Concerning Tithes

Writers: Aaron, Devin, Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 24th November 2024

Characters: Corofel, N'vanik, Reven, Cyradis
Description: Corofel discusses ways to meet Emerald Falls's tithing requirements without his people going hungry.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 1, day 27 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Gordenic

Corofel

N'vanik

Reven

Cyradis

Corofel was grateful for the prowess of his staff. Despite lacking in
lower level clerks and whatever other help Gordenic had been seeking
to lighten his load, he had still managed to compile all of the
information Corofel needed to make this presentation and request to
N'vanik.

He had made all of the internal adjustments he could to leverage
surpluses in one jurisdiction to cover deficits in others, but he had
still come up short on the total amount of foodstuffs the Weyr
expected from Emerald Falls while still ensuring that every single
resident who looked to him had enough to eat.

He was not going to let anyone go hungry anymore, not when there was
still a single thing he could do to prevent it.

"Thank you for your time, Weyrleader," said the young Lordling.
N'vanik had agreed to meet him, and the time had come at last. "I
understand you're a busy man."

Positioned slightly behind Corofel, Reven nodded politely to the
Weyrleader. He and Corofel had already discussed the deficits and
hopeful solutions. Green Valley itself was still recovering from the
major crops that had been burned in the fire a few months prior.

"Our relationship with Emerald Falls is important." N"vanik pulled a
chair out for his Weyrwoman.

She smiled at the visitors and nodded to the new Lord. "Indeed it is,"
she agreed as she sat in the chair. "Thank you," she smiled at
N'vanik. Panitath was nearby with Loseth enjoying the attention of the
gathering crowd of admirers.

"And I thank you for your consideration, Weyrwoman," said Corofel. "I
understand how important tithes are to the Weyr." He was even more
nervous to speak to Cyradis than he had ever been with N'vanik.

"However, it has come to my attention that some of my holders are
going hungry to provide enough to meet their requirements." He slid a
sheet of paper to both of them. It contained a basic map of the
protectorate with graphics that indicated how much each minor hold was
required to contribute and how much they needed.

"With my Steward's help, I have been able to make adjustments to move
food around within the protectorate, and that has alleviated some of
the problem. However, we are unable to produce the full amount of food
required to feed us both. So. I have here..." He slid across more
paper. "... a set of possible proposals that will allow us to
substitute other commodities for the food we would otherwise owe. This
would mean the total value of our tithe hasn't significantly changed,
and none of my people go without enough to eat."

"If this is an agreeable solution, then the particular plan we shift
to would depend on which set of alternatives you value the most."

Reven studied the Dolphin Cove Weyrwoman as Corofel spoke. She was
someone the Green Valley holder had heard of, of course, but he'd
never had the pleasure of being in the same room with her. He hoped
that Arippa and Pippa were getting to see the Weyrwoman's gold dragon
up close.

"Of course," she said and pulled the hide toward her, angling it so
N'vanik could read it too. "Hmm," she mused. "You might want to add at
least one more thing." She looked up at the Lord and his Holder.
"Dragons can hunt and frequently do just that. But we could also have
them bring meat to whatever of your cotholds need it most."

"We don't want anyone starving," the Weyrleader said. And it might
soothe some of the resentment among the holders if they saw the Weyr
making some compromises. "We could trade for food elsewhere."

"I want to deliver the value we owe for supporting the Weyr," said
Corofel. He had not expected them to offer to bring food back to them.
The meat would probably be well received at some of the holds. But not
all of them. Corofel needed the holdfolk to see strength from him if
they were going to grow to fully trust him.

"Even if it requires shifting some things around for a little while. I
would hate to ask more from you than we already do."

She nodded and smiled. The young Lord was stepping into his role and
obviously receiving some excellent advice. She turned her attention
to his advisor "And how are your fields doing Holder Reven? Is there
any way for us to help you at this time?"

"The fields that burned have been cleared and reseeded, ma'am. We
should be mostly recovered from the deficit the fire created in the
next quarter. We couldn't tithe the same amount of wheat as we would
normally, but we supplemented the supply with some extra barley and
fruit. The Vintner Hall also sent along a case of your citroncello."
Reven felt their territory was fortunate to have a Weyrwoman like
Cyradis to work with, he'd heard tales that it wasn't so pleasant in
other places.

Cyradis nodded. "That sounds very well thought out and I thank you.
I'm sure we can adjust in the short term. I'll speak with the head
woman and we'll buy what we need. Perhaps Sunstone has some rivergrain
to sell as well. But I would like you to keep us informed of which
locations can use some meat and we'll get it there. Remember, we used
to be self-sufficient at one time. So we're more than willing to
accommodate you in your time of need."

"As long as we can assure the safety of the riders making those
deliveries," N'vanik said. He had been requiring Searchriders to go
with another dragonpair since the Hatching poisoning, but the
watchrider murder had made him wonder if even that was enough.

"Thank you," said Corofel. "I'll be keeping the lines of communication
open." He would have been more offended at the suggestion that riders
were in danger at Emerald Falls before the murder. But as it was, he
could hardly argue otherwise. He still had no plans to actually ask
the Weyr to deliver meat to his people. At least, not unless Reven,
Gordenic, and Jylanya all agreed it was a good idea, and he doubted
they would.

Reven nodded his thanks to the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman Cyradis, as
well. He was inwardly proud of Corofel. It wasn't easy telling people
like the Weyrleaders that they'd come short, but he'd presented his
case eloquently and logically. **I think my work here might be almost
done.**

Cyradis smiled and nodded, rising from her seat. “We will provide
whatever assistance is needed Lord Corofel,” she said.

Last updated on the December 4th 2024

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Concerning Tithes