Numbers of the Herds

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 12th November 2008

Characters: Sarban, Aivorn
Description: Sarban and Aivorn meet to discuss the Hold's herds.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 4

Sarban was not really an office man. It served its purpose, but whenever he could get out of it, he did. The Steward was already making his way towards the Hold's beasthold, carrying his hides with him. When he finally reached Aivorn's office, he waited for a few moments, watching the comings-and-goings of the beastcrafters.

"Sarban, come in," Aivorn asked when he noticed the steward. He added the hides journeymen had brought to the pile on his desk and glared at it annoyingly. He preferred working with the beasts to the hidework.

Entering, he took a seat and then made himself comfortable as he looked about the place. "Clear skies. So, what's first on the agenda?" Aivorn knew what he was doing, so Sarban would let him set the tempo.

"Probably the exact number of heads in our herds," Aivorn said. "I have it somewhere here." He glared again at the pile.

"Oh? Would you like me to help you search then?" Sarban glanced ominously at the pile.

"I'll find it," Aivorn promised and dug through the pile. "I don't spend much time in the office and it kind of piles up," he explained while going through it. "Ah, here!" He pulled out a sheet from the middle.

"Oh good. So, what does it say then? Are we good?" Sarban grinned, hoping that they weren't going into a famine anytime soon.

"Oh, yes, we had a good foaling season. The numbers in our herds are growing, except for ovines," Aivorn said and handed him the hide.

Sarban took it and inspected it, before making a few scribbled notes. "What's going on with the ovines? They should be doing well in our hills right?"

"Yes, they do normally, but there's been an epidemic among them," Aivorn told him.

"Oh dear. What sort of an epidemic? And what measures are being taken?" Sarban was paying quick attention now.

"Some sort of lung infection. We, the beasthealers and me, suspect it came with the breeding stock from Crimson Hills Hold. We have the affected beasts in quarantine and it looked like we had it contained. But it has caused death among the newborn and some miscarriages as well. A healthy adult beast seems to recover from it."

"Aye but then do the healthy adults ever produce viable offspring?" Sarban was curious, listening. He wondered if Crimson Hills was aware of the problem.

"Some, if they have already been sick and recovered or never had it. This turn's lamb production will be the lowest for the last ten turns."

"In that case, will we have enough for foodstuffs or are we going to make plans to supplement with beef or other meats?" Sarban knew Vanea would already know something about it, but he just wanted to make sure.

"Oh, we have plenty for our own use, despite the sickness and the increased tithing to the Weyr. We just don't have the extra heads to sell other holds."

"What will that mean..loss of marks wise?" Sarban was trying to figure out how much of a budget deficit that'd mean unless they could make up for it elsewhere.

"Yes. Exactly how much, I can't say yet. But if Crimson Hills has the same problem, it means that there will be a shortage of ovines and the price will go up. On the other hand, we have a good foaling turn among the runners. We can compensate somewhat by selling promising foals to other holds," Aivorn said.

"Fair enough. Is there anything else I should know Master? Otherwise, I think our first order of business is to get word from Crimson Hills as to their stock." Sarban was itching to send a runner off, in fact.

"No, I don't think so," Aivorn replied.

"Aye then, I'll see what I can find out. I'll plan to see you again in two sevendays then?" Sarban stood up and put his hand out for Aivorn to shake.

"Aye," The master beastcrafter replied laconically.

Last updated on the November 18th 2008

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Numbers of the Herds