Planning Something Big

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 7th November 2017

Characters: Zathris, Yusanis
Description: Zathris and Yusanis discuss the details of a large event they're planning for Amber Hills.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 12 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Karhal, Loella, Benani, K'reyel, G'nir, Demir

Zathris

"Morning," Zathris said without looking up from the letter that he was
reading. Behind Yusanis a drudge followed with a tray of breakfast
items for the two men. The smell of scrambled eggs and fried porcine
meat made the Lord Holder look up. He hadn't realized how hungry he
was. "I'm beginning to think a working breakfast is the only way to
have breakfast at all."

Yusanis laughed. "There's always so much to do in positions like ours.
Yours more so, I imagine. I try to filter out the chaff that doesn't
need to go to you."

He took a plate and sniffed appreciatively. "The kitchen staff here is
fantastic," he added.

Zathris made room on his desk for a plate of food. "Do you think we're
crazy for putting on a Gather of this magnitude when we haven't solved
the problems we've got going on around the Hold?"

He'd been considering it since the idea was suggested. "There's been
an attitude of general unwellness around the Hold because of the
bandits and fools. People are starting to worry about negative things
they see, and they're not remembering why they should be proud to be
Amber Hills. I think that an event like this will help bring most of
the people together for a good time, and remind them of the collective
spirit and generosity of the Hold. If it goes well, they'll all be
cheered for a bit. That elevation of mood should prove resistant to
the rot the idiots are trying to spread."

"You want to make that speech again in front of the entire Hold when
it's announced?" Zathris grinned and popped in a piece of the fried
meat. It was horrible for his health, he was sure, but it tasted too
good to care.

Yusanis laughed at the thought. "I'm not sure saying I look at this
event as a tactical opportunity to put ourselves one over on the
bandits is really speech-worthy. I really do think it could help us
out, though - _if_ we could keep them from spoiling it."

"Yes, we'll need extra guards during that time, I don't care how much
Karhal grumbles about it. If he won't let his wife help us with her
gift then we'll need more boots on the ground to make sure nothing
spoils the Gather." Zathris was sure that they would try.

"We'll be able to step up our patrols temporarily if we press some
laborers into guard work - something mild, just looming around parts
of the hold paired with a real guard. Or tap the retired ones we'd
discussed before," Yusanis said.

"Go through the list of retired first, they're at least experienced,
they should be our first choice over those without." Zathris reasoned,
forking up some eggs. "Allright, so that covers security. I'm planning on talking
with the Weyr about transportation, it will be on a volunteer basis,
the riders that offer will be paid for their work. I think we can
handle most of that, but our guests that ride should be encouraged to
tip as well, don't you think?"

"That's sensible," Yusanis agreed. "The dragonriders would deserve it."

"I would also like to check with the beastcrafters and see what our
herd numbers are.... I want good meat served. Fortunately with the
Vintner Hall here we don't have to worry about the wine." Zathris
wanted Amber Hills to show its strength and wealth to combat the
rumors that he was a weak Holder.

"I'll be happy to get those numbers and bring them back," Yusanis
said. "I think that will make a fine impression on the attendees."

Zathris picked up a biscuit next, picking it apart with his fingers
while he brainstormed aloud, "Next I believe we'll need some sort of
grand prize for the winner of the runner race. I was thinking, if this
Gather spans three days, the first two days will hold preliminary
races, with the final race being the main event on the third day."

"That's a sensible schedule. Are you thinking a prize of marks alone,
or some kind of trophy or item representative of the Hold that can be
displayed?"

"I'm open to ideas. It could be a firelizard egg? We'd have to check
the beastcrafters and see if anyone has a connection to a recent
clutch." Zathris reasoned.

"We have a large enough population that someone must either have a
gold firelizard or know someone who has. The valuable egg plus perhaps
a small trophy would be compelling."

Zathris thought so as well. "Well, this is a good start. I'll get a
letter to Weyrleader K'reyel and invite him down to discuss some of
these details."

"I hope he'll find the idea enjoyable and he and the Weyrwoman might
be persuaded to put in an appearance."

"That would be nice," Zathris agreed. "It's difficult sometimes to
form lasting partnerships with the Weyrleaders since they seem to
change so often. I barely got the chance to know Weyrleader G'nir, it
seems, before he was replaced by this K'reyel fellow.

"At least the Weyrwomen are usually more consistent, though
Dragonsfall has had some changes there as well." As had Rising Moons,
the territory of which he'd come from originally."

"True, although I only seem to get to deal with the Weyrleaders.
Typically if the Hold needs the Weyrwoman it's something that's more
in Benani's domain than mine." Zathris hadn't even met the Dragonsfall
Weyrwoman.

"Maybe they'll both come to the event and we'll get to meet both of
them." Yusanis hadn't met either, and he was curious. "Is there anyone
neighboring you wish to add to the formal invite list?"

"Garnet Valley and Opal Cove. Opal is close enough to the Weyr to get
dragonrider transport and then all of the nearby minor Holds of
course. I feel certain my brother-in-law from Hidden Meadows will want
to bring some of their runner stock up for the races." Zathris hadn't
seen his sister or Demir since he'd discovered their little lie about
Rethisa's pregnancy when they got married.

"Would you rather write the invites yourself, or have me draft them
and you sign off?" Yusanis asked. He was looking forward to see a few
other major Lords drop by.

"If you don't mind drafting them I'll just sign off." Zathris said,
grateful for a competent steward.

"They'll be on your desk before lunch. Anything else I need to bring
you?" Yusanis asked before finishing off his biscuit.

"I think that's it for now," Zathris downed some juice to wash down
his breakfast. "I have a meeting with my Lady now."

"In that case, I'll leave you be and catch up with you later. Have a
good morning, my Lord," Yusanis said, picking up his plate and hides,
making a bow, and ducking out of the office.

Last updated on the November 27th 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Planning Something Big