Advice and a Request

Writers: Eimi, Estelle
Date Posted: 29th August 2005

Characters: Almonteo, Lorcellan
Description: The Harper Craftmaster presents his Hallsecond with an unresistable challenge
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 15 of Turn 3

Almonteo

Lorcellan knew that it befitted a Craftmaster - and particularly the
Master Harper of the South - not to be surprised by _anything_. Still,
even though he had received Hallsecond Ryndel's first short note about
the fire at Emerald Falls, it had stretched his nerves and his temper to
listen as the harpers from that Hall told their story.

Once he'd dismissed them to get hot drinks and a meal after their trip
/between/, he settled down to look over the detailed report they had
brought. It seemed that the fire had been no accident, and the prime
suspect was a guardsman, now in the Lord Holder's custody. This man was
said to be a favourite of Lord Enrizial's - or had been - having once
saved his life.

Lorcellan doubted that even one as reputedly hot-tempered as Lord
Enrizial would cause the Hall that brought him trade, prestige and
honour to be burned to the ground. But even so, he felt it wise to heed
the request of Hallsecond Ryndel and the harpers who had remained at
Emerald Falls.

At sixty-six Turns of age, he just about remembered the days when a
female harper had been nothing out of the ordinary, and in his heart he
knew he sought for those days to return. Still, there were those among
the Masters who were not of his opinions, and it had seemed easier to
permit a girl to take up an apprenticeship at a faraway minor Hall
rather than here at the main Southern Hall.

It seemed someone at Emerald Falls had thought otherwise.

Once he'd finished reading the report, he stepped out of his office and
asked the apprentice assigned to running messages to fetch his
Hallsecond. He had a plan, and if it was to be successful he'd need
Almonteo's support.

Almonteo opened the door to the Craftmaster's office. They had been
apprentices together and shared an easy friendship built over turns.
The Hallsecond placed a bottle of wine on the Craftmaster's desk. "I
heard you wanted to see me. I thought some wine might be in order," he
said as he walked over to he cupboard where the glasses were kept.
"What would the Craftmaster have of me?"

"Oh...advice, and a request. I'll get to that," Lorcellan said,
searching in his desk drawers for a corkscrew. "I assume you've heard
the news from Emerald Falls?"

Almonteo nodded as he set the glasses before them. "I'd be a pretty
poor _Harper_ Hallsecond if I didn't know at least most of what you know
by now."

"I've just been reading a letter from the Hallsecond at Emerald Falls.
It seems the fire was started deliberately...likely because they took on
a young woman as an apprentice." The Craftmaster handed over Ryndel's
letter and poured out the wine as Almonteo read it. "For an Emerald
Falls man, he's surprisingly critical of the Lord Holder. It makes me
wary of leaving him in charge...I think that Hall needs a calming
influence after all the turmoil."

"You think there is no basis for his opinion of the Lord Holder? We
have heard complaints before. There were even some rather amusing songs
coming from Emerald Falls if I remember rightly." The hallsecond said
as opened the letter.

The Masterharper could afford to grin in his Hallsecond's presence. Some
of those songs were really quite witty - it was a shame the identity of
the composer remained a mystery. "He has every right to think Lord
Enrizial an arrogant young fool whose power has gone to his head, but a
Hallmaster - or a Craftmaster - must be tactful. And if he's a harper,
impartial, too. But there's nothing to stop opinions being shared in
private between old friends," he added, not wishing to lecture his
Hallsecond. "What do you think of the situation at Emerald Falls?"

"I think Gilas' retirement was ill-timed," Almonteo replied with a frown
as he scanned the letter. "And I agree. The Hallsecond does have very
strong opinions that could hinder his judgment. It's too bad too.
Gilas has nothing but praise for the man, but I think you are right.
Another Hallmaster is needed."

"I'm glad you think so." Lorcellan's smile was a tad _too_ triumphant.
"Because I think you'd be perfect for the job."

Almonteo looked at his friend over the rim of his wine glass. He could
see the smug expression on his face. His friend was not joking. The
Craftmaster had chosen. "Carmora's not going to like this, Lorcellan,"
he said cautiously, but his eyes told his friend that he was ready,
willing, and up for the challenge.

"It's _your_ decision, Almonteo." Lorcellan wasn't quite
so...untraditional as to think a wife, even one as sensible as Carmora,
should make the final choice of whether to stay or to go. "I must admit,
it would be hard on me to lose a good Hallsecond - not to mention a good
friend. If you'd rather remain at the Crafthall, I'll understand.
However, I believe you deserve the opportunity to lead and since I don't
plan to die any time soon, you won't get it here!"

"Ah, now, you don't _plan_ on dying..." Almonteo chuckled with a point
at the wine bottle, allowing the darker side of his sense of humor show.
He sighed. The hallsecond knew it was _his_ choice, but he also was
pretty sure this meant he would be sleeping on the couch for a while.
The Hall had certainly become a home over the turns. But his friend was
right. He had reached his limit here. Now he was being offered the
chance at a new challenge, a new adventure. And now that the children
were grown and independant, wasn't it time that he and Carmora got back
to _their_ lives again? A smile traced his lips as he said, "Very well,
old friend. I accept."

"Then let me be the first to offer my congratulations, Hallmaster,"
Lorcellan said with a grin, raising his glass. "Though I shall be sorry
to see you go...at least I won't have to hire a taster for my meals!"

"Now that will depend on your next Hallsecond. He may not be as patient
with you as I have been," Almonteo smiled as he raised his glass and
took a sip as he let the full impact of the decision sink in. He heaved
a great sigh and looked at his old friend. "There is a lot to be done."

"Indeed, but it can wait till tomorrow - the Emerald Falls harpers won't
expect anyone for several days. I'll make the announcement at dinner
tonight and I think the occasion demands we open a bottle of the best
wine. As for transport, I could ask the Weyr for a bronzerider's
services - though I suspect you'll be wanting to ask that daughter of
yours?"

"As much as I would like to make a grand enterance, I think it could go
a long way towards smoothing things over with Carmora to remind her that
we have a dragonrider in the family," the new Hallmaster replied with a
fond smile.

"You can tell her from me that I expect you to make frequent visits back
here - if your daughter has no objection," Lorcellan suggested. "The
Emerald Falls Hall has become rather too isolated from the main Harper
Hall over the past Turns and I hope you'll take steps to rectify that."

"We shall, Lorcellan, you can count on it. As long as we are welcome."

"Then I forsee many such visits," the Craftmaster replied, refilling
Almonteo's wine glass. He'd be sorry to see his loyal friend and
Hallsecond leave, but there was no doubt in his mind now that he'd made
the right decision about Emerald Falls.

Last updated on the August 29th 2005

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Advice and a Request