Ready

Writers: AmajoS
Date Posted: 21st April 2019

Characters: Kefnek, Demolli
Description: The morning of the first day of Kefnek's life as Hallmaster begins with a little contemplation.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Capwick

Kefnek examined himself in the mirror, the new Hallmaster knots he'd
received on his shoulder. The table walking the night before in the
large dining room and subsequent celebration had been ceremonial, of
course. Today was his first, actual day as Hallmaster. He wasn't sure
he would call himself nervous. He was ready to take on the
responsibility, or he wouldn't have accepted the position. But still.
His life was going to be vastly different than it had been when he had
simply been Master Kefnek.

"You look fine," his wife said from behind him. She moved forward
until her reflection stood beside his in the mirror.

"It doesn't really matter how I look," he grumbled halfheartedly.
Still, he pulled on his tunic, straightening out a non-existent
crease.

"Of course it does," Demolli scoffed. "You have to look the part too.
And you do." She smiled at him from the mirror, pride obvious in her
eyes. "Now, come on. You have time to eat something before you take on
the world."

Kefnek gave his wife a smile. He was not a man who smiled often or
easily most of the time, but with his wife, it was different. They had
been married for almost twenty-four turns and he loved her just as
much now as he had when he first saw her. "Not too much time. I have a
meeting with Capwick this morning and a busy day after that."

"I suppose you'll be taking lunch in your office?" She was used to him
working through lunch on occasion, but she knew he would be doing it
more often now that he was Hallmaster.

He gave her a little grimace of apology, "Afraid so, my love."

"You'll be done in time for supper though? You'll be at our table in
the dining room on time?" She asked in a tone that indicated it would
be a good idea to say yes.

"Of course," his grimace turned into a small grin, which she returned.

"Good. The children will want to hear how your day went." The two
youngest, Mollne and Kefol, were still with them in the family
quarters, though their oldest two also lived at the Hall. Kedem was a
journeyman with his own small quarters now and their next oldest,
Nemol, was living in the apprentice barracks, like Kedem had when he
was an apprentice. They would probably eat with family tonight
however.

She sighed, missing having her two oldest boys home in their old room
they'd shared, though at least they were still in the Hall, unlike the
middle two. Demne had married a journeyman baker and was living at the
Hold while Nekmol had decided to forego family tradition and go off to
the Weavers.

"Just the children?" Kefnek's grin grew knowing and his tone was
teasing. He had seen her expression turn a bit wistful and knew she
was thinking of the children. He didn't know what she would do with
herself when the last two were grown enough to go out into the world.
Probably turn her mothering on him.

"Oh, hush you." Demolli's pensive mood lifted and she gave her husband
a playful slap on the shoulder. "Now come on, I had some food sent up.
Let's get you fed so you can start this busy day of yours."

She turned and left the room and he was alone again with his
reflection. "Indeed," he said quietly to himself before following her
out. He was a bit nervous, he supposed. But, ready.

He'd been working toward this his entire life, it seemed. From the
time he first decided to follow in his father's footsteps and
apprentice at the Hall. His mother's too, actually. His birth mother,
not the good, kindly step-mother who raised him. He barely thought of
his birth mother. He couldn't even really remember her, except for the
impression of raised voices and slamming doors. It had been a long
time ago and he was barely seven when she died. He wondered why he was
thinking of her now? That stranger who couldn't accept the changes
life had brought to her.

Shrugging off this strange turn his mind had made he turned to follow
his wife. Yes, he'd been working toward this day his whole life and
now that it was here, he was ready for it.

Last updated on the April 26th 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Ready