You're Not Welcome Here

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 14th December 2020

Characters: Swanik, Wicoran, Pifer
Description: Swanik discovers bustling activity, but isn't welcome
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Ishek

As the trio appeared over the rise on the recently repaired narrow
road, Swanik's eyes narrowed at the wagons laden with heavy logs
slowly making their way towards them. He pulled his runner up,
watching the teams of draft runners haul the loads, his eyes locking
on the small flag that identified the owner of each wagon. Teal and
orange with an anchor set in the middle. Sunstone Sea Hold. His lips
thinned and he gestured to the guards who had accompanied him. This
was Garnet Valley territory and to his mind, Sunstone Sea Hold had no
business carting out goods that belonged to his Lord.

"Hold!" Moving to the middle of the road, two guards of the group
flanking him, he called out the driver, holding up his hands.

The wagon was pulled to a stop, the driver looking irritated and
confused. "Who are you? Kindly get out of our way, we've a schedule to
keep."

Swanik heeled his runner towards the wagon, pulling the animal to a
stop beside the wagon driver. "I am Swanik, Understeward of Garnet
Valley Hold." He gestured to the wagons. "What is this? Why are
Sunstone Sea Hold wagons in Garnet Valley territory? There's no trade
agreement between our holds for any goods from this area. What exactly
are you hauling?"

The driver looked unphased. "I just take my wagons where I'm told,
Understeward Swanik. My Lord Bryvin directed me to bring my teams and
my wagons here, so I brought them and the folk were expecting us. If
you've questions about our cargo, seek out Steward Wicoran and
Understeward Pifer. They're back there." He gestured with a thumb
behind him. "Now, excuse us."

Swanik glowered, puffing up his chest. "You'll not be going anywhere
until I find out what's going on." He gestured at the guards in the
small group. "Hold them here until I get this settled." He waited
until the lead wagon was blocked by the guards, then gestured to two
guards to follow him. Ignoring the driver's complaints, he encouraged
his runner into a fast walk, the mounted guards beside him following.

The thickly wooded road didn't completely mute the sounds of activity
ahead and as Swanik and the two guards emerged into the first
clearing, he stopped, brows shooting up in surprise. What he saw
wasn't what he'd expected. He had expected perhaps a few cotholds
banded together, perhaps at most fifty people struggling to survive.
He wasn't expecting what looked to be a bustling minor Hold with
inhabitants all busy at work doing different tasks.

Stone buildings, some of them obviously old, were being repaired but
it was clear that they'd been there for decades; many were clearly
family dwellings, but it was the larger buildings that made him
wonder. The largest and oldest towered two stories over the other
buildings, and behind apparently newer stones as the building was
being rebuilt, there was blackened char from a fire that even now,
women were scrubbing away. Rubble and charred wood was piled to the
side and was slowly being cleared away, giving evidence of what seemed
to be a massive fire that had taken place. What appeared to be a new
addition was being added, a long ell-shaped annex that seemed to
include a new forge, stables, and even a woodworking area. Another
building on the opposite side of the old building was brand new and a
Healer Hall emblem was fresh on what was clearly a new banner.

All of the buildings surrounded a stone courtyard that had been
meticulously cleared of any grasses or moss. The center stone pillar
that drew Swanik's eye stood proudly, a small banner waving in the
wind. The wind stilled enough to allow him to really see it before it
began to wave again. Garnet Valley dark green, offset by a rich brown
with a dark red redfruit and cherry at the center. It wasn't a badge
that he recognized at all. What was going on here?

Slowly, he brought his runner onto the courtyard, and he felt eyes
turning towards him. Eyes sought out the knots on his shoulder and
then the guards'; the gazes became distinctly hostile and he couldn't
help but hear the angry murmurs from those who watched him. It felt as
though each gaze burned into his skin and with difficulty, Swanik kept
his face even. The guards beside him grew edgy, their hands settling
on weapons as they drew near the pillar.

"Ha!" A gravelly voice called out from across the courtyard, drawing
Swanik's gaze to an aged man who approached, leaning on a cane. Though
he seemed to limp, the dark eyes were sharp, not lacking any of the
hostility that the other inhabitants carried. "So, Garnet Valley
deigns to visit us after nearly a hundred turns just as we're
recovering! Why am I not surprised?" He moved quickly even with the
cane, approaching Swanik with a scowl. His eyes flicked to Swanik's
knots and his frown darkened. "Get you gone, understeward. Garnet
Valley holds no sway here."

Mindful of the angry looks he was receiving and recognizing that he
was definitely most unwelcome, Swanik didn't snap back the reply that
was on his lips, not with his own guards so on edge. "I am here at
Lord Warder Ishek's request. I'm seeking to speak with a Drifalen."
His eyes studied the older man. "You are too old to be him. I
understand he controls these lands under Garnet Valley's grace."

The murmurs of discontent grew louder, brining Swanik's eyes up to
look around. A crowd was gathering, surrounding him and his guards.
The guards' runners began to snort as they drew closer to Swanik and
as their hands appeared to begin to draw blades, he quickly gestured
at them to stop.

The older man glanced at the crowd and his smile grew grim. "Drifalen
and his wife are dead. I am Wicoran, Steward here. Lord Warder Ishek
and Garnet Valley Hold have no power here.These lands are not his but
are my Lady's, under all rights and laws, confirmed by Harper Hall."

"Even so, this land is under Garnet Valley protection and..."

"Protection? When has Garnet Valley ever offered us aid or
protection?" Wicoran snarled. "Lord Drifalen and his father begged for
aid and recognition and were ignored!" The crowd murmured in
agreement, the angry whispers growing louder, with a few calling out
"Go home! We don't want you here!"

"Sunstone Sea Hold's wagons are carting out goods that should be going
to Garnet Valley Hold." Swanik, though his heart was beating hard,
pressed further. "This is to cease immediately. Any goods produced in
our lands belong to Garnet Valley Hold."

"These aren't your lands." A smaller man approached, a smug smile on
his weasily face. Pifer, with his Sunstone knots clear, pressed
through the crowd to stand near WIcoran. "By law, the lands were ceded
to another family and by law, Lord Bryvin is guardian to the
landholder. All profits and goods belong to _him_."

"And he's offered aid. He's helped us to rebuild. What has Ishek done
or anyone from Garnet Valley Hold? Nothing!" Wicoran snapped, lifting
his cane to shake it at Swanik."Get you gone. You're not welcome
here."

"Guards!" Pifer called out, pleased at Swanik's hands jerking on the
reins in response. Guards, wearing Sunstone Sea Hold colors pressed
through the crowd at Pifer's call. "Escort the good Understeward and
his companions out of _our_ territory. Make sure they all leave."

Swanik's guards tensed, knuckles whitening on the hilts of their own
weapons. Swanik had to think quickly. Any incident between himself and
his guards would likely make a tense situation worse and Ishek would
be furious if the cordial relationship between Garnet Valley and
Sunstone Sea Hold was damaged. It would do little good nor serve any
purpose to allow any confrontation. Ishek would have to speak to
Bryvin about the situation; it would be his decision as to what to do
or how to approach this development. He raised a hand, seeking to
soothe and calm both the angry Steward and soothe his guards' nerves.
"We'll leave."

The crowd parted, watching the trio slowly depart from the courtyard
with angry mutters. Wicoran turned to speak quietly with Pifer, but
kept his gaze on Swanik, eyes narrowed. Sunstone guards trailed Swanik
and his guards back to the trading wagons and when they were sighted
by the guards that Swanik brought, there was immediate tension; it was
only through quick words that no blades were drawn.

Swanik and his team quickly departed the area, but the man's mind
worked quickly. A holding the size of a minor hold, bustling with
activity and apparently recently returned to prosperity. He didn't
know how Ishek would respond to this new development.

Last updated on the December 14th 2020

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You're Not Welcome Here