Organising Turns End

Writers: Eimi, Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 25th September 2008

Characters: Causton, Daigoro, Zandreu
Description: Causton asks Zandreu and Daigoro to organise the Turns End festivities.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 12, day 2 of Turn 4

He sat up in bed and adjusted his nightwear. He had asked for both Daigoro,
his Hallsecond, and Zandreu the Tavern Master to meet with him to discuss
the Turns End celebrations. All of his duties had fallen to the Hallsecond
over the past sevenday, and would do for the next sevenday or more, which
meant the Tavern Master would have to take on a more active role in the
organisation of the events.

He took another sip of the foul concoction Geni had made for him, and pulled
a face. If he had had his way, he would have spent the better part of the
sevenday drunk as a Lord in an attempt to flush out the illness - but Geni
had put her foot down, her fear of him becoming addicted only too real.

Zandreu knocked on the door of the Hallmaster's bedroom. "Master Causton?"
he called.

"Zandreu? Is that you?" Causton called out, "Don't wait outside, man, come
in, come in!" he pushed himself taller in the bed, and rearranged his
bedding for the umpteenth time as the door opened, to be filled by the lanky
frame of the Master Vintner.

"You're not still contagious, are you?" The Tavern Master kept good health
these days because he was cautious when it came to avoiding those will
illnesses that could be caught.

"Um, I'm not quite sure." Causton replied, feeling a little defensive at the
Tavern Masters behaviour. "Take that seat over there." he said, indicating
the furthest chair from him. "Daigoro shouldn't be too much longer, I've
asked him to meet with us, as well."

Zandreu settling into the chair the Hallmaster had indicated feeling a
little wary. He didn't like to be sick and, by the looks of it, the illness
the Hallmaster was getting over had been very unpleasant, not to mention
debilitating. "When do you think you'll be up and about again?" he asked as
politely as he could manage under the circumstances.

"I was hoping to be up this week, but this lurgy has had a good hold on me."
Causton shook his head. "I'm hoping Geni will allow me to get out of bed
early in the next sevenday. But who knows?" he shrugged.

Such was married life. If Zandreu tried he could almost remember that far
back in his own past, but those memories were fairly hazy for other reasons.
"Perhaps the healers will see things differently," he suggested, hoping that
was some sort of consolation for the man.

"Healers? Hah!" Causton's head rocked back at the abrupt laugh, "Hardly,
they agree with Geni's prognosis." And why wouldn't they? He thought to
himself, after all she had as much training in the healer craft as they did,
though thankfully none had made comment about her knowledge so far. "If it
had been up to me, I think I would have sat back with a flask of the better
whisky we've been producing, and whiled the sevenday away in a blur. I
reckon that might put paid to this infection. If nothing else, I wouldn't
be as miserable as I am now." he laughed softly.

"Or shards, man, you're not still contagious, are you?" Daigoro asked as he
covered his nose with his sleeve just in case. That's all he needed was to
feel as miserable as the Hallmaster looked. "Sorry I'm late."

"Daigoro! Welcome." Causton waved the man into the room. "Since they have
no clue as to what I have, I can't say, so you'd better sit way over there
with Zandreu." He tried hard to mask the amusement he felt, but then he
realised if he was still contagious, then the loss of these men could place
the running of the Hall in serious trouble. "Yes, definitely - sit over
there." he waved, his demeanour more serious.

The Hallsecond obediently sat on the edge of the chair next to the Tavern
Master. He leaned forward, bracing his meaty paws on his knees. "Right.
What did I miss?"

"Not much, Zandreu was just asking when I will return to the Hall. But
right now, I'm not exactly sure." It pained him to admit as much, "So, I
will have to rely on your guidance of the Hall for at least another
sevenday."

"We can still get your advice, if we need it," Zandreu commented, then added
with a grin: "From the door."

"Yes, I think we have things well in hand," Daigoro reassured him. Of
course, Cinale might not like it, but she would understand. It was part of
being married to the Hallsecond.

"Also, I'd like to ask Zandreu to take on the bulk of organising the Turns
End Celebrations for us. Of course he can come and discuss anything with
either of us, but he will have more time than you, and ...well, I'm stuck
here." he slapped the bedcovers in irritation. "Geni has offered to help in
anyway you need, and I'm sure Daigoro will be more than willing?" he asked,
looking to the 'Second.

The Tavern Master made an effort to close his gaping mouth. How hard could
it be? He knew the venue inside out ... Just another party ... A large
one. For the whole Hall. He relaxed in the chair. He could do that.

He hoped.

To tell the truth, Daigoro was relieved that it wouldn't fall on his
shoulders. The more involved you were, the more you expected to
participate, and he and Cinale had hopes of slipping out of the celebrations
a bit earlier than most. After all, it would be their first anniversary!
The Hallsecond turned to give the Tavern Master a clap on the back. "Let me
know if you need anything, Zandreu."

Causton laughed, which turned into a choking cough. "Sorry, the look on
your face Zandreu...." he shook his head. "So is this alright with you
both?" he asked finally, looking from one to the other.

"It's fine with me, sir," Daigoro quickly confirmed. He turned his eyes on
the Tavern Master expectantly, glad he wasn't in his shoes.

"Zandreu?" The Tavern Masters quietness gave him cause for concern.

"Fine with me too, sir," Zandreu said with a smile that didn't entirely make
up for the concerned expression of moments before. "After all, the Tavern's
the logical place, isn't it?"

"I hope so - of course the Hall is available as well, if you feel you would
like to utilise more of the area?" Causton offered. "We can have tents set
up across the area between Tavern and Hall - in case of inclement weather."

"We'll probably just need the kitchens, and some of the kitchen staff,"
Zandreu said, though he would need to check that with Barthella.

Daigoro knew Cinale would be very helpful in this case. "My wife would be
more than happy to get her girls mobilized. They're accustomed to feeding
an entire Hall, after all."

"I'll ask Barthella to coordinate with her, then."

"Good! Then that's settled then?" Causton asked, feeling a tiredness come
over him again. "Then... I'll let you both escape the sickroom, now. And I
shall rest again." he said, attempting to stifle a yawn.

"Now you don't worry about a thing there, Causton. Your Hall is in good
hands," Daigoro assured him as he rose to his feet.

"You just concentrate on getting better," Zandreu said, trying not to look
like he was rushing from the room. Whatever the Hallmaster had, Zandreu
wanted no part of it.

Causton barely heard their farewells as his eyes grew heavy again. He
raised a hand in a half hearted farewell as the two men left the room, but
it flopped back to the coverlet before the door had closed behind them.

Last updated on the September 28th 2008

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Organising Turns End