Communication Is Key

Writers: Anika, Chelle
Date Posted: 29th April 2015

Characters: Delynn, Sarban
Description: Delynn meets with Sarban to discuss their respective duties.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Felyna, Corowal

Delynn

Expertly balancing a tray, Delynn gave a knock on the Steward's office
door. She had looked for him at the midday meal but been informed he
was busily working so she thought she would bring him a tray. They
had just barely met and since they would be working together she hoped
to get to know him a little better. Her first impression of him had
been quite positive as Sarban had seemed both easygoing and
approachable with his warm, friendly hazel eyes.

Hearing the noise, Sarban put down the stylus he'd been using. "Come
in." His office was completely within the Hold so it was lit
completely with artificial lighting. The paint colors were soft and
calm though with blues and greens to match the Hold's colors. The
furniture was all light wood and varnished to a shine. It was orderly,
but there was also an element of comfort.

Delynn entered with the tray, appreciating the welcoming atmosphere
provided by the serene colors and pale wood pieces. Her dark hair was
pulled back in a loose braid and tied with a teal ribbon to match her
simple dress. "I noticed you hadn't stopped to eat and brought some
sandwiches, fruit, juice, and klah," she explained. She really didn't
know anything of his work habits and hoped she wasn't interrupting or
imposing in anyway.

"Ah thanks. You can set it on the desk corner." He knew he was going to
have to work at remembering her name. That was going to be completely
necessary for the future. "Sorry I haven't had a real chance to sit down
with you yet and discuss things but I thought it might be better for you to work
everything out with Lady Felyna first to get your footing." That was
true enough.

"Indeed, there was much to review these past couple days, but Lady Felyna
keeps meticulous records which has made it much easier. I met the Lord
Holder and his children and have toured most of the Hold. The head cook seems
quite competent and the kitchens are in good order." She didn't comment on the
housekeeping staff, who could use some improvement in her opinion. Praise
in public, chastise in private was generally her motto, though, unless a
lesson needed to be taught. "I've only just barely looked over the stores and
inventories, but I do have a general idea of how well the Hold is supplied."

"I make sure the tithes come in while you make sure they go out. Of
course not only do we have to provide for the main Hold but also for
the few holders surrounding it and even assistance to some of the
minor holds at times. Then the Weyr always gets its share naturally."
Indeed it was tricky to decide who merited which resources and how to
spread them so that everyone was taken care of.

Having settled the tray on the desk where he indicated, Delynn
chuckled. "A balancing act for sure, but I'll see its apportioned out
fairly. We've turnover coming up quickly and that will need some
consideration."

"I'm sure the Lady Holder has some sort of plans for that. And the
harper hall likely has even more plans." Sarban stayed out of that
beyond providing the work crews needed to prepare the grounds. "You'll
both be sending invitations and then making sure we have enough places
to put everyone as well as food to feed them. Me? I just wait for the
party for the most part. Like Corowal."

"Oh, I'm guessing with all those coming to buy and sell, you and the
Lord Holder end up with plenty to do. I know I'll have my hands full
with preparations, though," she said with an almost gleeful tone.
This was just the type of challenge she enjoyed. "Of course once the
day arrives you get to deal with all the minor holders and cotholders
that want to use the opportunity to bend your ear about their most
pressing needs."

"Mmm while everyone is here, they have their chance to have a formal
audience with the Lord Holder. That's when disputes are settled and
justice meted out." He mainly provided help with the logistics. The
crafters mostly handled themselves, thank Faranth. Turnover Gather was
more for the entertainment than the gather part. The summer gather was
more for the selling and trading.

"Both party and politics," she commented with a knowing nod. "I'm
quite looking forward to being here, though. It's been turns since
I've spent turnover at Emerald Falls. Well, here in the main Hold at
least. I'll probably have family coming in, not that I'll have an
abundance of time to visit, but it will be good to see them."

"Hmm not that strange then that I have never met you." He hoped she did
enjoy the holiday though he was sure it would be a lot of work for her. "You
were born near here aye.." He wondered what her family had thought when
Corowal had been confirmed as Lord Holder. Not everyone had been happy
about that. Then again Sarban had dealings with some of them so he supposed
they didn't care.

"That I was, on Merry Brook lands. Lord Corowal secured himself staunch
supporters when he confirmed my cousin Rizpaulen as Holder," she said almost
as if reading his thoughts, though in reality she was just sharing her own
ruminations. "My grandda was forced from the Hold after the plague
and the family's been struggling to regain what it lost ever since. I
only wish my da had lived to see it happen."

"Mmmm we would be infinitely pleased to see the hold once more
prosperous so the recent turn of events was beneficial to us all." Of
course it was always better to have someone tending the land and the
people. Less worry for Sarban and Corowal and less worry for the
people. Besides, they didn't like the idea of empty holds where
holdless could do what they liked any more than anyone else. "We're
trying to get all of the old lands under control as soon as we can."

"That would certainly be a benefit to everyone. Have you struggled much
with holdless, having lands left vacant by the plague?" She had of course
heard the rumors of the holdless young criminal who had escaped to the Weyr
and the unfortunate incident with the guard, but she was thinking more of
people moving in to work the lands but not wanting to pledge fealty to the
Lord Holder. That could be as much or more of a problem than the thieving
often attributed to the renegades.

"Aye. Partly so. The criminal element has been an issue as well as them
using our resources without doing anything for us." Sarban wished he could
stomp out the entire population. Bringing the empty minor holds back into full
complements would do a lot to help that.

"Tis unfortunate, and something I just don't understand. I've been accused
of having an independent streak," she shook her head. "But being so
fiercely independent that you won't pledge fealty and offer the community
their due even if it means you've no stable roof over your head? Utterly
senseless. Of course the criminals are a whole other matter," she sighed.
"Hopefully as the lands are resettled the problem will grow less."

"That is the hope. Perhaps I will see it so in my lifetime once the Pass is
done." Sarban began to eat the food she'd brought him, not knowing what
else to say just then. Almost as an afterthought, he brought his head back up.
"When we had a headwoman, we used to have a meeting every sevenday
to discuss what was needed, the status of the Hold, and to work out issues.
If you wish, we can reinstate that."

"I'd like that, thank you," she gave a nod. "Communication is the key to a
successful working relationship. For now, however, I should leave you to
your food and get back to my work."

Last updated on the April 29th 2015

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Communication Is Key