A New Home
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL
Date Posted: 2nd December 2024
Characters: Claranel, Leranek
Description: Claranel arrives at EFH
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 2, day 6 of Turn 12
Emerald falls was lovely, and huge. Having never travelled anywhere beyond the boundaries of her cothold and the forests that surrounded it, Claranel found the massive buildings both daunting and intriguing, and that was with only what she spied from the dock where the steamboat came to a stop and allowed its passengers off before the crew turned their attention to the cargo. Her own attention remained fixated upon the gentle gray of the exterior which contrasted starkly with the mighty strength of its walls. Towers speared at the sky, though she could only see two of them from her current position,
Casting a glance at the old Healer who stood there speaking with the Riverboat captain, she idly hoped he wouldn’t remain there long, for the desire to explore the new place was almost overwhelming. Somehow, she managed enough patience to keep her feet from setting off on a course down the path that led toward the hold by herself, and finally, Leranek turned his smile upon her, the roads of wrinkles that lined his face deepening at the expression, the motioned toward their destination. “Shall we?”
Eventually, they reached the grounds of the hold proper, and the girl’s eyes grew wider as she came ‘face to face’ with what she had seen in the distance. Mouth slightly agape, she stared this way and that, barely keeping herself on a straight path. The slow motion of the old man no longer bothered her, for it allowed her to forth studying the surroundings that were to be her new home. “This is Emerald Falls?”
“Aye, youngin’, it is.” Leranek murmured pleasantly, amusement at her awe reflected upon his face.
She said nothing else as they continued on, hobbling into the shadows of the towers, of which she could now see five standing like sentinels over all who dwelt in their domain. Eventually, they passed into the interior, and from there trekked down a hallway until they came to a door, which led to the quarters he inhabited. Stepping inside, he motioned toward another door further in. “That was Nekaraya’s room, but she’s off and married with youngin’s of her own now. Tis yours for now.”
For now. Until she secured a marriage, or chose another course for her life. Unlike many in the South, her parents offered her an opportunity to take charge of her future. From what she learned from their parents, the North, which was where they had originally hailed, held a much more friendly outlook of women. The idea of going North had intrigued her, but something about the way they talked about their original homeland made her pause, though they did not going into details about why they had left. As curious as she was, she didn’t push. Instead, she focused on remaining in the South - for that would allow her a much easier time visiting her parents.
What future lay in front of her, she had no idea. Her parents had encouraged her to consider her own desires, and even the idea of crafting had been put on the table. To do so, she’d have to find a craft that was willing to take her, or perhaps go to a Weyr. Truthfully, it was all too much to consider and decide on in such a manner, and she was grateful that Leranek was willing to allow her the opportunity to come to Emerald Falls as she considered what to do.
Stepping into the room now designated as her own, she found it was already prepared for herstay. Staring at what was to be hers, at elast as long as she remained there, she found herself at a loss for all the space, having shared her room with her siblings for all her life. Finally, she set herslef into motion to unpack the two bags she had brought with her. Doing so did not take long, and soon enough, Claranel found herself at a loss. Back home, she’d have baking or cooking or cleaning to do, or during her free moments, she could roam the forest and study the natural world. There…everything was rocky, hard, and strange. Stepping into the main room of the Healer’s quarters, her eyes wandered about, looking for something to do, but everything was spic and span.
“It all right?” He inquired. With his hands clasped behind his back, the man stood straight and tall, the only thing belying his age were the traces that time had left behind. Yet, he exuded more vigor than she had seen some men half his age, and, from the memories if what her grandfather had told her, he was likely going to serve in his craft til the day he died.
“Oh, yes, very much all right! It’s lovely!” And all her own, something she’d never had before.
“Good, glad to hear it. Well now, I imagine you must be quite keen to get to know your new home.” Warmth sparkled in the mans dark brown gaze and she smiled in response. “Off with you now, take a good look around. The Harper Hall and Printer Hall are not far, but a quarter candlemark down the main trade route. There are runner stables if You’ll find plenty to keep you occupied.”
Immediately her eyes lit up. After the conversations with her parents in preparation for life at Emerald Falls, she was uncertain how limited she would be, but there she was, with time for herself to explore and get to know her new home. “May I?”
“Of course.” Leranek chuckled. “Just be sure not to get underfoot of anyone working.” Which he had no doubt she wouldn’t.
With a grin, Claranel whipped about and hurried back to her room, only to return with a santch over her should. “I’ll be back for dinner!” She called as she hurried to the door.
“Meet me at the dining hall.” The response he received was a lift of her hand as she sped out the door, the click of which was followed by yet another chuckle.
Last updated on the December 4th 2024