The Missing Lord Holder

Writers: Estelle, Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 13th April 2024

Characters: Zathris, Bryvin, Asment, Xelfin, Ethris, Giltran
Description: The Lord Holders Conclave discusses Lord Corowal's disappearance and his replacement options.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Corowal, Corofel, Benani, Karhal

Zathris

Bryvin

Zathris was rarely nervous, but he paced the length of the council
room at Amber Hills, stealing glances out of the tall windows that
looked out over the courtyard. It was his first time hosting the Lord
Holders' Conclave, but as usual, Benani had seen to it that the room
was in pristine shape, and the drudges were waiting with refreshments
to bring in the moment the other Lords began to arrive.

Unfortunately, one of the first Lords to arrive was one that Zathris
often preferred not to see. Their relationship tended to be better
when they were apart.

"Father," he greeted the man. Ethris, Jade Harbor Lord Holder, strode
into the meeting room with that same authoritative aura that he'd had
when Zathris had been a child. He looked much the same as Zathris
remembered from their last meeting

"Zathris," Ethris grabbed his son by the shoulders, giving them a
light squeeze. "How is your lovely wife?"

"Benani is well," Zathris said, although he knew Ethris mostly asked
because etiquette dictated it. "How is my dear stepmother?"

"Cordania is spending marks like they're going out of style, my
Steward tells me, so I gather she is well," Ethris said with a
dismissive shrug.

**Please, Faranth, let someone else arrive,** Zathris thought.

Bryvin walked in right behind Xelfin. There was no love lost between
the two men but they'd shared a ride on the bronze who'd picked them
both up and dropped them at Amber hills.

Xelfin greeted Ethris being of a similar mindset regarding the two
younger Holders. "Ethris," he nodded and headed toward where the
refreshments were laid out.

Bryvin walked toward Zathris and held out his hand. "Zathris," he
didn't miss the tension between the two men as he smirked in Ethris'
direction. "Good to see you looking so well."

Lord Giltran of Flint Hills arrived next, a tall, imposing man with
thinning red hair streaked with silver who swept in with the Lord he'd
come with unnoticed in his wake. "Lord Zathris, thank you for hosting us
so promptly. Shells, this is a strange business, isn't it? First
Rorigraff's murdered in his bed and then Corowal goes missing from his.
It doesn't make a man rest easy in his furs, I can tell you." He nodded
to Bryvin and Ethris. "Is the young lad all right? His son, the one you
were fostering?"

"He is doing as well as can be expected. He is here, I'm sure Lady
Benani is forcing some food into him as we speak." Zathris gestured
for the Lords to join him in sitting at the round conference table in
the middle of the room. On cue, several drudges entered the room and
set refreshments on the table in front of the Lords.

Ethris chose the seat to the left of his son, not because of the
familial connection, but as a power move. He wanted the other Holders
to remember the political power that his bloodline commanded. If he
had his way, he would finagle at least one more of his sons into a
Lord Holder's chair someday.

"It sounds like Emerald Falls has a security issue," Ethris said,
motioning for the drudge to fill his wine glass to the top. It was a
bottle of the highly sought-after vintages from the Vintner Hall.

"That much is clear." Giltran took a seat at the opposite side of the
table. "Which makes it all the more important that an experienced man is
put in charge there, without delay."

Bryvin acknowledged his father in law as he came through the door.
"Sir," he said and then looked at Giltran with narrowed eyes.

"Zathris," Asment of Crimson Cliff smiled. "Thank you for doing this,"
he shook his head and took the seat next to Giltran. "Experience is
needed of course but Corowal has an acknowledged Heir. We should give
him whatever help he needs to take up his inheritance."

"Corofel is the rightful heir," Zathris agreed. "He's been more than I
could ask for as a fosterling. However, he is only eighteen. Did any
of you step into the shoes of Lord Holder at eighteen?" he asked,
genuinely wanting to know if anyone had relatable experience.

"Eighteen," Ethris exclaimed. "That's still wet behind the ears. Most
lads that age are just worried about the next skirt they're going to
lift. Not the delicacies of running a Hold, which is going to be
extremely more difficult at Emerald Falls, I'm afraid, since Sarban's
departure as Steward, and with their lack of an experienced
Headwoman."

Bryvin had a network of information gatherers he kept mostly private,
and knew more about Hold business than most of the other Holders might
be comfortable with or suspect. However, in this case he had decided
not to hold those cards too close to his chest. "If Sarban cannot be
prevailed upon to return and help his cousin, there is another in the
Emerald Falls area who would be quite capable of guiding our young
Lord Holder. Reven is his name. He currently holds Green Valley and is
married to one of Lady Benani's relatives." He looked to Zathris for
confirmation.

"That's correct," Zathris said with a nod to the Sunstone Lord Holder.
"Reven is one of Lord Corowal's minor holders, and one of which we
know is loyal to Corowal. Since Corofel is technically of age we
wouldn't need Reven to be his Warder, technically, but perhaps
provisionally, just to lend a little guidance."

"Excellent," Xelfin nodded. "Provided we can help with the security
issues there. Do you have any thoughts on that?"

"I was thinking of sending my Guard Captain, Karhal, with Corofel,
should the council determine that Corofel's the best fit for Emerald
Falls. Just so that Karhal can take inventory of the guards and their
current security measures. Clearly something isn't on the level it
needs to be if Corowal can disappear under their noses," Zathris said.

Ethris barked out a mirthless laugh as he looked at his son. "_Your_
Guard Captain, really? Wasn't the Lady of Amber Hills kidnapped and
considered missing for quite a while?"

A muscle tic appeared in Zathris jaw. "And as a consequence, Karhal
has developed fantastic security measures that I am sure will be
helpful to Emerald Falls."

"That seems sensible to me. Corofel should have someone he knows to keep
him safe while he settles in. And after all, the Lady Holder was found
safe," Giltran said, with a brief narrow-eyed glance at Ethris. "We can
only hope the same will prove true for Lord Corowal."

"I will let Corofel know of our decision after this meeting and then
I'll send word to Reven at Green Valley," Zathris said, feeling
marginally better that at least none of the Lords seemed to disagree
with Corofel as the decision... Until...

"Are we sure we want a pup stepping up as Lord Holder? Rizpaulen from
Merry Brook has the age and experience. The people of Emerald Falls
are familiar with him and he wouldn't need a babysitter," Ethris said.

Bryvin slammed his fist down on the table. "Corowal had his heir
confirmed by this body prior to his disappearance. We have neither the
right nor duty to change that decision now! You may decide to waffle
because you have poisoned your relationship with Lord Zathris and you
want to challenge him, but I am sure that not everyone at this table
appreciates your interference in what should be an orderly
transition." **At your peril,** he added in his thoughts. He didn't
want them setting any precedent that might someday infringe on his own
son's right to succeed him.

Asmet of Crimson Cliff's eyebrows climbed up his forehead and a grin
spread across his face. "Hear, hear," he said.

Ethris cut hard eyes at Bryvin. **Things were certainly better at
these meetings before _you_ became Lord of Sunstone,** he thought to
himself.

"Of course, whatever the council deems most appropriate," the Jade
Harbor Lord murmured smoothly.

Xelfin rolled his eyes, knocked lightly on the table and looked around
the room. "All in favor of Zathris plan to support Corofel as Lord
Holder with Reven as his advisor and Karhal as Guard Captain, say
Aye."

"Aye," said Bryvin and Asmet almost simultaneously.

"Aye," Zathris and Ethris said in unison, although the elder looked
displeased about it.

"Aye," Giltran agreed. "A man should be succeeded by his chosen Heir."
Some of the other Lords around the table murmured in agreement.

"Thank you, gentlemen. I'll inform Corofel and Reven immediately."
Zathris said. "Please take a bottle of Amber Hills wine with you to
share at home with your lovely Ladies." He gestured to the many
bottles that sat on the table beside the door.

Giltran's eyes lit up, and he made sure to thank Zathris for the gift on
his way out. He wasn't sure they'd done young Corofel any favors - the
situation at Emerald Falls would be troubled and uncertain at best, and
the Lord Holders' Conclave could be a pit of tunnelsnakes - but at least
he'd have some trusted advisors at his side.

Last updated on the April 18th 2024

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The Missing Lord Holder