For Those In Need

Writers: Emma, Heather
Date Posted: 7th June 2017

Characters: Zathris, Royah, Yusanis
Description: Zathris pulls in Royah and Yusanis to discuss an emergency at Lantern Ridge.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 2 of Turn 8

Zathris

Zathris pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed at his forehead as he read the letter from Benamil reporting on the situation at Lantern Ridge. His brother by marriage had been gone for nearly a sevenday....

***Flashback***

If things weren't precarious enough around Amber Hills, the letter in
Zathris's hand certainly didn't make anything better. He entered his
council room with a nod to his brother-in-law and steward.

"Yusanis, Royah," he tossed the letter into the center of the table
for the men to see, "there's been a rock slide at Lantern Ridge,
they're requesting aid. I've only visited there once myself since
being Lord, I was hoping you would know more about the Holder there,"
he said, looking at Royah.

"He's been there for turns, since well before the current pass
started." Royah paused. "He must be close to the age father was."

"I haven't been there yet," Yusanis admitted, though he'd read about
it as a matter of course and could cite the records of their last
shipments. "What sort of aid are they needing? Men to clear the falls?
Medical attention? Food supplies?"

"They have asked for all of the above." Zathris said, "Only, we don't
have enough guards to catch the vandals around the Hold, much less
escort supplies and men to Lantern Ridge."

"Maybe Milroy could go?" suggested Royah. "He fostered there for six
months or so, which might help."

Yusanis thought Royah's suggestion was a good idea, but it didn't
solve the transportation issue. "Could we petition the Weyr? A couple
of dragonriders could get supplies and people there much faster and
without risk of being intercepted."

Zathris wasn't sure sending Milroy was the best idea, he liked his
brother-by-marriage just fine, but he knew Milroy wasn't always
honest, and sometimes his promiscuity got in the way. Perhaps he would
send Benamil.

"Petitioning the Weyr could work. We've got supplies to help with
reconstruction, food, and medical, it's just a lack of man power at
the moment." The were already trying to dig up retired guards around
the Hold to help out until the bandits were caught.

"Then lets get the signal flag up after this meeting," suggested
Royah. "If nothing else there might be a green or bluerider who might
take a message to Lantern Ridge for us to say that we'll organizing
help."

This was why he'd called in Royah and Yusanis, men with cool-heads and
logic, "Royah, if you take care of the signal, Yusanis can go down to
the stores and see what things we can spare, and I'll head down to the
healers and see who will volunteer to go," or else, he'd have to pick
people himself.

"Lantern Ridge has been loyal and productive. I think we'll be able to
spare a decent amount of material without endangering our own
supplies." It was spring now, not winter, which meant they didn't have
to be as stingy with stores.

"Perfect, I'll go for an initial visit, I won't be gone for more than a day, just to visibly offer support to the holder at Lantern Ridge." The way things had been going lately, with people trying to paint him as a Lord out of touch with his holdings, this was also a political opportunity to show that Amber Hills could take care of its people.

"Will you be taking anyone else with you, besides guards and healers?" Yusanis asked.

"I am going to ask Benamil to go and be liaison for us. He doesn't have a wife or family to leave behind here, he can stay there and assist as needed." Zathris said. "If any other men are needed he can let us know."

Even though Zathris wasn't glad of an emergency at one of the holdings, it did make him feel better to be actively doing something to help. Maybe this would show some of those who doubted Amber Hills' strength that they were capable of taking care of their own. Zathris didn't want to be seen as a Lord Holder too removed from his people to understand their needs.

Last updated on the June 16th 2017

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For Those In Need