Memory in a Box

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 19th January 2008

Characters: Daigoro, Cyrek
Description: Daigoro brings Cyrek an important delivery from home
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 4

Daigoro peeked his head inside the Steward's office. "Hello there, Cyrek! I was told you might not be busy at this time of day. Should I come back another time?"

The Steward pushed the hide he was working on aside - any excuse for a break was welcome at this point. He sat up a little straighter to ease the ache in his back and cracked the knuckles that had become cramped from holding a pen. "Not at all. Come in, Daigoro. How are you?"

"I'm doing well," the Hallsecond said, turning to close the door behind him with his free hand. In the other cradled a rather unremarkable box. "I've been stuck behind my own desk for far too long. I thought I should come and pay you a visit."

Cyrek eyed the box curiously. "Well, thank you for the thought! How are you finding your new buildings now that winter's arrived? Well and warm, I hope?"

"Oh yes! I have to say, Cyrek, the technology in this place is _amazing_!" The electric lights had taken some getting used to. It was much harsher than candles and glows. But the warm water on tap and the ability to keep their rooms at a constant temperature any time of the turn had certainly been an improvement from their previous facilities. "I have even come up with a plan to utilize some of the electricity in our brewing process. I have to run it by Causton, of course, but I think it could increase our efficiency and actually lower our expenses in the process."

"Really? So we can expect the price of beer to decrease in a turn or two?" Daigoro threw his head back in a hearty laugh. "And decrease the potential tithe we could offer to your Lord Holder? I doubt that is in your best interest, Cyrek. Of course if you want a bottle or two for yourself, come to me directly." The Steward grinned like a feline that had caught something small and scuttling. "Well now, it wouldn't do to fleece your nearest neighbours, but if you won't breathe a word of it to the Weyrs and other Holdings, neither will I. And I will most certainly take you up on your offer. A good mug of beer every once and a while is the perfect cap to a long day."

"Oh, I agree whole heartedly," the old brewer grinned. "And I have to say, some of the new brews we are trying out hold some incredible promise. You must come out and have a tasting soon. I can give you a tour of the whole facility. It is so much more extensive than it was before. Before long, mark my words, my brews will rival our wines for the marks they bring into our coffers."

"Now that I'd love to see," Cyrek said honestly, then paused. "You know, once you're confident in your products, you ought to contact the Weyrwoman at River Bluff Weyr. Ever since her... unfortunate incident..
at the Conclave, I've heard that she rarely touches wine."

"Yes, I heard about that," Daigoro nodded, his face turning serious at the memory of those events. "I heard they never caught Jerandra. How a good man like Lord Alalir ever was convinced to married that devious woman, I shall never know."

The Steward smiled slightly. "For all her sins, she was a very charming woman... and very beautiful. When they first began courting... I wasn't in Alalir's confidence as much as I was later, but she truly seemed to love him. And for long while, she made him a very happy man."

"Love can do funny things to a man," the Hallsecond mused. If anyone tried to convince him that his Cinale was an evil assassin he would clobber the man for spreading terrible lies and never give a thought to the possibility. He was sure Alalir would have felt the same. "Ah well," he sighed, pulling the box to the center of his lap. "That reminds me. I did have a reason for coming to see you today."

It was a rather plain box, Cyrek thought. "I wondered what that was."

"I went back to Amethyst Cliff for a day to see how the clean-up was progressing. As you know some of my lads are giving yours a hand at the Hold site. One of them came across this and I thought I should deliver it to you personally." The Hallsecond reached across the desk to gently place the box in front of the Steward.

The box suddenly seemed ominous. It could have anything inside, and worst of all, it might contain a memory... he'd been trying so hard to remember only what he chose, the days before the earthquake, and he didn't want to ruin the fragile peace he'd made for himself. "What is it?"

"Something that you ought to have for safe keeping. Open it," Daigoro gently urged.

Hesitantly Cyrek raised the lid. Inside was a book with a worn brown leather cover and brass clips on the corners. His expression softened a little as he lifted it from its home and wiped imaginary mortar and dust from its gold-embossed title. It was as thick as his hand. "How on Pern... where did you find this?"

"Like I said, my lads found it in the rubble. One of them brought it to me and I thought it ought to be brought to you straight away." Despite the fact that Cyrek's knots now were Amber Hills colors, he knew where the man's heart still lie.

"It's the census... Daigoro, this is my _Hold_. Everything for the last hundred turns... births, deaths, marriages, people moving in and moving out..." He shook his head in amazement. "This proves that we were there.
I can't... this is- such a treasure. I can't thank you enough."

"We're moving further back towards the cliff face." The Hallsecond knew Cyrek would understand that invariably meant the Lord Holder's own offices and quarters. "There are many more treasures that will be uncovered I'm sure. Someone has to preserve them all for the people of Amethyst Cliff. I think that someone is you, Cyrek. This is just the start."

He smiled grimly. Already he had chests filled with carefully folded wall-hangings, a few books, and a box of silverware engraved with an 'A'. The carving knife had an amethyst on its pommel. "Then I'll just have to requisition another store-room, my friend."

Amethyst Cliff Hold was gone, but he vowed to make sure that it would never be forgotten.

Last updated on the January 20th 2008

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Memory in a Box