A Meeting

Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 17th March 2016

Characters: Zelanka, Yusanis
Description: The Steward and Headwoman have a meeting.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 6 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris, Karhal, Corran

Early in the morning, Yusanis sent drudge to ask the Headwoman when
would be good to have a meeting. When the appointed candlemark rolled
around, he showed up outside her office. He had some questions he
wanted to ask another person in charge about quietly.

"Do come in, Yusanis," Zelanka invited him. "Do you like to have tea
or klah?" she had both ready and waiting with some light snacks.

"Tea, please," he said, taking a biscuit as well. "I wanted to talk to
you about some discrepancies I'm seeing as I reviewed the records, and
see if you hd any information."

"Here you are," Zelanka poured them both tea. "What discrepancies?
Like unusually large number of items gone missing?" Zelanka asked.

He took a sip from his cup and gave her thanks before continuing.
"Exactly. It seems as though there's either been carelessness in the
recording of what we have, in the stocking if items are being damaged,
we're getting inaccurate tithe records, or there's been some
pilfering."

"We suspect those items been stolen. The guards are investigating it
but we have been keeping it under the wrap, so not to cause alarm,"
Zelanka replied. Her lips thinned when she thought of those incidents.
"It would be easier to caught them if they don't know we are watching
out for them. Or that was the plan," she let out a frustrated sigh.
_She_ was the one who had to deal with the shortage and figure out how
to replace it.

"So that's why none of the understewards told me more. I'll have to
talk to the guards. The captain is Karhal, correct?" he asked.

"Yes, his wife just had a baby. And then there's Lord Zathris..." her
voice trailed off. "No wonder nobody thought about filling you in,"
she added with little laughter that did lack real joy.

"It's not your fault, or anyone's, it sounds like. I'll speak to them
and find out more. From the records it seems like there's been some
small thievery for awhile," Yusanis contemplated.

"Corran's been on the case," Zelanka provided a name for one of the
guards on the case. "I'm not sure when it started, sometime before
Turns Over. In a Hold of this size, small discrepancies are impossible
to avoid. So, it took awhile before people noticed anythig amiss."

"I see. And now that we know about it, we're looking out for them but
of course they may know. That sounds like quite the mess," Yusanis
said ruefully.

"It is," Zelanka sighed. She hated messes of all kinds. She loved
order and orderly.

"I'll talk with the guards like you suggest. Outside of those issues,
is there anything else you think I should be aware of about the Hold
or what's currently going on? The records indicate some recent
troubles, like last Turn's." Many places had heard about the Lady's
kidnapping, after all. "But it seems as though the staff has been
running quite a tight ship throughout it all."

"We have to, to keep this place up and running. It helps that most of
the senior staff has been here long and knows what they are doing,"
Zelanka replied, pleased with the compliment.

"It seems like several of my understewards have been around since the
prior Lord's time. They're skilled as well." It was a relief to him to
come into a well-prepared staff.

"Normally I'd ask if we have any major upcoming events, but with the
current Lord's disapperance, I suspect those would be put on hold for
now. Still, any information on the types of activities I can expect
during the fall season would be a help."

"There's usually been some sort of feast or gather after the harvest
is brought in," Zelanka told him. "Not to mention various birthday
celebrations for members of the Blood."

"If you have a list of those I'd be happy to provide any assistance my
office can. And I do love a good harvest gather. MY home hold didn't
have one," he said. They were a place focused on woodworking and
mining, after all.

"It is kind of important for the farmers and beastcrafters. It's a
sign that most of the work is done and it's time to tuck in for the
snow season. I'll have that list delivered to you as soon as
possible," Zelanka replied.

"Thank you," he said graciously. "I can already tell we're going to
have a much better working relationship than existed at the last Hold
I was at."

"Thank you, that's always pleasant to hear," Zelanka said.

Last updated on the April 1st 2016

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A Meeting