Riding the Circuit

Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 30th April 2024

Characters: Corofel, Reven
Description: Corofel asks for more advice on how to approach those who look to him for leadership.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 25 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: L'cor

Corofel

Reven

Now that the matter of the Steward, Headwoman, and Captain of the
Guard had been settled, Corofel had it in mind to visit each of his
minor holders to find out the states of their affairs and what help
they needed from him.

So during their next meeting, he broached the subject as his first
order of business.

"I want to ride out to speak with them all myself. They should have
the opportunity to know me and to know that I'm on their side," said
Corofel. "I know it's dangerous for me to just... be out and about
right now, but I can have a guard escort. What do you think I should
do?"

"I think you should start with Red Rush and Field Meadows. Each of
them neighbor Green Valley, so I already have good working
relationships with them. I can go with you, if you prefer, for
introductions, or you can go with just a guard. It does make me a
little nervous, the thought of you going.... I would suggest a dragon
transport instead of a carriage, perhaps. It's faster and you'd be
less of a target. That is _if_ Dolphin Cove is willing to allow us one
after what happened to their watchdragon."

"L'cor would take me if I asked," said Corofel. "But... I don't want
my people to see me coming on dragonwings. There are people out there
who want to kill dragons and their riders. I... I don't want to push
people over the edge toward that." He furrowed his brow. "I don't even
know if I'm making sense, but. People need to see me delivering
merciless justice to anyone who would kill a dragonman. But... they
also need to see me as someone who understands them. Someone who cares
about them. Like I'm one of them and not just some... rich boy who
doesn't have to feel the pinch of the tithes. Some young, weak fool
who exists to do whatever the Weyrleader tells me to do."

He signed again and stared at the ground.

"Am I being soft and stupid, Reven? Am I being a spoiled-arsed child right now?"

"You're not being soft or stupid, I'm just being overprotective.
You're right inbetween my younger siblings in age so it's easy for me
to slip into older brother mode, rather than Warder." Reven thought
Corofel's logic was sound, even if it still made him anxious at the
thought of Corofel being a target out on the roads. It would be easy
for him to disappear out there. **But then again, Corowal disappeared
from within the safety of these walls.**

"You're right. Go like a Holder. I have confidence in Red Rush and
Field Meadows. Maybe with some of the trickier spots, Black Rock and
High Hills, we can go together or have them come here to the Hold?"

"I... You're welcome to come with me anywhere. I have an older
brother. And for the last little while, you've really reminded me of
him." Corofel blushed. "As corny as that might sound. You came to help
me, and I am grateful for your help. But... If you can trust my
people, I would want you here. Things are... quite frankly kinda
shitty right now, and, well, having you as my Warder kind of lets me
be in two places at once. I'll have to win all of these places over
eventually."

Reven smiled with a nod. "Good, then we're on the same page. I'll hold
down the fort here, literally, while you visit Red Rush and Field
Meadows. If you need a stopping off place in between, Green Valley can
host you for the evening. My brother is there currently serving as
Holder, so you'd have a safe place for the night."

Corofel relaxed with relief at Reven's agreement.

"Good. I'll take whoever Captain Oriel recommends with me. And I'll
even relent and let the stable marshal pick my runnerbeast." He
grinned. Not long ago, he would have been thrilled to finally insist
on getting the exact runner he wanted, some feisty stallion. But he
could not afford to be thrown off or even to look like an arsehole
getting into and out of the saddle when he got where he was going if
the beast did not like him.

"That would be wise," Reven agreed. "I'll send Keeper to you
occasionally to check in."

"Flames. It must really be handy to have the little guy to help you."
Corofel had never been terribly interested in having one of his own.
He had always been much more interested in runnerbeasts.

"It is," Reven admitted. "Shall we go down and have lunch in the
Dining Hall? I'm sure there are some mothers who would like to send
their daughters over to fawn over you. I say that purely because if my
mother were here, she'd be sending my youngest sister to meet you. For
that matter, she'd probably send my eldest sister, too."

"Meeting pretty women does sound like a much more lighthearted use of
my time," said Corofel. "And I always enjoy lunch."

Reven certainly found it enjoyable as well, the lunch, and the
watching young women trip over themselves to earn the new Lord's
favor. Some of the low-cut, cleavage-bearing things they wore brought
_much_ amusement. It also made him glad that the courting days were
well behind him.

Last updated on the April 30th 2024

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