Victory toast

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 22nd November 2011

Characters: Morin, Fymer
Description: Morin takes a moment to consult with his right-hand-man
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 3, day 15 of Turn 6

After the finish of business and shaking hands around the table,
accepting his now-peer's congratulations, no matter how disingenuous, he
whispered a word into the ear of his host, asking if it might be
possible to stay behind and have a private word with his Hold Harper.
It was graciously granted, and by the time Fymer knocked on the door,
Morin already had two glasses of wine poured and waiting.

"You wanted to see me, my _lord_? " Fymer asked after knocking and
opening the door. He was putting the weight on the title. He was quite
pleased
with the outcome, seeing it as results of his efforts too.

"I do. Close the door," he said with a nod, picking up both glasses.
As the harper turned back towards him, he held a glass out to him. "And
I do know much my success is due to you. And I will reward you. But we
have a lot of preparations that will need to be made and not much time."

"Thank you," Fymer said. Taking the glass, he saluted his lord.

"To the work ahead. I am not lying when I say I couldn't have done this
without you." Morin was not ashamed to admit that. He could give
praise when praise was due. Touching his glass to the harpers, he took
a long sip, closing his eyes and drinking in the wine and the moment.
After space of two breaths, they opened with a snap. "We have a lot to
do. First thing, I have a dragon waiting to take you back to Sunstone."
It was a possibility he had already discussed with Fymer. "I want you
to be the one to spread the word of the outcome of the vote to the
Holders. I'm sure many will be waiting on news."

"All right," Fymer said. "I'm sure they are holding their breath."

"As were we all." He wished he could be the one to deliver the news,
but Morin knew that he had a lot of political connections that needed
tending now that he would be a true Lord Holder. "Now, after you've
passed on the news, we have to start planning for the charter signing.
I want it to be a memorable event for everyone involved. Give the
announcement that from month 5 day 27 until month 6 day 1, there will be
no work except that which is necessary for the festivities. Three days
of feasting, gaming, dancing, boat races and whatever else we can think
of."

"Ooh, sounds great," Fymer said enthusiastically. He was thinking of the
gambling involved in such occasions, and a greedy gleam appeared to his
eyes. If they were hosting races...well, there was ways to make sure the
winner was the right one.

Morin's voice lowered a little, despite the fact that they were alone.
"I need you to get a message to our 'friends'. Tell them I don't want
them anywhere need my Hold from mid month five and mid month six. Any
suspicious persons will have their hold's searched, cargo seized, and
crew arrested. I'm not taking any chances."

"Yes, sir, considered it done," Fymer nodded. He didn't need to
explained
what 'friends' he was referring in.

"The Steward and Headwoman can take care of the logistics where to house
all the guests. I'll be asking the Hallmaster for some extra musicians.
I'm sure he will be happy to help. I need you to start writing an
official charter. Start in on a rough draft and when I get back I'll
check it and tell you what changes I want made. This will have to be
sent to the Harper Hall for printing. Each of the minor holds will need
signed copies, and each Holder should get a replica as well." The
harper had a way with words, so Morin knew he could entrust him with
such an important task. And really, what harper didn't want their words
to be passed down from generation to generation?

"Right, I got that," Fymer nodded. "We also need to start attracting
more ranking crafters. Like master healer and other masters," he gave
his
piece of advice, although it was unasked for and probably something
Morin had
already under consideration.

Morin ignored the statement completely. It was like a man walking out
into a hurricane and announcing it was raining, and he had more pressing
concerns to worry about. "Schedule meetings with all the minor holders
and cotholders in my territory for the day after I get back. Make it a
dinner meeting and make arrangements for them to stay the night. I
think we'll have a bit of a quite celebration. Also, please tell the
headwoman I want some sort of special meal for the Holders for when I
return. Don't tell her I asked for it. Drop it as a hint." It looked
bad for him to make plans for his own victory celebration.

"Yes, sir," Fymer said, making furiously notes. It rankled a bit to be
so
completely disregarded, although he supposed he was already used to it.

"Start looking at possible Lady Holders. I don't want a Lord Holder's
daughter. I want someone so grateful for the opportunity that they
might overlook a few suspicions in regards to family. But she has to be
of the Blood and well trained. Look at Minor Holder families." They
were often related to major Bloodlines and used to getting their hands a
little dirty. "I want some of their father's invited to the
festivities. And talk to Bryvin right away. First priority - we'll
need to get that road to Salt Springs finished. Our harbor won't be
able to take all the boats that will bring people and supplies and we
have that as a secondary option. Did you get that?"

"Yes,I got it all," Fymer assured. "So, the daughters of nephews and
cousins then?" he checked once more.

"Yes. And no rich minor holds. I want a woman used to a bit of work.
Amethyst Cliff Bloodlines, Topaz Seahold, Amber Hills Bloodlines might
be good." He would not suffer a lazy woman loafing around his Hold.
"And contact Pasha through the usual channels. I might have some
business to do with her." The greenrider had often proved herself
useful finding things that other people had trouble getting their hands
on.

"All right," Fymer said. "I'll take care of it."

"Lastly, when you've done all you need to for the evening, go down to
the harbor and find a boat called 'The Rip Tide'. Find the man guarding
the ship. Say you like his boots and ask here he got them. He'll take
you to the card game." Morin smiled, knowing Fymer deserved a
celebration of his own. He tossed a small bag of marks down on the
table. "And there's your losings for the night."

"Thank you, that is very generous from you," Fymer said, chuckling with
pleasure. Now, this gather was starting to look better and better.

"Well, let's drink up. You have your instructions and we both have
places we need to be." A moment to rest was all well and good, but
Morin would not waste an opportunity like a large gathering of some of
the most important people on the Southern Continent!

"Yes, my Lord," Fymer said and the title tasted like a victory.

Last updated on the January 3rd 2012

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Victory toast