Up To Standard

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 20th January 2009

Characters: Zathris, Zandreu
Description: Zathris makes a visit to see his friend Zandreu at the Tavern and the two talk about changes.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Benani, Benaroy

Zathris

"Nothing's settled about me moving to the Hall proper," Zandreu said
firmly to the senior apprentice vintner doing his turn at the Tavern to
add those skills to the rest of his accomplishments. "So while I'm
still in the Tavern you can assume I'm still in charge of it." And even
if he wasn't, Zandreu was a master vintner, and what he said should be
regarded as more than an idle suggestion by any
apprentice. "Understood?"

The young man mumbled something that sounded like an acknowledgement and
slunk away being watched by the Tavern Master's dark eyes. Then the
tall, lean man looked around to the unintended witness to the incident.
"Zathris. I'm sorry about that. Are you here for a drink? I'll join
you if you are."

"Drink and fellowship my friend." Zathris stated as he closed what
distance was left between them. "I enjoy your company as much as I
enjoy my drink. Almost, anyway."

"What would you like tonight? Cider? Ale? Wine?"

"Ale." Zathris stated without hesitation as he made his way over to a
table. "A nice stout, perhaps."

"I'll be with you in a moment," Zandreu heading off to the bar to give
the order to the difficult senior apprentice. He hesitated there long
enough for the young man to know he was being watched and then crossed
the room to join the assistant steward. "Drinks and snacks are on their
way."

"Sounds good." Zathris leaned back in his chair and stretched his long
legs underneath the table. "I'm sorry if I interrupted anything. You
didn't sound too pleased."

"A little trouble with one of the apprentices. Not listening to me."
He smiled. "Being a Tavern Master is not often seen as a serious role
for a master vintner, I'm afraid."

"That's rather a shame." Zathris supposed it could be easy to consider
the role as an easy one. He was sure it wasn't as easy as it seemed.
"So what's this about a move?"

"The former Tavern Master - did you know Bhervehan?"

"I'm afraid I didn't. I only started coming to the Tavern after you
were here." Zathris glanced around the room as if he were expecting the
man. "Is he here?"

"He's come back, though it's not certain he'll take over here again."
Zandreu chuckled. "Regardless of that lack of certainty - or because of
it - the rumours and gossip is going wild. Mostly about what job I'll
take if I don't stay here. The internal politics of a Hall can be a
fairly fierce battleground on some issues."

"I'm sure it can." As could the politics of a Hold, of that Zathris
knew well. He'd dealt with plenty of politics in his time. Sometimes
it wasn't so bad. Sometimes it was downright unpleasant. "So...what
is rumour and what is truth?"

"The truth is that I came here on the understanding the job would be
temporary," Zandreu began. "And that I'm better suited to this job than
most in the Hall. And that the Hallmaster will make up his mind what to
do about it all when he's good and ready."

Zathris paused in his response as snacks and ale were brought to the
table. He flashed a smile at the girl who served them, then turned back
to Zandreu. "What would _you_ like to have done, though?"

"Any administrative job - like this one. Most master crafter positions
have that, though. Since I don't drink any of the products the Hall
produces my palete is probably too rusty to be on any practical use."

That admission made Zathris pause. "You don't drink? At all?"

"Nothing alcoholic."

Zathris set his mug down with a thunk and stared at the Tavern Master.
"I find that rather...ironic."

"Well, it's useful, in it's way, as a Tavern Master," Zandreu suggested
with a smile.

"Why is that?" Zathris picked up his mug once more and let it hover at
his lips.

"Judgement's never clouded by alcohol and it's easier to just avoid it
completely than try to always be considering whether one more will be
fine or perhaps one more."

"You're making me feel guilty." Zathris grinned. His admission didn't
stop him from taking a sip of his ale, however. "To each his own. So
tell me about the former Tavern Master. What is he like? I've yet to
meet him."

"He's certainly larger than life - and quite dedicated to the Tavern."
Zandreu shrugged. "I certainly won't find things any worse here when he
returns, and possibly they'll be improved."

"But he won't be you." Zathris' tone was almost a wine, though it held
some humour to it. "I suppose I shall simply have to make friends with
him too. At least it sounds like you're going to be staying nearby. I
hope anyway."

"I hope so too. I rather like this place, though I supposed I'd have to
give up my room with the view of the river. What about you? Are you
and your wife settled here forever? She's the Lord Holder's daughter, I
believe."

"Yes, she is and yes, we're pretty much here forever as far as I know."
Zathris chuckled. "I have to say, Amber Hills has grown on me
quite a
bit. I can't really imagine myself anywhere else."

"It must be nice to be that settled. Is there any chance of - Well,
sometimes the Lord Holder's heir is related by marriage not by blood.
Any chance of something like that happening here?"

Zathris about spit out the ale in his mouth at the question, more out of
surprise than anything. He swallowed and thumped his chest before
setting down his mug. "To be honest, Zandreu, I have no idea. I
honestly wouldn't expect him to choose me over one of his biological
sons."

"Unless they fall out of favour. Sometimes happens."

"I honestly don't see that happening here." Zathris shrugged. "As much
as I would like my own hold, I'm happy as long as I'm with Benani. I'm
still able to contribute and that's something."

"Could you not get a small Hold, somewhere? One of the ones that look
for Amber Hills?"

"Perhaps, but...well, Benani wants to be close to her father." Zathris
didn't blame her and he certainly didn't resent her desire. "Maybe in a
few turns."

Zandreu nodded, assuming the Lord Holder's daughter wanted to be close
in what were obviously the old man's final Turns. "How well do you get
on with your brothers-by-marriage?"

"All right, I suppose." Zathris was sure that certain ones didn't care
for him so much, but they were generally civil so it was hard to say.
"We don't fight, usually. I guess it's more of a live and let live
situation."

"Until one of them is the Lord Holder, perhaps."

"We'll see." It certainly didn't necessarily mean his life would be as
pleasant as it was currently. Zathris hoped that whomever was chosen,
they would get along well. It would all depend. Perhaps Benani would
be willing to move once her father passed on. It was a morbid thought,
but a natural one. After all, his health was not good, though he had
hung on for longer than Zathris thought most people had expected. "In
the mean time, I shall continue to do my duty."

"What's that?" The Tavern Master grinned. "Visiting the Tavern
regularly to make sure what we're serving is up to standard?"

"Of course." Zathris took a sip of his brew to hide his grin before
adding, "What else do you think I come here for?"

Last updated on the January 20th 2009

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