The More The Merrier
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: AL, Paula
Date Posted: 6th February 2010
Characters: Zathris, Zelanka
Description: Zathris and Zelanka discuss the upcoming Gather.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 10 of Turn 5
"Ah, Zelanka." Zathris straightened, hand upon the handle of his door of
his office. He had been about to slip inside his office when he saw the
Headwoman approaching him with purposeful strides.
"My Lord," Zelanka said, bowing her head respectably.
"How go the preparations?" The Gather was coming up quite soon. The first
of the month brought along with it the countdown and the beginning of the
slow rise of panic that would last at least to the first day of the gather,
if not until the last trace was cleaned up afterward. Now, less than two sevendays were left and it kept the hold in a frenzied pace.
"Quite well, sir," the headwoman replied. "But we need more long tables."
"I see. I'm sure we can take care that. I'll see if the Vintner hall will
let us use some of theirs." Zathris doubted they would say no, but he
didn't want to assume either. "I hope you're not running yourself ragged."
"No, not this time. Having a Lady in the hold helps a great deal," Zelanka
replied with a smile.
"Benani never was one to shirk responsibility." Zathris' smile sweetened at
the mention of his wife. "I'm sure she's glad to help you out in any way
that you need."
"Ah, yes, she's a good lass," Zelanka had known her from her birth after
all.
"Is there anything else I can do to help you?" Zathris honestly felt he
wasn't doing much at all. Zelanka and Benani had been whirlwinds, taking
over the plans and Zathris knew he could do more.
"Oh, no, we got everything under control," Zelanka shook her head which
made wisps of hair escape the bun. "It's not the first Gather I've
arranging." She smiled. She had always enjoyed Gathers and the busy time
before them.
"I know, but please, don't kill yourself over on my account." Perhaps
Zathris should take care of some things himself, be pre-emptive. It would
spread things out a bit for all of them. "I hope we get a good turnout.
The more the merrier, right?"
"Aye," the Headwoman nodded. "We'll have all kind of wintersports and plenty
of hot drinks served. Oh, and I need your approval where to place the
roasting pit and other fires."
"Do you have a map of the setup?" Zathris finally opened his door and
motioned for the Headwoman to enter. It would be easier to mark things and
make notes upon his desk.
"Kind of," she replied and pulled a rolled hide from the large pockets in
her apron. She rolled it out to show a self-made map of the area. She
wasn't much of a
drawer, so it was very crude and full of mysterious markings that mean
nothing to everyone else.
Zathris choked back a chuckle and motioned to the map. He couldn't make
hide nor hair of what she had done save for the basic shape of the grounds.
Was that the Hall? "Why don't you tell me what's where and we'll figure out
the best spots for it."
"Well, here's the Gather square. I was thinking having the trader stalls and
food stalls placed there. The stage for harpers and other performances, I
thought we could put it here, nearer to the main door instead of Gather
square, since the place is more sheltered, especially if it's windy day,"
she pointed the marks on the drawing. "Here's the tavern, another place for
food serving and those fields over there can be used to sports."
"I'm a little hesitant to put it so close to the hold itself." While
Zathris could understand the issue regarding a windy day, he preferred to
keep the fires further away from buildings. "What about this spot over
here? On the other side?"
"Would that be too close to the stables?" she asked with a little shrug of
her shoulders.
"No, more in between it and some of the stalls." Of course, having the
fires closer to the hold would be convenient. "Maybe over here in this
corner? Not too far away, but not too close either."
"Should do well," Zelanka said thoughtfully.
"See how that works out with the setup." Zathris suggested as he gave the
headwoman a smile. "I appreciate all your work on this, Zelanka. You
always do a great job."
"Thank you my lord," Zelanka replied. In her mind she thought that Zathris
was turning out all right as a Lord Holder.
Last updated on the February 5th 2010