The Logical Choice

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 30th April 2006

Characters: Cyrek, Benaroy
Description: Benaroy has an interesting proposition for Cyrek
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 7 of Turn 3

"Welcome back, Cyrek," the Lord Holder said as the Amethyst Cliff
Steward walked into his office. "I trust your journey went well?"

Cyrek smiled, a little tiredly. Rain, mud, snow at higher altitudes,
a broken axle, lost livestock.... "We managed. It's good to be dry,
thank you, Lord."

"Well, I'm glad you are here," the Lord Holder smiled. "I wish I
could give you time to recover from your journey before talking about
business."

Cyrek thought briefly of his daughter. "What do you wish of me?"

"It's my steward, Shayven," Benaroy sighed. "The healers say he's
had a heart attack. His son has been doing a fine job considering
the circumstances, but, Shadux is still very young."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Are there no other understewards besides
Shadux, though? Because from what I've seen, he's managing things
well."

"Of course, there are others," the Lord Holder nodded. Some of his
own sons even. "But I have to be frank, Cyrek. I'm not sure Shayven
should return to full duties. His health must be taken into
consideration."

"I'm sorry to hear that, as well, but if his health is too fragile, I
understand why you would wish for him to stand down. But what does
this have to do with me?" Cyrek had a sneaking suspicion, but hoped
that he was wrong.

"It has been our intention that Shadux would one day follow in his
father's footsteps. I know it would be Shayven's dearest wish, but
he is too young and inexperienced yet." Benaroy needed a drink, his
personal attachments to his friend and Steward warring with what he
believed was ultimately best for his Hold. He pulled two glasses
along with a bottle of brandy off his shelf and poured them both a
drink as he reminded himself of all the reasons why Cyrek was the
obvious choice to be Steward of Amber Hills permanently. "I think we
both need this," he finally said handing him a glass.

"Thank you," Cyrek said automatically, although a warm bed and a cup
of klah would have been more welcome. "While I.. understand your
concern, my Lord, I'm still not sure why you are speaking to _me_
about this."

"Your people need a leader, Cyrek," the Lord said plainly. "They are
accustomed to looking to Lord Alalir, and looking to you, but not to
me. _Yet_. For however long your stay is here, this is their home
now. It might... smooth their transition to have someone they trust
in the position. And it might do me good as well to have someone who
understands them who can act as a speaker on their behalf, and visa
versa. You are the logical choice, Cyrek."

Cyrek frowned. "So, to be clear on this... you are offering me the
position of Steward of Amber Hills Hold?"

Benaroy took a long sip of brandy. Shayven would just have to
understand... "Yes. I would like you to be my steward, Cyrek."

The Steward of Amethyst Cliff looked down at the brandy in his hands.
It glinted amber in the light. "Lord Benaroy, I am... greatly
flattered. And humbled that you would single me out. But... you are
correct in saying that in Lord Alalir's absence, the people of
Amethyst Cliff look to me. Right now my first duty is to them, and
I'm not sure that I can... justify splitting my time between two
Holds. I will do everything I can for both the people of Amethyst
Cliff and Amber Hills Hold, but there is still a great deal of work
to be done at Amethyst Cliff that I can't turn my back on. If you
wish for a liaison between our two Holds, then I can offer one of my
understewards to you - and Shadux - until he is no longer needed."

"Of course I understand there is still much to be done at Amethyst
Cliff," the Lord Holder nodded. "But you will have people here too,
Cyrek. They will need a bit of stability."

"They do. And I trust that you will treat them as your own until
Amethyst Cliff Hold is rebuilt."

Benaroy frowned slightly as he looked at the man over his brandy
glass. "You think I would do any less, Cyrek?"

"Of course not. That's why I am confidant in leaving you and your men
in charge here while I supervise the.. clean up back at home." Cyrek
paused, then smiled slightly. "I wouldn't leave my daughter behind if
I didn't trust you to do right by her, let alone Alalir's people."

"How long will the clean up take?" the Lord Holder asked
thoughtfully. "Surely you have understewards to supervise the bulk of
it."

"The Hold is..." Cyrek paused, not wanting to voice the Hold's true
condition, as if doing that would somehow make it permanent. "The
Hold is mostly rubble. There's stones and earth to move, furniture
and other personal items to be salvaged if possible, and storerooms
to dig to. There are teams of workers and Crafters who are shoring up
the remaining walls, as well as healers tents and support staff to
care for. It's akin to a small Hold of it's own over there."

"It sounds like it could take months." He couldn't afford to be
without a steward for months. "Surely your understewards can oversee
the salvage while you attend to your holders."

**But I _want_ to be there.** He shook his head. "It's not so simple.
My understewards... some are missing, some injured, and only a few
able to work."

"Then perhaps I can send a few of mine." The Lord Holder studied
Cyrek a moment. "I think you under estimate how badly you are needed
here."

The Steward was silent for a moment. "If it's really that necessary,
perhaps I can split my time somehow between Amethyst Cliff and here
to assist Shadux. But I cannot completely abandon my Hold at this
time."

"I think that is a very good idea. But, Cyrek," Benaroy said gently,
like he was speaking with one of his own sons, "a Hold is made of
people, not stone. And your people are _here_ now."

"But I still can't abandon the Hold." Cyrek set the glass aside and
rubbed his face tiredly. "Lord Benaroy. It's been a long journey, and
I am exhausted. I want to see my daughter. Perhaps we can continue
this conversation at a later date?"

"Of course," the Lord Holder nodded, hoping that the Steward would at
least consider what had been said. "Have a good evening, then,
Cyrek. You deserve a full night's rest." Though Benaroy knew, rest
was hard for men faced with the tough decisions to be made.

Last updated on the May 2nd 2006

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The Logical Choice