Quality Over Quantity

Writers: Bree, Paula
Date Posted: 16th July 2006

Characters: Corowal, Kiyan
Description: Corowal and Kiyan take a walk through the vineyards and talk about the future of wine production at Emerald Falls.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 3

Corowal was walking among the neat rows of vines with the journeyman vintner, trying not to step on anything that looked like it belonged there.
The vintner was showing him the vineyards. "So, what kind of grapes you grow here? White or red, or are they called dark?" The steward asked. "Mostly red grapes," Kiyan replied, pausing to crouch down and pluck up a couple of weeds that didn't belong where they'd sprouted. "These are the vines that were already here, the ones I'm just working on improving."

The steward nodded. "I have to admit that my knowledge of vintner-craft is limited to picking up the right wine with right dish. Coral Bay's speciality is grain-based, strong, distilled alcohol drink that some call Botka or Vodka." Kiyan chuckled. "Knowing how to pick the right sort of wine is no small talent. You'd be amazed how few people have figured that out."

Corowal grinned. "Nothing is worse than a bad wine with a good food." "Except a bad wine with bad food!" Finding another plant that didn't belong, he plucked that up as well and tossed them into the middle of the path. "The nice thing about having the Headwoman for a wife, though, is never having to worry about bad food!"

"Well, you're lucky man. My wife isn't much of a cook," Corowal chuckled.

Kiyan gave Corowal a friendly grin. "That's a shame! I don't know what I'd do if I was left to my own devices. Probably forget to eat!"

"Or live with our mothers! We poor sods need women to look after us,"
Corowal said.

"That we do." Stopping, Kiyan plucked up another stray weed. "I can't wait until next season... by then we should be able to press some truly amazing wines."

"Do you have everything you need?" Corowal inquired. "Like staff, quarters, tools... I have no idea what you need to make these grapes into a wine." "For the most part," Kiyan replied absently, tossing the weed aside. He stood up and met Corowal's gaze with a grin. "At least, for now! Next harvest we will probably need more staff. Depending on how well the vines respond to the methods I've tried, it's possible we'll be able to double our yield from previous turns. The new plants I'm cultivating will be a bit of a longer term investment, but once they start producing, we'll probably need to reevaluate."

"Sounds good," Corowal smiled. "Will that make us totally independent of the hall?" "Within a few turns, probably." Kiyan could envision an expansive vineyard already... and it would be all his. "I think we have the potential to turn out some spectacular wines, here."

"Really? Plan to start competing with the hall?" Corowal asked with a teasing tone. Kiyan grinned. "Maybe not in quantity, but in quality for sure!"

"You are ambitious, I like that," Corowal grinned. Giving Corowal a little half-bow, Kiyan winked. "What can I say. I take pride in my work... and my work is making wine for Emerald Falls, now!"

Last updated on the July 17th 2006

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Quality Over Quantity