A Question Of Honesty
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Yvonne
Date Posted: 31st July 2008
Characters: Zathris, Dorrik
Description: Zathris and Dorrik discuss the situation on the way back to Amber Hills
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 4
"Honestly? I think _he_ thinks he's honest," Dorrik said once he had Zathris had ridden out of earshot. The snow lay sparkling in the ditches to either side, but muddy tracks scored the middle of the road they walked their runners down. Dorrik's breath steamed in the cold air. "Or, at least that he's _entitled_. I wouldn't be surprised that he's got some sort of disease coming out of those sheds of his... but it's pretty hard to suggest to a holder that he burn his wintering sheds down and build new ones, especially in the dead of winter."
It was far too cold for Zathris' liking. He'd much rather be relaxing by a nice warm fire, holding Benani in his arms. Maybe doing something a little more. Had things gone better, he would have probably stayed at the hold, but Zathris didn't like the tension and was afraid that the holder was going to fire his temper to the point where Zathris couldn't hold it any longer. No, it had been prudent to leave. "So you think that there's some sort of disease that's killing these ovines around the same time every turn? Is such a thing possible?"
"Theoretically? Yes. Likely?" Dorrik paused. "If something bad happens every sharding turn, you'd think he'd _do_ something about it. Or maybe he just sends the report in at the same time every turn. Or maybe he's just that much of a dimglow." The Beastcrafter obviously lacked respect for anyone who would stand by while his animals died.
"Part of me wants to deny his claim. The other part of me understands where he's coming from if the deaths are genuine." Zathris sighed heavily, wishing he could have a fireplace in his clothes to warm them up. That probably wouldn't work so well, though. "I'm wondering if I should recommend that he be compensated with the stipulation that should this occur again, he have a beastcrafter check it out before filing a claim. I'm not sure how well that will go over."
"If he's filing his claim at the same time next turn, then it sure won't go over well with whoever gets sent down to evaluate it. He needs to have his flock checked over. Maybe in the spring," Dorrik said.
Zathris reached up and rubbed his chin, nodding slowly. "Sounds good. Maybe I should suggest that compensation be made, but only after he agrees to have his flock checked. I have a feeling he's not going to be too keen on that."
"What cotholder likes the implication he can't take care of his livestock? Just please, _please_ don't recomend that I go down to inspect them." Dorrik shivered. "Once was enough."
Zathris couldn't help but bark a laugh at Dorrik's insistance. "I will be sure to ask someone else to do it. I appreciate your help in this Dorrik, I really do. I know it wasn't pleasant." It hadn't been pleasant for either of them.
"Well... to be honest, I'm just whining," Dorrik admited after a moment. "I've dealt with ornery cotholders before and I will again. Harop was disagreeable, but he didn't actively block us from doing our work... which is part of the reason why I think he's telling what he thinks is the truth. If he wasn't being truthful he would have tried to divert our attention or outright denied us access to his charnel pit. That being said, it doesn't mean that I wholeheartedly support his claim."
"Nor do I." Zathris admitted with a sigh. "But at the same time, we couldn't really find any evidence against him. I feel I must give him the benefit on the doubt on this, then take steps to see if we can find out the answer is."
"He did have nice canines, though," Dorrik said after a moment.
Zathris grinned. "That he did indeed. It's too bad they can't talk, or the beasts for that matter. Maybe they could tell us what was going on." Wishful thinking indeed. "Anyway, at least we can sleep in our own beds tonight. I didn't trust his hospitality."
"Oh, it wouldn't be his hospitality I'd worry about. It'd be the bed itself! I don't know about you, but I'm right tired of spending the night in a hayloft," Dorrik said cheerfully. He kneed his runner into a slightly faster walk - the sooner they returned to the Hold, the sooner he'd have his hands wrapped around a mug of klah!
Last updated on the August 1st 2008