What Can You Offer?

Writers: AL, Avery
Date Posted: 30th January 2016

Characters: Zathris, Yusanis
Description: Zathris interviews one of the candidates for the Steward's position.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 8 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Corran

Zathris

Yusanis had arrived at Amber Hills the day before, and gotten a chance
to tour the place again, eat a hot meal, and sleep in before the late
morning interview. Now it was time, and he smoothed his hands down his
pants as he waited to be called into the Lord's office. Though he was
confident in himself and his skills, there was a twinge of nerves
regardless.

The Lord Holder was actively reading through the information that had
been sent ahead of the man who was a possibility for Steward. There
were several qualified candidates. Personally, he would have
preferred to give the job to someone internally, but with a shift of
personnel, those who were available either didn't want it, or didn't
have enough experience. The man named Yusanis, however, seemed to
have that very thing under his belt, so it was certainly worth an
interview to see how well he clicked. When the knock at the door
came, he called and then nodded politely. "Yusanis I presume."

"Yes sir," the man said as he entered the office. He had a friendly
smile on his long face. "Thank you for agreeing to see me."

Zathris' allowed his own smile to surface. "Well, your resume spoke
for you. Please, sit down, and tell me more about yourself, what I
can't read what's on here."

Yusanis settled into a chair and began. "I focus on details and make
sure nothing slips by me and everything's meticulous. I know that's
always been on my performance reviews. I'm not going to get so bogged
down in the threads that I miss the tapestry, however. The Steward's
job is to provide the facts and figures to back up the Lord Holder's
decisions. But he needs to know what those might be, which means he
needs to be looking at the bigger consequences that those details add
up to."

All of that was about his performance. But it wasn't quite what
Zathris had asked, so he kept going.

"As for me, I'm a Blood child, from Ruby Ravine Hold. I'm not the heir
and thankful for it. And I'd like to
settle down somewhere long-term."

The idea that the man wanted to stay long term was definitely
desirable. Zathris studied Yusanis carefully as he spoke, attempting
to read his body language. "Why Amber Hills? What attracted you to
our Hold beyond the available position?"

"For one, I like the location. The climate appeals to me, and I wanted
to stay in Dragonsfall territory," Yusanis replied. "I also wanted to
go somewhere I felt like I understood the challenges. I spent time at
Sapphire Meadows, so I know farming, and from home and Malachite
Gulch, I know forestry."

"Both are definitely desirable. Are there other reasons you
particularly like Amber Hills?" Did the man have family? Someone
special? Perhaps it wasn't strictly a business question, but such
information could be useful in helping Zathris determine the whether
or not someone truly did plan to stay there long term.

"My cousin Corran lives here. He's one of your guards. Always writing
to tell me about how nice it is here," Yusanis said.

"Ah, you're related to Corran." That was a point in his favour.
Although having family nearby didn't guarantee someone would remain
long term, it certainly didn't hurt. Zathris nodded. "What do you
think you can offer to the Hold?"

Yusanis wondered what kind of evidence the Lord was hoping for. "My
Turns of experience as an understeward, for one. The ability to roll
up my sleeves and do the detailed work even when it's drudgery. And I
can help give you the big picture, if that's something you're
interested in," he added.

"If I can ask, my Lord. What's your expectation from your Stewards? Do
you want the day-to-day stuff out of your way, so you can make the big
calls and do the Hold politics work?" That was how Malachite Gulch had
worked.

"In general, yes, but I also like to know what's going on. I expect
daily reports, so we would work with each other every day. That
doesn't mean I don't do any of the 'day to day' work, but I need
someone who can handle the majority of it so that, yes, I can focus on
other aspects of the Hold." Zathris leaned back in his chair and
laced his fingers together. "We'd be working closely, obviously. I
like someone who has the ability to make decisions so I don't have to
breathe down his neck, but also one who knows when he needs to come to
me for certain things."

Yusanis nodded. "That sounds like a positive relationship to me as
well. And it's one I feel capable of, if you choose me."

"Is there anything else you think I should know before we adjourn?"
Zathris arched his eyebrows and waited. This was the opportunity for
Yusanis to speak freely if he so desired.

Yusanis considered the matter. He did have one idea. "Actually, there
is one thing. Even if you find a better candidate for Steward's
position, I'd be willing to take an understeward or assistant's
position. The chance to move here is very appealing."

"I'll keep that in mind." That was another tick in the positive for
the man. If he was willing to move even for a lesser position, then
it was obvious he definitely wanted to stick around. "Thank you for
coming, Yusanis."

Last updated on the February 9th 2016

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