Offering A Status Report

Writers: Avery, Emma
Date Posted: 15th July 2016

Characters: Royah, Yusanis
Description: The Steward talks to
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris, Benani

Yusanis asked a drudge to see where Royah was and pass on a note. The
scrap of hide asked the other man when would be good to have a meeting
about the Hold. With what Benani had told him about asking her brother
to take care of Hold related issues until Zathris was back, it was
important to start the meeting off on a good note. In his mind, that
meant finding a space where the other man felt comfortable and
establishing a good working relationship.

Royah had seen no reason not to keep using the small office he'd used
when his father was alive. True, it was small, but it meant he had to
be neat and organised, and if he'd ever needed to meet with more than
one other person, it had never been a problem to use one of the larger
rooms. When the note had come, he'd asked the drudge to wait,
intending to ask for some refreshments for one, but changed his mind.

"If you could tell Yusanis that now is a good time, and then send up
refreshments for two, that would be wonderful," he told the drudge.

"Yes m'lord," came the response, even as the youngster scampered off
to relay the instructions.

Yusanis took the message and then followed the youngster back to the
office. He knocked on the door and smiled when he was called in.
"Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me."

"My pleasure to see you," Royah had risen to his feet and opened the
door. "Please, come inside and sit down, I've asked for refreshments,
so they should be here shortly."

"Much appreciated," Yusanis said as he took a seat. "I understand that
the Lady Benani had a talk with you?"

"My sister and I did speak, yes," confirmed Royah. "I take it you're
here today, because she asked me if I would act for her and the Lord
Heir."

"Yes. In the absence of Lord Zathris, I've been taking care of my own
duties, which I had just had a chance to learn before he disappeared,"
Yusanis said. "But I understand there's some mounting political
concern with his absence,and it seems to me as though consulting with
you as the representative of his family is a vital task.

Royah nodded. His father would have told him how important it was to
present a united front, to the holder and other Holds. "How can I
help?"

"As a sounding board, for one. I know the Steward's role is vital but
limited. I've been taking care of tithes, records, making sure that we
have enough. The understewards are very well trained and have been
making this much easier." That was the good news, anyway.

"But without the Lord, there are likely going to be some higher-level
issues to consider, the kinds of arrangements handled between Holders.
May I speak completely frankly?"

"Please do," Royah said, reaching for a hide to take some notes.

Yusanis provided the first example. "Malachite Gulch has sent out
several notes reminding the Hold that there was going to be a
discussion of what to do about some old holds on the border territory.
Without Zathris here to approve, we can't make a formal agreement. My
concern is that they're going to try to move some settlers in and
expand their own border, presenting it as a done deal to the
Conclave."

He took a deep breath. "We know why they're pushing. When Lord Morin
died, his place was filled shortly after. In contrast, when Lord
Benaroy died, there was delay in naming his hair. And with the trouble
with the Lady last Turn..." He shook his head. "My worry is that there
will be some upcoming pressure from other Lords about what to do
regarding Lord Zathris, with the Lord having been missing for two
months. I wanted to bring that up with you now, so you're aware."

"I'd remind them that we have no confirmation of whether or not
Zathris is dead, and in any case, we do have a Lord, even if he is too
young to formally ascend to the role." Royah was thinking aloud. "I'd
have the guard send out extra patrols in that area, and perhaps raise
the signal flags, ask the Weyr if their sweepriders can watch out for
unusual activity in the area"

"The sweeprides are a good idea. Speaking of those, are the ones
searching the shipwreck area still being performed, or do you think
the Weyr has mostly written the
Lord off by now?"

"I intend to have them continue. My sister deserves to know whether
her husband is going to come home to her or not."

"I agree. Have you spoken to them about the issue?" He might have two
cousins who were dragonriders, but Yusanis only knew them on a
personal level. The Lord of Malachite Gulch had preferred to handle
all interactions himself, so he didn't have much experience with the
leadership.

"I have it on my list of things to organise."

"Please let me know what you hear, I'm very curious as to what they say."

Royah made a note. "I'll have you copied in on the notes."

"I appreciate that. Now, what about..."

It was probably around a candlemark, and at least a mug of klah later
before the discussions were finished.

"We must do this again," Royah said.

"Indeed," Yusanis agreed, thinking Royah was pleasant to work with.

Last updated on the July 15th 2016

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Offering A Status Report