Port of Call

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 9th December 2013

Characters: Relik, Tamah
Description: Relik comes to the Weyr and visits the Harbormaster.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 4, day 13 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Solieira, K'sedel, Rhosyn

The Hallmaster had come to the Weyr for a few reasons. For one, he had to
introduce himself to the Weyrleaders who would be
protecting his Hall. For another, he thought it was high time to check out
the docking facilities at River Bluff. Arriving in a small
sailing craft, he approached easily, not needing anything large to moor to.
All he needed was a tie up. Travelling alone, Relik had
enjoyed getting familiar with this part of the coastline.

Tamah was out on the dock, discussing with the captain of one of the
tithe-ships. Well, more like arguing. His flits flew around,
agitated by the raised voices.

Bringing the vessel up near an empty piece of dock, he tied it easily to
the nearest pole for that purpose then grabbed his bag and
went ashore. Looking around, he heard the noise but he didn?t want to
intrude. Instead, he tried to see how Tamah handled it.

"I'm sorry, we just _don't_ have separate facilities for sailors. You can
eat at the Weyr's dining cavern and sleep in your ship. Although
to my experience, most of your crew will find beds on their own. Usually
with some friendly dragonrider," Tamah said, what felt like
umpteenth time. This Captain was more stubborn and hidebound than most.
"That's just the problem. Most of them are married men!"

"Well, if they don't have enough self control to honor their marriage wows,
it's not my problem. It's between them and their wives.
I'm sure if you just talked with the Headwoman, she could point you to some
empty weyrs." Tamah was trying to be reasonable and
find a solution, when all he wanted to was to toss the idiot to the bay.

Relik had heard enough and was becoming tired of the argument himself.
Walking forward, he approached the two men. "Excuse me,
did I hear that there is some sort of shortage of quarters?"

"Yes and no, this port isn't build to house people, but the Weyr is," Tamah
replied, without even looking who it was.

"Oh then I must be mistaken. If there are quarters available, there
shouldn't be a problem then. Lovely day is it not?" Tamah might
not have noticed the knots on Relik's weather worn tunic, but the other
seacrafter did and he realized what he was being told and how.
Rather than make a scene, the Captain thought about bringing up his
concerns privately later.

"Yeah," Tamah grunted and then took a second look at the newcomer. "Ah, you
must be the Hallmaster Relik. Welcome to River Bluff Weyr."

"Well met Tamah. I've heard plenty of you, my man. Now, I'd like to see
your facilities here, if you don't mind, before I wash up to go and see
my new Weyrleaders." He smiled to himself. He was hungry too, for sure.
Rather than sleep at the Weyr, though, Relik planned to berth in his
own little vessel, but he didn't mention that.

"I'm happy to show you around," Tamah's smile was genuine now, not just
polite. "The port is small, just here to provide berth to the ships that
bring in tithes."

"Ah so you don't get any small vessels like mine every now and again?" He
supposed the mail would come in with the tithe ships or runners overland.

"No, not much. We have few small boats of our own and sometimes a fishermen
from nearby holds seek a shelter," Tamah replied.
He led to Hallmaster to his office first. "This is the Harbour Master's
office."

Walking inside, Relik first noted the size and then the order. "How large
are the tithes carried usually?" He was thinking for himself at this point
as he catalogued.

Tamah told him the average numbers. His office's walls were covered with
charts, lists and even scetched designs for ship building, as well as large
painting of a ship on storm. Piles of manifests, cargo lists and schedules
filled his desk. "The docks can hold two or three large clippers at the
same time, but it's rather open and vulnerable to winds," Tamah told him.
"We don't have dry docks and otherwise our repair facilities are limited.
If we have to, we can beach a ship for hull repairs, but as you know, no
captain likes to do that."

"No of course not." Relik looked down at some of the things on the desk.
"Hopefully once we get up and running, some of that can just be done
on our docks. We're not far by the way of the wind."

"No, you're not far. Jade Harbour is even closer, so we have been using
theirs," Tamah said.

"How many turns have you been posted here at the Weyr?" That was a fair
question.

"Around nine Turns, as a Harbour master," Tamah replied. "Although I've
lived here on and off most of my life."

"And what would you say the Weyrleaders are like?" Relik walked back out of
the office with him, feeling the creak of the docks underneath him
as they walked.

"They're good people and do good job. The Weyrleader is experienced and
knows to let me run the port," Tamah answered. "He asks instead of
sticking his nose into things he doesn't know about. Rhosyn handles the
staff matters, she can be bit of handful, but then, all goldriders tend to
be like that. We get along just fine."

"I imagine she's the one that deals with the tithing if I remember my
Traditions right. Then again, all the crafters report to the Headwoman who
reports to her." Relik had been making inquiries. "It's good though that
you don't have any issues, Tamah. I'm hoping once I get things organized,
we can assist you somewhat."

"That's nice to know," Tamah nodded.

"What sort of support system do you have?" He wondered if Tamah was the
only seacrafter here permanently or if he had help.

"I have few seacrafters and two dolphineers working in the port and dozen
or so dockhands, who don't have craft training. Sometimes dragonriders with
seacrafter background pitch in to help when they don't have anything to
do," Tamah replied. "We have crafters for minor repairs and can borrow help
from other Weyrcrafters. Mostly we just load and unload ships around here."

"Aye hands could do the unloading and loading." It was a tidy little
operation. "You might could use a more well placed hoists and pulleys, but
otherwise, it's functional." They were approaching the Weyr now. "Might you
show me where the food is? Then I suppose I'll locate somewhere to wash up
before finding the Weyrleaders."

"What, and deny headwoman her favorite punishment for misbehaving
candidates?" Tamah replied with mock shock. "We can't have it too easy." He
chuckled. "I'll show you the dining Cavern."

Last updated on the December 19th 2013

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Port of Call