Let's Make a Deal

Writers: Chelle, Jane
Date Posted: 21st August 2009

Characters: Sarban, Lineal
Description: Sarban and Lineal discuss an arrangement between the Hold and the Sungazer.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 4, day 15 of Turn 5

The Captain of the Riverboat Sungazer made his way along the corridor that led to the archives in the Hold's main building. The last door in the corridor before the one into the archive room itself was to the Steward's office, and it was on that that Lineal knocked.

Sarban was inside, working on some of the supplies requisitions he was getting ready. Glancing over at his inkpot, he sighed. It would need to be refilled soon. Then, he heard the knock. "Come in, please," he said, offhandedly, curious to see who was visiting.

"Good morning, Steward Sarban." Lineal nodded a greeting. "I don't think we've met. I'm Lineal, captain of the Riverboat Sungazer."

Sarban stood and nodded in greeting. "The pleasure is mine. Would you like to sit? Some water?" He gestured to the pitcher in the corner.

"Some water would be nice," Lineal agreed as a matter of courtesy as he took a seat.

Sarban poured the man a glass and set it before him, then sat down himself. "I met your - sister, is it? - Barli sometime back. She was nice." Shifting in his seat, he adjusted some of the material on his desk. "So what is it that we can do for you?"

"I'm hoping your Hold's harpers can do something for us. We have four children of an age for harper lessons aboard. We do lessons with them, and the harpers that travel aboard supervise them a little, but we wondered if we could leave them here for the length of a return journey
- twenty-six days, if the river cooperates - just to have lessons in a bigger situation. With more senior harpers. Perhaps a report on their strengths and weaknesses."

"So basically you're asking us to foster them for a month?" Sarban didn't think that would be much of a problem, especially for that short a time.

"Oh, no. We have some family here who can care for them. It's just the harper lessons - and the harpers are contracted to the Hold, of course."

"I understand now. Well if that's all, I don't think it would be a problem. Of course, Corowal will expect something in trade." Sarban was very willing to barter for anything that seemed worthwhile.

"Well, there's cargo room on the Sungazer, and passengers. If we settle on a mark amount for the children's stay, we can then issue a note for services on the Sungazer for that amount."

"Now that might be something..Perhaps if you carried cargo for us." He immediately began to consider how much cargo and how many trips would equal the cost, also thinking about some of the things they needed.

"We go by space, mainly, unless the cargo is particularly heavy. You could have a certain space without charge for a certain amount of time."

"Ahh to move cargo of our choice using your services? That would be perfect. However, would there be a time limit to the ... fulfilment of this agreement?" Sarban didn't know how soon a situation would arise wherein a need would be present.

"Easiest for us to plan if there's a fixed end to the arrangement," Lineal said.

"I tell you what..let me speak with Corowal to get his final approval. Then I can draft an agreement and if all parties are agreeable, we'll sign and be done. Can you come see me sometime tomorrow?" Sarban scribbled on his list of meetings.

"I can," Lineal agreed, "But if it's not tomorrow it won't be for nearly a month."

"I understand. Tomorrow morning then after breakfast." Sarban didn't want to keep him waiting.

Last updated on the August 22nd 2009

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Let's Make a Deal