Tiruneh looked himself over in the "mirror". Ah, everything was perfect...well, except for his newly acquired Threadscore. He made a face…oh well. The girls would still flock to be with him. The score made him look more mature. He ran his hand through his light brown hair and smoothed out his deep red tunic one last time before grabbing his pouch of marks and leaving his room. Now all he needed was one of those girls on his arm...and he could make his appearance at the Gather.
He smiled, that shouldn't be too hard. Who would turn him down? He was handsome…strong…a Lord Holder’s son…Girls would die to be with him. He straightened his tunic again as he approached the main hall. There was bound to be a girl or two there who needed an escort.
Tiruneh pushed open the door and walked in, scanning the small crowd that was still inside. Yes, there were a few “worthy” girls left inside. They’d be swarming him soon enough…they just didn’t know he was there yet. He slipped farther into the room, smiling and greeting those who did the same to him until he saw her.
She was beautiful. And the color of her Gather dress would compliment him perfectly. He stood a little taller, pushed the hair out of his deep brown eyes, and strode purposefully towards her.
“Why hello there. How can a beautiful lady such as yourself be all alone at a Gather?” He came up beside her and took her hand, smiling at her surprised look. Oh yes, she’d be perfect for him.
“Good evening Lord Tiruneh…I didn’t think I was all alone…” she glanced around her. She heard him laugh softly and frowned.
Tiruneh bowed slightly. “Sorry. I almost forgot, what is your name? You seem to know who I am, but I’m at a loss with you.” He smiled almost charmingly at her.
“My name…is Orlee. And everyone knows who you are Lord.” She slipped her hand out of his and brushed it off on his tunic sleeve. “Now if you don’t mind, I’ve someone to meet.” She curtsied, hiding a smile at his totally shocked expression, then turned and walked away.
Tiruneh stared at her as she left. She’d turned him down. He watched as she made her way through the small crowd…and met up with a slightly older man. He scowled. How could she have left him for that…that…He growled. He’d never been turned down. That was just fine. Scorch her for all he cared.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
His mood did not improve as the night wore on. He had found someone to attach to his arm, but he was dissatisfied with her incessant babbling. She did make him look better though. He seemed to constantly come across Orlee and her “elderly” escort…well, maybe “elderly” was a bit harsh…He looked to be about 30 turns. Still, that was older than his 16. He sighed, and looked at the girl next to him. Maybe she’d quiet down when the dancing started.
When the Harpers began to play she practically pulled him onto the dance floor...which is where they stayed for the rest of the evening. He struggled to stay pleasant as he bid her good night, then started back to the Hold. This had been a disaster. And it was that Orlee’s fault entirely. Had she not been so rude as to turn him…HIM, the Lord Holder’s son…down, he might have actually enjoyed himself. The nerve of that girl to put him through such humiliation.
Tiruneh started up the steps to the main hall still in a sour mood. He didn’t want to be bothered, and when his father called out to him he nearly snapped the man’s head off.
“What in Faranth’s name do you want now?!” he turned to glare at his father and the woman next to him. Couldn’t he even seethe in peace??
Lord Tiruve scowled up at his son. “Get down here and watch your tongue boy.” He waited until Tiruneh was in front of them before he proceeded. “This,” he gestured to the woman next to him, “is Head Searchrider Nora from Talor Cliff Weyr. She has informed me that her Blue Mitanth fancies you as a Dragonrider.”
Tiruneh stared at a smiling Nora. “Are you being serious…or is this just something else to ruin my day?” He crossed his arms and looked at her, narrowing his eyes a little.
“I’m being quite serious young man. Mitanth is rarely wrong on a Search. Would you be willing to stand for Naomith’s latest clutch?” She watched him closely.
“I…would like to…but…I’m to take the Hold…” his father cut him off.
“You are doing no such thing. Your older brother is a competent holder. I don’t know where you got this idea of inheriting all this. You’re the youngest of three.” Tiruve frowned. “If you’d make a decent Dragonrider, then go. Go on, pack your things, and don’t make Searchrider Nora wait. Get going!” he waved Tiruneh off.
Tiruneh stared at his father for a few minutes and when he received a glare he decided he should go pack. He’d never thought of being a Dragonrider before…He smiled…girls LOVED Dragonriders. He’d be even more irresistible…and the next time he saw that…that...sharding Orlee, she’d beg to be with him.