A Proposition

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 31st May 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Cyrek
Description: Benaroy has an interesting proposition for Cyrek
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 7 of Turn 3

"Welcome back, Cyrek," the Lord Holder said as the Amethyst Cliff Steward walked into his office. "I trust your journey went well?"

Cyrek smiled, a little tiredly. Rain, mud, snow at higher altitudes, a broken axle, lost livestock.... "We managed. It's good to be dry, thank you, Lord."

"Well, I'm glad you are here," the Lord Holder smiled. "I wish I could give you time to recover from your journey before talking about business."

Cyrek thought briefly of his daughter. "What do you wish of me?"

"It's my steward, Shayven," Benaroy sighed. "The healers say he's had a heart attack. His son has been doing a fine job considering the circumstances, but, Shadux is still very young."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Are there no other understewards besides Shadux, though? Because from what I've seen, he's managing things well."

"Of course, there are others," the Lord Holder nodded. Some of his own sons even. "But I have to be frank, Cyrek. I'm not sure Shayven should return to full duties. His health must be taken into consideration."

"I'm sorry to hear that, as well, but if his health is too fragile, I understand why you would wish for him to stand down. But what does this have to do with me?" Cyrek had a sneaking suspicion, but hoped that he was wrong.

"It has been our intention that Shadux would one day follow in his father's footsteps. I know it would be Shayven's dearest wish, but he is too young and inexperienced yet." Benaroy needed a drink, his personal attachments to his friend and Steward warring with what he believed was ultimately best for his Hold. He pulled two glasses along with a bottle of brandy off his shelf and poured them both a drink as he reminded himself of all the reasons why Cyrek was the obvious choice to be Steward of Amber Hills permanently. "I think we both need this," he finally said handing him a glass.

"Thank you," Cyrek said automatically, although a warm bed and a cup of klah would have been more welcome. "While I.. understand your concern, my Lord, I'm still not sure why you are speaking to _me_
about this."

"Your people need a leader, Cyrek," the Lord said plainly. "They are accustomed to looking to Lord Alalir, and looking to you, but not to me. _Yet_. For however long your stay is here, this is their home now. It might... smooth their transition to have someone they trust in the position. And it might do me good as well to have someone who understands them who can act as a speaker on their behalf, and visa versa. You are the logical choice, Cyrek."

Cyrek frowned. "So, to be clear on this... you are offering me the position of Steward of Amber Hills Hold?"

Benaroy took a long sip of brandy. Shayven would just have to understand... "Yes. I would like you to be my steward, Cyrek."

The Steward of Amethyst Cliff looked down at the brandy in his hands.
It glinted amber in the light. "Lord Benaroy, I am... greatly flattered. And humbled that you would single me out. But... you are correct in saying that in Lord Alalir's absence, the people of Amethyst Cliff look to me. Right now my first duty is to them, and I'm not sure that I can... justify splitting my time between two Holds. I will do everything I can for both the people of Amethyst Cliff and Amber Hills Hold, but there is still a great deal of work to be done at Amethyst Cliff that I can't turn my back on. If you wish for a liaison between our two Holds, then I can offer one of my understewards to you - and Shadux - until he is no longer needed."

"Of course I understand there is still much to be done at Amethyst Cliff," the Lord Holder nodded. "But you will have people here too, Cyrek. They will need a bit of stability."

"They do. And I trust that you will treat them as your own until Amethyst Cliff Hold is rebuilt."

Benaroy frowned slightly as he looked at the man over his brandy glass. "You think I would do any less, Cyrek?"

"Of course not. That's why I am confidant in leaving you and your men in charge here while I supervise the.. clean up back at home." Cyrek paused, then smiled slightly. "I wouldn't leave my daughter behind if I didn't trust you to do right by her, let alone Alalir's people."

"How long will the clean up take?" the Lord Holder asked thoughtfully. "Surely you have understewards to supervise the bulk of it."

"The Hold is..." Cyrek paused, not wanting to voice the Hold's true condition, as if doing that would somehow make it permanent. "The Hold is mostly rubble. There's stones and earth to move, furniture and other personal items to be salvaged if possible, and storerooms to dig to. There are teams of workers and Crafters who are shoring up the remaining walls, as well as healers tents and support staff to care for. It's akin to a small Hold of it's own over there."

"It sounds like it could take months." He couldn't afford to be without a steward for months. "Surely your understewards can oversee the salvage while you attend to your holders."

**But I _want_ to be there.** He shook his head. "It's not so simple.
My understewards... some are missing, some injured, and only a few able to work."

"Then perhaps I can send a few of mine." The Lord Holder studied Cyrek a moment. "I think you under estimate how badly you are needed here."

The Steward was silent for a moment. "If it's really that necessary, perhaps I can split my time somehow between Amethyst Cliff and here to assist Shadux. But I cannot completely abandon my Hold at this time."

"I think that is a very good idea. But, Cyrek," Benaroy said gently, like he was speaking with one of his own sons, "a Hold is made of people, not stone. And your people are _here_ now."

"But I still can't abandon the Hold." Cyrek set the glass aside and rubbed his face tiredly. "Lord Benaroy. It's been a long journey, and I am exhausted. I want to see my daughter. Perhaps we can continue this conversation at a later date?"

"Of course," the Lord Holder nodded, hoping that the Steward would at least consider what had been said. "Have a good evening, then, Cyrek. You deserve a full night's rest." Though Benaroy knew, rest was hard for men faced with the tough decisions to be made.

Last updated on the May 31st 2006

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A Proposition