A Lad and a Lord

Writers: AL, Diya
Date Posted: 12th April 2011

Characters: Zathris, Bryndon
Description: He Lord Holder stops in the tavern for dinner and a drink, and the senior apprentice in house tries not to make a fool of himself
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 1, day 23 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentor Approved for Diya

Zathris

It had been some time since Zathris had visited the Hall, mainly thanks
to that girl Kaya and everything that had happened as a result. So when
he had the chance to make his way over that evening, he was more than
happy to take it. The Lord Holder strolled through the doors, grinning
at the familiar surroundings. It had been some time since he'd come to
the Tavern and while it wasn't quite the same without Zandreu, it was
still pleasant. He stepped inside and let his gaze wander about.
Nothing had really changed except those who were running it.

"Evening, Lord Holder," a cheerful voice called. From the side
of the tavern, a young man was carefully cleaning wine glasses.
He bobbed his head in greeting, careful not to drop the glass.
His eyes cast about, looking for a server, the senior crafters who
usually tended the bar, anyone - and barely resisted a whimper when
he found himself the only one at hand. It had been ingrained in him
that one never left a Lord Holder waiting; Bryndon, a senior apprentice
with the Vintners, was nominally supposed to be neither tending bar, nor
serving - like all apprentices, his work was that of studying, menial
work... He cleared his throat, setting the glass down deliberately.
"How may I be of assistance?"

Zathris' hazel eyes settled upon the one person who seemed to be working
at the moment. Bad timing on his part? The Lord Holder let his face
light up with a smile and he inclined his head to the boy. "Just came
for some dinner and a drink." He stated as he made his way to a table,
one that he sat at the most whenever he _did_ come.

Bryndon nodded several times, a few strands of hair flopping above his
eyes. "Sorry, m'lord. I think there was a quiet night expected," he
flash a toothy smile that took any sting, or possible offense, from the
words. "So they left the apprentice to clean while they got things
settled." He stepped around the table, performing a precise and
practised bow. "I can get things started, and," he added as he stepped
closer, "get the rest rousted and get you properly fed and watered. What
can I get you, m'lord?"

"Stew. Last I heard, you still had good stew here." Zathris' expression
was still in an easy grin and he leaned back in his chair, balancing on
the hind legs. "And ale. A nice stout maybe. Choose something that's
newer. I like trying new things." He eyed the young man. "I haven't seen
you before."

Bryndon ducks his head, suddenly fascinated with his boots, noting
objectively a new stain added to the collection of almost-artistically
splattered juices that had soaked into the leather. "Bryndon, sir.
Senior apprentice." He looked up again, and smiled a bit. "Hope to be
walking the tables soon, if things allow, with an eye towards
distilling. I think we've a new stout," he added, looking inward and
mentally reciting through a list. "Stew and a stout, then. Any
particular thing bringing you down from the Hold, m'lord, or just change
of scenery?"

The curiosity wasn't intruding, just a spill of cheerful conversation as
he stepped behind the bar, looking to see if any of the casks had been
left in the closer area after breaching, or if he would have to duck
into the back.

"I used to come here quite often, actually." Zandreu had been the Tavern
Master then. It had been more pleasant to come and visit more often. The
more things changed, the less he liked them. Well, some changes. Other
changes were far more pleasant, such as the ones Benani were going
through. Those were a gift. "A pleasure to meet you Bryndon. Tell me,
have you decided on any specialty yet, or is it a bit early to do so?"

"I haven't decided yet," Bryndon said after a moment, and laughed a
little. "One moment, m'lord," he said, ducking into a back room. He
notified a pair of drudges and the cook's helper to summon the cook on
duty from wherever he was hiding, to finish up a proper bowl of stew for
the visiting Lord Holder. Bryndon returned a minute later, stein full of
a stout, a nice head of froth atop it, in hand. He presented it with a
graceful flourish to Zathris.

"This is a bit of an odd stout, but you might like it. There's some klah
integrated in the process, so you'll get not only that beer flavour
you'll expect, but also an element of klah. Let me know your thoughts on
it?" He paused, thinking. "As far as my own career, well... I'm thinking
of distilling. Grapes all look the same to me," and Bryndon laughed
softly, blushing a bit, "though I can't become a journeyman without
understanding them, especially if I want to go into distilling, so I'm
doing my best to understand them all."

"Really? That does sound interesting." Zathris took up the mug and
inhaled the aroma before sipping off some of the head. He paused,
considering it, but it wasn't a proper taste. After all, the froth only
held hints of the flavour. He worked on it a bit more to finally reach
the full liquid beneath and then he considered it a moment or two more.
"Interesting. Very interesting." He took another sip, not quite sure
if he liked it or not. Maybe more would help him decided.

Of course, he also wanted to keep up with the conversation, so Zathris
paused after the second sip and nodded. "Indeed, the only difference I
can see is sometimes they are bigger than others, or maybe a little
darker, but what kind makes what? Eh, I'll just drink what's made and
enjoy it thank you!" he grinned again, lifting the mug. "This is
interesting. I think it could grow on me. Have you tried it?"

"I had a chance to try it," Bryndon admitted, nodding with relief as a
server appeared with a bowl of steaming, spiced stew in a bowl and part
of a loaf of bread, a small slab of butter perched precariously atop it.
"I wouldn't dare offer something to anyone - especially a Lord Holder,
sir! - without having tried it myself." He shuddered slightly. "Sour
wine. Sour wine is absolutely awful and the last thing I would want is
to hand over flat beer, sour wine, or anything like that. And, anyway -
if you like it... I'm sure all you have to do is ask for a cask or two
to be brought to the Hold, for your own leisure!"

"So, m'lord, is there anything else that the Vintner Hall can do to
assist you this evening, while you get to tuck into your stew and
stout?" Bryndon added the last with a cheerful smile.

Zathris straightened as his food was brought, setting aside the mug so
taht he could more easily partake in his meal. "I don't think so
Bryndon. I thank you for the food and for the conversation. It was a
pleasure to meet you." The Lord Holder inclined his head polite, then
picked up his fork and began to jab at his food with his fork, though he
offered a smile to the apprentice before his parting.

Last updated on the April 26th 2011

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A Lad and a Lord