Let's Reign It In, Shall We?
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Aaron
Date Posted: 30th April 2024
Characters: Corofel, Oriel
Description: Corofel makes good on his promise to discuss security for his trip with Oriel after lunch and receives some alternative advice.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 11, day 25 of Turn 11
"Milord. You're sure you don't mind me being frank with you about this?" asked the Guard Captain.
"Please. Be frank."
"Well, then, it's a horrible idea."
Corofel's face fell.
"There are places you can go and still be safe. But riding all around the protectorate with just two guards? Sleeping in the open or in ships' berths? I can't personally vouch for any of the riverboat captains, and I certainly can't vouch for the guard at every Hold. You're setting yourself up to be kidnapped just like Lady Benani or... or worse. What about your father?"
"We don't know what happened to my father. And whatever it was, it happened right here under your nose."
Oriel frowned.
"I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I just mean to say that even here with the most trustworthy and competent guard in the protectorate, my father still disappeared. So I'm not necessarily safe _anywhere_ I go. It's important to me to show my people that I'm listening. That I'm on their side."
"What they need to see is that you've got the power. Send word that you'll be holding a conference here and that they should all join you. You'll be able to hear from all of them just the same, you'll see exactly which of them will obey you, and you'll see which of them are truly loyal to you."
"What reason have they got to be loyal to me?"
"You're the Lord Holder."
"Well, so what? I was the Lord Holder when they murdered that watchrider in my Hold. They've already seen me be hard and merciless. Now I need to show them that there's more to my justice than flogging and executing murderers."
"And you mean to do that by staying the night with them all in turn?"
"I mean to do that by seeing what they're experiencing. By listening to what they need. N'vanik said some of them are starving. That's my fault."
"How could it possibly beâ€""
"It's my _responsibility_ then. Nobody under my protection starves. I'm not going to let it go on."
"You have responsibilities _here_. And you can't do them while you're gallivanting on your little adventure."
"Reven will be here."
"You can't expect him to stay here forever. This trip you've planned will take months, even with the river travel."
"There has to be some other way to make this work, then."
"Not unless you can ride your runnerbeast _between_."
Corofel sighed and rubbed his eyes. He had expected this to be a much quicker meeting. More like, here are your two guards, have fun.
"Fine. Which of the Holds' guards _can_ you vouch for? Give me three. One in the west, one in the east, and one in the south."
"Well... If I had to make the call, I'd say you're most safe at Green Valley, Verdant Grove, and... maybe River Wood," said Oriel.
"Good. Then I'll send out letters to each of the Holds, and I'll meet all of the nearby Holders at one of these three Holds. We can start on the 1st at Green Valley."
"The 1st? You mean of next month? Milord, that's three days. They couldn't possibly all be ready to travel or to receive you on such short notice. And moreover, I want you to give _me_ time to prepare. Give me until the first month of next Turn."
"Next Turn!?"
"Consider it a personal favor."
Corofel sighed.
"Alright. Fine. I'll ask them to meet me on... the 8th, then. That will give everyone time to recover from Turnover."
"Ah, now that you mention it, milord... why not invite them all to Turnover here at Emerald Falls. You can meet them first as their host before they host you."
"You... You clever son of a wherry." Corofel laughed and shook his head, and Oriel grinned back. "Alright. You win. We'll do it your way first. But I'm still going to have my meetings out among them."
"Of course. Now. You might want to give our illustrious new Steward and Headwoman a heads up about your plans for Turnover. And Reven besides."
"Indeed, I do... Thank you, Captain."
"Any time, milord."
Last updated on the May 9th 2024