Scooped

Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 30th October 2024

Characters: Cithara, Vardamon, Ereben
Description: Ereben has a scandalous story to publish, but someone beats him to the punch.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold, Printer Hall
Date: month 1, day 1 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Arippa, Reven, Corofel

Cithara

Vardamon was in a dreadful hurry when he all but accosted Journeyman
Printer Ereben at the Gather. The Harpers had all retired, and the
dancing was done, but the warm orange lights illuminated the Gather
grounds, and the drinking and laughter had continued even as the sun
sank past the horizon.

The man was his uncle -- his second cousin once removed, actually, but
who was counting? -- and he was terminally nosey.

"Uncle Var," he sighed. "I'm having a conversation here--"

"No time for that, my boy, no time-- you won't believe what I've seen."

Ereben rolled his eyes.

"Then why bother telling me?" His words were only the slightest bit
slurred... Or maybe more than a bit. Vardamon smacked his cheeks a few
times in rapid succession.

"Ow!"

"Come. We're getting you a mug of klah, and you're going to listen.
This is going to be your masterwork at the Hall."

"Uncle Var, I'm Turns away from--"

"Quiet, Benny!" Vardamon hissed. "I've just seen our Lord Corofel
_canoodling_ with Lady Arippa, and all under your proverbial nose in
the library at the Printer Hall!"

"You _what!?_"

Ereben was far too drunk for this. He joined Vardamon for his mug of
klah and did his best to think around the fuzziness in his mind as the
klah did absolutely nothing to help.

He was going to have to do some genuine legwork. Get out there. Ask
some questions. Make sure Vardamon saw what he thought he saw. Because
an accusation like that could _end_ a career much sooner than make it.

"I'll print it, Uncle Var. I will. You'll see it in the paper
tomorrow. Or the next day. Just let me get it written down, all
right?"

"Good. Good. Good boy." Vardamon gave him another five or six gentle
smacks-- how _did_ the man move his hand so fast!? Ereben squinted and
did his best not to back away.

"Get some rest, Uncle Var."

The next day, Ereben woke up at the crack of noon with a splitting
headache. But he was going to verify this story and get it back to
Master Aleriand before the cutoff.

He nearly slipped and broke his head on the paper outside his door. He
sighed and picked it up to take it inside. Of course, that was when he
saw it.

Oh no.

The trifold pamphlet still smelled of fresh ink.

"Faithful Followers,
the Turns End celebrations at Emerald Falls Hold certainly brought a
plethora of juicy details to this Master's attention. Shall we start
with Trader Bozram's daughter? Oh, you didn't see? This writer's eyes
clearly saw the lovely girl leaving the guard's quarters at an
unreasonable hour, and unchaperoned. Perhaps the lady was receiving
one-on-one self-defense lessons? Whether these lessons happened with
clothing on is much less certain.

On the dance floor there was much to be noted. Chiefly, Master
Shimbert fancied one other dancer in particular, the lovely young
Apprentice Jazreema. While you might not think it that scandalous, I
am certain his wife of thirty Turns felt differently. Or perhaps the
Master Harper and his wife have an agreement? This writer saw a
certain male drudge by the lady's arm at all times.

Finally, and most juicy, unless my eyes deceive me, the young Lord
Corofel was seen making advances on a lady. Don't despair yet, young
bachelorettes, for the woman Corofel was kissing was none other than
Lady Arippa. This Master wonders what Warder Reven's reaction will be?
How long has this tawdry affair been unfolding in the secret
passageways of Emerald Falls Hold? Only time will tell.

~Master Unknown"

Last updated on the November 4th 2024

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Scooped