Comin' To Hold
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: Chelle, Jane
Date Posted: 24th December 2009
Characters: Sarban, Lineal
Description: Lineal retrieves his children from the Hold.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 6, day 18 of Turn 5
Walking across the Hold, Sarban watched the goings-on around him. He nodded to those that addressed him, sometimes inquiring after families. He needed to pick up his new shoes from the cobbler before the storm hit. He wouldn't dare cross the courtyard in such a torrent.
"Steward Sarban!" Lineal called, waving at the other man. He changed direction and headed for the Hold's Steward.
Wondering who was calling his name, Sarban looked around and judged the direction. Surprised to find Lineal, it took him a moment to recognize the riverboat captain. When he did, he stopped walking so that the other man could catch up. "Good day Lineal!"
"Good day, Sarban. I've come to save the Hold from the Sungazer's children," he informed the other man with a smile. "I'm sure Emerald Falls is ready to see the back of them by now."
"Actually from all reports, they've been good holders for the time being, but I can imagine you'd like to see your little ones after so long." Walking slowly, he bit his lip, thinking of his shoes. "Surely you don't want them right this moment? They're in lessons I believe."
"Oh?" Life on the river had really spoiled him, Lineal thought. For them lessons were something only ever done while the Sungazer was underway. "I don't think they'll be much use for anything. They know we're picking them up today."
"All right then, follow me and we'll retrieve them." Quietly lamenting his shoes, he wondered if the Holders ever realized just how much he gave up for their interests. Leading the way, he mentioned some of the newest projects they had undertaken. "So was your journey well?"
"The vast majority of them are very average - and this was one of them. When the river rises .... There are a few other things that lift a journey out of the ordinary, and many of them occur when the river's in flood." He tried to think of the other side of the mark - when a trip was exceptionally good - but couldn't bring one immediately to mind.
Once they had reached the harper's quarters, Sarban stopped outside the door. The journeyman spotted him, paused the lesson, and came over. "I need the Sungazer fosters." Sarban nodded to indicate which ones. The harper assented, then walked back inside and excused the children. As they came out, Sarban allowed Lineal to take control.
"I told everybody you'd come and get us early," Lihona said, ruuning up to her father and taking his hand. "But some of the others -" she didn't specify the holder children but all the river folk understood the distinction. " - they said you wouldn't because our people always get their mark's worth and you'd be paying for a whole day with the harpers."
Lineal was a little surprised at the comment - and the attitude behind it - and looked over his daughter's head at the Steward.
Sarban frowned and looked back into the classroom. He knew nothing of brats since he had none himself. Perhaps he should ask Corowal why they would say something like that, wilfully excluding the visiting children. Quietly he pointedly glanced at the classroom and back at Lineal. "We'll have a word" He promised. Emerald Falls would not be promoting class distinctions between the river people and the holders since they wanted good relations with the traders.
"We can't do much about others' opinions of us, I suppose," Lineal said mildly, not wanting the gossip of children to cause a rift between the river folk and the Hold, though he was a little annoyed by the comment. It was necessary for the river folk to be cautious about marks since there was no Lord Holder to help out if things went wrong. Hopefully the children had benefitted from the lessons.
"How long are you staying Lineal?" Sarban wondered if they'd be leaving right away or if they'd be in for dinner.
"We'll be on our way at dawn tomorrow."
"Dragonspeed to you if I don't see you this evening." Sarban tipped his hat slightly, then walked down the corridor, once again in the direction of the cobbler.
Last updated on the December 30th 2009