Grumblings and Grievances

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 12th May 2015

Characters: Corran, Dagon, Diveco, Lefarl, Tolar
Description: Corran hears some disconcerting conversation at the Tavern.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris, Benani, Benaroy, Karhal

It was the time of day that workers of all ilk were finishing tasks
and shutting down, preparing to head to their homes for a warm meal.
A young boy of about ten turns, straight locks of sandy brown hair
obscuring a dirty face, had been meandering among the buildings. He'd
explored the tanner's and the technician's complex and been shooed
away from the woodsmith's workshop. Now his bare feet were kicking up
dust by the runner station and tavern. Most ignored him, though now
and again someone might offer a harsh or censuring word, telling him
to move long and see to his business. If only they knew exactly what
that business entailed.

He drew closer to the tavern. That was a potential target and a good
place to hear the news. He might even offer to sweep the floors for a
bit of bread or broth. Could always sneak a drink of ale that had
been left unfinished and there might even be an opportunity to score
some marks, though they weren't supposed to do anything that wasn't,
"sanctioned." Dagon snorted. What the uppers didn't know wouldn't
hurt him.

Corran's official shift was over, but that didn't mean his work was
done yet. Ostensibly, he was heading down to the tavern for a drink
and to unwind. But in reality, he was heading down there to listen to
the gossip and see if anything was happening. He took Karhal's
instructions seriously.

He nodded at Lefarl, the old Woodcrafter, who was sitting on a table
outside. He was chatting with the stable hand Diveco. "How's it
going?" the guard asked casually.

"Well enough," Lefarl said. "Looking forward to Turnover."

"Aren't we all?" Corran asked.

"Not unless we have a big Gather. We've got all these nice runners
nothin's happening with. Where are the races?" Diveco complained. "We
need to do something around here that makes some money, gets some real
attention. Ever since that trouble happened, Zathris has been too
focused on his wife to do anything proper for the Hold."

"I'm not sure you should be talkin' like that where ears can hear," Lefarl
said.

Dagon drew in closer, this was just the kind of thing that Rosin liked to
hear to report to the uppers, the boy's nickname for those in charge.
Might earn him an extra piece of bread or even a bite of meat. If this
Diveco wasn't already on their side, someone should go have a talk with him.

"Well, 'fs true is true," an old uncle slurred, reeking of stale liquor
and stumbling out while most were going in. "Too lit'l marks about an' is
tha Lord's r'spons'bilty ta see ta it."

"He was better last Turn, but this one?" Diveco shook his head sadly.

"He's had a lot on his mind. One bad Turn doesn't a bad Lord make."

"Don't you miss Amethyst Cliff?" Diveco demanded.

Corran kept quiet. He wanted to protest the accusations, but he didn't
need to draw attention to himself.

Young Dagon came closer, the old uncle looked like an easy mark but he
doubted the drunkard had any spare marks stashed. He smiled at Diveco's
words. The people that often provided food, or shelter on a cool night had
told the boy about the unjust Lord that didn't really have the best
interest of the Holders in mind. They'd told him how there had been no
hunger or Holdless children at ACH before the terrible disaster that
destroyed it.

"I'm not from Amethyst Cliff, but I do miss Lord Benaroy," a burly man
stated. "I've had a ham and a full round of cheese go missing from cold
storage this past month. Didn't used to have to worry about lockin' up yer
food."

"And guards like him haven't fixed the problem," another man accused,
pointing at Corran.

Wherrydung. He hadn't wanted to get sucked into the conversation directly.
"I didn't hear about that," Corran said honestly. "But I can look into it,
if you want."

"Look into it? That won't bring my food back," scoffed the aggressive man,
taking a step closer. "What do you guards do all day, anyway? Didn't
protect Benani, didn't protect your own Captain, letting food and tools
get stolen. You're as bad as the Lord for us."

"The rot goes deep here," agreed Diveco.

Looking excitedly from the man called Diveco to the Hold guard, Dagon
wondered what would happen. Oh, this was good! Very good indeed!"

"What's all this?" a booming voice broke in. "A little friendly debate is
fine, but this establishment is for havin' a cup and relaxin'. Don't need
folks stirred to a temper, Diveco," the barkeep chastened gently, stepping
to the door. "Why don't you gents come in and enjoy a pour at half price,
eh? Uncle, I told you, you need to go home and find your bed. You, there,
boy," he turned to Dagon, "This is no place for you."

"But I thought I might sweep the floor," Dagon protested.

"Too many people about just now, but if you come earlier tomorrow, I'll
give you the job. See, Nura in the back and say that Tolar sent you.
She'll get ya a sweet roll." Tolar was well used to diffusing conflicts
since fights were bad for business.

Corran nodded gratefully at Tolar. The man had de-escalated the situation
efficiently. And he'd have to ask the man if he'd heard anything
else...later. When it had calmed down some.

"Hal' price? Well okay," Diveco said. Starting people arguing was fun. But
drinking was even better.

Lafarl heaved himself out of the chair and wagged a finger at the crowd.
"I'm out. Don need talk like tis."

The burly man whose ham had gone missing, remained silent but hurried in to
get his discounted ale.

Dagon, paused, disappointed that the potential ruckus had been thwarted,
but decided there was probably no more information to get here and a sweet
roll to himself was a grand prize indeed. He unintentionally met the
guard's eye for a brief moment, before scurrying away to claim his treat.

With everyone dispersed Tolar grinned. "And what of you Corran? I'll even
offer the first cup free for our fine Hold's guard."

Corran's attention wasn't immediately on the boy who had run off to get a
snack. He was still mulling over the importance of the discontent. "That's
a tempting offer. Has talk like this happened a lot recently?"

"Bit more than usual," Tolar confirmed. "People'r always in a bit of
a slump as winter ends an' folks ain't keen on blaming their woes on
themselves. Usually, tapers off come spring, but it's hangin' on some
this turn. Could be the mess with Lady Benani or the bouts of small
thefts goin' on."

"Any affected you?" the guard asked.

Tolar shook his head, "Got myself a pair of kinda formidable canines
and I let it be known that their about. Have had them go off barking a
time or two in the past months, but nothin's gone missing. Sounds as
if there's a fair amount of pilferin' goin' on, though. Little stuff,
nothin' big, usually, but it puts folks on edge."

"I've been looking into those myself," Corran admitted. "A strange
uptick of thefts. Some petty, like food or trinkets. Others more
serious, like tools. People say it's Holdless. I'm not so sure...how
are they getting this far in."

The barkeep shrugged, "Don't rightly know, but I best be gettin' them
fellers drinks 'fore they get feisty again.

"I'll come in as well. And please - let me know if anything
interesting happens you think I should know of," Corran requested.

"Will do."

Last updated on the May 14th 2015

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