How Ambitious Are You?

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 18th June 2019

Characters: Corowal, Jihan
Description: Jihan meets with Corowal and is offered more than he expected...
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 11, day 4 of Turn 9

"Ah, Jihan, sorry to keep you waiting, " Corowal entered his office
with an armload of records, to find the assitant stewards already
waiting him. They had an appoinment but he was running bit late. The
Hold's archieves was large room full of records dating from the
beginning of the Hold and Corowal had tendency to get distracted by
interesting bits of history.

"That's all right," Jihan said, turning around and rushing forward to
help the Lord Holder. "May I take some of that for you?"

"Sure, just put them on the side table," Corowal replied.

Jihan took the stack of hides from the Lord Holder's arms and put them
where he had indicated. "Are you doing research into anything in
particular, sir?"

"I'm trying to track down some old bloodlines. We stil have too many
abandoned Holds, this many decades after the Plagues."

Maybe this was why the Lord Holder had asked to see him. Jihan was
familiar with issues such as inheritance and land ownership due to his
work in the Stewards office with tithe records and legal questions.
"Perhaps I could be of service?" he asked helpfully.

"Maybe, although that's not why I wanted to see you," Corowal took his
seat. "You were born here, weren't you, in one of the minor Holds?"

"Yes, sir, in Red Rush," Jihan said, standing before the Lord's desk.

"Ah, that place burned down few Turns back, a terrible tragedy. Did
you lose anyone?" Corowal asked and gestured him to take a seat.

"No, thankfully," Jihan said, taking the offered chair. "Though a
distant relative was seriously injured trying to put out the blaze and
many others lost everything they owned. But their lives were spared.
Thank Faranth for the drums that sounded the alarm."

Corowal nodded. "I understood you have a family and children?"

The assistant steward couldn't help his smile as he thought of his
family. "Yes, sir. My wife Nadreh was born here at Emerald Falls.
And we have two sons, Hanad and Jireh. My youngest talks about your
daughter Wallia all the time. It seems they are in Harper classes
together."

"She hasn't smacked him with her cane yet?" Corowal grinned. "I was
impressed by your work at the Trial. What else you have been doing as
assitant steward besides legal matters?"

"Mostly things related to tithes and land disputes. I work a lot in
the Record rooms," he said with a nod towards the stack the Lord
Holder had brought in, "researching old land grants and assisting the
Harpers in their arbitration of inheritance. It wasn't something that
I had a chance to do much at Red Rush, but since transferring here, it
seems I have found a niche for myself."

"How did you get along with diffent types of people?" Corowal asked next.

It was a rather odd question, Jihan thought. A light look of surprise
at the question crossed his face momentarily but he quickly recovered.
"I would say I get along fine with many kinds of people. I of course
cannot speak to other's feelings, but I have yet to meet someone with
whom I've had a quarrel. I suppose not every Holder likes what I have
to say all the time, but I think I have never given anyone cause to
complain about me as a person."

"How are your leadership skills? Do you have problems ordering people
to do possibly dangerous jobs? How do you deal with difficutl
situations?" Corowal continued his questionnaire.

Dangerous jobs? How dangerous was arbitration, Jihan wondered. But
he took his time to give the question it's due consideration. "Well,
I would say that I delegate responsibility well." There always seemed
to be a thousand little things that could turn into large issues if
not addressed in a timely manner after all. "I don't have much
experience with dangerous situations, but I am always ready to do what
needs to be done." Was the Lord Holder unhappy with his work that he
was asking all these strangely pointed questions?

Corowal nodded, he was liking of what he heard. "How ambitious are you?"

Jihan was quiet a moment as he considered the question. So this was
why the Lord Holder was suddenly so curious about him. He _was_ being
felt out for a promotion, as Nadreh had guessed that morning. His
lips curled into a small smile as he recalled her words, saying that
Corowal would see in him all that she could see. As usual, his wife
seemed to be right. "Well, sir, I have been at this Hold for about
six Turns. Since that time I would say that I have risen more quickly
than most in my section. My ambition is to see that Emerald Falls not
only flourishes, but excels. I may have never been one to actively
pursue promotion, but I also am not one to shy away from one when it
was offered. I serve at the pleasure of the Lord Holder."

Corowal grinned. "So, you wouldn't turn me down if I offered you the
Steward's knots? The position has been vacant too long since Sarban
left."

Jihan inhaled through his nose rather loudly as he looked down at his
interlaced fingers in his lap. That was certainly not the position he
thought he would be asked to fill! He was sure someone else was being
promoted to the position and he was to be offered one of the
inevitable holes left down the chain of command. **Steward, of
Emerald Falls... Steward Jihan of Emerald Falls...** he repeated to
himself. It was unreal! Regaining his composure, he leaned forward
and lifted his eyes to Lord Corowal's face. "I certainly would not
want to turn down that offer, my Lord. But would you give me a little
time to discuss it with my wife? I try not to make decisions that
will affect my family without first hearing her opinion."

"Of course, let's not offend the missus," Corowal said with smile of
understanding. It was a big decision and he understood the need to
consider and consult the family. Being a steward meant long hours and
could keep you away from a wife and children. It also meant if
something happened in middle of night, the Steward was first to be
woken up, so he could decide if the Lord Holder would be pulled out of
bed too.

"Thank you, my Lord." Jihan had a feeling it would be a rather short
discussion. He already couldn't wait to see the look on his wife's
face when he told her the news!

Last updated on the June 24th 2019

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