Friendly warning

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 30th April 2010

Characters: Corowal, Sarban
Description: Sarban warns Corowal and they discuss Hold business.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 19 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Barnek, Wellinna, Erassa, Felyna

Sarban wandered around the Hold looking for Corowal. Finally, he spotted his
cousin down by the stables, likely looking over his runnerflesh. Approaching
Corowal, he coughed to let him know he was coming. "Ahh..mlord..need to talk
to you about something."

"Ah, hello Sarban," Corowal turned to look his steward. "What about?"

"A delicate matter.." He looked around pointedly to make sure that no one
else was listening.

"Shall we move into a more private place then?" Corowal suggested. Anyone
could walk into the stable at any time.

Sarban nodded and made to follow Corowal to wherever he felt more
comfortable.

They walked back to Corowal's office, keeping up light small talk on the
way. After they had reached the office, Corowal locked the door behind them.
"So, what's this delicate matter?" he asked when he sat down and gestured
Sarban to took his customary seat.

"Had a meeting with Barnek. He wondered why you spent so much time with the
fostermother." Sarban thought it best to spit it out. He'd been living in
the Hold for turns now and he wasn't a fool. He also didn't think Corowal
thought him one either.

"I've spent a lot of time with her during the past _two_ turns. I like to
spend time with my children and she is there most of the time when I'm with
my children," Corowal replied calmly.

"I understand that. However, you spend more time with her than is normal. I
just want you to know that people are noticing and it might be prudent to
think about that." He would always be thankful to his cousin for putting a
roof over his head when he needed it and he didn't want to see Corowal in a
bad situation.

"What is normal? Oh, yes, it's_not normal_ to be an attentive, caring father
who likes to be part of his children's life. It's _normal_ to ignore your
children," Corowal couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

"I never said that. Don't play me for a fool, Cousin. Look, I don't want to
see your family ruined because of a woman. Do what you want, but be smart."
Sarban had said what he wanted to say. Corowal wasn't stupid.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't take it out on _you_, Sarban. You're just trying to
warn me," Corowal said.

Rubbing his hands against his legs, he sighed. "I just think that with the
harpers coming back and Barric ending up dead..tensions are a bit high right
now. We're keeping a watch on things but.." He let it go, not wanting to
admit that their holders might be capable of violence, when they had proven
that in the past.

Corowal just nodded. "Is there any news about Red Rush hold?"

"We can't rebuild until after the harper hall is finished. However, that guy
you confirmed as minor holder-Barric's cousin or something I think, he seems
to be doing okay for now." Sarban shrugged. "We're giving them a break on
tithes for a bit."

"Our resources are a bit stretched right now," Corowal remarked.

"Which is why I think it might be prudent this turn to reduce outside trade.
Save all of our resources for us." He'd been looking over the accounts and
was sure he knew where they could cut.

"That can also cut our income, since much of it comes from Trade," Corowal
warned and grimaced. "It's a delicate issue to balance those out."

"Aye sure, I know that. Here's the thing. We can continue with local trade.
That's where the bulk of things go anyway. But such that is going to the
north or elsewhere... the cost of transport alone sometimes doesn't make it
feasible. The profit's not big enough." Grimacing, he thought about the
cargo they had lost on a ship during a Crossing last turn.

Corowal nodded again. "Since we have improved our relationships with our
neighbors, we should concentrate on trading with them." Corowal still
couldn't understand how his cousin had managed to ruin everything so
thoroughly. It had taken a long time to repair those damages.

"So we have a new Headwoman now. Have you seen her?" Sarban almost chuckled
at that thought. Wellinna was very different from Vanea indeed. At least it
was one less woman to catch Corowal's eye, he thought.

"She is more of Felyna's concern now," Corowal said.

"Well sure. I just think it's interesting. Though I'm sure she'll do a good
job." So Corowal *had* seen her. Sarban almost laughed.

"I'm sure she does an excellent job," Corowal said with a neutral tone.

"Of course," Sarban said with a mock-official tone.

Corowal felt that was enough of that subject. "Anything else urgent cropping
up?"

"Not yet. Thankfully we have all the holders that aren't going back to Red
Rush settled. However, some of our fostermothers have more children than
they should. We may have to see about sending them to other Holds."

"I wonder..." Corowal said thoughtfully, ..."Are any of those children
apprenticing age? Or maybe we should invite a searchrider for a visit. We
could send them to the Weyr. I understand that they never have too many
candidates."

"I just worry that after losing their parents and their home, it might be
too much for them to have to go to a Weyr." Scratching his chin, he looked
up for a few moments.

"They might get a dragon," Corowal said and shrugged. "It was just a
thought."

"Well if we give them the choice." Sarban shrugged.

"We can also offer them the possibility to apprentice into some hall outside
our hold," Corowal suggested. "Perhaps you should ask harpers if they have
spotted children that show tendencies to some craft."

"Aye they all know to watch them. I suppose it'll take its natural course as
far as the apprenticing." Sarban shrugged, rubbing his hands together.

"We also need to ask around if there's anybody willing to take in
fosterlings," Corowal said. Some of those orphans wouldn't be apprenticing
age for a long time yet.

"We've put the call out and I've asked Wellinna to ask her staff about it."
Sarban nodded to himself. Looking up at the sky,
he judged the place of the sun. "I'm hungry. You ready for midday meal?"

"Yes, I am. Shall we go then?" Corowal replied.

"Certainly." Excited with the promise of food, Sarban led the way.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2010

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