Staying Lucky

Writers: Jane
Date Posted: 1st October 2008

Characters: Zandreu
Description: Zandreu appreciates how lucky he is and determines to stay that way.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 4

The Tavern Master drew the curtains and looked out into the early
morning light. The half-light of dawn was gone and the sun was up -
somewhere. From the look of the uninterrupted arch of sky it would be
another, and very welcome, sunny day at the Vintner Hall.

The very slim man with the lean, angular face pushed the window open to
air the room, taking a moment to lean on the window ledge and look out
toward the river. Dark eyes surveyed the scene, grateful that the wing
of the Tavern his room was in looked out over the fields and out to the
river. Had he been using the Tavern Master's rooms he would look out at
the main building of the Hall, something he would have no reason to
spend any time admiring each day the way he could always find time for
the river.

He hadn't always appreciated things the way he did these days. Things
like a good view from a window, like being up at dawn each day. Like
being able to remember the night before, like waking up without a hangover.

Somewhere along the way he had learned that sort of appreciation, and
fought his way out of the problems that plagued him - every single one
of his own making.

Taking a little time each morning to watch the river flow past helped
bring to mind how lucky he was; how finely balanced each day was between
staying lucky and falling back into the disastrous old ways.

The river was a constant in his new life, but ever-changing. Part of
its attraction for the cider-maker was that each day he could note its
changes or lack of them.

This morning it was running a little higher than usual. The fields on
the far side of the river were flood plains, he had been told, but
though the river was high they weren't in any danger. One day there
would be water on them, no doubt, and he would be as intrigued as ever
but the changeability of the scene.

Somewhere down-stream, in canyons carved by this very water that flowed
past his window - or, more correctly, the long-ago predecessor of the
water he watched - there sat the technical marvel that made electricity
from rivers, supplying the Hold with riches in lighting and mechanical
devices.

Such things were a mystery to him. His part of the vintnercraft was one
of the oldest and simplest; turning apples into cider. Perhaps his
youthful decision to become a cider-maker had been influenced by his
lack of a technical mind, perhaps -

The clang from downstairs was loud enough to wake a dragon.

Zandreu winced at the noise and the cursing that followed it. He hoped
he was the only resident of the Tavern with the windows open at this
time of the morning and resolved to speak to the early morning staff.
Even if they couldn't always avoid dropping the large pots and trays
they could certainly mind their language.

For him the moment was gone. The introspection that he liked to begin
each day with was done. He was going to have a wash and find some clean
clothes (both among the many things he had lost the appreciation of
during his troubled Turns, and now enjoyed greatly), and he get on with
the daily duties of a Tavern Master. He lowered the window a little and
turned away from the view of the river.

He was a lucky man.

Last updated on the October 5th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Staying Lucky