Feline troubles

Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 26th July 2006

Characters: Alrog, Ishek
Description: Alrog comes to report his feline troubles to Lord Ishek.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 3 of Turn 3

"Good day, my lord. I hope you've been well," Alrog greeted politely when he entered the lord warden's office.

"Good day." Ishek said, standing up to greet Alrog. "Come on in, sit down. Are you well? Can I get you a drink?"

"I've been fine. A cup of klah could do well, it's a bit chilly ride to here."

Ishek nodded, got up, and poured two cups from the pitcher he kept by his desk. He preferred to have something if someone else was, and sometimes even if they weren't. "Here you go." he said politely, indicating the sweetener in case Alrog wished something. "Even if the ride was chilly, it went well? No troubles?"

"No, thank Faranth. The road was pretty quiet. Unusually so. With the felines and holdless roaming the countryside, people don't travel as much as they used to," Alrog replied, warming his hands around the mug.

"At least they didn't bother you." Ishek sighed. "How are the felines doing in your area? Any depredations, incidents, or signs?"

"That's why I'm here," Alrog leaned forward. "Those damn beasts been taxing my herds. Iron Like hasn't much of a animal stock and the losses are felt. I have mining camp, gems, up in the mountains. They have real problem with felines. Two of their packbeasts were killed, and one miner injured. The gem-mining suffers when the men have to keep a guard against those sharding felines."

Ishek shook his head. "How bad are the losses? Will you need any assistance from here to help? We might be able to muster up a few more guards. The beastcrafters, they're looking into ways to stop it."

"Those packbeasts are our only way to take items back and forth to the maining camp, so it's a bad loss. I need more manpower to protect my people. And someway to get rid of those sharding felines," Alrog replied. His frustration and worry was apparent from his voice.

"We can likely spare..." Ishek reached for a hide and spent a few moments reading before looking up. "Would seven more people suffice?" It was a big number to spare, but Alrog's holding was a very important one.
"As for the packbeasts, you'd have to speak with the Hold beastcrafters to see if they could give you any more. Or perhaps we could trade with another Hold..." he pondered. "What would work for you?"

"Yes, I think it would. Thank you, my lord," Alrog said gratefully. Ishek sighed and shook his head. "This is strictly between us, Alrog, but I'm a bit worried. You're not the first I've had to send assistance to. These beasts, they're costing manpower and supplies. But you'll have your men." he promised. "I just wish I knew _why_..."

"One of my prospectors has theory about it. He's older, experienced man who knows these mountains better than anyone I know," Alrog said. "He was first to tell me we have feline-problem, when he came backdown from mountains to resupply."

"Really?" Ishek asked, curiosity piqued. "What was his theory?"

"Well, he told me that over the past turn or two the felines have got fat-times, they have fed well and bred well. Now unusually large number of cubs have reached to maturity, but there isn't enough food or hunting territories for them. So they are forced to move out to find new territories. To add that, the spring floods have been bad and that has chased their game to the lower ground."

"Ahh, I see, and they're following the food and hunting territories...which happen to be where we live. And it's just going to keep getting worse. Will we have to kill them to stop them?"

"I don't know. Probably, if we can't figure out how to make them go search their territories somewhere else."

Ishek sighed slightly. "I'd prefer not to have to lose any life, even feline, if I could help it. Still...what you've said is valuable information, and I appreciate it." Alrog was one of his most trusted holders.

"I just hope this is a passing problem," Alrog said.

"As do I." Ishek remarked. "If you need anything else, you can just ask me. I'm willing to offer whatever I can."

"Thank you, Lord Ishek," Alrog smiled. "I will keep you informed how the situation developes."

"I appreciate that. Good luck with the felines, Alrog."

"Thank you, I need it all," Alrog replied dryly.

Last updated on the July 26th 2006

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Feline troubles