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

Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall

Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: AmajoS, Vix
Date Posted: 4th September 2007

Characters: Lynson, Hartam
Description: Lynson requests Hartam to do a bit of entertaining during his wife's Birthing Day dinner.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 5, day 5 of Turn 4

Lynson noticed the harper towards the back of the Tavern. It was rather early in the evening, and there weren't very many people about yet, so he wasn't hard to spot. Which was, of course, why he'd chosen to come now, before the crowd was thick and demanding of the harper's time. He made his way over and cleared his throat to gain the man's attention.

Hartam had been inspecting one of the strings on his gitar. It appeared to be fine and sounded in tune, but something about it felt not-quite-right, and the harper wondered whether it would make it through the night or snap in the middle of a song. At the sound, he turned, blinking to refocus his eyes after such close inspection. "Yes? Can I help you?"

Lynson nodded and smiled widely in greeting, "I hope so, my good harper! I've booked one of the private dining areas for the dinner on the eighth of the month. It's my wife's birthingday, you see. I was hoping I'd be able to arrange for a bit of private music as well." He'd gone to a great deal of expense and trouble to make this surprise work and the last detail was arranging for a harper. He only hoped that it wouldn't be too expensive.

The Tavern Harper nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly what did you have in mind?
For the entire time or simply for a few special songs?"

"Oh, not for the whole evening," Lynson answered quickly. He had a feeling that would be more expensive than he could handle. "A few songs will do nicely."

"In that case, I'm certain that I could stop by for a song or two." Hartam bowed to the other man. "It's part of the service provided by the Tavern."

"Well, now -that- is welcome news!" Lynson laughed. "You wouldn't believe the trouble I've had getting something as simple as a dinner organized. Course I guess it's worth it." He smiled a bit. Then he cleared his throat a bit and asked, looking just a bit embarrassed, "You know some nice, romantic-type of songs, right?"

Hartam nodded, stifling a grin. "I know a few. And as to the bit about it being a part of the service provided. . ." He leaned close and spoke in an exaggerated whisper, "I just figure that they pay me well enough to do this that I don't mind occasionally using break time to accommodate those in the private dining rooms. Just don't let the Tavern Master know."

Lynson laughed a loud, barking laugh and agreed, "He won't hear a word from me!"

"Does you wife have any particular favorite songs or should I just find any old romantic songs?"

"I'm sure she's got a favorite. Most women do, I reckon. Can't say I know enough romantic songs to know the difference though." Lynson answered with a sheepish expression.

"That's often the case in these situations," the harper told him with a nod.
"I can play a song or two and then ask the lady if she has any requests.
There are probably few that I wouldn't know, unless she asks for a local one remembered from her childhood."

Lynson beamed his approval, reaching out and clapping the harper on the shoulder. "You do know what you're about, then, don't you? Good man!" He was extremely pleased with how things were coming together now and had high hopes that the evening would prove a complete success.

Hartam beamed at the compliment. "So now - the eighth, private dining area, birthingday celebration, but with romantic overtones. Have I got that right?"

"Just right," Lynson approved.

"Now, one last thing, just in case there are other parties in the other dining nooks that night - your name?"

With a rueful grin, the journeyman answered, "Lynson. My wife's Yvannia. I think we'll be in there." He pointed towards one of the smaller nooks in the corner of the Tavern. "We'll be getting here around dusk, if I can manage to get her away from the children in time."

"Good luck with that. Children can complicate such plans, or so I've been told." Hartam bowed to the man. "However, if you get her here, I'll do all I can to make this a pleasant memory for you and your wife."

"Thank you," Lynson replied sincerely. He wanted this birthingday surprise to become a pleasant memory. He'd been very busy lately and had begun to feel like he was neglecting his wife, which was the last thing he ever wanted.

Last updated on the September 8th 2007