An Unwavering Ally
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: 2nd September 2009
Characters: Almonteo, Eilomar
Description: Almonteo lets Eilomar in on a little secret.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 4, day 20 of Turn 5
The Hallmaster had thought long and hard about letting Eilomar into his confidence about the intended move to Emerald Falls. He wasn't entirely sure if the Master Harper could keep such big news to himself, though if he impressed upon the choir master just how important a secret and great confidence he had in him, chances were he would keep it just make the feeling of great importance last. Besides, he needed the honest opinion of some of his Masters, and one thing Eilomar had no problem doing was speaking his mind!
"Ah, Master Eilomar, please." The Hallmaster waved to the chair opposite himself with a welcoming smile.
"Hallmaster, you requested to see me," the round master singer said with his pompous style.
"I did indeed. I hope I'm not calling you away from anything important, Eilomar." He poured them both a glass of cool juice.
"There isn't anything more important that a call from a hallmaster," Eilomar replied and took the glass with a nod.
Oh, if only everyone in his Hall felt the same, the Hallmaster thought hiding a smile. "I appreciate it none the less. I have something I would like to discuss with you. A sensitive matter."
"Oh? I'm all ears," Eilomar replied, piquet and flattered. Nothing stroked his large ego more than the thought he was the Hallmaster's confidant.
"I have to emphasize strongly that what I am about to tell you, few people know. I trust I can count on your discretion."
"You can trust me, Almonteo," Eilomar assured him. The sheer feeling of knowing something others didn't, was just too gleeful to him to start spreading rumours (and ruin that superior feeling).
"I have been speaking with the Lord Holder of Emerald Falls very seriously about moving our Hall back to the area. We have a place picked out, and a basic plan for the move." Almonteo gave the Master a moment to let the new sink in. "I want to know what you think about moving again."
"Personally, I'm delighted. I never felt really home at here. Too hot for me." Eilomar replied.
The Hallmaster had always known the Choir Master was not always fond of their dragonrider neighbors, either. "So, you don't have any reservations about returning to Emerald Falls then?"
"Not me. But I know there will be people who will have," Eilomar remarked.
Almonteo leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingertips together as he thought about his next question. "What kind of reservations, do you think?"
"Well..." Eilomar thought back to the things he had heard. "How we will be received. Especially the female apprentices would worry what happens to them, how are they treated. Many would mourn the loss of moral freedoms that Weyr offers," his voice showed contempt at the last sentence. The so called Weyr's freedom's had costed him a wife.
"Back to the female apprentices," since the Hallmaster was already well aware of how Eilomar felt about the morals of their adopted home, "do you think they have a reason to feel worried?"
"Probably," Eilomar admitted. He did know the folk of his former home. He had lived in Emerald Falls hold most of his life, expect the time he had been travelling around as journeyman. "Didn't whole this mess got started with us accepting female apprentices? Of course, the hold had since got a new Lord Holder, and the performance in his wedding went well."
"I am concerned, though, that if it came to the point when some Emerald Falls residents displayed their displeasure at having females with knots walking around their Hold, that not all of my harpers will come to their defense." Almonteo did not want to say directly that he was worried that Eilomar might be one of those. "Do you think that is a legitimate concern?"
"No. Harpers are harpers, no matter what gender," Eilomar crossed his arms over his belly. "When it comes to outsiders, united front is most important."
"I agree. I think a united front is most important. Do you think others share you opinion, though? That harpers are harpers no matter what?"
"Well, I can't guarantee for _everyone_, but most masters and journeyman feel that way," Eilomar replied.
"I am certainly relieved to hear _you_ feel that way at least," Almonteo smiled. Sometimes the choir master could still surprise him.
Eilomar nodded with all the dignity he could muster.
"I will need people to be a positive voice for this big a change. Will you help me convince your fellow Masters that this is the right move?"
"Gladly," Eilomar replied eagerly. "No more apprentices running off to impress dragons."
"That is true." Though some would still be Searched. He thought it better not to point out that fact. "I appreciate your cooperation, Eilomar. You have always been an unwavering ally." Which, surprisingly, was the absolute truth.
"Thank you, Hallmaster," Eilomar beamed.
Last updated on the September 2nd 2009