Ambitious Nugget

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 16th March 2019

Characters: Bryvin, Pifer
Description: Pifer hands Bryvin information he believes is valuable.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 10, day 17 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Taril, Yriadha, Stenlis.
Takes place after "Flakes of Ash"

Bryvin

The little nugget of information that he clasped in his hand was going
to be worth a gem mine. Pifer hurried towards the Lord Holder's
office, his mind buzzing with ideas With Yriadha leaving, his own wife
could take her place; she was skilled and a fine cook. And she could
clean and the kitchens were very clean under her control. He'd have to
mention it. And it could be a leg up for him as well, he thought
eagerly.

He knocked on Lord Bryvin's door and when allowed entrance, hurried
in. "I have something for you M'Lord. You said to keep an eye out on
things, and I've just come across this." He held out the copy. "It
looks like we're going to need a new Headwoman soon."

Bryvin reached for the copy and scanned it once. His eyes tightened
and he went back to read it more slowly to take in all the nuances.
"It does appear that way doesn't it," he said with a smile that didn't
reach his eyes. "I wonder why it is that you feel the need to
intercept the Headwoman's mail, care to explain it to me?"

Pifer, far too pleased with himself and so engrossed in the hopes for
familial advancement, didn't notice the slight changes in expression.
"You said to bring you anything out of the ordinary, m'Lord and the
Headwoman rarely gets any personal messages." He pointed to the hide.
" I know for a fact that the seal came from Golden Waves Hold and we
just signed a trade agreement with them just a few seven days ago for
flax cloth."

"And she just got back from there after her fathers death," Bryvin
said with a raised brow.

"Well, yes. But before she left she got another one of those that went
directly to her from Amber Hills own watch-dragon. I thought that
there was something going on, especially since Holder Stenlis came to
personally see her the day we signed the agreement." He began
floundering a bit, not seeing the expression in Bryvin that he had
hoped would be there. " I can recommend a Candidate for
Headwoman...if..uhm.."

Bryvin held up a hand to forestall the offer. "I think that is
probably premature," he said. "I want you to arrange for some
observation of the entries to the Hold. Specifically, I want to know
the moment Holder Stenlis returns to Sunstone." He tapped a finger
against his lips.

"How are the preparations for the Silvermine going? Do we have enough
traffic going in the other direction to misdirect the casual
observer?"

Disappointment fell on Pifer's face along with confusion, even as he
tried to press forward with his own ideas " M'lord, if she is to
marry this man, wouldn't it be beneficial to approach her about
modifying the trade agreement to our benefit? She's a widow and she
wouldn't be able to find a better match, especially at her age. We
could use that." His eyes followed the Lord Holder's gestures. " Very
well, I can do that. He's only come by ship before, but I'll inform
the watch." He cleared his throat. " The mines? Well yes, m'Lord, as
far as I am aware."

He took a breath and narrowed his eyes. "There will be time enough to
talk to her about that should she accept the proposal. I trust her to
talk to me about her desires in that regard Pifer. Don't get ahead of
yourself there and tip our hand."

The understeward paled at the narrowed eyes and nodded. "Of course my
Lord. I just thought to move quickly. Shall I assume that you want to
continue being observed?" It sounded to him as though the Headwoman
already had accepted. How was he to get his wife and he ahead if
Bryvin wasn't going to move on it. He briefly considered attempting to
act on his own, but the thought of what the consequences might be
quickly stilled any further consideration. "The mines are producing
well, m'Lord, now that you mention it. We've received reports that
production as nearly doubled."

"I will speak to the headwoman," Bryvin said. "I want you on that
mine. I'll get a guard to watch her without her knowledge until I know
which way this is going." He reached out an pulled a hide toward him.
"I believe I need to speak with the merchant Taril. If we're expecting
a visit from this Stenlis I'll want to make some arrangements. We need
to impress visitors, eh?"

"Yes, m'Lord. I can summon him right away and provide you with
regular reports on the mine, of course. Is there anything else you
require from me this evening?"

"Tomorrow is good enough for Taril and yes, that is all for this
evening." Bryvin made a shooing motion to get the man out of his
office. Some initiative was peskier than others. Pifer had been
hinting about his wife's skills for months, but Yriadha had skills he
doubted he'd want Bryvin sampling in his wife. He smirked at the man's
back and decided to visit the Headwoman this evening to discuss her
plans. He bent over the hide to read Stenlis' words again.

Last updated on the March 22nd 2019

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Ambitious Nugget