Who Has the Greater Need?

Writers: Eimi, Kaysea
Date Posted: 30th April 2007

Characters: Kaldyn, Benaroy
Description: Kaldyn approaches the Lord Holder to enquire about a new burden beast
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 15 of Turn 4

He sat nervously outside the Lord Holders offices, there weren't too many people left to see Benaroy, and he was next, but he felt as though he were here begging. He wondered how many others from Amethyst Cliff Hold had felt the same way when they too, had had to come and ask for more, from the already generous Lord Holder.

A guard appeared and everyone looked up, Kaldyn included. "You there."
the guard pointed at him. "Lord Benaroy will see you now."

Kaldyn stood, straightened his clothes and took a deep breath before taking a step. A shudder of nerves went through him, but he took that first step.

"Come in, holder," Lord Benaroy waved when Kaldyn appeared in the door.
He was really starting to wish he had deligated some of these requests to his sons to handle. It had been fine when it had been just their own people, but now it seemed every Amythest Cliff holder needed something.
Perhaps he should start spreading out the responsibilities a bit more...
"Take a seat."

"Thank you, Sir." Kaldyn took the offered chair opposite, he glanced around the well proportioned room, it had been more than a few turns since his father and he had been to the old Amethyst Cliff Hold to see their old Lord Holder, but the two residences were well matched. "I have come to petition you, Sir."

"Yes, of course," Benaroy nodded, not needing pleasantries. His attention span was short and so was his temper. He made a conscious effort not to snap at the Holder to get on with it. "How can I help you?"

"When we came here, we were promised a replacement oxen, Sir, for the one we lost," he paused briefly, sensing the Lord Holders temper, and was concerned that it was due to the fact he had been petitioned more than once about similar reasons. "and my family, well, we're still in need of the oxen."

He dropped his gaze, now more than ever wishing the whole situation was a part of a bad dream. He didn't like being beholding to anyone, and had always been able to meet tithe requests. Without the extra oxen, they may not be able to work enough to prove their holding this season, and the ones to come.

If it wasn't oxen, it was seeds, and if it wasn't seeds it was land, and if it wasn't land it was equipment... Shards, this late in the season shouldn't it all have been taken care of by now? Benaroy stiffled a sigh and pushed his irritation down. **You're not really angry at this Holder. Watch yourself.** "How many oxen are we talking about?"

"Just the one, Sir." Kaldyn replied, "The one we lost on the way over...well, it was two, but one was old, and we knew he," he couldn't stop himself now, his mouth began to run away with him, but one look at Benaroy's face was enough, "we knew he wasn't going to last, so just the one...Sir." he finished.

"How many do you _need_, Holder?"

"Well..two Sir. But one will suffice until we can purchase one." Kaldyn raised his hands, "Honestly Sir, one is all we require." It irked him that he had to approach the Lord Holder at all, he wasn't going to be beholden for more than need be for this season.

"We'll get you two and you can pay us for the second when you have the marks to do so." After all, how did the man expect to pay marks to anyone if he didn't have enough oxen to work his land? And Benaroy needed the food more than the marks at this point anyway.

"Your Lordship has been most generous." Kaldyn could tell from the look in Lord Benaroy's eye that he should just accept the offer and be done with it. "I won't take up anymore of your time, except to say, you will be more than happy with this season's crop, I can guarantee it." he rose from his chair, and gave a smart bow, waiting for Benaroy's dismissal.

Benaroy took out a piece of hide and scribbled a quick note on it before giving it a quick stamp with his official seal. It wasn't a proper contract, but he could trust the assistant steward to understand. "Take this to Shadux. He will tell you when and where you can claim your oxen."

"Thank you. Thank you, Sir." with a curt nod, Kaldyn turned and walked to the door. With one last glance over his shoulder at the Lord Holder, he opened the door and walked out.

Last updated on the April 30th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Who Has the Greater Need?