Two Guards, One Klah Pot, Too Many Worries

Writers: Cymiri, Miriah
Date Posted: 1st March 2013

Characters: Karhal, Daimhin
Description: Karhal and Daihmin run into each other.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 10 of Turn 6

Karhal

It happened more and more often that Karhal simply couldn't
sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he stared at his desk, then glanced
over at the small cot in his storage room with a grimace.
Yawning, he tipped the klah pot over his cup, then sighed when
nothing dribbled out. Setting it down he exhaled through
his nose. Great. No klah, tons of hidework to do and absolutely
no ability to sleep.

He rose, stretching his back until he felt it give a series of
satisfying pops. Maybe he just needed to walk around a bit
to clear his head. He twisted slowly and picked up the klah
pot. Well, no harm in going to the kitchen to get another pot
while on his way.

Walking out of his office, he was quiet as he made his way
through the halls, yawning all the while.

"I'd give you a public indecency ticket for that yawn, my good
Captain, if I didn't value you too much."

Daihmin stepped out of the shadows with a smile.

"That looks like a crime solved only by the application of sleep,
Karhal. I'd ask why you were prowling the halls in the dark hours, but
I can see the Klah pot in your hands."

Surprisingly, Daimhin's sudden appearance visibly startled Karhal.
It was rare that he wasn't observant enough to pick up on someone
near by. He whirled, shoulders tensed, then relaxed, scrubbing a
hand over his face. "Sweet Faranth, Daimhin. You nearly made
my heart stop."

He chuckled ruefully.

"Apparently. Maybe I *should* be a touch more worried about that
guilty conscience."

He pulled a face suddenly, with a soft snort.

"Maybe you are my lighting fiddler. *That* would half make my day."

Karhal blinked wearily at Daimhin. "Yes, I admit it. I've been
messing with the lights to keep you and everyone else on
their toes." He returned Daimhin's snort. "And to make more
work. We just don't have enough to do, afterall." He rubbed
scratchy eyes and lifted the pot of klah." Care to share a
cup?"

"Oh yes!"

Enthusiasm leaked from every pore. Klah!

"Though I will probably make sullen company. It's been a long evening."

Shrugging, Karhal barely smiled. "No kidding. For you and me both."
He started back down the hall to the kitchens. "We can both be
sullen and grouchy together." He rubbed his eyes again. "Needed
to talk to you anyway."

A part of Daihmin's conscience- call it his background paranoia-
checked. What could that mean?...probably you have work, you fool.
Guilty, guilty. He smiled, at himself, mostly.

"That sounds ominous, sir. I hope its nothing too complicated? But I
guess I have news for you too. Or rumours at least. I am torn between
these ones. I can't decide if there a mischief maker making life
harder, or someone trying to hint-without-having-to-admit."

Finally reaching the kitchen, Karhal went immediately to the klah
pots, moving quietly so as not to make too much noise. He shook
his head at Daihmin's question. "No, nothing too complicated." His
lips lifted as the klah began to brew. "Have you heard that Lord Zathris
has given me the go ahead to start a breeding program for guard
canines?"

He looked up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What do you mean?
Our mischief maker has been upping his game a bit?"

"Well, there's been some fun there, but its the latest set of rumours
going around amoung the kids. Mihal's heard it a few times now, though
its changed enough to be awkward each time- It *seems* like malicious
rumour mongering, brats naming their enemies sort of thing. Something
about it is bothering me, though. I am wondering if someone knows
something and is trying to leak it, myself, but I can find nothing to
back it but instinct."

To the other question he nodded curtly. "I've heard about that.
They might have their uses, though I don't know myself."

"Listen to your instincts then. They've helped you the majority
of the time." Karhal yawned again and filled his small pot with the
brewed klah. "And ask Mihal to snoop a bit more. See if he can
find out who is who's enemy." He poured a cup and offered it
to Daihmin. "I was actually going to ask if you'd be interested
in training with me to be a handler when Livie's pups are old
enough to begin training. It's more work for you to start with,
but I need a good second."

Daihmin snagged the cup with enthusiasm. Not that he had an addiction
to a certain hot stimulating drink, no, of course not! it really just
*was* the best thing ever invented.

"Hmm...well I can't say I've much more experience with canines then
the odd damsel's silly little lap dog..."

He winced...those little fluffy nuisences could bite

"...but if you think it'd be useful, I'm game. I appreciate the thought."

Another appreciative sip later, he added:

"I've got him working on just that, figured it might provide some
insight. He's a good lad. The responsability's holding up well on
him."

It was also nice dealing with the young man for Daihmin, salving an
ache that had been bothering him more of late- and provided a welcome
distraction from letting his mind roam elsewhere, to a certain pretty
face and sharp mind that wasn't his to consider. But he wasn't going
to admit any of *that*.

Even as sleepy as he was, Karhal picked up on the minute details of
Daihmin's expression and he gave a slight smile. "You enjoy working
with the lad, don't you?" He sipped his klah and sighed, echoing his
friend's enjoyment of the klah. "It makes you think about the
'what-ifs' doesn't it?"

Daihmin blushed. He should have expected the perception, but he was
still embarassed.

But he answered honestly all the same.

"Yes, it does. I'm afraid there's been a few of those moment recently,
too. But I suppose we all have them sometimes, hey? No one can
actually say one path 'would have been' better then another. And life
is good overall"

"Well, you're still young enough to try for some of those paths, Daihmin."
Karhal offered a restrained, but understanding smile. "Life may be good,
but don't miss out on chances for the possibilites." He took another drink.
"You'll regret it, believe me."

"I think that's what scares me, right now." Daihmin said it very
quietly, half to himself.
"The idea of those regrets, and causing them. But its silly. What will
come will come. Call it an early midlife crisis and be done with it,
eh?"

He rallied a smile. He could hardly explain that one of those regrets
was already concrete, and not merely a nebulous possability; and he
didn't *want* to unpack some of the more foolish ones, admitting as it
did to inner weakness. "But you certainly don't need to be listening to me
Old Aunt-ing your ear off. Unless, of course, you were looking to be bored
to sleep."

"I have plenty of them for the both of us. " Karhal was quiet. "And you
should be scared, Daihmin. " He rubbed his eyes. "Sometimes taking things
as they come isn't good enough and you learn lessons too late." It was
surprisingly vocal of him, considering his past.

Daihmin realised the personal revelation was both unprecedented and
difficult, though he wasn't sure how to communicate that- or his
appreciation. He settled for squeezing the captain's shoulder in
unspoken thanks as he rose to refresh the Klah pot- did these things
have holes in them?

"And to think, my mother promised me life would be easy if only you
behave, hmm?"

There was rude snort in response. "Which goes to show that mothers
do not always know everything." Karhal looked up and slid his fingers
around his klah cup. "Let me give you some advice, Daihmin. Don't let
this be all you do. Find a wife you can care about and who might care
about you. Have children. Make a life. This.." he gestured at the two
of them, and their weapons. "it isn't everything."

Daihmin smiled, more then a touch ruefully.
"Thats the plan. Though it may come down to kidnapping some dear
damsel and hoping she gets over it. "
He bit the edge of his lip, looking more serious then the words
warrented, trying not to let thoughts of the damsel he *couldn't* have
intrude on that.

In an attempt to distract from that- and lighten the atmosphere a
little, he added "I trust you'll at least release me on a decently low
bail if an angry father protests at the treatment?"

"Depends on how moon-eyed you are over her." Karhal finally chuckled.
"Have to fill the coffers with marks you know."

Daihmin matched the chuckle.
"Nice. How many years in the guards now, and *thats* the loyalty I've earned"
It was all joking. Strangely, he felt better then he had in a while.

Karhal lifted his mug to hide a slight smile. "Well, it just means that I get
to have a little fun at your expense."

"I shall remember that, Karhal. See if I don't."

He murmmered in mock threat, spoiling it with a wink.

Last updated on the March 17th 2013

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Two Guards, One Klah Pot, Too Many Worries