Flora or Fauna (1/2)

Writers: Eimi, Kaysea
Date Posted: 25th May 2007

Characters: Benaroy
Description: Benaroy adjudicates between two of his holders, over land rights.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 14 of Turn 4

"I swear I'll kill you if anything happens to Erivi!" The guards were holding back the sun-browned, scrawny man, as his voice rose higher. The object of his antagonism was a shorted but heavier set man, who stood nearby. The shorter man, Frinton was beet-red in the face, looking as though he were about to have an apoplectic fit.

"I'll tell you again, for the last time Erivas, I have no idea what you are talking about." as his voice rose, he threw out his hands as if to indicate his innocence.

"I don't believe you Erivi had no chance when that herd of yours...." what he had been about to say was cut off as their attention was caught by the door opening and another guard appearing.

"Lord Benaroy will see you now." He glanced over at his brother officer, taking note of the restraint he was making on the thinner man. "Let him go, we'll be here to _keep the peace_." he promised, making sure the restrained man knew what he meant.

"I'm sure that won't be necessary, Folmar," the Lord Holder's authoritative voice called out from the room. Benaroy might be getting old and forgetful, but his hearing was as sharp as ever. "They will both be on their best behavior if they expect me to listen to their complaints. Come in, Erivas and Frinton."

Both men followed the Lord Holder through into the next room. Erivas shaking off the hold the guard had had on him. But he stayed well away from Frinton, who walked ahead. It was no good allowing himself the temptation of killing the other man, not with witnesses, anyway.

"Lord Benaroy, if you will allow me, I can explain everything..." Frinton began, rather pompously. He stood a few paces from the Lord Holder, his hands had both fingers curled into his trous at the belt, and started to rock back and forth as though he himself were Lord Holder. He felt confident, that being one of Lord Benaroy's faithful holders; he would get preference over this usurper.

Erivas could hardly bare to hold his anger in; but a look at the old Lord, who had been generous enough to allow the refugees accommodation here, was enough to reign him in. The man looked as though a strong breeze would skittle him, but when Frinton looked into the man's eyes, there was a quick intelligence there. Something Erivas considered that Frinton wasn't counting on.

Benaroy pointed to the two chairs set out in front of his. "Both of you, please, have a seat. Would either of you like anything to drink?" Frinton, he knew well, but Erivas was new to him. Though he kept his face neutral as he looked at him, he studied the man carefully. Really all he knew was that he was a farmer of good reputation who had been relocated after the quake. This was the first meeting that he could recall, but so many faces paraded before him when the new Holders came. So far this meeting only proved that the man could at least keep his temper in check, and that he would respect his authority as Lord. He was curious what more information he could glean from this meeting.

"No thank you, sir, I don't need a drink." Erivas removed his hat, and took one of the proffered seats opposite the Lord Holder. His concerns needed to be met that day, so he was determined to keep a clear head. He also needed this meeting to finish as soon as possible, another reason for forgoing a drink.

He desperately wanted to return home and see what the healer's prognosis was for Erivi's condition. The boy had still been asleep when he left that morning, he hadn't roused since they brought him in from the fields and that had been two days hence.

Frinton took a seat, none too happy the Lord Holder had ignored his entreaty. "Yes, Sir, I would enjoy a refreshment." he said in his most ingratiating voice. He looked down at the remaining chair, and waved his hand over the cushioned seat, removing imaginary dust.

Benaroy gave a nod to the drudge to bring over the pitcher of fruit juice. "Thank you, Wiliv, I think we can handle it from here. I will call if we need anything more." The Lord Holder poured a drink for his Holder and one for himself as the drudge excused himself. "Right, then, who is bringing a complaint against whom?"

"I am!" They cried in unison, both only just restraining themselves from jumping from their seats to beat the other in their protestations. The pair shot venomous glances at each other, both daring the other, by look, to speak again. In the end, Erivas sat back in his chair and waved his hand at the other man.

"If he thinks he has just cause - " he said, not even looking at Frinton now.

"Just cause?" Frinton took a sip of the juice the Lord Holder had given him. "I lost good grazing land; land my stock has grazed over for the past eight turns, Sir, and he's planting greens!?" this last was almost spat out in disgust.

"No one can find fault in the quality of your livestock," Benaroy nodded approvingly. "Erivas, you seem to have a complaint as well. What is it?"

"Sir," Erivas moved forward in his seat, "the land he is putting in his Complaint about; it - it's the land you granted us when we were evacuated from Amethyst Cliff Hold, Sir." Erivas felt on the defensive, after all this was Frinton's Lord Holder, not his. "You told us... you said if we could turn the land to a profitable crop you would consider increasing our holding. Sir, we've been trying..."

Erivas could feel his anger building, when he thought of young Erivi - he could kill the man sitting in the chair an arms length away.

Last updated on the May 25th 2007

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Flora or Fauna (1/2)