He needs friends

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 11th April 2013

Characters: Chupsin, Zelanka
Description: The healer talks to the Headwoman about the Guard Captain's nutrition.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 13 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Karhal

Sitting down for their usual meeting, the healer pulled out his list of
needed supplies that he hadn't managed to gain from his herb garden and
other sources. He also thought about his recent conversation with the guard
captain and resolved to tell the headwoman. Zelanka did need to know, after
all.

"Chupsin, you're always on time," Zelanka greeted, bustling in and carrying
a tray. "I brought us some refreshments," she explained and set the tray on
the table. If she knew the journeyman, he had not eaten yet.

"Oh you didn't have to do that but....thanks." He chose some things from
the tray and quietly ate, thinking on things as she got herself settled.
He'd known Zelanka for a very long time. Indeed, she had been about before
he was born. In some ways, she reminded him of his mother.

"So, what you have for me?" Zelanka asked when they were ready.

"The usual lists and reports and such, but there is something I want to
talk about." He ran a finger across his bottom lip, thinking once again
about how much to divulge. Zelanka could probably make her own assumptions,
though.

"What about? You know I'm all ears for you," Zelanka replied and cocked her
head curiously.

"Well I have reason to believe that our Guard Captain isn't getting enough
rest and nutrition. The rest, I can't really do much about short of asking
Lord Zathris to force Karhal to take time off, but the nutrition-I was
thinking you could assist in that." The senior journeyman knew it would not
be good if the captain ended up being forced off duty because they had
failed to fix his health problems.

"I know, I've been keeping an eye on him. But he's a grown man, I can't
force him take care of himself if he doesn't want to," Zelanka replied with
a sad sigh.

"I understand that. I just wonder if we put food in front of him-would he
eat it? After all, if he didn't it would go to waste and any good Holder
would never be able to stand that." And Chupsin knew Holders, having been
raised as one.

"I wouldn't bet on it," Zelanka said with a snort. "You men are just
impossible."

"Well I'm fresh out of ideas then. Not like I can invite the man to dinner
every night and make him stay till he finished." Chupsin wasn't a very
social person and the idea of such an arrangement gave him a weird feeling.

"Well, I could get away with it for once or twice, but not constantly,"
Zelanka replied thoughtfully. "I could draft in his family-friends too."

"Does he have any?" That was a question that could have an interesting
answer. The healer knew that Karhal had also lost a wife. He knew there
were no children recorded.

"There's at least his late wife's family. His brothers have moved to
different holds," Zelanka replied. "I can't remember out of hand if his
parents were still alive." Even Zelanka didn't know every person doings in
the Hold.

"Hmmm...who are his parents?" Maybe Chupsin could do a little tracking
down. Maybe his mother would remember something. Everyone knew everyone to
a degree since everyone had been living there for awhile.

Zelanka provided him with the names. "I know he does have siblings," she
said.

"Fair enough. We'll see what we can do for the man even if he doesn't
realize he needs it. Now onto that small cothold with the dysentery
problem..." He went down his list.

Zelanka nodded. She was thinking of her evening walk with Karhal...that man
needed friends.

Last updated on the May 1st 2013

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He needs friends