Is There A Problem?

Writers: AL, Vix
Date Posted: 27th June 2008

Characters: Benaran, Zathris
Description: Benaran runs into Zathris in the hall and queries him
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 20 of Turn 4

Zathris

So Three Hills was possibly trying to cheat Lord Benaroy. Zathris shook his head. Why did people have to be so dishonest? Were they having difficulties? None of the records showed that they were. Well, he was going to go and find out, but first he had to recruit a beastcrafter. Zathris set the records upon his desk and left, striding purposefully down the hall.

Benaran frowned as he saw his brother-by-marriage approaching. The man always seemed so . . . competent. He stepped to intercept the assistant steward. "Is there a problem?" Zathris stopped and nodded politely. "Good morning, Benaran. Just some issues that the Steward wants me to take care of tomorrow." He offered a smile. He wasn't sure he liked Benaran with his egotistical mannerisms, but he wanted to stay on good terms.

"Oh? And what issues would those be?" The older man drew himself up to his full height, tilting his head slightly to look down on the other man.

Zathris raised an eyebrow, but he supposed the man had a right to know. After all, he was Lord Benaroy's son and a possible heir. "It looks like one of the holds has been reporting deaths of ovines - evidently every single turn at the same time of turn. I'll be leaving tomorrow to investigate the matter."

"Ovine deaths?" Benaran forgot his antagonism toward the other man as he puzzled over the problem. "Do you believe them?" "I've looked through the records and considering that it seems to happen the same time every turn, that makes me rather suspicious." Zathris shook his head. "And, there was no confirmation by a beastcrafter, so while it's certainly possible this could occur, it's improbable - so for now, no. I am going to investigate the matter with a beastcrafter."

"Have there been any other beast deaths or human illnesses recorded at those times?" Zathris shook his head. "Not that coincides with these, no. I checked for that, but couldn't find anything else that might be related to it."

Benaran crossed his arms. "And the deaths of these ovines resulted in how much loss for _us_?" "Quite a few marks, actually." Zathris tilted his head, adding up the sums in his head and quoting an approximate amount. "Three hills receives a payout for every livestock animal that they lose, depending on the cause of death."

"Not to mention the tithe we would have received had these beasts lived," the other stated. "Were these milk-producing or meat ovines?" "They were all ovines that would have been slaughtered for meat, had they lived." Which meant that the hold lost more marks than had it been a milk producing one.

"And you're planning to visit there?" Benaran stared away from the other man, his mind sorting through possibilities.

"Yes, I am." Zathris affirmed, though he was a bit hesitant to do so. "I'm leaving first thing in the morning, provided there's a beastcrafter available."

"If you cannot find the cause of this 'problem,' you may want to suggest to the holder that it would be best to ban breeding with his beasts. That may put a halt to any swindling." "I will certainly keep that in mind." Zathris gave Benaran a half bow. "Please excuse me Benaran, but I do need to see if I can commandeer a beastcrafter, and then I must take care of some things in preparation for tomorrow."

"Indeed," Benaran scowled and turned away. Obviously the younger man felt that he had more experience to handle the matter, though Benaran doubted that was so.

Zathris gave a polite nod to Benaran's back, then strode off. He had half thought that the man was going to offer to go with him, and he was grateful that Benaran hadn't. He could take care of the affair himself.

Last updated on the June 28th 2008

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