A Proper Welcome

Writers: Avery, Clancey, Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 14th January 2006

Characters: Ishek, Daynar, Thalia, Penryn
Description: Garnet Valley Hold formally welcomes their new Lord Regent!
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 6 of Turn 3
Notes: This post serves as the control post for the GVH Welcome Banquet. Feel free to post away!

Thalia smiled graciously as Ishek helped her into her seat at the High Table, and was careful to keep the hem of her new gown from getting tangled in the chair legs. She'd been so proud of it; it was a dark, rich blue with garnet paneling on the bodice and skirt that would remind people that she was the true Lord's widow and the heir's mother, without being obnoxious about it. She'd forsaken the jewelry that Aswic had given her reluctantly, though, and wore a simple gold band at her throat, and gold earrings brushed her jaw when she moved her head.

The electric lights were low and the ambiance in the Dining Hall set by candles and the last minute addition of lanterns with colored glass panels. The former Lady Holder glanced along the High Table and suppressed a wince; it looked bare without the Weyrleaders and the visiting Lords and Ladies from the Holds too far away to attend except by dragon. As soon as everyone was settled, someone tapped their wineglass with their beltknife to settle the crowd below. All eyes turned to the High Table.

Ishek had been mildly stunned when he saw the Dining Hall. All this, for him? Thalia, Penryn, and whoever else had spent time planning, organizing, and setting this up- and he was sure that included a lot of people- had certainly done a marvelous job. And all this was in his honor? It was overwhelming to his mind.

He was slightly relieved that the Table was bare. he wasn't sure if he could have dealt with the pressure of all of the others being there- it would have scared him more. But he felt guilty for ever even thinking such a thing, considering why it was that they weren't there, and he tried to suppress the feeling as much as possible.

The quiet of the hall caught his attention. **Oh, shards, they're waiting for me, aren't they? I need to make a speech now, don't I?** He knew that they were waiting for him, that he needed to stand up and begin to speak to them, the Holders that looked to him for protection and guidance and leadership. But Ishek was slightly paralyzed, unable to force his body to do what he wanted it to do. He was _nervous_, almost panicking.

Actually, he was slightly uncomfortable with all of it. Such terrible things had happened to the Hold before now, and it was winter- should they really be doing such a grand event as this? Such festivity after such tragedy? it almost seemed like a waste to him. Then he stopped and reconsidered for a moment. Perhaps the people needed this, needed the celebration as a way to heal and move on.

Sensing his nervousness, the small brown flit curled up in his room sleeping sent courage. That, coupled with his realization, inspired him as to what he thought he needed to say- and what the people of his Hold needed to hear.

He stood. "People of Garnet Valley, and the Halls and places affiliated," he began, nodding over in the direction of Hallmaster Daynar, "I'll be brief- or so I hope- so that we may get to the festivities. I am a simple man, or so I'd like to believe, and, to be honest, I'm a bit uncomfortable with standing up here like this." He laughed slightly, self-deprecatingly. He wanted them to see him as a person, as a _man_, not just as their Lord. "Many of you have met me by now, others have not. I hope to one day know all of you by at least name and face, impossible a goal as that might seem. For those of you who don't know, I am Lord Ishek. I came from a regular Hold and worked most of my life, like many of you. I've never had the honor of a Craft, but I respect those of you in attendance who have taken that path.

Garnet Valley Hold and its affiliates have gone through many troubles recently. I'm not trying to discount these in any way; I know it's been hard for you. It's been hard for me as well, coming into this. Fortunately I've had some excellent help from those who have been here longer." He nodded to Penryn, Thalia, and Daynar- they had all contributed help in some form or another to him, and he appreciated it.

"I suppose this banquet is, at least in part, for my honor. But I want you all to take it as more then that. Let this be a banquet for _all_
of Garnet Valley. Let it be a time to heal, to celebrate, to accept and to move on. Times will change, the fortunes of this Hold will look up. With the assistance of all of you, we can make this possible. I will be pleased to work with you all to grow and to heal. Let us celebrate the changes that will soon come, the upcoming revitalization of the Hold and its surroundings!"

On that triumphal note Ishek sat down, wiping his brow as discreetly as possible. Shards, he hadn't been expecting to make a _speech_. He hoped he'd done well enough to not look like a wherryhead. He thought he had. He looked around, wondering if anyone else was going to say anything.

***

Daynar, in his Gather best, sat quietly listening to Ishek's speech. He sounded a bit weak to Daynar - including all the folk when it was Ishek's banquet - but other than that, the man seemed to be likable and genuine and have the right beliefs. As Hallmaster of Smith Hall, he had offered Ishek services of whatever kind he needed to get settled, lending Journeymen where required. He had no wish to say anything to the crowd gathered, but he did offer a smile to Ishek as the man finished. He was seated on the Lord Regent's right and the Lady Thalia the other side, and he clapped the man genially on the shoulder. "Stand tall, man." He said quietly. So far, he was finding Ishek a fair change over the previous Lord Holder. Thalia laid a gently hand on his arm. "You did very well," she said, and offered up a small smile. Inside she was screaming - say something about Aswic, about Jaela - say something real! Something to hold on to, not words... she was sick of words. The assembled crowd clapped and hummed as they talk and she felt a little lightheaded. "They approve, and it's good to see someone willing to stand up for them - and before them -
again."

Penryn cleared his throat nervously and took a long sip of his water before standing, straightening his new garnet red tunic self-consciously. He had never stood in front of the whole Hold, let alone in front of the dignitaries that were able to come, to give a speech before. He cleared his throat one more time to get the assembled's attention.

"Lord Ishek, Lady Thalia, honored guests, and friends - thank you all for attending this great welcoming feast that Lady Thalia so wonderfully arranged for us to celebrate the arrival of Lord Ishek. My Lord, you have to a Hold that is hurting. We have lost many friends - and loved ones. We have had our moments of fear and uncertainty. You have found us in the dead of winter, sir, but now, you have come to guide in the healing of our Hold, and I know spring cannot be far away. "I believe that through your leadership, and with you as our example, Garnet Valley will bear through these hardships with the same strength and courage as when it faced trying times in the past. Under your guidance, this Hold will heal, and thrive and be the great Hold it was once more. So we welcome you tonight, and bear witness the dawn of a new era in Garnet Valley Hold, one which will be carried on through your teaching and your mentorship to little Lord Aslian. I believe our future is safe in your hands, and speaking on behalf of your Holders, you are _most_ welcome to Garnet Valley Hold."

Reaching for his glass with only a slight shaking of his hands he held the cup aloft. "To you, Ishek, Lord Regent of Garnet Valley Hold, we say welcome!"

Last updated on the January 14th 2006

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A Proper Welcome