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Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 15th June 2006

Characters: Cyrek, Benaroy
Description: Cyrek returns with an answer to Lord Benaroy's request that he take over Stewardship of Amber Hills Hold for the 'invalid' Shayvan
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 9 of Turn 3

"Please, Cyrek, have a seat," the Lord Holder said offering the steward a chair.

"Thank you." Cyrek sat, but didn't feel settled. He gravely watched as Benaroy watched him from across the desk between them, and wondered if the Lord saw the faded stain on his left shoulder, or Mariss' clumsy stitchery on his sleeve, or the tiny red beads of blood where he'd cut his neck shaving that morning. He felt naked, unsure. It wasn't a pleasant sensation. The Lord Holder was anxious himself, but he wore a mask of complete calm as he looked across at the steward of the former Amethyst Cliff Hold. "Have you had a chance to think about my offer?"

"I have." Cyrek was quiet for a moment. "Please understand that this is a difficult decision for me."

"I do understand that, Cyrek," Benaroy nodded. "You have very strong ties to Amethyst Cliff."

"I was born nearby, and fostered there. Mariss was born at the Hold.
Alalir tutored me before he became Lord..." Cyrek sighed and stared at his hands. There was dirt beneath his thumbnail. "He was my friend and my mentor. I owe him and his family a debt that can never be repaid." "He was a very good man," the Lord Holder again nodded, looking down at the wood grain of his desk. "But his people need you now that he is gone."

"I know that. I also know that I'm not ready to give up on Amethyst Cliff Hold. Lord Alalir wouldn't, and he would depend on me not to in his stead. But I also know that I can't raise my daughter that way, not out there." He took a deep breath, and it felt like a betrayel.
"Which is why, if you'll still have me, I'll step in and act as your Steward."

"Of course I will still have you," Benaroy replied, carefully hiding the great relief he felt. "I know it is not an easy choice, but I am very happy that we will be able to work together."

"Before you accept me, that is the other thing I wish to discuss. My holders respect me, and know who I am. But the residents of Amber Hills Hold? They have no idea who I am, but they do know your own Steward. And his son. I am at a severe liability because not only am I an unknown face in a position of authority, but I could be seen as usurping your own Steward, and be resented for it. I don't want to cause a rift within your Hold, Lord Benaroy. Are you sure that I'm the proper choice, over one of your own?"

"I led this Hold through the Plague and have kept us all alive for forty turns despite our losses. My holders trust me and they trust my judgement. And you will not be losing Shayven's son. He is still my first choice to be your successor, and he will follow you. Though, perhaps a bit reluctantly at first." Benaroy knew Shadux well enough to know the young man may never forgive him, but he would do his duty to the Hold. "You will also have the support of all of my sons."

"Have you discussed this with them?"

"I didn't have your answer yet."

That didn't sit well with Cyrek. "So they have no idea that you wish to replace Shayven?"

"They know his medical condition."

That wasn't an answer. "And Shayven?"

Benaroy nodded. That had been a hard meeting. "The healer has informed both he and Shadux of his findings. There are no secrets, Cyrek."

**And yet you haven't discussed this with your sons...** The enormity of the task - of assuming a position that had not been voluntarily given up in an unfamiliar Hold - it was daunting. At Amethyst Cliff Hold he'd been respected, but more importantly, Mariss had a future.
And now he'd have to build her another one. "Lord Benaroy, I can promise you nothing save that I will do my best for you and your Hold. But I cannot entirely relinquish my ties to Amethyst Cliff."

"I ask only your best, and your loyalty. I understand that you will never forget your home. But be sure this is what you truly want, Cyrek. You cannot serve two masters."

"I want what is best for my daughter, Lord Benaroy. Right now what is best for her is to be here." He couldn't ask her to stay in a tent next to a dead Hold, although he knew if he did, she'd say yes.

"All right then," Benaroy nodded. "That will do." **For now...** "Is there anyone from your staff you would like to retain?"

"Two of my Understewards, and undoubtably a handful of others who will require jobs. With the influx of people I don't think that will be a problem, although depending on Amber Hill's finances marks might be tight until the harvest. It's still early enough in the season that if there's room at some of the outlying cots, there's still time to plant. Depending on how much clearing fallow fields require. I- am not familiar with your Hold, its outlying areas, or its economic layout. I trust that Shayvan's staff will willingly work with me to help me get up to speed?"

"Of course they will. You will have plenty of staff to help you. Those of your men we cannot place, I'm sure we can find placement for them in our minor holdings," Benroy picked up a pen and jotted down a note to himself. He could send out inquiries immediately. "Perhaps even some in higher positions than they are now in."

"That would be very kind of you," Cyrek said gratefully. "When- do you wish me to start?"

"Now."

The Steward hesitated. "I would prefer it if you spoke with your sons and the Understewards beforehand. I don't want to be thought of as more of an interloper than necessary."

"Tomorrow then."

Trapped. Tomorrow seemed too soon, but Cyrek couldn't think of a good reason to put it off another day. "Tomorrow then," he said heavilly.

Last updated on the June 15th 2006

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