Running Low

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 26th April 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Zelanka, Shadux
Description: Benaroy, Zelanka and Shadux discuss how to feed all the refugees
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 3

Zelanka knocked before she entered the Lord Holder's office. She was carrying a tray. "Tea time, milord," she declared and lowered the tray to the desk. "Hi, Shadux," the Headwoman nodded at the second man in the room. "If I had know you're here I would have brought more cups."

"That's all right, Zelanka, I already had some klah earlier," the assistant steward said with a grateful nod.

"Zalanka, I'm glad you're here," the Lord Holder said as he offered her a seat. "Please have a seat. There is something the both of us would like to consult you about."

"And there's something I need to tell you," Zelanka replied when she sat down. She pulled a hide from her large apron-pocket.

"Please, go ahead," Benaroy nodded.

"Well, me and my girls did an inventory of our food stores and we have a problem. This earthquake couldn't have chosen worst time of the turn to hit."

"Yes," Shadux nodded. "The food situation. The Lord and I were just discussing it."

"We have plenty of livestock, what with their herds being added to ours," Benaroy nodded, "but as far as vegetables and fruit... Well, that was what we needed to know."

"After the winter, our stores are pretty low. We _had_ enough to feed the Amber Hills own population until we start getting crops, but now that number of mouths to feed is at least doubled...were running out of anything fresh. Fruits, vegetables, even tuber roots. Tunnelsnakes have gotten into our rootcellar. We won't starve but a diet of heardbeast meat only is not going be healthy. Ever heard of scurvy?" The headwoman's voice was serious but calm.

"Of course," the Lord Holder nodded. "Perhaps I can make a request of the Weyrs to provide us transport to the more tropical areas. They should still have fresh fruit a plenty there. More than they could use, I dare say."

Zelanka nodded. "I heard that Jade Harbour hold had a good harvest."

"Well, even on Weyr lands, they should have some trees that they haven't had a chance to harvest," Shadux commented. "Surely dragon men don't have that much time for picking fruit, and most of their food stores are tithed to them."

"Do we have any pickled or preserved stores, Zelanka?" Benaroy asked.

"Some. We have plenty of pickled onions," Zelanka made a face of disgust. "We had a good onion turn and one of the cooks thought it brilliant way to preserve them. Unfortunately, no one wants to eat them." She gave both men an humorous smile and absently patted the wisps of blond hair that had, again, escaped from her bun.
"We had dried fruits for month or so."

"Well, the fresh fruit would stave off scurvy," the Lord Holder said thoughtfully. "Stew would hide the lack of vegetables. Spring isn't too far away. And perhaps we can barter for some other foodstuffs. And its possible once they reach the cliff face store rooms there is still edible food in Amethyst Cliff to be salvaged."

"I hope so. Also, we should contact Amethyst Cliff's minor holds. They should have some stores and I'm under impression that they weren't destroyed, at least badly. Tarvon said the center of the quake was the major hold and halls," Zelanka suggested. Having a son-in-law in steward's staff was useful.

"I can ask Steward Cyrek," Shadux nodded. "He would know."

"He would," Zelanka agreed. She turned to look the Lord Holder and gave him a stern look. "Drink your tea, milord, before it gets cold. Or I unleash the healer on you." The tea wasn't just ordinary tea but a medical blend healer's had made to keep the old Lord healthier.

The Lord Holder reached for the tea without question. He was accustomed to obeying that tone of voice after so many turns. "I will send a message to the Weyrs with our proposition then."

"Will you talk to Cyrek or do I, Shadux?" Zelanka asked.

"Perhaps you should, ma'am. You will know exactly how much we need."

"Right," Zelanka scribbled a note to the hide.

"Don't worry, Zelanka," Benaroy smiled. "We'll cope. We always have."

She flashed him a warm, winsome smile. "I know, I know."

Last updated on the May 2nd 2006

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Running Low