Business As Usual

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 8th February 2016

Characters: Relik, Raghad
Description: Relik and Raghad conduct business
Location: Citrus Bay Hold
Date: month 4, day 2 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Kaphrad

"I've got a few journeymen to place down at your docks. Heard you were short on men for ship repair." Relik knew that could be complicated business sometimes and it was a lot easier to repair a vessel than to build an entirely new one and less expensive. Standing there in the minor holder's office, he found himself thinking about his real reason for coming today besides the usual trade.

"Aye," Raghad said. "Those men will come to a need. We are increasing our production, so it means more cargo going out. And it's still easier to pick that cargo directly from Citrus Bay than to haul it to the Seacraft Hall first. How's your Hall coming up? You can't be all finished yet?"

"The main buildings are there. Now we just build outbuildings as a need crops up. I imagine it will still grow as the turns go by till we reach a certain point, much like a seahold does." Relik heard the thinly veiled irritation when it came to cargo but he didn't remark on it. He needed good relations with Raghad. Especially since most of his major supplies came from him. Avian Point was only so large. "I probably need to think about quarters for other crafters, though, in the future. Dolphineers, the smiths, the harper, the healers, and the like. As we get more of them that is." Eventually, he really wanted a woodcrafter to oversee the lumber and seasoning, but one couldn't have everything.

"Let me know if you need building materials. We have quarries, good lumber, and clay tiles," Raghad said. "For a price, of course," he added with a sly smile.

"Right now I'm not working with marks. I'm working more with barter. Unless.....I could have two turns worth of stone and lumber. I'll give you the ship forming in drydock now." It wasn't one of their largest vessels but the boat would likely sort to what Raghad might use it for. And that would free the space to form another keel besides providing him materials. "I won't need them for another turn though. That's when it will be finished and I should have enough staff to justify it."

"What kind of the ship we're talking about?" Raghad asked. Some of the older fishing ships could used being replaced.

"It's a schooner. Would hold nets or cargo, depending on what you wanted it to do. Could be outfitted either way." It was a fine one, to be sure, but not one of Relik's more expensive offerings. It would be a working boat, but sturdy.

"Could it be used for fishing? Some of the Citrus Bay's fishing boats are very old," Raghad asked.

"If you wanted to. Wouldn't be a boat out for a day, though. You're looking at a long hauler." This would be a major fishing vessel sent out for days at a time or more. It would be able to hold quite a bit before coming back.

Longer hauls and bigger catches wouldn't be bad for business. The demand for food in Citrus Bay area had grown steadily over the Turns when the population increased. "Alright, I could use that. I think we have a deal."

Relik put his left arm out for the standard handshake. Like in most things, he was old fashioned about agreements. He would have to let Kaphrad know, though. At some point something more specific would be drawn up regarding the amounts of things.

Raghad replied to the gesture. His handshake wasn't as firm as it had been twenty Turns ago, but it was still impressive for a man past his eighties.

"So any issues here on the docks I should know about?" The Master changed the subject, eager to hear how his crafters had been doing.

"No, things have been going smoothly," Raghad replied. In general, things were going well in Citrus Bay. Oh, there were some people who crumbled and complained. There were always those people. They always found some reason to be unhappy about.

"I'm going to head down and look about and have a chat with a few. Do my inspection. I don't think I'll head back until tomorrow though." He didn't plan on traveling overland in the dark. He didn't have a death wish.

"We have a good tavern where you can rent a room. Or you can stay in the main building, in one of the spare bedrooms," Raghad said.

"I wouldn't want to put anyone to real trouble." Relik would prefer the main building rather than a tavern but he'd slept in worse places during his lifetime. He was reasonably sure he could likely sleep on one of the boats docked if push came to shove. A journeyman who had sense would give up his bunk for the Hallmaster, after all.

"It's no trouble. That's why we have spare bedrooms in the Hold-for visiting relatives or dignitaries," Raghad smiled.

"Allright, I'll go see the headwoman to find out where it is. And maybe I'll see you at evening meal too?" He just wanted to make sure. Relik wasn't one of those that automatically thought himself invited. It was a holdover from the old sailing life. One had to behave oneself when in port.

"Yes, the cook will be sorely disappointed if you don't show up. He's putting out the best," Raghad smiled. After spending half of his life traveling from place to place, he had learned the value of hospitality.

Last updated on the February 9th 2016

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Business As Usual