Cause for Alarm?

Writers: Jane, Vix
Date Posted: 29th July 2008

Characters: Tarehg, Mahantan
Description: Mahantan and Tarehg speculate about the new Hallmaster.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 11, day 11 of Turn 4

"What do you think about this idea of putting a Southern crafter in
charge of the Hall," Tarehg asked bluntly from the door of the other
man's office. He leaned heavily on his walking stick having just come
from the docks, cursing the stairs ever moment of his journey.

"It's not my place to think anything about it," Mahantan told the other
Master Dolphineer, though his mind had definitely been registering
silent opinions about the news.

"That sounds like something I'd say to an apprentice, Mahantan," Taregh
grumbled. "You're a master crafter. You're expected to have thoughts
and opinions and be able to articulate them."

"Yes, but I prefer to articulate my opinions on experience, not on
speculation." The Master of Apprentices took a deep breath in an attempt
to shove the irritation from his voice. "I'm trying to remain positive
about the change."

"I suppose most of us are - especially the female dolphineers." His
former wife wasn't his favourite person and he would happily wave her
goodbye if she went back up North, but he didn't think any woman should
be forced to do that. "Do you _know_ anything, then, other than she's a
Southern-trained dolphineer?

"Not really." Mahantan paused thoughtfully. "I don't think that being
Southern-trained is a real issue. The only uncertainty I have is the
type that I would have with any new Hallmaster coming in, North or
South, male or female. What changes will this mean?"

"Well, yes." To Tarehg's mind that was painting the scene with too
broad a stroke. "But in the case of a newcomer from the North -
firstly, we might know them personally, and, secondly, we would be
fairly sure that women in the craft was the norm for them."

Mahantan still was not sure how he felt about any of this, but he did
know that discussions with Tarehg always seemed to place him in the
position of arguing against whatever the other man had to say. "True,
but a newcomer from the South would understand more the atmosphere that
the women coming to our craft have faced."

"If she let's them come at all," Tarehg muttered darkly.

This brought a frown from the other dolphineer. "Why wouldn't she? She's
gone through the training and knows that women are capable of doing the
work."

"And yet she's carried on working within a craft that prevents women
following in her footsteps." Tarehg remembered women coming North from
the Southern crafts when the Ban was enacted; but this woman hadn't.

"But she stayed within the craft, and that had to set her as a role
model for other women – even if she couldn't encourage them to do the same."

"Her staying on was condoning the Craft Ban. And this Hall doesn't. Or
didn't, before now." The other dolphineer shrugged. "Who knows ... _now_."

"Her staying on may have been for other reasons," Mahantan reminded him,
"and we'll not know that until we've met her. Just as we'll not know her
stance on the Hall's participation in the Ban until she arrives."
Mahantan wished that he could feel more confident in his defense of the
new Hallmaster, though no matter what was said, it seemed so simple to
gainsay Tarehg.

"Wait and see? Is that what you're doing?"

The Master of Apprentices sighed. "And what would you suggest? Worry and
get everyone else speculating about what may or may not happen?"

"Make inquiries? Gather information? Make plans?"

Mahantan shook his head. "You may do that if you wish, though I trust
that you'll be discreet and not alarm anyone unnecessarily. For my part,
I'll wait to get to know the woman rather than rely on others' opinions."

"Alarm anyone?" Tarehg snorted in disbelief. "Have a listen to what
your apprentices are saying," he advised, and with that he turned and
limped out of the other man's office.
____________________

Last updated on the July 29th 2008

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Cause for Alarm?