A Mission in Mind

Writers: Patrick, Vix
Date Posted: 1st April 2007

Characters: Hartam, Faran
Description: Hartam approaches Faran about performing at the Tavern.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 8 of Turn 4

It was still early in the day, but Hartam was up and about, a mission in mind. He had tromped over to the Hold, his hip losing its stiffness as he walked, though the beat he kept and the tune he hummed to himself during that trek had probably helped to keep the aching from his mind. Still, he was here now, had asked directions, and now saw his target before him.

"Harper Faran," he called out. "If I could have a moment of your time?"

Faran turned to look at his fellow harper from the Tavern. He wasn't so sure he liked the fact that the man was only hired for _the Tavern_ but he put on a smile like always and turned to greet the man. "Of course you may Harper Hartam. I've a few moments of time if you need them?"

"What I'd like of you is a few minutes of your time now, a little more later." The older harper smiled expansively. "The Tavern needs entertainment nightly, but the customers will respond better to variety. I was wondering if you have time to perform now and again?"

Faran thought about it for a moment. "Well I obviously can't promise every night, but if I have a free night every now and again I'll stop by. Is there anything specific you'd like me to sing?"

"You're free to sing what you want," Hartam replied, "but you've been in this area longer than I have, so I'd appreciate the opportunity to hear the local favorites."

"I can give you some written copies I have if you'd like them. I've written down the most notable variations. And I've found out that everyone likes to hear new works."

"That seems to be the case no matter where I've traveled," agreed Hartam. "I've plenty of songs I could sing from my time in the North or at other areas here in the Southern continent. However, I would appreciate those copies. With so many visitors coming from other areas to spend time at the Tavern, I'd like to feature music from this region, as well as play familiar tunes from their own homes."

"Of course. I can get them now if you like. If you'll just step into my office up here?" He led the fellow Harper up to his office and led him inside. He rummaged around on a shelf for the proper folder and brought it down.

"Here you are." He handed the Tavern Harper the proper sheets. "And don't worry about returning them.
I have at least four copies of each. I like to have my students copy them for practice because they all know them so well."

Hartam looked up from the scores, almost immediately absorbed in the new tunes and reluctant to glance away from them. "No, they'll be returned. My apprentices need to stay in practice with copying.
They have the privilege of performing more often than many of their rank but I expect more of them in the other disciplines in return."

"I see. Well then return them when you will. And don't be afraid to stop in if you need a quick replacement or just someone to help out."

"Oh I will - I definitely will," stated the older harper. "But that brings to mind another question:
have you any promising students who could be persuaded to sing or play? It would probably be best to concentrate on older ones, due to the location and the times when we are most likely to provide entertainment."

"I'll write up a list and send Kio, my flit, over with it later." Faran jotted a note on a spare piece of hide on his desk.

"Be sure to include any times that you'd particularly like to perform as well. And of course, any time that you're visiting the Tavern and would like to join us for a set or two, you're more than welcome."

"I'll remember that." Faran added a note to it. "So you have the scores and I'll get back to you on available times. So if that's everything..."

"It is." Hartam bowed slightly to his fellow harper. "I thank you for your time and cooperation."

Last updated on the April 3rd 2007

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A Mission in Mind