Lord Of Amber Hills

Writers: AL, Eimi
Date Posted: 23rd June 2009

Characters: Almonteo, Zathris
Description: Almonteo tells Zathris about the decision made by the Conclave.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 1 of Turn 5

Almonteo

Zathris

"Zathris, could I have a word with you?" the Hallmaster asked as he left
the small meeting room where he had just had the unenviable task of
informing the Lord Holder's sons who the Conclave had chosen as
Benaroy's heir.

"Yes, of course, sir." Zathris nodded, clasping his hands behind him as
he focused his attention upon Almonteo. He wondered who had been chosen
to replace Benaroy. Of all the sons, Zathris thought Nimroy would be
the best choice.

"Is there somewhere where you and I can speak privately?" What the
Hallmaster was about to say might be best to be said alone, and
somewhere that had a nice bottle of something strong handy.

"Of course." Zathris couldn't imagine why Almonteo would need to speak
with him, but he wasn't about to argue. He motioned for the Master to
follow him. "We'll go to my office."

Almonteo followed him down the corridor and into his office, gently
closing the door behind them. "Do you happen to have some wine? I
could use a little."

"I'm afraid I don't." Zathris gave Almonteo a rueful smile. "But I can
send for some if you like." Was it really going to take that long?
Zathris wondered what was going on - had something bad happened?

"I think a bit of something sounds like a good idea." After all, after
he told Zathris the news, the younger man just might need a drink
himself!

Zathris nodded and left the room. He returned a few moments later and
sat down and chatted amiably about unimportant matters until a drudge
arrived two glasses of wine. The younger man offered Almonteo first
choice, then settled back down in his chair. "Now, what can I do for
you, sir?"

"Well," the Hallmaster poured them both a drink, "there's no gentle way
to break this, so I will come straight out and tell you. The Conclave
has chosen you as Benaroy's successor." He thrust a glass towards the
man.

Zathris was glad he hadn't been in the middle of drinking his wine. If
he
had, in all liklihood, he would have spit it all out onto the Hallmaster
and that certainly wouldn't have done well for relations at all. "Me?"

"The Conclave feels that you are the right man for the job. You have
been trained by three Lord Holders, you are married to Lord Benaroy's
daughter and therefore your children would be of the line. Your wife is
of this Hold, you are from outside of it, which makes you a fair
representation of a Hold made up of half Amber Hills residents and half
which have come from elsewhere. You are the man for the job in their
eyes." Almonteo let the reality sink in for a moment before proceeding.

"Needless to say, not everyone will be pleased with this outcome. You
will have your work cut out for you to win over many of these people,
probably including Benaroy's own sons. But you will have the full
backing and support of the other Lord Holders. You can count on that."

Yes, he was going to have his work cut out for him indeed. How would
Nimroy react? That was the son that Zathris worried about the most
because of their friendship. Would it hurt their friendship? He hoped
not. "Well...I don't know what to say other than that I am honoured to
have been chosen."

"Well, let's drink to that then. To you, Lord Zathris," Almonteo said,
reaching his glass out towards him.

"Thank you, Master Almonteo." Zathris carefully clinked his glass
against his companion's, then took a sip. Lord Zathris - it was a title
he thought he'd never hear. It was going to take some getting used to,
for all of the hold, not just for him.

Last updated on the July 26th 2009

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Lord Of Amber Hills