Glad To Be Back

Writers: Anika, Jelena
Date Posted: 24th November 2014

Characters: Gautrek, Rayan
Description: Gautrek comes home bearing gifts!
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 7

Gautrek

The Hallmaster was leafing through a report as he waited for the
Journeyman he'd summoned. He'd known Gautrek for a long time and he
liked how the man thought. This latest report of his had Rayan
curious. While his predecessor hadn't been one for innovation, he was
more than eager to try new things himself and Gautrek seemed like a
like-minded spirit. He'd have to see though, if the man was ready take
the responsibility.

With a quick knock on the open door, Gautrek paused at the threshold
just poking his head in to make sure Rayan was prepared to meet with
him, a huge smile on his face. Though he had always enjoyed his
Journeyman placements, he really was pleased to be back in the Hall
again. In one hand he held a small potted plant with yellow flowers
and in the other a tiny glass vial, a surprise for the Hallmaster who
specialized in the making of spirits. He was delighted that Rayan had
been confirmed as Hallmaster, believing he was just the man to lead
the Hall into the future with a fair combination of tradition and
innovation. "Are you ready to see me, sir?"

"Yes, I am, come in Gautrek," Rayan waved the man in with a smile of
his own. His eyes briefly scanning the objects Gautrek was carrying.
**Interesting.** "It's good to have you back, have a seat."

"Not nearly as good as it is to be back! I come bearing gifts," he
said setting the items on the other man's desk before taking a seat.

"Congratulations are in order after all. That is by no means a pretty
decoration, though. A few months ago I had the misfortune of
encountering a most vexatious stomach ailment, but the wizened healer
there at the Hold had just the tincture to set me right. Once I was
recovered I immediately realized the potential to our craft. The vial
holds an infusion made from the root of that herb or rather one just
like it grown high in the mountains of the Eastern Barrier Range.
Give it a taste, just a small one mind you, and tell me if that won't
be perfect for bitters or even as an ingredient in one of your
liqueurs. Wine might be my specialty, but I by no means ignored your
instruction all those turns ago."

Rayan first studied the small plant up close, fingers tracing the
edges of the small leaves curiously. Then he took out a glass, filled
it with water and took the vial from Gautrek carefully. "Just a drop?"
he asked as he uncorked it.

"Yes, the infusion is rather potent," the Journeyman advised. "My
understanding is that the root takes seven to ten growing seasons to
mature. Where it is a mountain herb, I thought it might transplant
well here, if it's too your liking."

Rayan nodded, before taking a careful sip and swirling it around in his
mouth for taste. "Interesting," he said, nodding again, this time more
thoughtfully. "Interesting indeed. Would you be able to find the place
again? Maybe with the help of a dragonrider if I can find one?"

Gautrek chuckled. "Oh, yes! That's how I found it in the first
place. Exchanged a favor to do so." He was pleased that Rayan
thought his find was worthy of careful consideration. Such discovery
was one of the many fun aspects of the craft in his opinion and he
enjoyed sharing these things with another who could appreciate them -
one of the reasons he had been keen on returning to the Hall. He
hoped the Hallmaster had had time to review his report on modification
to extended maceration. He was excited to try the new process after
the next crush and couldn't wait to discuss the possibilities.

"Perfect, I'm very interested in this and I'll allow you time and
leave to investigate it, should you feel so inclined," he paused for a
moment before adding "as long as you stick to short trips. The Hall
has been deprived of your intellect for too long already."

"And I have missed being among my peers," Gautrek said with a smile.
"Now this little gift was just to soften you up, you know. My real
aim is to talk you into allowing me to try that new modification to
the extended maceration process on a smaller batch of grapes with our
next crush. I know some of the older masters balk at the risks of
developing acetic acidity, but I think I've come up with some ways to
overcome that. I am confident that greater extraction can add to the
complexity and life expectancy of the wine!"

"Well, you buttered me up alright," Rayan grinned. "And you know how I
feel about that project. I'll have a talk with the masters and when
the time comes, you'll get that small batch." He took another small
sip of Gautrek's concoction and frowned in thought. "If you don't
mind, I'd like to take this to a few people for tasting, now, I'm
eager to know what the other masters think."

Gautrek stood with a broad smile. "Of course. I've got my
assignments here at the Hall and I'm anxious to get busy so I'll bid
you a good day."

"Good day, Gautrek, we'll talk again soon," Rayan nodded as he got up
to leave the office along with the journeyman.

Last updated on the November 28th 2014

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Glad To Be Back