Some New Goals

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 4th July 2017

Characters: Siya, Goulan
Description: Siya and Goulan talk about
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 16 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris, Yusanis, Loella, Karhal

"I wish I could have been there when Zathris and his pet Yusanis saw the
mural." Siya tossed her head back with a laugh, sending her sable hair
over her shoulder. She tug her toes beneath the blanket she had draped
over her lap as she lounged on her couch. The mural had been excellent
work, she was sure her fiance would be pleased with the disruptions she
was causing around Amber Hills.

"They certainly got it covered up quickly enough." Siya popped a cheese
square into her mouth and lifted her glass of wine for a sip.

"I heard about it later that day. All the understewards were gossiping
about it," Goulan said. "They're convinced it's just low level
discontents and that nobody's seriously out to get them. It's almost
embarrassing how blind the guards are."

Siya rolled her eyes, "You would think their Captain being nearly killed
would have opened their eyes a bit. Speaking of, Zayn saw Zathris and
Yusanis going down to talk to Karhal at his home...." She trailed off,
wondering what the Hold's three most influential men could have been
discussing. "Also, Zayn says that he sometimes can talk with Karhal's
wife, what's her name..." Siya wiggled her fingers before snapping them,
"Loella. Don't you find that unusual? Zayn never talkes to anyone but me
unless I ask him to."

As if knowing he was being talked about, the blue firelizard fluttered
down from his perch to rub his knobby little head against Siya's cheek.

"Yusanis started looking through records of men at the hold who had been
guards but retired due to age or injury. I wonder if they're trying to
find more guards to deal with us, though I can't imagine why they think
_old_ people will help," Goulan supplied.

"I don't know enough about how the pets work to know if that's odd or
not," Goulan said.

Siya laughed, "Old people! Why, they'll be dozing off on duty! That's
really all Zathris can manage to get out of the Guard Captain?" She
rolled her eyes. "My grandfather would have made sure there were plenty
of guards or had Karhal's balls as a trophy when he didn't produce
them." Just another show of Zathris's weakness as a Lord Holder, he
didn't know how to inspire the people to work for him.

"Unless he hires more guards from outside, there's no way they'll get
_competent_ manpower." The understeward paused.

"I wonder if we could get him to hire a few more...and have some
sympathetic to us hired on."

"I'm positive we could. How could he refuse a few men who are so devoted
to their Hold that they would _volunteer_ their services?" Siya's eyes
lit at the idea.

Goulan liked that Siya liked the idea. "We could send in a few people
from the area bordering Malachite Gulch and Amber Hills who are
sympathetic enough to us. Get Karhal and the Lord to trust him. One of
them could carry evidence about Yusanis' misbehaviors there."

Which would achieve _his_ goal of discrediting the other man.

"I'll send a message to Xavhan and he can suggest those from Malachite
Gulch that would be a good fit." She had complete confidence in her fiance.

"That sounds perfect to me," Goulan said. "If we can have our plants
help make life difficult for the guards who are loyal and attentive as
well, it would help."

"It shouldn't be difficult to do. Right now Zathris and Yusanis seem
oblivious to how serious the problems are at Amber Hills. We'll have
Zathris discredited and Amber Hills absorbed into Malachite Gulch by
next Turnover at this rate." Siya finished her glass of wine and set it
aside.

"Perfect," he said. "Is there anything I should do to work on formenting
trouble inside the ranks of the Hold?" She might have specific ideas.

Dear, faithful Goulan, apt at carrying out orders, but not very taken
with initiative. "There are many things you could do. Plant some
inconsistencies on Yusanis that will make Zathris doubt his Steward.
Change the ledgers to make it look like he's skimming money off the top."

"I can do that," he said with pride.

"Good," she gave him a little smile. After all, half of the graffiti
work around the Hold would not have been possible without Goulan. "Thank
you for coming by to talk, Goulan."

"No problem, lady Siya," he said. "I should get back to that work."

"You should, we'll meet again soon." Siya promised, although in her
mind, she was already calculating where to place the next chess piece on
the board.

Last updated on the July 21st 2017

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Some New Goals