Am I still?

Writers: AL, Paula
Date Posted: 24th June 2009

Characters: Zathris, Zelanka
Description: Zelanka has a burning question to the new Lord Holder.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 5

Zathris

Zathris sat in the chair, staring at his new office. It had once been
Benaroy's office. He fingered the table that had once been Benaroy's,
stared at the walls and shelves that had once been his. He and Benani
would be moving into their new quarters soon. Zathris still wasn't
sure what to think of that. The new Lord of Amber Hills leaned back
and closed his eyes. It was an honour to be chosen, but he couldn't
help but think that, perhaps, he had somehow stolen the hold away.
Surely Nimroy would have been a better choice. Evidently the Conclave
hadn't thought so.

The knock at the door caused Zathris to open his eyes and call the
visitor to enter. He smiled when he saw Zelanka and stood politely.
"Good morning."

"Good morning, My lord," Zelanka said. The words felt odd in her
mouth. It was strange to call someone else with that honorific.

It was even stranger for Zathris to hear him addressed as such.
"Please sit down." Zathris motioned to one of the heavy chairs that
sat waiting for visitors. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"We need to have talk, to organize things and such. Now that your the
new Lord Holder," Zelanka said. The headwoman's voice lacked the usual
calm confidence. She didn't know where she stand with Zathris. Things
were changing and it made her unsecure.

"Yes. Yes, you're absolutely right." Zathris had a lot more on his
plate with his new title. Even one day of rest couldn't be given. He
lowered himself back into the chair and motioned for the headwoman to
take a seat once more. "Make yourself comfortable. Tell me what the
most pressing concerns are and we'll address those first."

"Well..." Zelanka took a stedying breath, "Am I still the headwoman?"
That was the most burning question in her mind.

The question was not at all what Zathris had expected. He spread his
hands, palms up as he spoke. "I don't see any reason why you
shouldn't be." How long had she been fretting over that? As far as
Zathris knew, Zelanka did her job. Why would he change that?

"Good," Zelanka said.

"Anythings else that is especially on your mind?"

"I know I'm going to report to Benani from now on. But there's some
practicalities I would like to know. Like, I used to bring meals to
Lord Benaroy to here. Do you want that?" She said and asked. It felt
strange to talk to him. She didn't know Zathris, not very well at
least, not like she knew Benaroy's sons and daughters.

"I will probably request meals on occasion when there are late nights,
however, I'm not planning on making it a habit." And why was the
Headwoman bringing Lord Benaroy meals? Zathris thought such a thing
could have been done by a drudge rather than someone who already had
so much on her plate.

Zelanka nodded.

"Are there any other concerns of a personal nature that you wish to
discuss?" Zathris' smile was gentle as he spoke.

"Are you going to do any changes in the staff?" Zelanka asked. It was
not an answer to his question. It was that she didn't like him, he was
Benani's husband after all, but she did feel he was completely wrong
man in this office.

"Not at the moment. Not unless I see a reason for change." As far as
Zathris knew, everyone was doing their job as they should. Of course,
he hadn't really had enough time to see exact who was doing what.

Zelanka nodded. She realized she didn't know how to continue. It was
strange, she never been in situation like this.

Last updated on the July 26th 2009

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Am I still?