Two in prize of one

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 3rd May 2019

Characters: Corowal, Torkal, Sharnal, Infatti
Description: Corowal goes for idea and leaves with something else...
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 9 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned. Felyna

"That's enough Torkal!" the Master yelled, waving his hand in a
slashing motion across his neck.

The journeyman nodded and ran to cut the power to the small electrical engine.

"So you see," Master Sharnal said, pulling the cotton from his ears,
"the small electrical saw finishes off the boards nicely, but the
circular blade makes a lot more noise than the vertical saw."

"Yes, which is why we had to build this mill upriver from the Hold,"
Holder Infatti said as he removed his own ear protection. "But the
power station is also on this side of the river, so it made powering
the electrical machines that much easier."

"I can see that," Corowal said after removing his own earplugs. He
coughed a bit and waved away the saw dust. He had come to inspect
their saw mill operation in hopes of either building a new one to the
main Hold or just improving the current ones. "Some of the sawmills in
Emerald Falls Hold hasn't got any upgrades in decades, just maintance
when something brokes. You think it's possible use this in those or
does it need whole new mill?" he wandered closer to look at the
boards. He noted how even and straight the cut lines were.

"Are you using electrical machines to power your mills, sir, or just
water power?" the Master asked, pulling out a few boards of different
thicknesses for the Lord Holder to inspect.

"Water power, since we have plenty of that available," Corowal replied
and inspected the products.

"You will need electricity if you want to use the circular saw, I
believe," Infatti said, looking the Master Woodsmith for confirmation.

"Yes. Some of the improvements I showed you are water powered, but
the circular saw needs to be able to turn at a certain speed to make
it most effective," Sharnal said with a nod towards a door on the far
side of the room. "I can show the technician's schematics, and also a
breakdown of the cost to run the saw and how much it saves in time and
labor. If you are interested, of course."

"I'm very interested, but my techinical knowledge is pretty basic, so
is it possible to have copies for my experts to inspect?" Corowal
replied. He understood the cost and effect ratio very well though.

"I'm sure we could put in a request from the technicians," Infatti
said, leading the way towards the Master's office. He knew there
would be refreshments waiting for them there, and the dust in the air
was making his throat dry as well.

Despite being many Turns older than his companions, Master Sharnal
quickly took the lead and opened the door for his guests. "Please,
Lord Corowal, have seat," the said, indicating a high backed armed
chair next to the window. "Would you like to try some of our local
ale?"

"Yes, please," Corowal replied and took the offered seat. "That saw
dust really gets into your throat."

"Indeed it does," the Holder smiled as he pulled over a smaller though
adequately comfortable looking seat. "I find the ale helps," he said
with a subtle wink.

"I'm sure it helps;" Corowal said with laughter in his eyes.

A few moments later the Master returned with three mugs in his hands
and a schematic tucked under his arm. "Here you are, sirs," he said
setting the mugs on the small table. "To your healths," he said once
settling himself and grabbing an ale back.

"Thank you, to your health," Corowal lifted the mug for a salute and
took an gulp, savouring the drink.
He looked around and noticed something.
"What are those?" He pointed a collection of covered jars.

"Oh," the Sharnal said with a little laugh. "Firelizard eggs. I gave
my wife a gold egg for our twentieth Turn wedding anniversary. 'Lady"
she calls her. I keep expecting her to eventually stop Rising, but
she doesn't seem to know when to stop."

"If anything since Thread started falling she's picked up," Infatti
said with a chuckle. "Practically every family in the Hold has at
least one of Lady's offspring."

"Really? Are you selling them? Because I've been thinking of getting
one for myself," Corowal asked.
Felyna had had one and he had been very useful. It was kind of
awkward to constantly borrow other people's firelizards.

"I do when a caravan comes through at the right time," the Master said
with a nod. "Especially if there's a gold. She laid one this Clutch
if you like."

"Another?" Infatti said with a suffering sigh. "Please, Lord Corowal,
save us from more flits!" he said with a good humored smile.

Corowal grinned. "I can help you and take two of those eggs away from
you." He knew precicely who he was going to give the second one.

"If you buy the gold, I will give you the other for free," Sharnal
offered. It would be worth not having another breeding flit in their
small Hold!

"It's a deal," Corowal replied. Two in a prize of one? There wasn't even
need for haggling.

Last updated on the May 10th 2019

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Two in prize of one