You Have My Word

Writers: Ames, Miriah
Date Posted: 30th March 2013

Characters: Karhal, Wirnan
Description: Karhal and Wirnan discuss the training project and Karhal promises to take things easier
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 13 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris, Chupsin

Karhal

Wirnan

Early in the morning, Karhal approached Wirnan's door and
knocked sharply before sticking his head in. "Wirnan? I have
reports for you if you're aren't busy right now."

"Come in," Wirnan replied. He was anxious to see what the guard had
brought him. He knew the canine training was going well, and Wirnan
liked to be kept up to speed on the progress.

Stepping into the office, Karhal handed Wirnan the small stack
of hides that he had gathered before he took a seat. "It looks like
Livie's breeding has taken. We should have a pups in some sevendays.
I've also gotten pups in from the surrounding cotholds and I'll be
testing their temperaments soon enough." He took a deep
breath. "The kennels are almost all complete, but need some
modifications."

Wirnan listened, and nodded, glancing only briefly at the hides,
preferring to hear the report from the guard himself.

"Excellent. It sounds like all is going well so far. What more can I
do to help you at this time?" Wirnan asked, leaning his arms on his
desk as he looked at Karhal, noting the man looked a bit more tired
than he had. He _was_ putting in extra hours with all the breeding and
planning at the moment.

"Yes, actually. Have you heard from the other holders to gauge what
their responses might be? I was also thinking of a demonstration
before Livie becomes to pup-heavy to exercise." He sat back and
rubbed behind his ear. "It cemented Zathris on the idea, and if
I can show other holders, maybe minor holders right now, her
abilities, word might spread to help us a little."

"I've heard back from three of the larger holders who expressed
interest, though uncertainty. Another will take quite a bit of
convincing I'm afraid, and the fifth hasn't bothered to reply yet.
Though to be honest, he _always_ takes his good old time responding to
things unless they are dire or urgent," Wirnan explained. "I can see
if I can set up a date that will work for them all or you might have
to do more than one demonstration?" He said the last more as a
question than a statement. Karhal already looked overworked, he
wondered if more than one demonstration might not be the best way.

Karhal considered that for a moment. "If we wait to much longer, then
Livie will be too cumbersome and it will stress her pups too much." He
took a deep breath. "Perhaps I'm trying to rush it too fast and we can wait
until her pups are weaned." Rubbing his chin, he continued. "There are the
other pups we have just gotten in as well. It might be a good idea to
have more than just Livie doing the demonstration. Show that it's not
just her that can do what she does." He looked up at Wirnan and
gave a roll of his shoulders. "Perhaps I'm just too eager."

"There are advantages to both. I _can_ contact them and see if any can
come soon. Otherwise perhaps you and Livie need some rest. You seem to
be working so hard on this." Wirnan tilted his head and looked at the
other man. "We wouldn't want you to work yourself to the bone and not
be able to continue this prospect in the future."

"I always work hard." Karhal looked up and frowned, thinking it over.
"I hate to put them on the spot. If I know Lord Holders, then that may make
them less inclined to be positive." His lips thinned. "Lets just wait until
we have more than one canine ready. Then we can really make an
impression."

"Sounds fair," Wirnan replied. "Everything else going okay?"

One brow quirked upwards. "Other than a few drunkards making problems
with the local women, everything is normal."

"Alright then," Wirnan replied. "Let me know if you need anything or
if anything changes."

"There is one matter I need to discuss with you." He sighed and rubbed
an eye. "I had to dismiss two guards for regularly sleeping on duty
and I'm currently short staffed at night. Do we have any potential young
men that could be trained?" He looked up, his face suddenly betraying
his growing exhaustion. "I've been busy and haven't been able to look
myself."

"You are working _too_ hard, Karhal," Wirnan stated firmly. "I cannot
lose you as a guard because you've worked yourself to an early grave.
You _must_ take some time for yourself." Wirnan's tone changed,
"Listen, I know things aren't always easy. I have my own slew of
worries and things as well, but you are far too good a guard, and a
friend, for me to let you overwork yourself. I have a few men in mind
and I can get more. We will get them trained as quickly as possible."

*Jays, not him too.* But despite his inner thoughts, Karhal took a deep
breath and listened to Wirnan. "Look, Chupsin's already lectured me
about it and I'm doing my best." He ran a hand through his hair, sitting
up a bit more. "Time for myself..." He exhaled. "The canine training
is that, Wirnan. I enjoy it. It's just a little more difficult when you start
out. It'll even out eventually."

Wirnan held up his hands a though in surrender. "I get it. I've been
lectured at enough in the recent past to know how frustrating it is.
Just know this, Karhal. I'm not _just_ the steward here. I'd like to
consider myself your friend. So if you _do_ need anything, business or
otherwise, you know you can come to me. In the meantime, I'll work on
lightening that load by getting some new men rounded up who are good
guard material."

"I know." He took a deep breath. "I just need to keep busy, Wirnan.
But I appreciate it." He relaxed a little, but only just. "I'll try to ease
up a little. You have my word."

Wirnan smiled, though he knew things had to be hard for Karhal. His
own troubles were in a different realm but still related to a wife.
"Alright, Karhal. You are a man of your word, so I trust you will do
what you can."

Last updated on the April 1st 2013

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You Have My Word