Thank Faranth for Small Favours
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: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 9th February 2009
Characters: Almonteo, Eilomar
Description: Almonteo gets a friendly visit from his Choir Master.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 5
"Who is waiting?" the Hallmaster asked the apprentice.
"Master Eilomar." The boy's disgust was evident in his voice.
Almonteo gave him a stern look, though his own feelings weren't far off. "Show him in please."
Eilomar pushed in past the apprentice. "This is intolerable, Hallmaster, " he started right away.
"Ah, Master Eilomar, it has been too long," and yet seemed not nearly long enough. "Won't you sit down?"
"I rather stand, thank you," Eilomar replied. "They keep stealing our most promising apprentices!" He was not that easily distracted, not this time.
"I assume you are talking about Weyrling F'gol?" the Hallmaster asked innocently.
"Yes," Eilomar growled.
"I don't think even the Weyr was able to foresee his Impression, my dear Master. The dragon made his choice." It had obviously been a surprise to everyone, including the apprentice.
"What was he doing there anyway? He was not one of them who asked to Stand" Eilomar asked. He was aware that some apprentices had asked permission to Stand, a fact he had been grumbling about, for the Hallsecond and others.
"You know boys, they're curious about everything." And it probably worked out for the best. After all, if he hadn't been there, whose to say the dragonet wouldn't have died?
"And we lost a valuable talent," Eilomar bristled.
"I certainly agree," the Hallmaster nodded. "But exactly what do you think I can do about it?"
"I don't know. Move the hall away from here?" Eilomar sounded irrated.
Hopefully that was in the works, but Almonteo wasn't about to tell Eilomar that just yet. "And you think that they won't be found on Search? What would you suggest, that we _deny_ the Weyr?"
"Erh, of course not," Eilomar said, suddenly hesitating when he realized where he was heading. Even he wouldn't go that far, not with Thread falling over their heads.
**Oh yes, of _course_ not...** "Then what _are_ you suggesting?"
"I don't know. Why should I know? I'm not the hallmaster or even a hallsecond. I'm just the choir leader and master of vocal teaching," Eilomar whined.
"That's true. _I_ am the Hallmaster and I can tell you now, we are not going to deny the Weyr any of our apprentices who appear to have dragonrider potential and concent willingly to Stand, or just _happen_ to Impress." He fixed the rotund master with a firm stare. "I'm sure you would agree that we owe too much to the Weyr to do otherwise."
"Well, yes, of course," Eilomar muttered. He was starting to think that Thanja was actually nicer. She listened.
Almonteo wasn't concerned with being popular with the Choral Master half as much as he was worried the man would whip up other hidebound masters with his complaints. Still, he did have to work with the man. "But of course, I can understand your concerns, Master Eilomar. It is frustrating to loose an apprentice with potential. Luckily is seems most of our boys and girls are not destined to be dragonriders."
"Thank Faranth for small favours," Eilomar said and sighed dramatically.
"Yes, indeed." The Hallmaster knew that sigh. It was time to stroke the man's rather oversized ego. "And thankfully the dragons never found _you_ on Search, Master Eilomar. It would have been a great loss of talent indeed."
"Yes, indeed. I have brother who impressed, so it might have happened," he shuddered. "I don't like heights."
Almonteo tried to hide his amusement at the thought of a dragon actually choosing Eilomar to Stand. "But you have a love and skill of music. It seems you were destined to be one of the great choir masters of Pern."
"Thank you, Hallmaster," Eilomar said. He was now calmed down.
The Hallmaster smiled. Some people didn't know how to take a compliment. Eilomar was certainly not one of those people. "Now, I am sure you have students waiting for you. I'm waiting eagerly to hear what you have planned for us now that Turns End is over."
"Yes, I do have a class waiting," Eilomar beamed at the compliment. "I'm sure we'll see later."
"Count on it." After all, there seemed to be no way to escape the man...
Last updated on the February 16th 2009