Old Friends

Writers: Anika, Suzee
Date Posted: 14th December 2014

Characters: Gautrek, Clovente
Description: Gautrek and Clovente re-establish a turns old friendship.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 6 of Turn 7

Gautrek

Gautrek gave a crisp knock on the door to Clovente's quarters, hoping
his old friend might have some time this evening. Since arriving back
at the Hall, he'd been so busy settling back in, that he'd barely had
time for more than greetings. Thoughtfully turning an old bottle in
his hands, Gautrek allowed an array of memories from turns long past
to surface. Clovente had slept right next to him in the apprentice
barracks all those turns ago, and they had shared their dreams as well
as their sorrows not to mention concocting more than one ill advised
scheme.

Clovente had a glass of a beautiful red he'd recently decanted and was
relaxing in front of the fire with a book when the knock came.
Snapping the book closed he went to his door and a smile lit his face.
"Gautrek, I didn't know you were back! Come in, come in," he said
backing away to make a space.

Entering as bidden, Gautrek smiled broadly at the other man. "Back
indeed and with plans to stay this time. I've had enough of
journeying. And I've come to keep my part of our bargain," he held up
the vintage red from many turns past. "You were first to seize those
Master's knots so this belongs to you."

"Ah," Clovente's smile got even wider. "Wasn't this old Master Cyris'
vintage? He had quite the talent." He took the bottle rather
reverently and held it up to study the label. "However did you keep
this all these turns?"

Gautrek smiled and winked. "Craft secret," he replied, his voice
teasing. "He did have a talent, and very little tolerance for high
spirited apprentices if I remember correctly."

"Oh yes," Clovente grinned. "I felt his paddle more than once. So did
you," he elbowed his friend and walked back toward his chair and the
fire. He indicated the other chair and set the bottle on the table.
"I'll have to have the headwoman prepare a special meal for us to
share this bottle."

"That would be marvelous!" Gautrek agreed lowering his lean frame down
into the chair as the fire danced in front of him. "I would invite
you to our little cot, will indeed do so very soon, but I think for
that particular bottle we should not care to have any children under
foot. My brother and his wife passed away this past turn and I've
taken charge of their three children."

He smiled and nodded at the idea of a dinner but was a bit taken aback
by his casual mention of the three children. "Well that's a big
commitment. Was there no one else?" Clovente reached for the decanter
and poured a glass for his friend. He reached out across the space to
hand it to him.

Accepting the glass of wine appreciatively, he shook his head. "No,
there really wasn't. My younger brother is a Harper currently
stationed very remotely, and for personal reasons was not up to the
task. It has certainly been a big adjustment," he admitted to his
friend, sampling the bouquet of the wine before taking a sip.
"Geirlene is nearly grown, though. She turns sixteen next month and
cooks, cleans, and looks after her brothers. Geirolf is twelve and is
looking to apprentice as soon as he settles on a craft.
Unsurprisingly it's the youngest, Geiran, that takes the most time and
energy. He's nine turns and seldom stops moving."

Clovente chuckled though inside he felt a small stab of jealousy. Not
for the first time he wondered what kind of family he would have had
if his wife had lived. "Sounds like you have your hands full there
Gautrek."

"It keeps life interesting. Of course, it can be rather a challenge
when I become absorbed in my projects as you well know I'm apt to do.
I promised myself to keep this visit strictly social and light but
I'll admit I'm very excited to sit down and share my recent work on
enhancing some of our processes for both reds and whites. I've also
got some wonderful news on a couple of contracts I worked on
negotiating for the Hall while I was away," Guatrek shared, his blue
eyes alight with enthusiasm as they always were when he discussed his
craft. "That will all keep, though. Tell, me how you've been and give
me an account of Hall while I've been away."

"Ahh yes," Clovente smiled. "That's a big subject, may take a couple
of bottles of wine." He waggled his eyebrows. "Do you remember old
Master..." he began his story telling in earnest. Gautrek was one of
his oldest friends and he held nothing back.

Last updated on the December 23rd 2014

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Old Friends