Never Know

Writers: AmajoS, Avery
Date Posted: 19th October 2007

Characters: Rothen, Corran
Description: Rothen and Corran chat about work, family, and the future during their night shift.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 9 of Turn 4

The gentle sounds of the Hold at night-time wafted through the air around Rothen as he headed towards his post. He really didn't like night watch. He never had, but especially lately. He only hoped his shift would rotate soon, otherwise he'd have to speak with the Captain about it.

He recognized the short silhouette of the other guard stationed to the night watch. Corran had been a guard at Amethyst Cliff before the earthquake forced him to Amber Hills, just like Rothen. Glad he was going to be working with someone he knew well, Rothen tried to look on the bright side. He quickened his steps to reach his post.

Corran smiled at Rothen. "Good evening," he greeted, relieved it was Rothen and not someone else, like one of the Amber Hills guards. He was more comfortable with those who he knew better. "Another wonderful night shift lies ahead."

"Well, the company's good at any rate," Rothen smiled as he returned the greeting. "Anything reported when you relieved the last watch?"

"Nothing suspicious yet, but we're supposed to stay alert, especially around the Tavern. Seems there have been some pickpocketing and thievery there already." Corran answered.

"Well, I'd rather catch a pickpocket than have to break up a brawl."
Rothen replied philosophically. There was always the chance that someone would over-indulge and start a fight over some girl or perceived slight.

"True. Pickpockets don't usually result in someone breaking something, either."

"Not to mention the chance of a 'surprise' you always get when handling drunks," Rothen added with a wry grin. The last time he'd been assigned duty near the Tavern, the drunken brawl he'd helped break up before it had a chance to really get started, ended with one of the would-be combatants sicking up all over Rothen's boots.

"It's the perils of handling a Tavern. I'm all for the idea in theory.
It's nice to relax with company and food and cards. But the problems it causes might not be worth it." Corran wasn't sure which way his mixed feelings went.

Rothen laughed, "Somehow the downside always seems a bit more dire when we're on duty than off."

"It does seem that way." Corran said. "So, do you spend much time in the Tavern when not on?"

"Not really. I've been, but never for more than a candlemark or two."
He didn't have the time to spend there very often, taking care of his mother. "You?" He grinned a bit, "Like to gamble your stipend away with the dragonriders?"

"I go for the food and the music more than the gambling. I like meeting all of the different types of people there. My brother's a rider, he introduces me to people sometimes."

"I didn't know that," Rothen replied after trying to remember if he'd ever known Corran had a dragonrider brother.

"He's my twin. We went different paths, though. I was a Guard, he was on a caravan. We don't always see each other."

"That must be tough," Rothen remembered hearing that twins were usually especially close with one another.

"I miss him, but I understand. His duty is to keep people safe from Thread, and mine is to keep people safe from dangerous people." Corran laughed. "It must make me sound idealist, but he's the idealist of our family."

Rothen grinned, "The way you describe it, it sounds like you've gone into different branches of the same field. Protection."

"Runs in the family, I think. Our father was also a Guard." Corran looked at Rothen. "Why'd you want to do this?"

"Beats field work," Rothen answered with a shrug and a grin.

"That it does." Corran agreed. "Where'd you come from?"

"Topaz Sea Hold, originally. Then Amethyst Cliff." Rothen sighed a bit, thinking of the disaster after disaster that had caused him and his mother to have to move twice. The first, the Hurricane at Topaz had led to the death of his youngest sister.

"I suppose you'll stay here awhile then, not travel around?"

Rothen almost said 'Barring another horrible disaster' but decided not to at the last moment. Something like that almost seemed like inviting trouble. Instead he replied with, "I'll be staying. This is a good place for my mother and I wouldn't feel right leaving her behind."

"You care about your family as much as I do, then. I couldn't imagine leaving without them."

"I'm the only one she has left, really." Well, his sister Rothselen was still on good terms with their mother and himself, but she was always so busy and rarely even wrote without being reminded a few times.

"That's a shame. Family is important." Corran said. "Planning on starting one of your own?"

With a shrug and a grin, Rothen replied, "Who knows. I'd like to, of course."

"Well, there are plenty of new people at Amber Hills. Maybe you'll finds someone."

"Perhaps," Rothen replied with a smile. "You never know."

Last updated on the October 21st 2007

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