Fancies for the Future

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 13th January 2015

Characters: Eirock, Zelah
Description: Xeladrie and Eirock meet and discuss the future of Sunstone.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 10, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin

Eirock

Zelah

Xeladrie's curiosity warred with her sense. She wanted to go meet the
new Steward, but knew that with her husband's position, it wouldn't be
polite for her to just go talk to him. Being alone in the office of a
strange man could be interpreted poorly. So Xeladrie waited politely
in the dining hall of the Hold, while she sent a drudge to talk to
him.

The young man knocked on the door of the Steward's office and waited
to be heard.

"Come," Eirock stated briskly looking up expectantly as the drudge
entered. "Yes?"

"The Lady of the Hold would like to meet you, sir. She suggested
taking lunch at a small table in the dining hall."

Eirock's eyes widened in surprise. "Of course," he responded, curiosity
piqued by the invitation. Setting aside his work he rose and followed the
drudge down to the dining hall. Upon approaching the small table, he
offered a bow, "My Lady, I am Eirock and very much at your service." She
was everything a lady holder should be, poised and lovely...but she was so
very young.

"Pleased to meet you, Steward," she said, half-rising at his approach. "I
appreciate that you had time to meet with me. I'd like to learn about the
business of the Hold."

"That is a very broad topic indeed," he replied taking a seat. "I am just
beginning to gain a good understanding of all that entails here at
Sunstone. Are you curious about incoming and outgoing tithes? Exports and
imports? Trade partners? Current construction an upgrades? Labor divisions
or crafting contingents and needs?" Eirock queried, going over some of the
key elements involved in his job. He wasn't sure what information Lady
Xeladrie was seeking or if she was just trying to get a general feel for
the Hold.

Which of those would be suitable for her to know, she wondered. She was
naturally curious but Bryvin seemed to want a traditional wife...

"Well, I also haven't been here long, so the overview you have is fine.
How are our crafters? Do we have enough?" That was often a difference
between major and minor holds, how many you could boast.

"The Hold's population is steadily increasing. Despite an impressive
contingent, we will need to continue recruiting more crafters to
accommodate that. Farmers and wood crafters as well as smiths and of
course technicians. There are some very impressive improvements planned or
begun which will require specialized skill sets."

"I do miss electricity," she admitted. "I suppose the Smiths will be
working to help build that out?"

Eirock nodded. "Electricity is certainly part of the plan. Our smiths and
our technicians have been working on that. Of course there are multiple
construction projects underway. The intent is for Sunstone to be a modern
paragon. I was reminded recently how exciting this time is for our Hold.
Though many of us were born within this territory, there are also many like
yourself who have come to join us and together we get to establish the
traditions, and identity really, of Sunstone Seahold. Think of the impact
on coming generations, My Lady."

When he put it like that - it sounded interesting. More interesting then
being just another head in the chain of Ladies at Turquoise. Here, she
could be... a founder? A novel thought.

"I didn't realize having a way with words was part of the Stewards' job,"
she joked.

"How do you think I got the job?" he quipped, though that was in no way the
case and he knew it. Pretty words did not influence Lord Bryvin, but
action would and Eirock planned on proving himself to the new Lord Holder.
"Tell me, My Lady, what are some of your hopes for Sunstone? What do you
see your children inheriting?"

"I hadn't thought that far. I only knew I was to become the Lady two
months ago, and - " Impulsively, she decided to risk it. "And I don't know
how much influence my Lord husband will allow me to have, regardless.
Would you still let me mention fancies?"

"I would welcome your fancy. In fact, I would wager a guess that Lord
Morin started with a number of fancies when he was just a young man.
Sunstone is the outcome of just one."

"That's a good point," she said. She considered the possibilities. "I
think I'd love to see beautiful gardens here, to walk in and enjoy the
beauty of the area. I know it wasn't a priority while struggling to
expand, but something like that could be lasting, a reminder that beauty
matters as well."

Of course, plants died. But... Xeladrie snapped her fingers, then
continued. "What about a gardenscape of rocks? So that even in droughts or
storms it wouldn't be too damaged. Pretty rocks shaped to be sat on,
winding paths of laid-in stones. Trees planted to eventually provide
shade. Does that sound silly?"

"Not silly at all. Something perfect for those of us who live here as
well as for visiting dignitaries. With our subtropical climate,
collecting and growing a number of beautiful specimens would be quite
simple, and interspersing them with stone benches, sculptures, paving
stones, and perhaps even some fountains would make a beautiful and
peaceful sanctuary. It is also a project that could start small and
be expanded over the turns."

"Fountains...I think that's the last touch that would make it
perfect." She gave him a sunny smile, glad he saw some merit in the
idea. "If you'd like to help me pitch it to my Lord husband, I'd be
grateful. I know it's a use of supplies, but it would be enjoyable to
work on. Maybe by the time we have offspring old enough to inherit it
will have begun to flourish."

Eirock chuckled. "The offspring are likely to do more damage that the
hurricanes. As for resources, the most significant aspect will be
labor. Stone masons, sculptors, gardeners, and a technician for the
fountains. The stone is easy to come by, though certain types will
have to be brought in. The plants are more than plentiful here and
grow easily, though they will have to be tended and trimmed so as not
to overgrow. However, so long as you don't feel the need to have it
all done at once, I don't believe it will be too taxing on resources."
Though he didn't know Bryvin well by any means, he suspected the Lord
Holder would appreciate having his lady wife occupied with a project.

She nodded as she listened. "I'd even be willing to do some of the
work myself. Anything suitable for a woman to do - tend the garden,
help with some of the rocks and the paths."

He nodded thoughtfully. "My mother will be arriving soon. She always took
pleasure in gardening. I am sure she would enjoy helping as well."

"I look forward to meeting her, then. Her expertise would surely be
welcomed."

"I suspect she'll be pleased to have something to occupy her time. She's
been concerned about what she might do here to keep busy once she arrives.
She is not a woman who covets leisure. But we've been talking and I've
kept you from your meal."

"Perhaps a bit, but I appreciated getting to know you," Xeladrie said
sincerely. "Perhaps you can have dinner with us sometime."

"I would be honored to do so, Lady Xeladrie."

"Have a good day then, Steward," she said as she rose to get her meal.

Last updated on the January 20th 2015

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Fancies for the Future