Relations Between Hold and Hall

Writers: Anika, Chelle
Date Posted: 19th December 2014

Characters: Relik, Eirock
Description: Eirock pays a visit to Relik to introduce himself and discuss a little business.
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 10, day 21 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Kaphrad

Eirock

Eirock disembarked from the small vessel that had ferried him from
Hold to Hall, having quite enjoyed the short voyage. Never again
would he choose to live away from the Sea. Obviously his father's
blood ran true through his veins for he had absolutely no pull toward
the inland Hold of his mother's family. Of course his mother had been
only too happy to return to the coast as well.

Pulling his thoughts from personal matters, Eirock reminded himself
that he was here on business and examined the docks with a critical
eye before turning toward the Hall. He was expected of course.
Having heard that Relik was stubborn, traditional, and no-nonsense, he
had been careful to give the Hallmaster due respect by scheduling an
appointment at the other man's convenience. As the new Steward, it was
his responsibility to foster the important relationship between Hall
and Hold, honoring Hall autonomy but engendering appropriate respect
for the Hold and more specifically Lord Bryvin.

"You there, lad," he called to a nearby apprentice. "Can you point me
in the direction of Master Relik's office?"

The lad looked up and nodded. "S'at way, Sir. Check in at the watchdesk
and they'll take you to the Master." He went back to tying knots, his hands
already callused from the work.

"My thanks," Eirock responded heading in that direction and into the Hall.
Upon entering the very first thing he saw was a substantial wooden table
very close to where an enormous bell hung, ready to alert the Hall in case
of emergency. "I've an appointment with the Hallmaster," he informed the
individual manning the post.

It was a senior apprentice and he nodded, taking in the knots. He
marked the time and name down in the log and then pointed straight
across from the table to a corridor. "That is Master Relik's office,
Sir, on the left. He'll be waiting for you." He watched the new
Steward go and then regretted he hadn't gotten the man's name.

When Eirock arrived at his open door, Relik stood up and set his klah
mug down on the desk. "Come in, come in."

"Master Relik, thank you for seeing me. I'm Eirock and, as you know,
the new Steward at Sunstone," he said stepping into the room. "I've
been looking forward to meeting you."

"Likewise." Relik gestured for the man to sit, taking in his
appearance and looking for fault as only a former Captain would do.
The thought crossed his mind that since Stewards found their way into
being Lord Holders at Sunstone perhaps it would do well to know the
man's name. That is, unless Bryvin produced an heir someday.

"Lord Bryvin assured me that relations between Hold and Hall have been
good and I want to do my part to see that maintained," Eirock
explained, noting the Hallmaster's scrutiny and covertly taking the
other man's measure at the same time. "And make sure you'd
experienced no concerns while the Hold was transitioning leadership."
Having poured over hides prior to this visit, Eirock knew everything in ink
looked good, but he was also well aware that during times of change
sometimes things slipped through the cracks.

Relik was 19 turns older than the Lord Holder. And he had quite a lot
more on this young man. Inside, he was laughing. Still he wondered if
the lad's concerns were somehow honest and if Bryvin knew he was here.
"I have yet to have a thorough sitdown with our new Lord. Of course
Lord Morin and I had made several promises to each other during our
agreements which I have not yet broached with Bryvin. I am curious to
know if those prior agreements will stand." Blue eyes fraught with the
knowledge that they knew far more than those across the way were still
as they watched Eirock.

To Eirock, Relik's clear blue gaze seemed skeptical as well as
calculating and he could well imagine that this weathered Hallmaster
with turns of experience behind him had his doubts. "Although, the
final agreements must of course be between you and Lord Bryvin, I can
assure you that not only does he plan on honoring past arrangements
but he looks forward to renegotiating new ones that prove even more
beneficial to both Hold and Hall. I am here in part to make certain
you have no concerns about how the Hold has upheld its side of things
during this very tumultuous time." He leaned forward in his seat, his
green eyes meeting Relik's directly. "If we're listing, I need to
know so we can change the tack and come about. I don't want to be
taken aback like an inattentive helmsman."

"Straight as an arrow so far," he murmured, thinking over what the man said.
**So Bryvin wants to renegotiate. What will he want then that isn't already on
the table?** "When construction is finished, there isn't much we will need bar
supplies and foodstuffs until I can get a proper farmer around. The wives manage
what they can for kitchen gardens but it's not enough to feed an
entire Hall just yet." What Relik wanted and needed for the future was
lumber. Those agreements had been made with Morin, though, naturally,
and the minor holders hereabouts. If Bryvin wanted to threaten his
supply of wood, then that would be a problem.

Listening intently to what the ruddy-faced man said and more
importantly for what he did not, Eirock nodded. The change in
leadership was bound to unsettle the Hallmaster as the success of the
Hall pivoted around the promised resources, particularly lumber.
Verbal reassurances would only carry so much weight, though. Relik
seemed to be a man of action. Eirock would look into finding a farmer
to relocate for starters. "How is construction coming along?"

"The Cargo Bay is finished. The living quarters are finished since
they were priority. The watchtower is in its last stages. The docks we
are working on as well as the cotholds and the shipyards." In other
words, most of the Hall had taken shape already. "The woodcrafters are
still fashioning some of the furniture and of course the finishing
touches inside aren't necessarily done but we have time for that." For
that he was proud.

"So you're all but ready to launch," Eirock commented with a nod.
"You've accomplished a great deal in less than a turn. You'll be
needing the first major lumber shipment soon, to set it to drying. I
know Sawtooth is preparing to send up a superior load of hardwood to
Sunstone. Redirecting that to come straight here would be an easy
enough feat if you're ready to receive it."

They had already been building, both on Kaphrad's project and others,
but Relik didn't mention that. He had lumber in his cave, but he
needed more. A fulltime shipyard was going to mean needs. It also
meant commissions and money coming in, which was also needed. Now that
he had a full complement of personnel to accomplish what he wanted, he
could move forward. "Hardwood and soft. The interiors will have to be cut from
soft."

"Yes. The Hold is expecting two separate loads of soft wood from
minor inland holdings within the month. I'm concerned that one might
not be the quality that you need. Of course we have several local
operations as well." Not all the lumber was earmarked for the Hall as
it was in high demand but a substantial portion was. The Hold had a
vested interest in seeing the Hall successful and the sooner it was
turning a profit the better for everyone involved.

"Kaphrad can inspect it before it reaches us." He'd rather the Holders
not waste their time sending him wood he couldn't use. Inefficiency
was not acceptable. "Then again, the interiors are done last so as
long as we have the needs for framing, we can start the projects." He
didn't let on just how many he had to complete, though the emphasis
was that he was impatient to begin.

Eirock nodded. "I'll see that the hardwood is directed here and
contact the Hall when the soft wood arrives so that Kaphrad can come
to inspect it. There are a few farmers I'm aware of that might have an
interest in relocating so I'll pass along any word on that as well.
Should anything else arise, please don't hesitate to contact me."

"Well enough. Did you eat before you came? If not, we're about to
serve midday meal." Relik himself was eager to get to his repast. He'd
done a lot of walking that morning. "And then I can get a journeyman
to give you the tour since this is your first visit."

"Some food sounds very good and I'll admit to being quite anxious for
a tour." Eirock agreed.

Last updated on the December 26th 2014

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