Things are going to change

Writers: Paula
Date Posted: 10th May 2007

Characters: Corowal, Aivorn
Description: Corowal gives his first speech as a Lord Holder and pronounces his policy.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 3, day 7 of Turn 4

Corowal looked the gathered crowd below the stand. Holder, crafters, drudges, wives and children. All looking the speaker's stand expectantly. They had hardly failed to notice the large number of dragons coming and going, their important guests and the fact that this gather was quite unexpected if welcome surprise. Corowal could almost hear their speculations, rumors and gossips.

Corowal stepped out and knocked the stands edge to get attention, although he already had it. His children (except the baby who stayed inside) lined behind him. He relished the feeling all those eyes on him.

"Dear people of Emerald Falls hold!" He started his speech. "You must have noticed the heavy dragon-traffic this morning. That is because the conclave of Lord Holder gathered here in Emerald Falls Hold today. Why? To discuss the leadership of this beautiful hold I've come to love. What they decided, the hold's harper has the honour to tell you." Corowal gave the stand to the harper, who read out the Conclaves verdict.

Due his inability to perform his duties due mental illness, Enrizial was stripped from his rank. In his stead, they nominated Corowal, son of Corovan, who was youngest son of old Lord Dariel, to the next Lord Holder of Emerald Falls hold. After the harper's declaration, there was a moment's silence and then the audience broke into cheers. They had come to know Corowal and knew his capable. Some of the elderly holder actually remembered his father and grand-father, and started to repeat stories of them to anyone who wanted to listen. Corowal gave them time to digest the news before continuing his own speech.

"To celebrate this major event, which is both sad and joyous at the same time, I've arranged this gather. We all deserve it. I'm sad that my dear, late wife, Lady Ofelia is not here to share this day with me. However let me introduce officially my children." the kids, sombre and nervous, stepped forward and Corowal introduced them: " Corofel, my first born and Heir." Ofewal, Corolia, Felcoron and he didn't forget baby Wallia even if she wasn't' present. After the introduction, the children left the stage.

"With new Lord there will be new politics. It is inevitable that when leadership changes, other things will change too. The change will be slow at first, but trust me, things will change. For better to all, I hope. As your new Lord, I'm now going to give my first declarations that will outline my politics," Corowal took a break and sipped from a glass of water.

"First, family is sacred. Unless there's mistreatment and mental or physical abuse involved, no outsider has any right to interfere with family's internal matters. Secondly, the founding charter of Pern grants every person a right to physical inviolability. That overrides even the sanctity of the family. That means you can't beat your wife, daughter, son, husband or drudge or anybody else. If you do so, you will be prosecuted. Thirdly. no more forced marriages. All participants must enter the marriage free willingly. Making marriage agreements between families is still allowed, but make sure your daughter or son agrees to it. Otherwise, you must find a new spouse to him or her. If marriage contract is broken for that reason, no one should be punished because of it and all dowries and bridal-payments should be returned. Disagreements can be brought to Lord's justice. "

Corowal knew that this was going to create a big fuss, resentment and keep his courtroom over-worked for Turns. He could already hear the crowd murmur. He continued before they had time to dwell on the matter and realize what it meant.

"Fourth. There is plenty of good holds abandoned and fields gone wild after the Plague. I'm throwing all those plague-deserted holdings free to all enterprising young men from Emerald Falls hold and also from outside. The only conditions are that you are less than forty Turns old, healthy and hard working and have not committed any crime. Wife and children are preferable but not required. File a claim, sign a contract and start working. If within the next three Turns, you are able to make the holding productive, it's yours and your descendants for ever. But, if you can't make your claim to yield profit, you will lose it and you must let someone else try." Corowal could see the eyes lit on faces on younger sons. This was a great opportunity for them to establish a hold of their own. And all those new holds would be tithing for him. "Oh, one thing, don't' try claim a land that is already part of someone's hold, there is plenty of free land available. No fighting. That's all for now. There be more pronouncements later on but now it's time to celebrate!"

"How about female crafters? You didn't say word about them! Will you allow our girls to apprentice?" someone shouted from the audience and he was met with agreeing calls: "Yeah, what about female craft ban?" "Will you let it stand?" "We want to know how you stand in the matter!"

"Well, the issue of your daughters apprenticing, will fall under the first item. It's a family's internal matter and an outsider should not meddle. If some Hall accepts your daughter as an apprentice, well, that's Hall-politics, and no Lord Holder has the juridical rights on the issue."

"Oh, he's a sly one, this new Lord of ours," Aivorn chuckled to one of his journeyman.

"What do you mean, master?" he asked.

"He just gave permission for girls of Emerald Falls hold to apply for apprenticeship in those halls that accept female apprentices without saying it. He didn't forbid it, but he didn't allow it either. He just neatly threw the ball off to other hands and washed his hands out of the issue." Aivorn was thoughtfully quiet after his explanation and then added: "He kind of left the door ajar for Harper Hall to return _with_ their female ap-prentices. Hah! I got the feeling he is certainly going to change things around here! Now, let's go to get some beer. The Lord is stopped talking and the harpers are setting up their instruments for music." Aivorn pushed his journeyman towards the drink stalls. He shook his head. This new Lord Holder was going to divide the views of the people.

Last updated on the May 10th 2007

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Things are going to change