The Master Unknown
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Heather, Sia
Date Posted: 1st January 2025
Characters: Aleriand, Cithara
Description: After Lord Corofel’s visit, Aleriand and Cithara discuss Master Unknown’s work.
Location: Printer Hall
Date: month 1, day 1 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Corofel
The day was winding down at the Printer Hall. Apprentices had been shepherded to bed by curfew, some of the journeymen teachers were commiserating in the instructor’s lounge, and the kitchens were nearly cleaned and closed up for the evening.
Grabbing a bottle of wine in one hand, and hooking a pair of glasses in the other, Cithara walked the familiar path to the Hallmaster’s quarters where she knocked softly before sweeping through his door.
“I saw the young Lordling was here earlier.” Cithara said by way of greeting as she set down the bottle and wine glasses.
Aleriand looked up from the small booklet he was reading, lowering his reading glasses and waving Cithara in. "He's threatened to cancel all of Emerald Falls' printing contracts unless we issue an apology and retraction of Master Unknown's latest column." He said as he raised the booklet and set it down on the table. "There was one small detail wrong, though. That was Reven's wife's twin sister, apparently."
Cithara tossed her head back and laughed, a good one that emanated from her belly.
“Her _twin_ sister! How convenient and lucky for her. Master Unknown will clarify with the new information she has received, but I can’t promise she won’t blister Lord Corofel for stomping to the Printer Hall like a spoiled brat.”
"You did witness him charging in here determined to defend his new paramour." Aleriand said. "It'll cause some hardship for us if he does go through with it. I can't raise the cost of printing much more than I already have. Could mean less luxuries, or fewer apprentices."
The Headwoman waved her hand, unconcerned. “He won’t hold out for very long. The ladies of Emerald Falls are quite fond of the literature of the Printer Hall. They’ll be complaining in no time. Not to mention, their harpers have borrowed quite a bit of educational literature that can now be recalled. So he’ll have his harpers complaining too, and then in turn, the parents of the children not receiving a proper education complaining.” Cithara’s eyes gleamed. No one complained quite the way an irate parent could.
"Yes, I don't expect he understands the backlash coming for him." Aleriand agreed. "He was _quite_ determined for that apology from the both of us, so we'll see if good sense wins out over a momentary scandal. I did offer to publish his own version of events. He declined."
A smile twisted Cithara’s lips. “His own version? I would have _loved_ to have read that! Imagine! A Lord Holder admitting to deflower-ing a virgin-in-waiting.”
"And explaining it was the twin sister of his warder."
“Seems too convenient for most readers to find it believable.” Readers were always eager to believe the most salacious news. She took another sip of her wine, licking her lips afterward. “So, besides this little dust-up, how are things?”
"It's always the honest truth that's the least believable." Aleriand said dryly. "Everything else is fine. The printers are running well. The South is appreciating having their own Hall again. Master Unknown's work is going to be moving across the continent, so they may want to consider expanding past the confines of Emerald Hall."
The Headwoman’s eyes glowed. “Never fear. Master Unknown’s network extends far beyond Emerald Falls. Corofel’s scandalous behavior just happened to be the most interesting piece of gossip for this edition.”
"I'd be interested to hear where this Master Unknown is finding their sources. I haven't seen any firelizard fairs crowding the rafters."
There was a cheeky sparkle in Cithara’s eyes as she said, “The less you know about my sources, the better, my dear Hallmaster.”
Last updated on the January 6th 2025