Meeting between the leaders
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: Clancey, Paula
Date Posted: 10th July 2007
Characters: Corowal, J'darin
Description: Corowal and J'darin meet for a bit of official business and Corowal has a pleasant surprise for the Weyrleader.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 4, day 1 of Turn 4
Hasaarth landed gracefully in the Courtyard of the Hold, bringing gapers and children by the handful to smile at the large bronze. He visited here after each Threadfall, but J'darin didn't think anyone ever got tired of looking at a dragon.
And _his_ dragon certainly didn't mind being the object of admiration!
}:I am Hasaarth.:{ As if that explained it all.
Chortling at the pride of dragons, and bronze ones in particular, J'darin drew his riding gloves off and stuck them haphazardly into his belt, before taking long strides into the welcoming foyer of Emerald Falls Hold.
He had sent Oak with a note requesting a meeting with Lord Holder Corowal, and by the sun's position, he was right on time if not a little late.
}:I am never late!:{ His dragon sent cryptically, causing his rider's brow to furrow, and ignore his prattling.
He found a drudge and asked for Corowal, leaning against the wall contentedly.
"Aah, Weyrleader J'darin!" Corowal greeted when he arrived, walking with long strides. He would had been there earlier if he hadn't been delayed by assitant steward with a problem he could all well solve himself. "I'm sorry I'm bit late."
"No matter, Lord Corowal! It is I who was close to late; lazy dragons and all that." He said blithely, ignoring the indigant response in his mind from his bronze dragon, who was by now lazing indeed upon the fireheights.
"You look well, my Lord. And the Hold prospers?" He was saying as he joined him, walking with him as they returned inside to discuss business.
"Thank you, so do you," Corowal replied, although he thought the Weyrleader looked tired. "The hold prospers and starts to settle down after I shooked upside down last month," he countinued with a chuckle.
The Weyrleader _was_ tired. It was an uphill battle to continue protecting the Holds and Halls in his territory each day, not to mention keeping his own Weyr fed and clothed. And healthy.
But he smiled lightly at that reminder, and nodded in understanding, though not complete agreement. "A bit outside of tradition with your women Crafting ideas, aren't you?" J'darin still waivered between what he _truly_ though of women Crafters, and what the Weyr had taught him. Women were special; they had the babies.
"Yes, especially around here. I heard about your recent troubles with weather," Corowal replied.
J'darin prudently left the subject of women crafters alone for now, but shook his head at the comment about 'recent troubles'. He chuckled dryly. "I'm sure you must've felt a little remnant of the storm here? But it was almost more trouble than we could handle, Corowal, to be honest."
"Yes, but we are so much farther inland that it was more of inconvinence that trouble. But I grew up in Coral Bay and I know what a terrible thing a hurricane is," Corowal said.
J'darin nodded in agreement, the weariness more pronounced as he discussed the sad state of his Weyr. "Terrible doesn't even begin to cover this one, Corowal. Does not even begin..." He shook his head grimly for a moment, then tilted inquiringly toward the Lord Holder.
"Whats on our list of topics today, then, my Lord?" He finished with a smile, attempting to lighten their conversation a bit.
"Tithes, actually," Corowal flashed a smile. "Since I had been working as a steward in Coral Bay too, I can compare and was shocked when I realized how stingy Emerald Falls has been with it's tithes to the Weyr. After all, you risk your very lifes to keep us safe. So, for that reason I've decided to raise the Emerald Falls' tithes by twenty procent."
J'darin was so surprised he nearly pitched headfirst into the walls.
Regaining his balance, his flustered look must have been comical to Corowal. " Raise!? the tithe? My Lord! I'd never have expected you to do that!" He was stunned, honestly. Emerald Falls had been a bit stingy, but there had always seemed to be enough, to him. Perhaps Ylisahn and his Weyrwomen could correct that notion, though.
"Most often, I have to come begging to get the tithe to its _normal_
levels. Never mind raise it past!"
"Are you certain, Corowal? We do badly need the help at the moment; most of our food in storage was ruined in the flooding."
Corowal greatly enjoyed watching his surprised reaction. "Then it comes to a need," he said. His motive behind the raise was simple: He wanted the weyr's favour. He wanted to make it clear he was _different_ than the Lords before him. "Let me assure you that Emerald Falls hold is a prosperous hold and can afford it. Despite the previous Lords attempts to ruin it."
J'darin was still a bit stunned; he hadn't known what to expect, though he had planned to ask for a bit more in the next tithe just because of the food spoilage they faced.
"I am pleased to hear the Hold is doing so well, my Lord. And I would be more than pleased to accept your offer. How can I thank you for such open generosity?" The Weyrleader was sure they'd be something. Perhaps not now, but he certainly would be _very_ mindful of Emerald Falls property. Even though he already tried to be that way about all the Holds under his care.
Corowal just shrugged. "I want to improve the relationsship between Emerald Falls and Dolphin Cove."
J'darin smiled warmly at the new Lord Holder. "That's as fine a reason as any I've ever heard, Corowal. Lets sit and have some klah and discuss any other business we might have. I find your Hold a pleasant diversion from Hurricane clean up!" A grin.
"Good idea, this way, please," Corowal replied with wide gesture. He found J'darin easy to get along with.
J'darin felt the same, other than their slight disagreement on women crafters. But J'darin was rider enough to know that what Corowal was doing was for the benefit of his people, much like what J'darin did each and every day.
They would get along very well indeed!
Last updated on the July 11th 2007