A Helping Hand

Writers: AmajoS, Suzee
Date Posted: 18th June 2019

Characters: Kefnek, Clovente
Description: Kefnek enlists Clovente's assistance with a couple of projects.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 11, day 8 of Turn 9

Kefnek was sorting the reports on his desk (and wouldn't that take some time to get used to?). Some were more important than others. Some were also just ridiculous, but he would have to deal with them too, he supposed. He was going to be busy fitting himself into the hole his predecessor left when he went North. Too busy to keep going with many of the tasks he was accustomed to doing as Spring approached.

In fact, he had planned, well before the offer to take over as
Hallmaster had been made, to have several casks of wine he'd had aging
bottled, as he did every Spring. It was a task he trusted to senior
apprentices, but he always made sure to be on hand. Both to supervise
and to assist. But this turn, he would not be able to.

"Kefnek," Clovente smiled as he came into the room. "How are you this fine day?

"Do you suppose," Kefnek leaned back in his chair (his chair now, in
his office) and regarded his friend, "that it's too late to change my
mind about all this?" He gestured toward the stacks of reports and
records waiting for him to sort through, delegate, read, sign and so
on, sitting on the desk before him.

Clovente nodded with a grin. "It is far too late. But you could bring
on one of the journeymen as your assistant."

"I knew there was a reason we were friends," Kefnek replied dryly,
with a gesture at one of the empty chairs. "You're full of good
ideas." Though it really -was- a good idea and he should have thought
of it. There were a few likely lads he could tap to help him sort
things, if nothing else.

"Not too full, I hope," Clovente smiled. "I'd never want to eclipse
the new Hallmaster. Only to offer my support in an advisory capacity."

"Actually, I was hoping you'd be willing to help me with something,"
Kefnek segued into the issue he'd wanted to speak with the other
Master about.

"I'd be happy to," Clovente smiled.

"You say that without even knowing what it is yet," Kefnek tutted in
mock disapproval.

Then he ordered a small grin and added, "I was hoping you'd be willing
to monitor some senior apprentices I have bottling over the next
couple of seven days. Normally I would do so myself but as you can
see," he gestured at the desk, "my time is taken for the foreseeable
future."

"Maybe I just expected that request," space said Clovente.

"Well, you do know me well." Kefnek grinned. "They already have their
assignments," he handed a slip of hide with several names and a
schedule on it. "If you could just peek in on them from time to time.
Make sure they're filling the bottles properly and the corks are
sealed. I'll owe you."

"And not sampling too much," Clovente grinned. He and Kefnek had done
enough of their time bottling that it was somewhat of an inside joke.
"Quality Control, I believe we called it?"

The Hallmaster couldn't quite suppress a snort at the memory. "Now,
keep that sort of thing quiet. I'm a Hallmaster now." But a small grin
twisted his lips and belied his tone.

Clovente laughed. "Well, _you_ taught me... remember?" He couldn't help
tweaking the man after all this time. "But I'll never tell the
apprentices."

"See that you don't. I have a reputation to uphold and I won't have it
ruined in the very first sevenday." He pointed at his old friend for
emphasis before asking, "Now, what about your own projects? Anything
interesting?"

"Yes," He smiled. "I've got a project in the works to blend the white
and red varietals from three turns back. There were some interesting
sweet flavors in both and I think we can come up with a blush that is
quite tasty."

"I look forward to trying it," Kefnek smiled. Clovente was quite good
at creating delicious blends and the Hallmaster was secure enough in
his own skills to admit that the other man was better than him in that
regard.

"Speaking of past strains, I have an idea I'd like to run by you."

Clovente nodded. "Alright, What's the idea?"

"I was thinking of sending some journeyman back to the old Hall site
at Amethyst Cliff. We had to leave several strains that had gotten
buried completely behind, as you remember I'm sure. I was thinking
after all this time it's possible some of them may have survived and
grown out into the open again. If so the journeyman could bring back
cuttings."

"Good thought," he nodded. "It's spring and the shoots would be coming
up. We might be able to get some cuttings at least, to start in the
new south field."

"Just what I hope," Kefnek replied with enthusiasm. Some of those lost
strains were particularly good and the thought that they might be able
to salvage them was exciting.

"Of course we won't know what strains they are until they produce
fruit. That would take three to four turns. If we go now and find the
shoots. I'd recommend waiting til fall for cuttings. Then we'll know
what we're gathering by the flavor of the fruit."

"Ah, you're right of course. And considering all the work to get the
vines we have established now ready to begin producing, finding enough
competent people would be difficult for a while anyway." Not to
mention how busy he planned on making everyone as the spring
progressed and the field and orchard expansions began.

"I knew there was a reason I kept you around, Clovente," Kefnek said
with a rare, if slightly rueful grin. He wasn't a man given to joking
and teasing often, but the other Master and he had been friends for
turns.

"Well, after all these turns, I promise not to short sheet your bed

again," he chuckled. "Seriously though, I'll put together a group of
apprentices and journeymen and we'll go see what we can find up at
Amethyst Cliff."

"A scouting party is a good idea. No need to carry all the equipment
needed to transport cuttings later if there's nothing actually
growing." Kefnek nodded in approval again. He really was glad his old
friend was interested in the project and only a little jealous at the
other man's relative freedom to go on field trips.

"I'll make it happen," Clovente promised.

Last updated on the September 3rd 2019

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A Helping Hand