All Hands On Deck

Writers: AL, Devin, Chelle
Date Posted: 26th January 2015

Characters: Aini, Relik, Kaphrad
Description: The three of them discuss the new Lord Holder and get ready for the opening event.
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 10, day 23 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Xeladrie, Eirock

Since returning from Bryvin's wedding there had been so much to do
that he hadn't stopped to talk to Kaphrad and Aini about what this might
mean and what to expect going forward. Of course the new Steward's
appearance and visit had made it seem almost imperative. Relik pulled
himself away from checking out the last bit of construction and instead
wandered to Kaphrad's office. He'd left a note at the watch desk for Aini so
hopefully she'd be there, with klah in hand.

"Good morning, Hallmaster," Kaphrad greeted him with a nod.

Aini was not long in arriving. She was lightly burdened with a tray, three
mugs with a dark, hot liquid from which steam curled up then faded in its
attempt to reach the ceiling. As she approached the men, she executed a
polite nod then offered the tray first to Relik then to Kaphrad.

Taking his and taking a long gulp before sighing, he thanked her and waited
for everyone to get settled. "As everyone knows, the Conclave appointed
Lord Bryvin as Lord Holder of Sunstone to replace Morin. He's since taken
himself a Lady and will now be working on creating an Heir for Sunstone so
succession will not be in doubt. Now that his marriage is out of the way, I
suspect it will not be long until he sends someone to our doors or we are
called there."

"A new Holder means new demands, new promises. I don't know if the
agreements Morin made will be upheld. I don't know what Bryvin will want
or what his interests are." Relik looked at them both, knowing they needed
to be prepared for what might happen. It was a precarious position since
they were still dependent upon the Hold for so much and had yet to begin
to offer them much in return.

Kaphrad knew the situation was serious, but a slight smile curled his
lips anyway. "Try to think positive, Hallmaster. This could work out
well for us."

"Oh? Is there something you know that I don't? I admit, I don't know much
about Bryvin. His line was inland mountain people from Amber Hills apparently.
I have no ties there." If either of them knew anything more about Bryvin,
Relik wanted to hear it.

"No secret knowledge, you just made this change sound dire. I prefer
to hope for the best... while planning for the worst, of course," the
Hallsecond said.

As the two men conversed, Aini sipped quietly at her tea. When a cup
ran empty, she refilled it without waiting to be asked. At the Hallsecond's
comment she nodded in agreement. It was a realistic way to approach
things - and one that probably was the best way. "How long do you think
it will be before the new Lord Holder turns his attention to such
agreements?"

"Probably as long as it takes him to finish with the honeymoon phase
of marriage, if indeed it is a happy marriage." On the ride over, Relik had
had no indication to say it wasn't. "Morin was a man of business but he had
priorities and kept to them. I can't say the same of the steward since I
don't know."

"We could arrange for a tour the next time he visits, show him the
progress that's been made," Kaphrad said. "I can also provide
calculations of how many marks the Hall will bring in when we're fully
operational." Any former steward should have a good grasp of business
and the numbers would show how valuable the Seacraft Hall would be to
Sunstone.

"That would be a good idea." Relik turned things over and over in his mind.
"Or we could distract him with something else. How long till we take the
maiden on the new ship? We could invite him to that?"

"I think a combination might be useful. Let him see numbers on a
page, but then something real and tangible in action." Aini allowed
herself a nibble upon one of the biscuits that she'd brought to
accompany the tea. "It will allow more insight, I think."

"With some luck," Kaphrad said, "We could have the new ship ready by
the middle of month eleven." His hand-picked group of men was making
good progress.

"In time for the construction to be finished. We would all invite them
for the maiden voyage, of course. Why not make it a spectacle though?"
Relik was warming to the idea. Of course if they failed, it would be a
public failure. He had to trust his Second though and Kaphrad's designs
were sound. The ship wouldn't sink.

"Just let me know when and I will be sure to have preparations made."
The Lord Holder wouldn't be received without a certain amount of pomp
and circumstance. Aini would, of course, be sure to make sure that
hospitality would not be lacking.

"It would make quite a show," Kaphrad agreed. He would need to double
check and triple check everything to make sure all went well.

Last updated on the February 10th 2015

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All Hands On Deck