Keggen, Lord Holder of Kiral Hold, handed a goblet of wine to his fellow Lord Holder, then sat himself down before the roaring fire, putting one booted foot up on the grate.
"There's still no word about the little trollop, I'm afraid," he said, swirling his wine around in his cup before drinking.
His companion, a large, florid man going to fat, snorted. "Our links aren't dependent on my marrying her, but it would have been...fun...to break her to bridle."
"If anyone could've, Benis, it would have been you." He agreed. "Too much like her dear mother...and your late wife."
"Ahhh yes, the unlamented Honora. Silly bitch should've stayed inside during Threadfall," the Lord Holder of Lothan Hold murmured, sipping his wine. "And your Fethra was always so sickly."
The two men exchanged smiles and toasts.
"So," Benis said at last, "who have you got your sights on as your new Lady Holder?"
"Some silly little piece from Fort. Very lovely, with all the brains of a watchwher, and nice, wide hips." Keggen drank again, swapped feet on the grate and glanced at his companion. "What of you, my friend? The necessary Turn and a Day are well past."
Benis, a most unpleasant smile curling his thick lips, chuckled. "I have yet to give up hope of finding the lovely, headstrong Fenelore. She...appeals to me."
Keggen snorted. "I doubt my daughter could have survived so long Holdless, if, of course, the plague didn't get her!"
Benis was about to reply when a serving wench sidled into the room, her apron twisting between her hands, as she glanced from one Lord to the other.
"Well? What is it?" Keggen demanded, eying her distastefully.
"S..sir...Podly sent me, s...sir. Dragons, m'lord! In the Hold!"
"WHAT?"
The maid cringed, covering her face with her hands, stuttering in terror.
Keggen grabbed her shoulders roughly, shook her until her teeth rattled. She sobbed out something about children, a search and dragons, then he flung her aside.
"Benis, come with me! It seems those bloody dragonriders aren't content with our tithes! Now they're making off with our children!"
Quickly donning cloaks and swords, the two Lord Holders swept from the room.