Trading in favours

Writers: Paula
Date Posted: 1st August 2016

Characters: Jessmyr, Yanley
Description: Jessmyr has been doing deals of his own.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 5 of Turn 8
Notes: NPC: The Harper, Trader, unnamed dragonrider
Mentioned: A'kua
Note: Summer posting challenge

Yanley

"What are you going to do with these books?" The harper asked, when he gave Jessmyr a pile of old books.
"I am actually reading them out aloud for people who can't no longer read themselves," Jess admitted.

"Very commendable. The Weyr needs more people like you," the harper said with approval.

"Thank you, sir. Is there anything I can do for you. As a for a payment for these books?" Jess asked.

"Well, there's one thing you could do for me…"The harper started thoughtfully.
Jess smiled expectantly. He could thank or blame A'kua for this. His thrown remark of male Headwoman had made Jessmyr think. The more he think about it, the more he liked it. He had needed a purpose, a goal. And this gave him just that. It made him feel useful. So, he had started to deal with favours and build connections with various people.

~*~

The trader gave him a bundle and Jess paid it with marks.
"Pleasure doing business with you. You haggle well," the trader said.

"I am just a middleman here," Jess replied.

"Saving someone else's marks?" The trader chuckled.

Neither noticed a brown firelizard who was keeping watch and discreetly following Jessmyr. Yanley had gotten wiff that he was up to something and was keeping an eye on him.

Jess took the bundle up to weyrs where dragonriders lived. He had to rest and catch his breath after climbing the stairs. He hated his weakness. He knocked and a rider opened.
"Your purchase, sir. And the marks left over." Jess gave him the bundle and rest of the marks.

"You got discount. You're amazing! Thank you, my weyrmate will love this surprise. If you ever need something from me, don't hesitate to ask", the dragonrider promised.

"I'll keep that in mind. I just might to come and collect that promise one day. It's pleasure to help. Safe skies."

~*~
Yanley had summoned Jessmyr to her office. "Hi Jessmyr, how are you been?"

"Greetings, headwoman. I'm fine. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Jess. Are you willing to take extra shifts in creche? They have been asking after you. Those kids like you," Yanley said.

"Sure thing, I love working in there, I like those little ones too," Jess replied.

Yanley nodded. "Good. What about your extra jobs outside your assigned duties? What are you up to, Jess?" Yanley asked bluntly.

"You've heard of them?" Jess blushed.

"I am the Headwoman here, it's my duty to keep an eye on goings on around here."

"I am just helping people, and building connections. Favour here, a service there. Sometimes they owe me, sometimes I owe them. I just want to feel needed and useful, lady Yanley," Jess replied with earnest tone.

"You are useful already," Yanley said kindly. "There more to it, isn't there? You're building a network of contacts, trading with favours," she asked sharply.

Jess realized he couldn't fool the former Lady Holder. She was expert of these kind of things. She had networks of her own, both in Weyr and outside in Holds. She could teach him a trick or two. Sighing and blushing, he told her of his new dream of becoming a male Headwoman.

"After my job, aren't you?" Yanley smiled.

"Oh no, milady. By the time I am ready for it, you'll be retired," Jess replied with hasty apologetic tone.

Yanley laughed warmly. "You are right about it, iit takes decades. There's more to this job than being well connected."

"I know, milady. But those connections certainly _help_," Jess murmured.

"You are on right track," Yanley admitted. She considered Jessmyr. He was nice, quiet young man, whose frail body and weak heart hid a very smart mind. The thought, why not, did slip into her mind. It would be unacceptable in a Hold, but this was a Weyr.

Last updated on the August 3rd 2016

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Trading in favours