Let the Festivities Begin
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 6th February 2018
Characters: Zathris, Benamil, Evras
Description: Opening day of the Amber Hills Gather
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 8 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Benani
This is the official control post for the AHH Gather
Even from the steps of the Hold Zathris could hear the noise of the crowd gathered for the first day of the Gather. There was the general sound of hawkers trying to sell their wares, as well as harpers playing lively tunes around the booths that had been set up by the Vintner Hall.
The Lord Holder's eyes flicked upward as two dragons appeared in the skies above Amber Hills. He watched as the small dots grew larger, and larger, until the green and blue dragon were directly overhead, with passengers clinging to the lifemates of the great beasts.
Exhaling a breath, Zathris descended the steps, nodding to some guests who were just arriving at the Hold to settle their things inside before enjoying the festivities. Zathris liked seeing Amber Hills alive and teaming with people, it brought a cheer and liveliness that had been absent from the place for quite a while.
For the moment he avoided the merchants section of the Gather, and instead made his way over to the make-shift stables and race track that had been erected for the runner races that would be taking place.
"Enjoying your last bit of freedom as a single man?" he asked as he came upon a familiar face.
"Zathris," Benamil turned with a smile for his brother-by-marriage, "I might be doing just that." **More than you know,** he added to himself. "They're going to be bringing the runners out for a stretch, getting them familiar with the track before tonight's preliminary races. I'm here to keep an eye on them and make sure that our runners are well-taken care of..." He lowered his voice and added with a wink, "After all, we wouldn't want any cheating would we?"
Zathris grinned and clapped a hand on Benamil's shoulder, "The owners of these runners _do_ take the races pretty seriously. I wouldn't put it past someone to feed a runner some bad hay. There's going to be plenty of gambling involved."
"And that's where I come in," the beastcrafter said. There was silence between the two men for a moment before Benamil looked over at Zathris, "So, what's the Lord Holder doing wandering around alone?"
"I'm not completely alone," Zathris glanced down at his canine, who was waiting patiently by his side, ears up and alert despite his deceptively relaxed demeanor.
"Ah, but I'm sure there are dignitaries to woo over at the stalls."
Zathris sighed, "You're right about that. This is my one moment of sanity before I walk over and become enveloped in playing host for the next three days."
"And you're spending it with me? I'm honored," Benamil laughed.
"Yes, well, don't tell your sister."
The words struck Benamil as ironic, since he knew Benani was keeping the secret of his marriage to Nazli, and the real reason behind it, a secret from Zathris.
"She'll not hear about it from me," he replied.
The Amber Hills Lord exhaled one last time before turning, "Duty calls."
"Have fun," Benamil called.
Zathris made his way back to the main hub where the Gather stalls had been erected. The place was swarmed with people, some crafters, holders, and then there were dragonriders walking about. So far he had seen insignias from Dragonsfall, Dolphin Cove and even Far Island.
He weaved through the crowd with Alik at his heels until he arrived at the area that had been cleared to serve as a dance floor. It was empty at the moment, but he knew come evening it would be alive with dancers and harpers.
"Zathris!" a loud, boisterous voice boomed as a hand grabbed his upper arm.
Alik's lips curled into a snarl as he took a snap at the offending hand.
"Alik," Zathris ordered, his voice causing the canine to quiet instantly.
Evras retracted his hand instantly, "Whoa! No harm meant." The man addressed the canine, who was still staring at him intently.
"Evras," Zathris rolled his eyes, a grin now beginning to tug on his lips, "you should know better than to try to grab a man when he's got a guard hound with him."
"I thought perhaps being an old foster friend might be acceptable," the man was wearing a boyishly handsome smile. It had been Turns since Zathris and Evras had been fostering at the same Hold together, but they'd been as close as brothers back then.
"I'm glad you made it out," Zathris said, motioning for Evras to walk with him. "What do you think of it?"
Evras gave a low whistle as they looked about at the colorful tents set up in the shadows of the impressively built Hold. "I'd say you got a pretty sweet set up here. Lucky you for finding favor in Lady Benani's eyes and earning yourself a spot as Lord Holder."
"Yes, I am lucky," Zathris agreed as they stood and watched the activity at the Gather. "Come on, Evras, I'll treat you to some of the Vintner Hall's best drinks."
Evras glanced at Alik before hooking an arm around Zathris's shoulders, "That's what I'm talking about!"
Last updated on the February 28th 2018