Impressive

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 4th July 2006

Characters: Kiomo, Alrog
Description: Kiomo visits Iron Lake Hold to meet Lord Alrog
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 12, day 7 of Turn 3

Kiomo had heard a lot of Iron Lake Hold and their young holder, Alrog. Serious, but more than qualified seemed to be the consensus. As he approached the hold he wondered just what kind of man Alrog was. Kiomo couldn't help but think about people politically. He had been raised to think that way, after all. Unmarried, he had heard. Politically, he knew what that meant - Lady Thalia would be a good match, so would the Hallmaster's daughter or his young charge. Alrog was also very young to be in charge of such a properous holding. That also raised some questions politically. Just how much power could a young man hold over his peers or his holders? And then there was the rumors about his unfortunate family connections to a criminal. Politically, that should ruin his chances at making a good match _or_ of having much sway over anyone. And yet his hold prospered under his hand. The Holder was an enigma, and Kiomo was eager to solve the riddle for himself.

The road from Garnet Valley Hold to Iron Lake valley was uphill whole the way. When traveller finally reached his destination, a roughly triangular valley, surrounded by majestic mountains, lied ahead of him.
Left of him, he could see the lake that gave the valley it's name. It's dark water were icy cold even during the hottest summers. Right side of the valley were the mines, refinery and the auxilliary buildings (like stores, smithy etc) and large mounts of gravel and rocks. The hold itself was beyond the lake. One could see three entrances. The actual hold was deep inside the cliff face, partly man-made, partly natural caves. The main entrance was decorated with carvings, someone had carved the words:
We shall persevere, over it. Smaller door led to the kitchens and lover but wider to the beast hold. Modest farming was done around the lake, but the ground was just too poor for anything but the toughest crops. Some ovines and caprines were grazing near the entrance of the valley.

Kiomo had to admit, the hold and its location were impressive. Alrog must be an ambitious man to have been chosen to lead such a hold at his young age. The holder handed his runner's reigns off to a stablehand and walked back towards the hold entrance to inquire further about an interview.

Alrog was talking with the mine-foreman in a hallway. The minecrafter was old enough to be his grandfather. "If the water problem is that bad, we just have to shut down the shaft four until we figure out where the water's coming from and stop it." "But it's the richest mothervein we have," the foreman pointed out. "Would you rather drown in a dark tunnel in deep inside the ground? Even the whers refuse to go there. It's not safe." A young man no older than himself giving orders to a man two or three times his age with a voice of authority... Must be the man himself. Kiomo waited patiently to be noticed.

"Fine then, I'll order the men out and start investigating. It's your mine, sir," the foreman actually smiled and then left. "Not that we're selling much iron att the moment," Alrog muttered quietly under his breath. Then he noticed the stranger. "Hello, can I help you?" "Are you Holder Alrog?" Kiomo asked with a friendly smile. "Yes, I am. Who would you be?" Alrog matched his smile with his own. "Kiomo, son of the late Lord Holder Bireki of Ancient Stones Hold, now a holder at Garney Valley Hold in the service of Lord Warder Ishek," he replied formally. "But please, just call me Kiomo."

"Welcome to Iron Lake Hold, holder Kiomo. What brings you heer? Nothing urgent I hope?" Alrog replied and inguired politely.

"No no. I just am curious about your holdings," **and you.** "I hear so much about them. I thought I would spend a restday learning more about the area. But I think you are working on your restday. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"You're not disturbing and I'm always working. I can give you a tour around the hold if you like," Alrog replied. He was proud of Iron Lake and enjoyed showing it to the people.

"I think I would like that. From what I've seen it's... impressive."

"As long as you don't call it beautiful," Alrog chuckled. "Let me show you the upper gallery first. It has a grand view over the valley. In a clear weather you can also see Garnet Valley. Iron Lake hold is one of the oldest settlements in the region. Originally it was just a shelter for minecrafters." "Its a rather convenient location for mines, what with the Mining and Smith Halls so close by." Kiomo had heard some rumors that perhaps not all was smooth in their relationship with the Smith Hall however.

"Yes it is, for that. For anything else, this valley is just too barren." Kiomo stepped up to the window and looked down across the valley. "Can you produce enough to feed everyone? Or do you have to buy what you need?"

"Not nearly enough to keep us going thru winter, so we have to buy, or barter," Alrog replied. The holder nodded. "I'm sure that limits your hold's ultimate size in the end, unless there's some other kind of craft that can bring you revenue with which to export."

"There's always iron to sell, and gems and silver. Little bit zinc too, although smith hall is only buyer for that." "Do they have much use for zinc?" Kiomo asked, his tone curious, but not so much about the metal. He was more interested in if the rumors about the rift between the hold and Hall were true.

"Not as itself but its used in alloys, " Alrog replied. "Do you want to see the mines?" "Yes, I think that would educational." Ancient Stones was actually not known for its mines. It was always wise to pick up information where he could. "How many mines are in operation at present?"

"Just one. We have *cough* little maintenance break currently and to add that, water seeping in to one of shafts." "Does that happen often?"

"Water seeping in or maintenance breaks?" Alrog asked.

"Both, I suppose."

"Well, the water is a frequent problem. There's underground stream, you see. It feds the lake, but it also goes near the mines... Maintenance break's are not that common, but it's good to stop for a while and make sure the mines are safe. Or as safe as humanly possible to make them." "I guess accidents would be a constant concern," Kiomo nodded. "Must be frustrating though. To have to stop production, that is."

"Yes, it is," Alrog said. "But it must be worth it to have such a valuable holding." He gave the young Holder an understanding smile. "I bet your desk if filling up with marriage proposals."

"Yeah, there's plenty of candidates. Unfortunately, I'm picky and I want a wife who can put up with my mother. She's a strongwilled person." Kiomo could understand that. After all, he had always vowed never to settle when it came to marriage. "Did you find them yet?"

"There's at least one strong possibility, but it's too early to tell." "Well, you have a lot to offer a potential wife," the holder said with a wave around at his holdings. Kiomo was naturally curious who the lucky woman might be, but he refrained from seeming too interested. They barely knew each other after all. "Now, you had mentioned that you had another mine that was still in opperations, did you not? That would be most interesting to see."

"Yes, the silver mine. There's also gem mine or more like a camp, but it's up in to mountains, a long, hard ride of steep paths. This way," Alrog replied and showed him towards the silver mine.

Last updated on the July 5th 2006

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Impressive