Making a Start

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 13th March 2014

Characters: Royan, Demir, Kobias
Description: Demir comes across his old mentor
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 4 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Arippa, Faldrimme, Zathris

Demir

Royan had heard that his former apprentice Demir was at the Hold for a
visit. They hadn't crossed paths yet, but he figured they would sooner
or later.

Taking a walk around the animal pens, Royan looked up and found the
person he had just been thinking about heading his way.

Demir smiled and held out his hand to his former mentor. "Royan," he
grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. Despite the inclement
weather, beasts needed tending and he'd found his own joy in the
simple process of keeping them fed, safe, and well.

"Very good to see you again sir," he said.

"And you, Demir." Royan returned the greeting with fondness. "I was
sorry to hear about your father."

"Thank you," he said with a thinning of his lips. "Have you met my
brother Kobias? He doesn't get out of the Hold much. He'd rather play
with his saddles."

Royan gave a hearty chuckle. "Aye, I know Kobias, though not well.
I've often had men commission saddles from him. He _is_ a great
saddlemaker. Some of the finest I've ever seen, to be honest."

"See," he said elbowing his brother in the ribs. "I told you." He
looked back at Royan with a grin. "He never believes me."

Kobais rubbed a hand against his rib at the poke. He turned towards
the older man and reached out a hand. "Nice to meet you and thank you
for the compliment."

Royan took the offered hand and nodded, "It's a much deserved one.
Trust me, your work has already come to be known around here. I
imagine you could find an even larger market throughout all of Pern if
you truly wanted." He turned back to Demir.

"So how have things been?"

"Interesting to say the least," Demir smiled. "We're here for a short
visit and then we'll need to head back. I was rather hoping you had a
likely lad who might like to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond and
maybe advance a bit in his craft." He wasn't above stealing a good
hand if he could get one.

"Hm, I know of a few who might be interested in something new, what do
you have in mind? The ones I have in mind aren't here at the moment,
though. One is with family in the far off hills and won't return for
at least four to five sevendays. The other is on assignment for me and
the Hall. He should be back in about four sevendays as well." Royan
replied, waiting to hear what his former apprentice was looking for.

"Good, good," Demir smiled. "Well I'm going to need to train my
replacement at Hidden Meadows," he half smiled. "Looks like I'm the
new Holder. Or I intend to be."

"Oh, well, congratulations then on that. That is quite an honor."
Royan replied, patting the other man's shoulder in a congratulatory
way.

"Thanks," he said. "But I have another motive in coming to see you. I
was thinking perhaps you could come to Hidden Meadows for a few days
and help us with an issue thats cropped up in our runner herd. With
winter coming on, We have them all brought in from the hills and we're
noticing something strange. I though you could help."

Royan listened and a frown appeared on his face. He didn't like the
sound of that. It would be best to check out the situation in case it
was something that could spread.

"Of course. I can be ready to travel in a few days. Hopefully it isn't
anything serious and we can solve it in just a few days time," Royan
replied, already thinking about what he would need to pack.

"Thank you," he smiled. "I'll need to go find out if I can get in to
see Lord Zathris today. We have to get back." He was pretty sure Royan
would understand that. He'd turned to walk away when another thought
struck him. "Don't you have a couple of daughters? How old are they
now?"

"My youngest is 15 already, but eldest is 24. Hard to believe how
quickly they grow up," Royan replied, not thinking much of the
question.

"Maybe we can have dinner then," he smiled. "Is the oldest married?"
He figured she probably would be but 15 was just a little young for
his tastes.

He raised a brow at that question, "Aye, my eldest two are married,
the youngest two, however, are not. You seem interested? I didn't
think that was on your horizon again."

Demir shrugged. "Well, father, in his infinite wisdom decided to
change that when he named me his successor."

"Ah, I see," Royan said, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Well, I sure
wouldn't mind having you for a son-in-law. Wilbera is a bit young for
you. Faldrimme," he shrugged, "So far hasn't been easy to get
interested in such things. Though since her twin married, she seems a
bit more open to the idea."

Demir chuckled as he backed toward the hold. "We can talk over dinner
and maybe arrange a meeting then?"

"Sounds like a plan. I'll have Pyunn prepare everything we need. Stop
by around the diner hour and we'll be ready for you." Royan waved his
hand to show that they could talk more later. He knew Demir had other
things that needed to tend to in the meantime.

Last updated on the April 13th 2014

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