Greener is too close

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 8th October 2010

Characters: D'ale, Zathris
Description: D'ale brings a concern to Lord Holder Zathris
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentions: U'kaiah

D'ale

Zathris

He was flying a sweep over Amber Hills from Dragonfall Weyr when he spotted
the growth encroaching closer than it should near the weavers workshop. He
spiraled in for a landing near the main hold. Amber Hills was rather spread
out and he hadn't over flown here since his return from River Bluff and had
yet to meet the Lord Holder. Torerath had never been able to understand
some holders reactions to his presence. }:Why do they run mine:{ he asked as
several drudges scurried out of their way. D'ale didn't really have an
answer. **They don't know you like I do** he said sending love through their
link.

He walked up the main steps removing his gloves and headgear as he went. He
asked politely to be shown to the Lord Holder.

At least the drudge didn't run away from _him_, just the dragon. Not that
the middle aged man wasn't intimidated. D'ale was shown to the Lord
Holder's office in silence, the drudge glancing back at the rider from time
to time, but saying nothing and only grunting if he was spoken to. When
they arrived at a thick wooden door, the man lifted his hand and rapped
soundly upon it. Almost immediately, a voice from within, muffled but still
ringing through the thick wood (surely the man must have shouted to be
heard!) calling for them to enter. The drudge opened the door and motioned
for the rider to go in.

Zathris was seated at his desk, hides scattered about, chaotic and yet
orderly all at the same time, if such a thing was possible. He looked up
and smiled when he saw who entered, then stood. "Hello, rider!" He greeted
warmly. "Didn't expect you. I'm Zathris...and you are?"

D'ale had quietly followed as he was led to the presence of the Lord Holder.
At the greeting he swept an appropriate bow and smiled "M'lord" he said. "I
am D'ale of brown Torerath out of Dragonsfall Weyr. A pleasure to meet you
Sir."

"It's nice to meet you as well." Zathris came around from behind his desk,
holding his hand out for the dragonrider to take. "To what do I owe the
pleasure of this visit, D'ale of brown Torerath?"

D'ale took the proffered hand with a smile "Well, I was riding a sweep over
the hold and saw some encroaching greenery getting a bit close to one of
your outbuildings and thought I would drop in and tell you about it. It
isn't bad at this point but requires some attention."

Zathris' lips curl downward at that bit of news. He turned to his
desk and drew out a piece of parchment. The ink pen was taken up and
a note written across it. "Could you tell me where it was located?"
He asked, obviously not happy with what the rider told him.

"It was one of the larger buildings over on the north side of the
hold. I seem to remember it being the Weavers hall?"

"So this is greener that is overly tall? That hasn't been cut back?"
Zathris asked as he wrote down the location. "We generally try to
keep it cropped short. I will certainly look into why that has been
overlooked."

He shrugged, "it's just too close to the hold by several weavers
lengths." He nodded at Zathris' statement, "Everywhere else I looked
it was very nicely cropped. That is why I thought you would want to
know."

"Yes, I do, and thank you." Zathris finished writing notes and
straightened, offering a smile to the brownrider. "I do appreciate
it. Forgive me, I have been a poor host. Is there anything I can get
you? Drink? Food?"

D'ale grinned broadly "I will never turn down a drink Lord Zathris."

"Well then, let me have some sent down." Zathris strides over to the
door and opens it, catching the first drudge he sees passing by. He
gives the request for a drink and perhaps a bit to eat with it, then
turns back to his guest. "So tell me something about yourself."

"Oh," he said "Weyrbred and raised, apprenticed as a harper, then
impressed at 16." He smiled thinking about the early days. "I had
several very good friends and one of them, a greenrider, presented me
with a son about 20 turns ago. I was Wingsecond in U'kaiah's wing for
awhile but then I transferred to Riverbluff. I have a small daughter
there, but just recently came back to Dragonsfall to watch my son
Stand." He didn't add the part 'and to get away from Lesora.'

"So two children. Weyrmate?" Zathris asked as he eased himself back
down in his chair. "So you've been a dragonrider for at least twenty
turns?" A long time, twenty turns, and it was strange how it could
seem to fly by sometimes as well. "How old are your children?"

D'ales face split with a grin, "No, no weyrmate, different mothers,
left the last behind at River Bluff." he couldn't begin to describe
the relief that simple statement brought him. He nodded at the Lord
Holder. "I tried to make it work for my daughter but... well, it
didn't. She's just 3 now." he smiled "Kendale is 20 and going to stand
at the next hatching." Then he looked at the other man more closely.
"Are you married, have any children?"

"Married, yes." Surely the brownrider knew about Lady Benani? "No
children. Yet. We're hoping to get some good news soon." The knock
at the door caused Zathris to stop and he moved back to the door to
allow the drudge in. A tray with some bread, cheese, and a good light
ale along with some redfruit juice was set upon the desk. "You can
go." Zathris' voice was gentle, kind as he spoke to the drudge. "We
can take care of ourselves." The young man scurried out and the Lord
Holder motioned to the tray. "Ale or juice? Any bread or cheese?"

D'ale's stomach growled when the tray arrived. "Ale for me and some
cheese" he said reaching toward the tray and pouring for himself.
"You?" he offered to pour.

Zathris clicked his tongue and shook his head. "You're the guest, I
should be serving." He took the ale from Dale and poured himself a
glass before cutting up some of the cheese and handing it over. The
tankard of ale was lifted and he saluted D'ale with it. "To
Dragonriders who always look out for us."

D'ale lifted his own "And to the holders who free us to fight with
their good provision." he answered. He found he liked this man a great
deal.

Last updated on the October 17th 2010

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Greener is too close