Kazzili Foonaviul left the home she now shared with Midarin Goldneedle, hemp shopping bag in hand, and set off at a swinging pace for the market. Time to fulfil her new wifely duties! “Let's see, what would he like? A nice shoulder roast of pork with balsamic gravy, some vintage mead, hmm and what about an apple crumble?” Yes, that seemed like an excellent first dinner for her new husband. Hopefully, he would be home in time from the Needlehole market.
Humming an old song in a haunting minor key, Kazzili swept into the trader's area, and stopped dead. The hairs on her neck lifted and she gave an involuntary growl. That smell! Surely that was the dirty thief Durtin's distinctive scent. She peered around, sniffing the air. He was here, somewhere. The world rocked for Kazzili. Her flesh tingled and buttons burst from her dress. Oh no! Not here! Not with all these eyes upon her! She must have forgotten to eat enough pickled frog's legs, what with all the excitement of her first day of wedded bliss.
She turned and ran, casting aside the shopping bag. Within moments, she dropped to all fours. Her claws rang on the stones, and an unearthly howl of rage echoed back from the high rock walls of Ulfhirth's Hall.
Back in the market, a shadowy figure slunk away, chuckling at his luck.
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Byl Tapped on the Uzbad's door and was surprised when Hanfrere answered it "Hello my dear... I'm told the Uzbad wants me. How is he?"
"Ructious, brother Byl! The house is in turmoil!"
Byl walked through to the parlour to see Thrandili in yet more floods of tears desperately clutching at Buhni. “Oh Amad, what am I to do? He has sent me from his house and this zurlûmadr turns out doesn't mean Byli is my husband at all! What DOES it mean?”
Byl interjected. "Little sister It means that you are in effect betrothed but with none of the usual traditions upheld...
I can see why Kandral is angry…
There should be months of negotiations betwixt him and me to sort out all the necessary legalities and paperwork and after that, when finally you and Byli are betrothed, then we negotiate once more... There is the Zarb and your bride price to work out and of course you can't possibly be married! Neither you or Byli have spoken vows before Mahal and your father and legal guardian has not given your hand to your intended.”
Byl paused. "Hmmm legal guardian...Now that something even Kandral cannot deny...
As your legal Guardian, He cannot cast you out of his house... The terms of adoption are strict and that is one of them... Let me talk to the Uzbad... I will remind HIM of duty and tradition!
...In fact we need a Double pronged attack... Where is Augir? He has a keen legal brain. We will work out our arguments and confront the dwarf!
...but Buhni... is he well enough. sister? I Would hate to worsen his condition!"
================
Byli put on his father’s wide brimmed hat and a cloak with a high collar to shield himself from curious eyes and followed master Hilfar to his home. He could do without too many awkward conversations.
“The whole homestead seems to be buzzing with gossip and rumour,” he thought to himself.
Byli Stepped into Hilfar's front parlour and looked at the scene. There was blood still on the doormat where Hilfar's chin had split. He could see dust and scratches on the highly polished table where someone had snatched the geode, but what else?
He walked backwards out of the door, searching for clues and saw faint indentations in the grass where someone had sneaked across to the corner of the garden. There were some scratches and a wisp of thread from a dark cloak on the fence post where someone had jumped over. "Come master Hilfar... we have a trail to follow!"
“Nothing is what it seems. The ways of Mahal are unpredictable.” Hilfar had expected quite a quarrel with the Brokenspears after his confession. But instead, young Byli offered his aid in tracking the culprit. There was a vivid vibe around Byli that would even motivate a downbeat trader like Hilfar.
"Hold on Byli." Hilfar quickly grabbed his travelling cloak and attached a sword on his belt. He grabbed a backpack and tossed it full with food and a waterskin. He went outside. “Oh wait, one more thing!". He hurried back inside and grabbed a round iron shield from the wall. He locked his house and turned to Byli, who seemed quite amused. Hilfar grinned in return "Ready when you are lad! Can't hurt to be prepared."
=================
Byl sat in Kandral's leather chair in his study looking up adoption terms in Kandral's book of lore. "Hmmm... Far more up-to-date than my old book. My word, this chair is comfy." He stroked the leather... Ereborian if he wasn't mistaken. He read the next paragraph...
Reasons to dissolve the adoption contract
Murder of a family member by the adoptee,
Advanced illness in the adopting parent,
Criminal activity by the adoptee,
Procreation of a child out of wedlock,
Both parties coming before a judge may voluntarily dissolve the contract.
Byl's eyes opened wide and his hair stood on end!
Procreation of a child out of wedlock... Is this the reason Thrandili was so anxious to marry? Was this why Kandral had banished the lass? Oh Mahal surely not!
He must speak to Byli urgently!
He muttered an excuse to Hanfrere and explained he would be back soon but had some cakes in the oven that would be ruined if he didn't rescue them.
Byl ran the distance back to the Brokenspear residence and slammed opened the door.
"Byli! Byli where are you? We must talk urgently!"
He sniffed the air... a smell of burning assaulted his nose coming from the kitchen. Oh lummy! He HAD left some cakes in the oven!
Scraping the blackened crust off he tried a morsel... Hmm a bit bitter but they'll have to do... no time for baking today... He called again till the house shook. “BYLI, COME HERE NOW!!!” Where was that dratted youth?
===============
Augir nodded to Buhni. “I think it is time I visit the bear's den.” In the bedchamber he found the big bear himself lying on his side, facing the wall.
“I don't want to hear it...” spoke Kandral slowly with an edge to his voice. Augir looked at Kandral. He had never seen his friend and Lord like this. Frail, old and grey...in fact he looked much like Skaril did, when he came back wounded from his Mithrenost ordeal.
“You may be ill Uzbad, but last time I checked you were not deaf.” spoke Augir harshly. A groan could be heard from the bed, followed by a loud sigh.
“Usually I ask you for advice, but this time I think you should listen to me,” he continued.
“Your daughter is now betrothed without your consent, and without a zarb. I can't say I agree with Thrandili, her actions were those of an impulsive teen. She has no doubt wounded you deeply. Still I beg of you to think of her future. No zarb means she has no security. The amount that would have been given to her according to the marriage contract would secure means for her to support herself and her children, should Byli be called to Mahal at a young age. If you cut her off she will have nothing to fall back on. I am sure you still love her and want the best for her. It is not too late to negotiate a zarb. I implore you to reconsider!”
The room got eerily quiet as Augir ended his monologue. He bowed deeply before Kandral to show he still respected his Lord. He waited for a reaction from Kandral but there was none. Augir wondered where Byl was. He sure could use his wits and authority now.
Kandral looked at Augir. He knew he was right. She was betrothed and though the usual customs were not upheld. Why put her in further harm by not negotiating the zarb. "But why should I?", he thought to himself. "She hasn't even bothered to respect my wishes so far... treating me with such disrespect... I have no choice". Kandral noticed that he apparently had said that last bit out loud.
Augir looked at his friend and said: "Lord, you once said to me that ’To say you have no choice is to relieve yourself of responsibility, and a dwarf must ever uphold his responsibility’ ", Augir paused and noticed he had struck a chord. "Time to take up your responsibility, Lord".
Kandral looked away from Augir. His stubbornness was fighting with his sense of responsibility now.
"That saying on that wall there", said Augir pointing at a little frame on the wall that contained the quote -the right thing to do and the hard thing to do are ever the same-. "Even your own furniture is telling you you must do this". Silence followed, then a small chuckle by Kandral, then a slightly longer chuckle by Augir.... moments later both were laughing loudly. Kandral got out of bed with great difficulty, grabbed Augir's shoulder and nodded at him. "Thank you friend", he said with a smile.
