In the Middle of the Night

Writers: Cali, Jane
Date Posted: 20th August 2009

Characters: Mosler, Leisenn
Description: Prepared for Mosler to make contact in the middle of the night, Leisenn is surprised by a visitor.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 4, day 17 of Turn 5

It was nearly the middle of the night. Leisenn peered at the large clock she had had installed in the Hallmaster's office. Very nearly. Apparently there was to be a message come from Mosler around the middle of the night and she was waiting up for it. Things had run a little late this evening, with Threadfall not ending until late, then the clean-up crews went out and returned and were fed. And finally the Hall got back to its normal nightly routine, getting more and more quiet as each candlemark passed. And now ... it was as silent as a building in the cliffs above the docks could be.

He didn't knock, he didn't want to chance the delay in the corridor and the chance of being seen. Mosler quickly opened the door to the Hallmaster's office, his old office, and stepped inside. He gave a quick grin when he saw Leisenn's surprised face and then became serious again. "Good Evening Hallmaster."

"I was expecting a much smaller messenger," Leisenn said, getting to her feet and extending her hand to the former Hallmaster. "It's good to see you, Mosler."

"Good to see you as well." he agreed as he took her hand. "And to be called by my real name."

"You're doing a very dangerous thing," Leisenn grumbled, indicating the armchairs on the opposite side of the room from the desk. "And if I thought I could tell you to stop, I would."

Mosler shrugged, in truth, it was a bit of fun being an adventurer. His heart had never felt better as far as he was concerned, but he didn't think she'd appreciate the insight any. "I can't leave now, I'm finally building enough of a second identity to get people to trust me."

"The sort of people you're trying to get to trust you aren't the most trustworthy of types. Is it very important, Mosler? Could somebody else not do this?"

He heard what she was saying, or not saying. Someone younger, someone stronger, someone in better health. "Would you have me risk someone else's life? Put someone in my place so I could enjoy retirement? I'm of _use_ doing this, and if something were to happen to me, then that's something I can accept."

"Can your son accept it? You have a son, don't you?"

Mosler had a brief stab of uncertainty, then realized that if she didn't even know for sure, then he hadn't been by to check on his old man. "Dragonriders have dangerous responsibilities, I'm sure he'd understand if something happened. Besides, it's too late now, I'm entrenched. That ship I'm out on now might be legitimate enough, but we'll hit a large enough port soon enough and I'll try to get on one a bit less reputable."

The old woman sighed. "All right. I can at least calm my conscience with the knowledge that I tried to make you see sense. So, tell me everything - and tell me what you need in the way of support from the Hall."

"I need marks," he said plainly. It was much needed luck that had landed the ship he was on at the Dolphin Hall during today's Threadfall. It would leave at morning tide and then who knew how long it'd be before he'd have another chance. "It's very hard to bribe people with what an old crewman makes."

"Isn't it going to be just as -" She waved a hand. "Of course you can have them. I'll get some in a moment and if you need more we'll wake the Headwoman and raid the Hall's supply. But isn't an old crewman with a lot of marks be as suspicious?"

Mosler shook his head. "Not if he's looking for profit it's not. And most people worth a bribe don't think too hard about where the money is coming from anyway. We have a Headwoman now?" Mosler added as he processed her previous comment, "Bout time."

"Ylisahn. She was the Headwoman from the Weyr. And we've got a Hallsecond - because nobody else -" she eyed the other master dolphineer with obviously annoyance "- would take the job."

"Really?" Mosler was surprised at how much he was excited about Hall news. He hadn't realized he missed the place. "Who'd you sucker into that?"

"Master Taraglan, from up North. With a harper journeywoman wife and three children - two of them apprentices." Her expression was a little sly as she added: "Just the dock master job to fill now, and somebody who's worked as a seacrafter would do nicely for that ... if he survives."

Mosler gave a bark of laughter, then thought better of it at the late hour. "Oh Leisenn, you just never stop do you? I'll tell you what. _When_ I return, I promise to give it a lot of thought before I turn it down. Fair?"

"Stop that sentence at 'a lot of thought' and I'll send you away with all the wealth of the Hall - Oh, that's right. I've already said you can have that."

He chuckled again, not really interested in the hours or paperwork involved in a Dockmaster position, but wanting to keep her happy. "Not all the wealth, it wouldn't do to wake up that headwoman of yours. I can always ask for more later."

"Your ship will be passing this way again?"

Mosler shrugged. "The ship runs transport all up and down the coast, but I don't know if I'll be on next time it passes Dolphin Cove. If I am, I'll be sure to sneak off for a bit. I'll probably need more marks by then," he added with a grin.

"We'll start saving," Leisenn muttered. "What else can we do for you tonight?"

"If I had time, I'd say a decent meal," he tried to joke, but the sigh that escaped gave it away. "As it is, I'm going to try and see Calla for a bit before they notice me gone. I miss that old gal and I don't know when I'll get to swim with her again."

"All right. I'll get the marks," she said, heading for the strong box in its own little cupboard - the location of which he knew as well as anybody.

Mosler raised a brow as she handed him the promised marks. It was more than he'd thought she'd give, but he didn't comment, she knew how much the Hall could spare. He walked to the door but turned to give the Hallmaster a wink before stepping out. "Night Leisenn."

"Good night, Mosler - or whatever you're calling yourself these days. Stay safe."

Last updated on the August 21st 2009

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In the Middle of the Night