing daily. I know the Weyrwoman -- she was my student for nearly a turn -- and I am still not sure she will prevail. She has a gift for playing the materal role -- I think she is in fact maternal, which may hamstring her -- and her ability to bond sometimes outweighs the fact that she is not the political heavyweight she might be. Is that a fair observation, given her current rank? I am yet to decide whether she earned it somehow, or was simply awarded it, along with a particular man's affection.
Her Weyrleader, I suspect, would have preferred to win his place in Reaches' snowy hearts by doing what he has been trained to do -- he has the experience, they cannot deny that. Odern, however, has robbed him of that opportunity. Our Uncle had that man pegged correctly from the start. I could write a letter in itself about Odern and Nabol, but I will leave it for now -- the clinching argument, I should say, in a debate I recently invited my students to participate in regarding the merits of Blood. They either do not think, or dare not use him as an example.
The fact remains that Thread will fall, whether the riders here like their new Weyrleader or not. The constant work perhaps makes it harder to find time for discontent, although this will not last. Already you will have heard of our renegade wing. We must not, however, forget G'thon -- or Ganathon, whatever you prefer to call him. He is a part of this dance also, to be discounted at one's peril. the man held his knot -- dragonless -- for nigh on a turn, and then annointed his choice of Weyrwoman. How did he hold it? Politics, certainly, but sheer force of personality had a great deal to do with his feat. He wants an instructor's position from me, and I am inclined to let him have it, out of sheer admiration if nothing else. you are laughing now, I know -- I am too. I attempt to redeem myself by pointing out that the old man is well respected here, and it is politic to be the one who proffers a dignified retirement. When you come, remind me to speak of the infinitely complicated dance our Weyrwoman currently steps her way through in the company of her Weyrleaders both past and present. Three is an uncomfortable number for any dance, and I do not know how much longer she will manage to maintain two partners.
I looked up just now, and Aida sensed a convenient break in my thoughts, taking advantage of the opportunity to browbeat me into checking the appointments she has made for me for tomorrow. Already I have no idea what I did without her, and will have to find some inducement to keep her with me. Speaking of which , please cast about and see if you can find any particularly interesting maps for me. Interesting request? Interesting circumstances prompt it. Aida has found herself with a suitor, and one with whom you are acquainted. That narrows the field, does it now? I think she would like a map for a gift for him. You will recall Bryce -- Benden Blood, who fostered with us. Tayan's age, I think. I do not recall whether or not I have told you, but I have found him again here at the weyr. Now he is Br'ce, and regularly defends our honour with his brown Trellazoth. Yes, I still have some difficulty picturing it too. I imagine that whatever it is they do up there in the sky, it is done immacuately. It would seem our new Weyrleader thinks so too, for lately he has given Br'ce his own wing to lead. He is more or less still the same man -- which is to say that he still pilfers my library, does noting simply when he can do it in complicated fashoin, and still provides me with no small entertainment. Speaking of the stiff-necked, I am reminded that you will want to hear my latest Neiran story. I shall come to it presently. Aida is tapping her foot once more, so I pause to discover what it is that I have done wrong.
I resume, having been scolded for skipping out on a meeting she scheduled for me yesterday -- a misdemeanour she has only just discovered. I have explained the strategic importance of leaving some visitors to cool their heels, and I am satisfied that she understands. She understands a great deal, my new assistant. It is frankly a relief to find that she requires only one explanation, and her questions have so far been intelligent. I am extremely hard-pressed not to smile when she scolds me. I suspect she realises that she entertains me, and that I am only allowed my mirth on teh condition that I pretend it has some other source. I have spent an entertaining few moments now and again wondering what young Br'ce plans on doing with her. He has her naivite on his side, and perhaps that will be enough. She could do far worse in this place. You know as well as I how manifestly unlikely it is that he will intentionally mistreat her. Should he do so unintentionaly, at least he is a man over whom I have some hold.
I write a great deal about her, do I not? At least I need to waste time convincing you that it is not for the obvious reason. What sort of an education she is getting at Br'ce's hands I dare not think, (I fully expect him to come to me for an etiquette book so he can research the polite forms of bedroom address -- then again, I gave her an afternoon off recently, and I believe she was sincere when she said she planned on catching up on sleep... perhaps he is too polite to proposition her without a formal introduction? Perhaps I should give him one of Bailie's unbearable love stories, rather than the etiquette book when he comes?), but I do not intend upon involving myself beyond idle speculation. Tempting? Certainly, you will see that when you come and take a look at her -- but she is more valuable to me making my appointments and taking care of my mail. The reason -- I come to it finally -- that I write so much about her, is that I would like youto come and meet her. She is yet to lower her guard entirely, and this thing will be that much easier if she can be convinced that I do not intend on doing whatever it is that she fears. Come, charm, and you can see your Smith and your weyrwoman on the same visit. Br'ce too, if you fancy it -- even myself, if you run out of other choices.
Youhave done well to read so far, so Iwill reward you with Neiran's latest exploits before I move back to business. You are very easily entertained, although I agree he is one of the more amusing of my students. He is currently reading the book I told you about -- the volume on traders -- for the fourth sevenday running, and I fear he is in danger of developing a tic, or grinding his teeth down to nothing if I tell him to read it again. Nevertheless, I shall do so -- he will either learn something, or he will snap under the force of the lesson. There will be entertainment in either option. I am contemplating adding adult to your favourite healer to see if he combusts, but I feel Aida would refuse to clear up the mess. She is fond of him. There is, of course, nothing more he can learn from the book. There was little to begin with. The point of the exercise is to see if there is a moment at which he will put his foot down, question his teacher. Or if, indeed, he will reach that point before self-combusting. There, now, is your inducement to come -- I shall have Neiran here to introduce to you, and will try to keep him intact until then. Do you rememeber when I tried this one on Rali? He worked it out after two sevens and threw the book at my head to boot. Neiran lacks our cousin's style, although he leads him in terms of respect for authority figures. Come and see him grind his teeth -- did I mention this wretched place is finally free of snow?
I have another healer to speak of, for I forgot to include her in my last letter. I am not sure if you will remember Medina. She was posted to us shortly before I was exiled here, and used to indulge me by spontaneously combusting in a manner that leaves your poor Neiran in the dust. She and I used to debate in the library. A plain girl, but very quick. She has been sent to me as a student, and our debates are already resumed. She still goes splendidly red. I begin to think I erred in terrifying my students so, for I am far too grateful for one who will roar at me in disbelief and outrage, and stalk away from our encounters muttering uncomplimentary things.
Aida has just taken her leave, replaced by Bailie, who is lying on my bed and doing her history homework. You must forgive me if I become a little disjointed, for she is asking me questions. I have, as you can see, women working in shifts to ensure that I have as little time to myself as possible. I have told her this letter is for you, and she send her love. She is yet to entirely grasp the idea that Aida is not to be asked to fetch and carry (for her, at least), but we continue our debate on this subject, as on so many others.
I wonder who else you would like to hear of? I would like to tell you about Ginella, at any rate. She has returned her efforts to her classes once more, and has earned back her evening tutoring sessions with me. She is at something of a crossroads -- much bolder than she was when first I found her, yet still uncertain enough in many respects. It is almost time I decided what to do with her -- what sort of relationship I want with her when she leads Benden, as I expect she will. I am not sure trust and affection will ever present as realistic options, so I am left to decide whether I would rather continue her education and attempt to deal with her as an equal, or whether I should simply build her high enough that they will give her the knot, while making it clear to her that I am best consulted on all major decisions. Perhaps I should speak to Br'ce about her -- another example of the tangle this place is made up of: Ginella's own suit is to be seen most evenings dining with Br'ce, who in turn was fostered with us, and courts my assistant. If this degenerates any further, I shall need somebody to draw me a flow-chart.
Finally, the paragraph I am sure you have been waiting for -- not skimming too quickly though my other news, I hope. This, I know, is what will bring you here to see me, but we will pretend it is the prospect of looking over Neiran, or Aida. Roa is recovering, but she is not recovered -- she still has her escort of particularly grim-looking guards, and she has an extra escort to class, as well. Her knock on the head has left her struggling with her reading and writing, and she still requires help. She is not -- will you stop pulling that face? -- unwell in any other way that I can see, and I am told that this difficulty will pass. Until it does, she has recruited herself scribes and and they join her guards in parading after her. Once she is reading and writing once more, she will still have her guards, and that will only be the outward sign of what will surely be a lasting inner injury. S'lien must be, I imagine, fit to go through the roof -- or will certainly appear so. I look forward with great interest to that development, and I need not assure you, I know, that I will do all I can to see her fare as well as she can. My soft spot for her springs from a different source to yours -- she will not shout at me as Medina does, but she thinks, and I value that. Think on what you would have me do -- you can let me know when you come.
Bailie has finished her homework, and bids me stop scribbling away to you. She says that you must come to see us, and I can tell you these things in person, thus freeing up my time so that I can devote it to her just now instead. Now you have your orders from my betrothed, and I know you will be wise enough to obey.
Yours,
S
Does this work? I'm thinking of writing a monthly letter from Sefton to Kelar, although not so long. If there's something you'd like to see Sefton muse on, let me know. It might appear.