Someone Good to Know

Writers: Anika, Chelle
Date Posted: 28th November 2014

Characters: Chupsin, Gautrek
Description: Gautrek and Chupsin meet at the Tavern.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 13 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Puwul, Genna, Keayd

Gautrek

Gautrek settled comfortably with his wine, regarding the few customers
in the tavern thoughtfully. A couple of off duty guards shared a
bottle of spirits, while a trio of miners who might have considered
bathing before presenting themselves in a public venue downed ale and
grumbled bitterly about their plight in life. In one corner a surly
merchant appeared to be drowning his sorrows in a cheap bottle of
wine. It was early yet, but it did not promise to be a busy evening
for Puwul. When a brown haired man wearing healer's knots entered, he
captured the vintner's attention.

As usual Tourniquet was riding his master's shoulder. The bronze
firelizard usually made people look and Chupsin was used to it. The
healer was well-known in these parts, though, since most of the
holdfolk and hallfolk alike saw him regularly. Taking his usual seat,
he gave a nod to the serving maid and leaned back, getting comfortable
near the warmth of the fire. It was lonely in his quarters but here it
was not. He didn't drink to excess regularly anymore as he had
sometime after losing his wife, but he still drank.

Observing that the healer seemed familiar to the staff, Gautrek
supposed he was the Hold's healer and thus someone with whom he should
be acquainted. Gautrek rose to his feet and carried his wine toward
the warmth of the fire. "Are you meeting someone this evening?" he
asked the healer, admiring the handsome bronze firelizard as he did
so.

Most nights it was Keayd now that his sister was gone-and good riddance
to her-but tonight he didn't have any plans. "No journeyman I don't believe so."
He didn't know this man so that meant he was new to the Hall. Used to being
approached for medical questions, he assumed that was the reason why.

"My name is Gautrek, I've just returned to the Hall after being abroad
for many a turn. I always find it advisable to acquaint oneself with
the local healer."

**Figured** "Well my name is Chupsin. Born at Amber Hills and here I
still am." Blue eyes centered on the journeyman, taking in the name for
future reference. "Abroad hm? Been abroad myself." And somedays he
thought about going back to the Hall to finish what he started.

"Very enlightening, seeing other parts of the continent isn't it?
Gives one a broader perspective. I found that individual tastes in
wine vary significantly depending upon their location."

"Perspective yes. The wine tastes I wouldn't know except that different
places grow different grapes which do taste different." He cherished his
travels more for the people he made contact with. Some of them would
always owe him a favor which was sometimes a good thing.

Gautrek chuckled, "Indeed they do, but beyond that, people's preferences,
their traditions, their outlooks all seem to differ depending upon the area
from which they hail. Interesting work building Craft and personal alliances
among various groups. I worked closely with a trio of healers from one of the
islands. Their tinctures were fascinating to study. Similarly, they
were extremely interested in some of my distilled spirits for medicinal use."

"Ah yes, we use distilled water, alcohol, and sometimes vinegar for
various things.
Convenient that I can get them here from the Hall for not too much
when I offer to
exchange my services from time to time." The more serious cases that
the hall's healer couldn't manage always came to the Hold and Chupsin. That was
how bartering worked.

"It's good when Crafts can form mutually beneficial arrangements."
Much of Gautrek's time as a journeyman had been spent building just such
relationships to further his Craft. "Some of your healing herbs
provide just the right flavoring to our liqueurs. My mother used to
use a home remedy of citrus, sweetening, herb, and very strong spirits
heated together if we had a harsh cough or chest congestion. The
drink was so soothing and had the added benefit of bringing on sleep."

"Aye, I have my own infusions that I recommend for colds. It's a common thing
here in cold Amber Hills. In a pinch, alcohol can also be used instead
of redwort." He found himself wondering just how interested this man
was and why.

Sensing an air of suspicion, Gautrek offered a smile, "I always find the
similarities and differences of those herbs and other ingredients that
both our crafts use quite interesting." Not wanting Chupsin to think he
was plying him for craft secrets he decided a change in topic was in order.
"Fine fellow there, he pointed to the bronze firelizard. How old is he?"

"Ahh...Tourniquet is fully grown. Had him over a decade now." Of course
that meant he'd managed the egg as a young journeyman. Chupsin had done
well, though, and believed the reward was well earned. Besides, the firelizard
was certainly useful and well trained and he took advantage of it.

"I've often considered trying to acquire one, they seem well worth the
effort." Indeed Gautrek had often considered that a firelizard would
make an enchanting pet, but they didn't come cheap and he understood
they took a great deal of time right at the first. "Was he difficult to train?"

"Ah no he's a smart fellow. Of course I've noticed that I've done more training
with him than most do with theirs. Then again, he is immensely helpful to me in
more ways than one." The creature made a small croon as he heard the praise and
received a pat from his owner. "He can run messages, fetch things,
find people and
follow other simple commands. I've even bothered with one of his claws from time
to time if I needed a sharp object."

"Sounds very useful indeed. I really must look into getting one,"
Gautrek took a drink of his wine and looked into the crackling fire.
His mind drifted just a bit as he considered the merits of acquiring
such a pet.

"Granted they say the golds, bronzes, and browns are the smartest of the lot
so....I may not have been half as happy with a blue for example." He thought to
warn the journeyman of the possibilities. "And eggs are usually sold
at the Gathers or given by the important people to their friends.
Amber Hills doesn't
have a gold anymore."

"I do have a few connections but it would certainly require me to call
in some favors owed as well as a fair amount in marks. I had heard
that the golds,
bronzes, and browns were smarter, but there's no way of telling by
looking at the egg is there?"

"You can tell a gold egg. They're larger and gold in hue like the
dragons. The others, though, not really." That was the luck of the
draw really. Chupsin was very
happy with his pet.

"Now that's too bad, but I would say it's probably worth the risk.
Even the greens and blues make good pets, I understand, though they
are not as easily trained." Gautrek drained the rest of his wine.
"Well, it was good to meet you Chupsin. I had best get home to check
on my niece and nephews."

Nodding, he watched the man go and thought about his own niece at the
Weyr. It was probably high time he sent her a letter. Tourniquet could deliver
it. Chupsin finished his glass and then considered what was on the menu.

Last updated on the November 28th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Someone Good to Know