Resuming Command

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 31st January 2017

Characters: Zathris, Yusanis
Description: Zathris has Yusanis brief him on the bandit situation.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Benani, Karhal

Zathris

"Leave," Zathris told the drudge as his steward entered his office.
The Lord of Amber Hills was not usually so curt with the help, but
this drudge had red hair, and brought to him memories that he wanted
to forget.

"Yusanis," he greeted his steward and gestured for the man to sit,
"fresh klah and sweet rolls if you'd like some."

"I could always use more klah, I'm a bit of an addict," the Steward
confessed as he took a seat. He poured the klah and took a roll to
nibble on.

"Never start my morning with out it." Zathris confessed, sipping from
his own cup before setting it on his desk. "I want to apologize for
not being as involved as I should have been since I've been back. It has taken a little while to... readjust." To not wake up in the middle of the night still
thinking he was on an island. "I understand while I was away you had
some issues with bandits?"

"You've had much on your plate, and we had it handled," Yusanis said
politely. He would have needed some time to adapt himself.

Ah, that issue. Yusanis organized his thoughts, then spoke. "Yes.
There was some destruction in the armory, a few minor thefts from the
kitchens and stores, an assault on a guard. Most recently, some
vandalism. People writing rather nasty comments about the women
policies of the South, and some pointed criticisms of yourself."

There was a long, almost awkward, silence as Zathris mulled over the
information from Yusanis. "And those criticisms were...?"

Yusanis hated to recount it. But it had been what he was asked. "That
you can't keep people safe after your wife was kidnapped. That you're
unfit to hold. One rumor the child isn't yours. But it's likely just
the ranting of disaffected youths."

Zathris wasn't surprised by what the graffiti said about him, and if
he were honest, he'd had doubts about the parentage of his youngest child
before, it was only natural after what had taken place.

"It would be naive of me to say that what was written holds no value,
because let's face it, people believe anything that they see written,
regardless of its truth. We're going to have to do some work around
the Hold to change these opinions, well, at least the safety one and
me being unfit to lead this hold." If people didn't think that
Nimiliee was his they could die in Fall for all Zathris cared. She was
his daughter in all the ways that mattered.

"It was very bad when you disappeared. First Benani and next you. I
think one bandit even tried to take credit for it. With you back, some
of it could drop down."

Zathris pinched the bridge of his nose between forefinger and thumb,
"I'm just wondering when Amber Hills became filled with such
cutthroats. Or perhaps they were always here and I was just blind to
it." It was never easy to reflect on something and realize that _you_
might be the problem. "We should visit with Karhal and plan a display
with the guards, a show of strength to remind the people of Amber
Hills that we are not blind to what has been happening, nor will we
tolerate it."

"That sounds sensible to me, sir. And it's possible that they're not
just a homegrown problem."

"It's a possibility, and if it is true, we need to figure out where
they came from and why." Zathris mulled over the guard display idea
for another silent moment. "Let's pay Karhal a visit and see what his
ideas are on the matter."

"A good idea. I know he and his guards have been attentive to the
issue," Yusanis said. He hesitated before continuing again. "How has
your relationship been with the neighboring Holds? Besides the
historic rivalry with Amethyst Cliff?"

"Well, my father is Lord at Jade Harbor, our relationship is..
workable." Although he wasn't sure if his father knew his role in
helping Rethisa into a marriage with Demir at Hidden Meadows. "We're
on good terms with Garnet Valley."

"So you don't think either would be responsible for sending bandits
in? Or hoping you're distracted?" Neither of those directly bordered
the Hold. So what would they have to gain? But something was niggling
at Yusanis.

Zathris thought about his relationship with the Lord of Garnet Valley,
no, he didn't see anything troublesome there, unless it was some of
the minor holders that bordered the territory. Now his father was a
different story. Ethris had always pushed Zathris and his brother
Z'lred, until Z'lred had Impressed, then the weight had fallen to
Zathris. Ethris had seemed rather proud, if you could call it that,
when he'd taken up the position of Lord at Amber Hills, even though he
was sure his father would rather he had inherited Jade Harbor.

"I'm not sure. I'll send a letter to my father, invite him down for a
visit, and get his thoughts on the matter."

"Let me know what arrangements to make and I'll be happy to set it up.
It would be nice to host some distinguished visitors."

"I'll let you know then as soon as I hear back." Zathris realized that
they'd discussed all the things he'd written down on his list. "I
think that's everything for today, unless you have something else?"

"That's what I have now. When do you want to talk to Karhal about the guards?"

Zathris consulted his agenda and calendar. "Day after tomorrow? Give
him and his wife some warning so that they'll be prepared."

"I can let him know and arrange it," Yusanis said. The Lord probably
had more important things to do than configure his appointment
schedule.

"I would appreciate that," he stood. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I
promised a Lady I would see her for lunch."

"I'll speak with you tomorrow then, my lord," Yusanis said, getting up
to take this leave.

Last updated on the February 1st 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Resuming Command