Just temporarily

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 17th August 2016

Characters: Relik, Uegot, Ueltin
Description: Ueltin remembers why he's still at the seacraft hall.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 7, day 2 of Turn 8
Notes: When: Flashback to m4
Mentioned: Nerylyn
Notes: orginally intended as follow up to: "Family United"

The clattering and banging doors woke Ueltin up. There was no way a family with four children could wake up quietly. Allegro made a sleepy chirp. He could get used to this, Ueltin mused. Soft, warm bed, family close by, staying in one place. Still half asleep, his mind difted back to aftermath of that hurricane that had brought him here.

~*~ flash back begins ~*~

Construction had been the priority. They had to get the habitation buildings
up first. Then they had to get the water sources clear and ready to use.
Once Relik knew that was done, he gave the order to bring some of the staff
back on site. They were needed for the next phase of activity-to get the
classrooms and other necessary buildings ready. Some of them started to
restore the shipyard. Just like the initial phase of construction had taken
some time, this too would be an effort not completed quickly. This time
they didn't have the added help of the Hold's laborers either.

Even though he was working with the smiths, masons, and woodcrafters to
oversee the effort-Relik was also taking shifts hammering wood and hauling
lumber. He was right there with his men. Which meant if anyone showed up
looking for the hallmaster, they were met with a dirty, sweaty picture of a
man.

"Why don't you stay down and hand me the timber? You have longer reach,"
Uegot said.

"I may have the reach but you outweigh me. If you go up there, what's left
of that poor roof will collapse. And I don't want to be the one to tell
Nerylyn you've broken your foolish neck," Ueltin retorted. While the
brothers were both big men, they were differently big. Ueltin was very tall,
with slim, athletic build while Uegot was shorter, wider and bulkier.

"Can you still wield a hammer, harper?"

"I make my own instruments," Ueltin hadn't forgotten how to work with his
hands.

Uegot spotted the Hallmaster. "Master Relik," he greeted with a nod.

"Aye Uegot. Fine day to be marking some wood. I hear your brother is staying
with us. And for how long? We could use a harper again, eventually." Seamen
liked their music, after all. Besides, Relik needed an archivist.
Thankfully, the charts and records rooms had survived in the Cargo Bay.

"Who knows? Until the Harper Hall remembers to send me a new assignment,"
Ueltin replied. He was now between assignments, which is why he had taken
the opportunity to visit his brother.

"Hmm maybe something can be done about that," Relik remarked, thinking about
Vestian. After all, their lot needed a harper that could understand the sea.
The other fellow was great. Unfortunately, he had moved on, unwilling to
stay while they worked on the place. Relik couldn't fault him. They didn't
have need of teaching while the youngsters were gone or working.

"I'm not ready to settle down to one place yet," Ueltin replied. He liked
his current way of life. Things may change after he got older and then he
would request permanent assignment.

"That's the beauty of being assigned to a seahall lad. You could always ask
to be a ship's harper for awhile and go off. It doesn't have to be
permanent, though we could use someone who would stay eventually. Up to
you." It wasn't a pressing need. They probably wouldn't start lessons for
the children until most of the families had returned. That would take time.

"I'm happy with my current life, but thanks. It's nice to know I have options,"
Ueltin replied. "Meanwhile, while I am here, you're welcome to use my services.
For the usual Hall fee, of course," the tall harper grinned impishly.

"Ah of course. And what all services are you able to provide?" Before Relik
would finish these negotiations and work out a contract, he would at least
make sure he'd get his due out of the deal.

"Teaching, mainly. I'm also fairly decent singer and playing instruments. I'm also
qualified to write contracts, hold marriage-ceremonies, and arbiter conflicts. The
usual wandering Harper stuff," Ueltin replied.

That was a wide range of abilities, and quite useful given the situation. He would
do until they could get someone more permanent. "Do you plan on bunking with your
brother, or would you like to take the harpers' quarters?"

"I'll bug my brother until he throws me out," Ueltin grinned.

"Hah!" Uegot snorted. Like he would ever kick out a family.

"Allright after evening meal we can sit down and hammer out a contract I can send to your Hall so they know I'm not extorting you." Grinning, the old seacrafter put the last of the nails in and stood back. "And now for the door..."

~ *~
And here he still was, at the seacraft hall, nearly three month later. The families had returned long since and he had little ones to teach. Still bunking with his brother. The tantalizing smell of Nerylyn's klah made him roll out of the bed. Breakfast time.

Last updated on the August 29th 2016

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