KH: Freedom of an early evening P1

Posted on Sun Aug 31st, 2025 @ 10:20pm by Theeressa & Sr Journeyman Riklan
Edited on on Thu Sep 4th, 2025 @ 8:10pm

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M3 D20

Theeressa frowned as she looked at the stove in front of her. Both children had gone to bed pretty easy that night so it meant that Theeressa could make some bread and maybe a treat or two if she did not get distracted but the oven was reluctant to stay lit. She knelt on the floor with her head practically inside the oven as she heard the front door open. She smiled as Riklan was obviously home early as it was still lit outside.

Riklan yawned a bit as he walked home. It was nice to actually be able to be home early. He didn't get that very often. As he stepped inside though he was surprised by the sight that greeted him. “Theer?” He asked in confusion. “Are you okay?”

The woman pulled her head back with an ah huh sound even as she had smudges over her cheeks from the coal piece that was blocking the air intake. “Riklan?” She asked back in the same tone as she smiled up at him. “Yes. I have been having trouble with our stove going out.” She admitted softly hating not having the option of getting it lit.

He shook his head with a smile as she finally pulled her head out, smudges making her look cute. “I didn't know that. Why didn't you tell me?” He asked, reaching down to help her back to her feet.

“It just started acting a fool this afternoon but a piece of coal must have rolled back when I was tired this morning and was lighting it.” She sighed softly looking at him smiling down at her and blushed under his gaze.

Riklan reached out to wipe the smudges away. “Well that sounds like coal. Is it okay now?” He asked, willing to help if need be.

“Let’s see.” She said laughing as she saw the reason why he was touching her cheek. She grabbed up a cloth and wiped at her cheek smiling. She bent to see if it would light and that time it did light instantly.

He smiled as it easily lit this time. “Good job figuring that one out,” he commented. Not that he ever doubted his wife. Theeressa wasn't helpless.

“Oh it’s taken half a candlemark. And your stew is probably cold by now.” She admitted moving from the warming up stove to stir the pot on top. “I had hoped to have some fresh bread for you but that did not go to plan and you are early. “

Riklan smiled as he listened. “It's the thought that counts,” he assured her. “And yeah I didn't expect to get home early. Rounds actually went smoothly.”

“Well I am happy to see you in some sunshine.” She teased glancing over at him, teasing just a little as held out a spoon to him. “Warm enough?”

“I agree. I feel like sometimes I barely get anytime to see you guys.” The downfalls of being a healer. Riklan accepted the spoon and tested the warmth. “Yep just fine.”

“You do. You make up for it when you are on night shifts and rest days.” She confirmed turning away to prepare a bowl for him. “The girls want for nothing and they quite enjoyed the last few nights eating up at the hold.”

Riklan was so grateful he had such an understanding wife. His craft had been one of the reasons he hadn’t planned on getting married. “Oh well, I'm glad to hear that.”

The woman turned as he spoke and set the bowl down and walked over to him wrapping an arm around his neck whilst her other hand cupped his cheek. “We miss you yes but we understand. They both will be crafters one day and just as busy.” She pointed out. She was the one with no craft and considering her own use to Pern.

He looked down into her eyes, leaning against her hand. “It's still hard. I want to be here but I know I have a responsibility to the Hold as well.” He loved his little family. .

“You do but I support it and you. I know who you are now.” She said gently leaning up on her tip toes to give him a soft kiss. She had learned the type of man he was by heartbreak.

They had nearly messed up but thankfully with time they were able to figure things out. He leaned into her gentle kiss. “I'm glad you know me.”

“Now… I know now. You can say it.” She assured him as she pulled back. She had been the one judging him by Dragon Hold standards not the standard the man held from growing up in a good family with an amazing sister.

Riklan shook his head. “All that matters is you figured out I was here to stay,” he smiled. He wasn't going to hold grudges. She had grown up hard. He hadn't.

“And Sophida was gotten rid of.” She said, rolling her eyes. She smiled a little sadly before letting him go. “Go sit down, I'll bring the bowl over.” She said shoo-ing him towards the table.

He groaned. “Yeah that was a bad time.” To this day he didn't know why Sophida had acted like that. Riklan started to argue but thought better of it and went and sat down.

The woman set about getting the bowl and spoon for him, laying it down in front of him. She watched him for a moment before she set about righting the kitchen and preparing him some tea knowing he would not want klah this late.

“Thank you,” he smiled, picking up the spoon. He would help her if she would let him, but he knew the kitchen was her place and he tried not to get in the way.

“Eat up. It’s not going to stay warm long.” She reminded him as she opened the stove to pop in the bread and the sweet treats she had planned to greet him with but that had been foiled.

Riklan didn't argue and dug into his food. He was hungry and she was right, it would get cold fast.

Theeressa waited for him to settle and her to finish cleaning up before she sat down next to him holding two mugs of mint tea though hers had a lot more honey in as she could not bear it without. “So how come you finished so early?” She wondered looking out the window thinking it must still be pretty early for the sun to be still up.

Riklan was just finishing his meal when Theeressa handed him the tea. “Thank you.” It smelled wonderful. He shrugged. “The Healer taking over came early and there were no major injuries to tend to.”

“Does not happen often with Delin. Maybe his…” Theeressa paused and thought on how to say what she was thinking. “friend kicked him out.” She said smiling. It was well known the man had many friends in many places and enjoyed bouncing between beds.

Riklan rolled his eyes with a laugh. He hadn't considered that. “That is a very good possibility.” The man certainly got around.

“Well we don’t complain or judge as it got you home early enough for us to maybe sit outside with a treat and watch the sunset.” She said hopeful. Normally he came home on day shift after dusk and she was normally reading in front of the fire or asleep after a fall day with the children. She had no idea how she was going to do it all when Kassa was older.

“Definitely not complaining,” Riklan agreed. “That would be nice. We don't get a chance to do that often.” Being a healer was hard with a family but he wouldn't trade it for anything.

The woman just smiled at him and leaned back in her chair and savoured her tea as she waited for the man to finish his meal or the food to cook.

Riklan happily munched on his food. It was certainly a good day to get off early.