Laying Foundations

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 6th July 2014

Characters: Taril, Gurner, Jarnee
Description: Taril has a deal to make, a letter to deliver, and some shopping to do
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Morin, Bryvin, Humari

They burst from /between/ and Taril let loose the breath that he didn't know he'd held. /Between/ was a terrible place. He thought it probably felt a lot like drowning, and his thoughts turned to the late Lord Holder. What had he felt, before he was broken on the rocks and the fish ate whatever was left of his humanity?

The green dragon tipped her wings and they were circling down, down, down to the Minercraft Hall. The pouch of gems that Bryvin had given him were tied securely to his belt and thumped against his thigh as they landed. "Here you are, sir!" the greenrider said cheerfully. "I'll wait here until you're done."

"Thank you." Taril accepted the greenrider's help with the riding straps, and more necessary, help dismounting from the dragon. He retreived his crutch from where he'd lashed it against the dragon's side and with a last wave at the dragonman, approached the Crafthall.

Someone was already waiting for him. "Greetings." The man bowed, revealing a balding pate covered by wisps of white hair. "I am Journeyman Gurner. How can we be of service?"

"Taril of Sunstone Seahold." The merchant nodded in return. "I need an appraisal."

"For the Seahold?" the Journeyman inquired. His curiosity was piqued.

Taril shook his head. "No, for me. I acquired some uncut gems on a whim as part of a shipment from the North. I'd like to know what they are."

"And how much they're worth." The Journeyman smiled -- he was no stranger to greed. The Minecraft was built on it. "You are a merchant, then?"

"I am indeed. Perhaps the Minecraft is looking to sell? I have five ships that run up and down the coast, and across the sea to the North. If you're looking to move something, I'm your man."

Gurner tipped his head to one side and looked Taril up and down. Taril hated those sorts of evaluating stares, but he maintained as pleasant an expression as his ruined face would allow. This was what Bryvin paid him for, after all. His ability to withstand scrutiny, lie, and to wheel a deal. People couldn't read your expression when they couldn't bear to look at you. "Perhaps," Gurner said after a moment, "But for that you'll need to book an appointment with the Steward. I, however, can help you with your gem problem."

"Much obliged." Taril let himself be led into the Crafthall.

~*~

When he left the Hall again, it was minus a gem in the pouch but a few extra marks in his pocket. Bryvin would be pleased. The gems were worth something, and what was more, Taril had cautiously mapped out potential markets for the goods. It was too early to start selling them now, even under his own name.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" the greenrider asked as he strapped Taril back onto his patient dragon's back.

The merchant nodded. "And then some. I need to make two other stops. The first to the Harper Hall, and then to the Weaverhall." The stop at the Harper Hall was to deliver a letter of support for Bryvin's bid as Lord Holder. The Steward hadn't mentioned it outright, but the fact that he'd mentioned a link to Amethyst Cliff at all was enough of a hint. Now that he'd had some time to think on it, Taril thought that Bryvin as the new Lord was most logical. There'd be the least interruption in his his own businesses, legitimate and otherwise, and more importantly, no one knew as much about Morin's dealings as Bryvin had.

The greenrider was tactful enough to avoid commenting on the stop at the Harper Hall, but he made a face at the mention of the Weaverhall. "You buying up bolts of cloth now? We can't carry much more weight, sir."

"I'm just selecting fabric and comissioning a dress." Taril smiled, a little sheepishly, at the greenrider's inquiring look. "I'm getting married and my wife-to-be wants something in dark green."

The greenrider grinned and slapped his dragon's dark green hide. "I approve of that."

"Seems like the least I could do." The merchant shrugged. What better place to buy a fine dress than the Weaverhall? The dress Humari had selected could easily be made up in a week by a pair of Senior Apprentices, and he was willing to pay. Dark green silk, perhaps, or a very fine linen. And for the embroidery... perhaps a thread-of-gold, or tiny beads to catch the light.

"Then to the Weaverhall we go," the greenrider said. "After we visit the Harper Hall. I hope you have an extra quarter mark for me. This wasn't on the submitted itinerary."

"Don't worry about that. Just make sure that we get there," Taril told him.

The greenrider finished strapping himself in and shared a private word with his dragon. The green leapt into the air, and after a few quick wingbeats, they took their passenger /between/.

Last updated on the July 13th 2014

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Laying Foundations