Arbitration

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

Characters: Reven, Pomroy, Hevrin
Description: Running a Hold can sometimes be one big headache.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 10, day 23 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Arippa

Reven

"It was you, Holder Reven, that suggested we plant another field," the
ruddy faced Pomroy insisted with the nostrils of his bulbous nose
flaring comically.

"But surely not in me very best pasture," the strident voice of the
wherry-faced Hevrin cut in. "You was especially pleased wi' the wool
an' meat we 'ad ta offer an' tha spring lambin' is lookin' good.
Gonna need that pasture."

The two cot holders hadn't stopped arguing since they had arrived.
Each was convinced that his own contributions to the Hold outweighed
the other's and his needs should thus be given precedence.

The headache behind Reven's eyes had blossomed exponentially the
moment the two men had entered his office, which had been nearly an
_hour_ ago now. Whenever he had tried to get a word in edge wise it
had resulted in both men starting up with "their side" of the story
once more. With the tips of his fingers, Reven massaged his temples,
trying to ease the pressure that pulsed within.

"Gentlemen," he said, his voice low but strained, "you know I highly
value both of you and the work and service that you provide Green
Valley." He looked between them, first at Hevrin and then at Pomroy.
"Pomroy I did indeed suggest that we plant another field, but with all
due respect, you cannot take the land from Hevrin's farm."

Hevrin looked highly satisfied and smirked at his neighbor.

"But it's prime fertile soil. His ovines can scrounge from the rockier
land just east of both our farms," Pomroy wheezed.

"Only if I want 'em tough an' stringy," Hevrin argued.

"That would be your wife."

"Why you-"

**Oh dear.** Reven watched as the men became increasingly more red in
the face, and Pomroy began puffing up like a swollen wherry. Were it
not for the headache stabbing at his eyes the scene would have been
downright hilarious.

"Gentlemen, please I do have a solution to - " but he was cut off as
the two men began exchanging verbal slurs once more.

"Well, bein's how yer wife's the size o' three heardbeasts, ya
might've cracked ideas 'bout women," Hevrin said his beady eyes
narrowing into slits.

"Your ilk are so undersized that your eldest son looks more like a boy
not yet old enough to apprentice."

"An' yer daughter'd squash a runner if'n she tried ta sit on one."

Reven heaved a sigh as he swiveled around in his chair and poured
himself a full glass of wine. He hummed softly to himself as he opened
up one of the packet of herbs from the top of his desk drawer and
emptied it into the glass. Hopefully the herbs would do their job and
help ease his headache some. Bringing the ruby liquid up to his lips,
Reven drank deeply while turning back in his chair to peer at the two
men that stood on the other side of his desk.

**Didn't even notice.** The men had paid no regard to Reven as the
holder had went about his business.

There would be no way around it, Reven saw as he set his now
half-empty glass of wine down on his desk. Clearing his throat, Reven
slapped a hand down on the top of his desk and boomed, "MEN! If you
would both be so kind as to shut your flapping jaws for one moment I
will tell you what we are going to do!"

Wide eyes turned on to him, "Good, now I have your attention. There is
plenty of land in the communal area of Green Valley for you to begin
planting. I don't want to hear any more about stealing away Hevrin's
land. Is that quite clear?" He turned his piercing blue eyes onto
Pomroy.

"Yes, sir. Of course," Pomroy immediately acquiesced, suddenly
embarrassed by his actions in front of the Holder.

"Now, shake each others hands like men so we can be done with this. I
know you both have wives and children waiting for you to get home for
evening meal." Reven said, and truth be told, he had his own wife
waiting on him for that same reason.

Though neither looked very happy about it, the two men did as the
Holder instructed. He was after all the Holder. Undoubtedly their
animosity still endured and would probably erupt again at some later
date, but for now they would each seek their cots and family as Reven
had suggested.

Reven felt like sinking into the floor onto his knees and thanking
Faranth that the two men were finally gone. He knew some holders who
would have snapped at the men immediately to shut up and listen but
Reven had just never been one of those men. He had been a farmer
before he had ever considered being a holder and so being so
authorative just didn't come naturally to him.

~~Tired? Hungry! Hungry!~~ Keeper popped into the room, the bronze
firelizard hurtling toward Reven's neck and attaching himself there by
wrapping his tail around the holder's neck. ~~Mystery! Peridot!~~ He
sent images of Arippa's two firelizards.

"Yes, we're going to go eat and I am sure that there will be plenty
there for you, and Mystery and Peridot to all stuff your little
gullets." Reven said as he shuffled the papers onto his desk into some
form of organization and then left his office to join his wife for
evening meal.

Last updated on the February 10th 2015

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Arbitration