We have a little problem

Writers: Mikel, Vix
Date Posted: 30th March 2007

Characters: Bhervehan, Hartam
Description: Bhervehan tells Hartam about a theft
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 2, day 27 of Turn 4

Coming out of the kitchen, Winda pointed out the harper to her father.
"There he is father. Would you like me to get you some breakfast?"

"No, no thank you dear," the brewer answered. "Just a cup of klah, please.
And another cup for Hartam while you are at it."

"Of course," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

As she went for the klah, Bhervehan approached the harper. "Good morning, Hartam, may I join you?"

"Why of course, my good Tavern Master." Hartam indicated the chair opposite him with a sweeping motion of his arm. "Your company is always welcome."

"Thank you," he said as he settled into the chair. He paused as Winda returned with a pitcher of klah and mugs. "Please, sit Winda. I want you to know this as well."

Casting a worrying eye at her father, the girl took her seat and passed out the klah.

The Harper thanked Winda as he accepted his mug of the steaming liquid, but left it untouched as he regarded Bhervehan. "This seems quite serious for so early in the morning."

"Barthella approached me this morning. We've had a small theft."

A slight tilt of Hartam's head was his only show of surprise. His voice asked evenly, "What was stolen?"

"Spices"

Startled by this announcement, the harper almost knocked over his mug. He stared at the other man and then chuckled softly. "This is a joke, isn't it?"

Bhervehan looked sharply at the man. "No less so than if you found your guitar strings missing."

Hartam nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sorry - I should have taken that more seriously. However, none but another harper would have use of my strings.
Would any besides another cook want the spices?"

"Maybe not," he said. "However, every cot and cottage has a cook."

"That does leave it wide open," replied the harper. "But are there any other reasons that one would want to steal the spices except for cooking? And how much was stolen?"

"I'm not sure yet. Barthella only told me a short while ago, but it included her most prized and expensive spices."

"SHARDS!" he exploded, slamming his fist to the table.

The outburst startled Hartam, who had previously marveled at Bhervehan's calm in the face of the much activity and pressure of the Tavern. He sat quietly, waiting for the man to express his frustrations in his own way and time.

"Are things that bad at Amber Hills that people will resort to stealing spices?"

Hartam shrugged at the vintner's question. "Possibly. However, we need to ask: is this about spices or is it about the Tavern?"

"I've heard the talk in the streets as well," he said. "But really, if there was to be any thing, I would have expected petty vandalism."

"Yes, but does petty vandalism make any more sense than stealing of spices?"

"No, but it is easier."

The harper frowned as he thought about that. "Is there are sign of how the thief laid hands on the spices?"

"Nothing," the brewer said. "No signs of force on the back door, and the door from the barroom to the kitchen is unlocked. Leaves it wide open as to who could have done it. Staff, guest, clever intruder. I am going to get a guard canine for that back alley as a first step."

"That's probably not a bad idea." Hartam looked around the room thoughtfully, so empty now but so crowded during many hours of the afternoon and evening. "Was there only one theft?"

"That I know of, but we've only been open for a sevenday!" he said, the exasperation clear in his voice.

"So this may actually be a random event and nothing to worry us."

"Let us hope."

Last updated on the March 31st 2007

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