Cautious Allies

Writers: Anika, Yvonne
Date Posted: 10th March 2015

Characters: Eirock, Taril
Description: Eirock and Taril meet for a drink and conversation
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 11, day 11 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha, Humari, Bryvin, Relik

Eirock

Taverns sprouted around sea holds like fungus after a rain. Sunstone Seahold was no exception, although as new as it was, there was really only one option - a small, smoky and dimly lit place right at the end of the pier that displayed a small shingle out front with the image of a yellow blob and a black blob side by side. Taril thought it was supposed to be an image of the sun and a rock, but whoever had painted it wasn't a very good artist.

The place smelled of spilled ale and woodsmoke, the table tops were sticky, and the rushes on the floor hadn't been changed that sevenday. Never the less, this was where the men went after a time at sea. The old uncles chatted by the fire and drank until they were red in the face, and occasionally a travelling harper would make his home here for a spell, until the insects in the bedding caused him to move on.

Taril had time to shed his oilskin coat and have a pint of rather vinegary ale delivered to his table when Eirock showed up. He nodded to the barman, who started pulling a pint for the Steward as he was making his way across the tavern floor to where Taril sat in the corner. "Good to see you," he said once Eirock was within earshot.

"And you," he gave the merchant a nod and removed his own cloak sending his bronze, Talon, to find a suitable roost nearby. He'd hoped to meet with Taril sooner but his new responsibilities had kept him very busy. He took a seat, accepting the ale when it arrived. "I understand multiple congratulations are in order."

The merchant grinned in spite of himself. "Thank you." The warehouse was operational and his impending fatherhood was no secret any longer. Humari's growing belly was unmistakable. "I'm a lucky man." And he meant it.

"Your family must be very pleased. I don't receive a single letter from my mother that doesn't subtly mention my lack of a wife or her lack of grandchildren," Eirock shared, commenting on the more personal subject first.

"To be honest, looking like I do, my family had pinned their hopes on my younger brothers." Taril shrugged. He'd given up on the idea of a family, but Humari was turning out to be a better match than he could have imagined - even with her... tastes. "And mothers can be persistent."

Eirock chuckled, "Well good on you for surprising them. Now I do have a bone to pick with you. You built that excellent warehouse, moved your office, and left me with the job of filling the empty space." Actually, the office on the docks would not be difficult to fill, as both men knew.

"I did, didn't I? Perhaps it would be a good place for one of the understewards doing the hides. Save some of the poor docklads a run up to the Hold." An accountant would be good. Someone to keep an eye on the dockmaster, and keep him in check. A reined in dockmaster meant Taril's shadier business could run a little more freely. "Speaking of.. a lad named Arnott went missing a few months back and I have a mark set aside for him. If you ever come across his name or know where he ended up, I'd be much obliged."

Several people had already approached him about the open spot next to the Dockmaster's office, but placing an understeward there would bear some consideration. It would be good to have someone down at the docks reporting in to him. Eirock's brow furrowed at the mention of a missing boy, that type of thing generally didn't bode well for the family. "I will. Any chance he could have just hopped a ship? Decided to have a little adventure?"

"Sure. But it was his younger brother that asked me, a boy of maybe ten." Taril shrugged. "But you're right. Lads often do hop ship, and that is probably what happened here." Except that it wasn't. He decided to change the subject since there was nothing either of them could do for Arnott right now, at this table. "So tell me. How are you settling in up at the Hold?"

"Fairly well, I think. There are far more people and resources to manage than at the minor Hold of course, but I enjoy the challenge. Interesting being on the collecting end of the tithes. Just recently had a meeting with your mother-in-law in fact, about that very topic." Eirock took a large swallow of his ale, surreptitiously watching for Taril's reaction as he was curious what the man thought of the rather dispassionate but exacting Headwoman. He noted the brew was certainly not of the best quality, though it was hardly the worst he'd imbibed either.

"And how is Yriadha?" Taril asked politely. He hadn't seen her in ages, which was probably for the best.

"I don't know her well but she certainly seems hale and healthy, more than able to keep the staff on their toes." Taril's nondescript response had given nothing away so Eirock decided to move on. "Sounds as if you aren't the only one to be finishing up construction. You'll be attending the Seacraft Hall opening won't you?"

"Yes. I'm planning on sailing in with Lord Bryvin. My brother should be coming into port with the Sea Wife within the next day or two, to take us there." Taril sipped at his beer. "I'm looking forward to it. It's been nearly a turn since I last sailed that way, and I can only imagine the changes. Have you seen it recently?"

"Yes, shortly after I arrived actually. I had a tour and was quite impressed. Relik has made good use of his time and resources," Eirock replied.

"Did you see his metal ship?" Taril asked curiously. The mechanical monstrosity was just about the only thing that sailors had talked about lately. There was a flurry of bets flying back and forth about whether or not it would sink the first time it went out into the harbour.

"I didn't," Eirock replied, masking his surprise. He'd neither seen nor heard of it. It seemed Relik was good at keeping information close to his chest, though apparently not even the taciturn Hallmaster could keep the dockside gossip at bay. More and more Eirock was thinking Taril's idea of putting an understeward down at the docks was a good one. He needed the eyes and ears. "Perhaps we'll get the opportunity at the Hall opening."

"He's been working on her for months now, even brought in Master Craftsmen from other disciplines. Like the Smith Hall." Taril shook his head. "I hope we do get to see her. I've heard that her hull is metal, or the sails or metal, and that she doesn't need wind at all. I'm not sure why Relik would bother with an experiment when he has a Hall to establish; a ship has a good, proven design already."

"Relik didn't strike me as a frivolous man. I actually found him rather traditional. If he's attempting a new design, there must be reasonable cause, though it's beyond me to imagine what that is. I suppose we'll have to wait and see."

"Perhaps setting up a new Craft Hall wasn't enough to fill his time," Taril said blandly.

Eirock laughed at the merchant's droll comment and took another drought of ale. "It's _your_ business prowess I'm more interested in. It's impressive how you've built what you have and I'd planned to ply you for details today." The Steward found he liked Taril's company, which was good he figured because the merchant would bear close watching. There was no doubt the man was more than he seemed. Hopefully, with time, he might become an ally but if not there was that old auntie's saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.

Taril shrugged at that. "There isn't much to tell. When Morin came by recruiting for Sunstone Seahold, I smelled an opportunity. And here I am."

"Well, you've a good nose about you." There was more than that Eirock was sure, but given Taril's disability, he supposed the merchant had channeled his efforts into an area in which he could recognize success. He'd done a good job of it. "When did you come to Sunstone then?"

"Six or seven turns ago." Enough time to build some influence -- and a warehouse. And soon enough a tavern better than the one they sat in. "What about you? How did you hear about Sunstone's needing a Steward, and decide to come our way?"

Much had been accomplished in six turns time in Eirock's opinion, but rather than saying so he answered Taril's question. "Well Morin's death was mourned at all the minor Holds and news of Bryvin's being named Lord Holder carried swiftly as well. It was Trygve who brought news that the position hadn't been filled with one of the understewards and put it in my head that it would be a good move for me."

"And that was that?" Taril sipped his beer.

"Essentially,"Eirock added. "I interviewed and Bryvin obviously thought I was the right man for the job."

"What do you think convinced him?" the merchant asked.

"I turned things around at Sawtooth." It was not a boast, but the simple truth. Eirock believed his history with the Lord Holder also had much to do with it, but had no intention of sharing his supposition with Taril. In saving his life all those turns ago, Bryvin had unknowingly secured a staunch ally and the Steward believed that Bryvin had understood this when they interviewed. Though Eirock was confidant he was the best man for the job, he knew that Bryvin probably valued his loyalty above his ability. He would, were he in the Lord Holder's position. "I might not be the most experienced or the wisest of men, but I do have a vision for the Sunstone and I can be very determined in pursuing those things I see as important. I think Lord Bryvin understood this."

Taril still got the sense that there was more to it than that, but knew enough to know that he wasn't going to get any more out of Eirock about it tonight. "Bryvin's got a sense for what's useful," he agreed. "So tell me-- what's this grand vision for Sunstone that you hold?" A slightly different question, but no less important for his own future.

"I believe we can become a center for trade and a leader in commerce and, as such, surpass the older Holds. Where they have grown stagnant, we have embraced change and innovation. I think Morin set things in motion and if we capitalize on that momentum, we will go far."

A familiar, if not unpleasant song. Taril smiled. "And what are you going to do?"

"Well, my friend, that has yet to be seen. First I need to assess what needs done the most but one of the first items on my list is to assure that the people have the same confidence in Bryvin as they held for Morin so they don't divide into factions and become counterproductive. Such unrest hinders progress and generally business."

The merchant nodded. Eirock at least knew where to start. "Important, but difficult. Bryvin had a solid reputation as a Steward, but as a Lord Holder he's relatively untested. No matter how good he will be at handling his new title, it will take months - if not turns - to build a good reputation. Until then he will be perceived as adding an element of risk to any large-scale operation. As, I may add, will you. May I give you a bit of friendly advice?"

"Please," Eirock gave the other man a nod and took another drink of his ale.

"Be careful when you rock the boat." Taril leaned in a little closer and lowered his voice. "And you're going to have to rock the boat. There are some folk holding power at the Hold that Morin put in place for certain skills at a certain time. Bryvin won't hold the same sway over them-- and be aware that they'll throw anyone to the felines to save their hides. Including you."

"That's a fairly common character trait, I'm afraid. One always has to watch his back when in a leadership position. I'll keep my eyes and ears open, though, and appreciate the warning. There always needs to be some culling when there's a change of administration. I don't suppose you'd want to drop any names?"

The merchant smiled humorlessly. "Not really. You're a smart man and will find the shoals soon enough, I'm sure." Sunstone Seahold wasn't like other Holdings, and maybe Eirock had it figured... but equally likely he'd underestimate her. Either way it would be interesting. "I rather like you, so do watch your back. And I wouldn't count on anyone else to do it for you -- not even when it's their job to do so."

With a nod Eirock considered Taril's words and more importantly what he was not saying. He needed more intelligence on the people of the Hold that was certain. The Steward had every intention of succeeding in his current role, and he well knew how precarious his position could be. "It won't be the first time I've been dropped by myself in a den full of tunnel snakes. I do appreciate your warning, though." He lifted his cup in salute, "You're a good friend to have, Taril."

Last updated on the March 18th 2015

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Cautious Allies