Taking Steps (part 2)

Writers: Eimi
Date Posted: 29th April 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Chupsin
Description: Benaroy makes a difficult request of his healer
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 3
Notes: Part 2 of 2
Mentions: Cyrek, Shayven, Shadux

Chupsin was rather surprised to be disturbed at this time of the
evening. Most of his patients were fast asleep, and he had been using
the respite to catch up on some hidework. With so many refugees, the
hidework would be never ending. _None_ of them had come with medical
files, which meant a new one had to be made for each one. What a
tedious job. It would have been so much easier if they could have
thought to bring them with them!

At the sound of the knock he looked up towards the door. "Come in," he
said with just a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Journeyman," the Lord Holder said as he
walked into the cluttered office.

"Ah, no sir," Chupsin stammered as he rose quickly to his feet. "Please
milord, come in and tell me how I can be of assistance. Can I get you
anything to eat, or drink. Are you feeling all right?"

Benaroy waved his questions away with a hand. "I'm here to speak with
you, Chupsin, about something rather important. This situation calls
for strict discression, and I knew you would be the one for me to talk
to. Its a matter of some delicacy."

"Oh yes, yes of course," the journeyman said as he offered the Lord
Holder a seat, suddenly feeling very important for having been so
singled out. "Please tell me how I can be of service!"

"It's about Shayven. I believe you are in charge of his recovery,"
Benaroy said evenly.

"Yes, sir. Let me reassure you, sir, he will make a full and complete
recovery under my care."

"Yes, of course" the Lord Holder nodded. **That's exactly what I was
afraid of...** "I must say, Chupsin, you have done his Hold proud."

"Thank you sir," the journeyman said, his chest puffing ever so slightly
under the praise.

"Its not many Amber Hills boys that were sent out to train at the actual
Hall. Only the best and the brightest." The Lord Holder felt almost
sick stroking the man's ego like this, but it was the best way to get
what he wanted out of him in the end. "You were sent out for the good
of the Hold, and you have not disappointed."

Chupsin nodded. He was privileged, and he knew it. Of course, he had
been deserving of that honor, but certainly it would never had happened
without the Lord Holder's encouragement. "Any way I could repay your
kindness to me, sir, just please let me know."

"Chupsin, there is something I do need of you," Benaroy said carefully.
"And I hope that I can help you to understand its importance. You see,
the Hold is in a moment of transition, as I'm sure you are more than
aware," he said with a wave towards the piles of hides on the desk. "It
is my job to lead these two Hold's into a united and hopefully
prosperous future. Sometimes being a leader means that one must made
difficult decisions."

"Of course, sir. Leadership is a heavy burden to bear," the journeyman
nodded knowingly. Of course, he hadn't much experience leading himself,
but he could imagine the old man was under tremendous pressure.

"Yes, indeed. And now I have found myself in need of making one of
those hard choices. Steward Shayven has served me well, but it would
certainly give peace of mind to the Amethyst Cliff residents to have one
of their own in a position of leadership. I want Cyrek as my new
Steward, but that means Shayven must quit the position."

Chupsin silently blinked at the Lord Holder for a brief moment. "I'm
sorry, sir, you want me to..." The journeyman blanched a little and
swallowed hard. "Yes, of course. You want me to get _rid_ of Shayven
for you then, sir?"

"_What_?" The Lord Holder snapped, a flash of fury in his eyes. "You
think I would come here asking you to _get rid_ one of my oldest
friends!?"

"No, no, of course not!" Chupsin said quickly, his face turning suddenly
crimson. "No! And of course I would never agree to such a thing!"
Although he would have considered it a moment if it had meant currying
the Lord Hold's favor...

"Good! I certainly don't want to harm anyone, let along 'get rid' of
them." The Lord Holder's anger was replaced with a flash of annoyance.
Yes, that one would do just about _anything_ it seems... "But if I were
to ask him to resign, or worse yet remove him from service, it would
bring shame down on his family, and I will not allow that to happen.
No, I want him out of the position, and his current state of health is
the perfect reason to do that and allow the man to save face and retire
with his dignity intact."

"Ah, yes, of course, sir," the journeyman said, trying desperately to
save face himself. "I understand perfectly. What exactly would you
have me do then?"

The Lord Holder was quiet a brief moment. He couldn't believe he was
about to really do this. Shayven was his friend, Shadux was like one of
his own... "Fix the records."

"Fix the records? Is that all?" Chupsin asked, relieved that it was
something so incredibly simple.

"Yes. Give him some kind of... I don't know, heart palpitation or
something." **Shayven would just have to understand...**

"Perhaps a worrisome murmur of some kind?" Chupsin offered helpfully.

**Shadux would never forgive me...** "Yes, that sounds fine."

"That's easy enough. I can have that done today. I could 'find' it
tomorrow when I examine him, if you like."

"That's fine." **For the good of the Hold...** "Do it."

Last updated on the May 2nd 2006

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Taking Steps (part 2)