Talent for it
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 28th July 2006
Characters: Almonteo, Ednan
Description: Almonteo is lured to Ednan by his music.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 13, day 13 of Turn 3
Ednan had found a quiet stretch of the beach and now sat there, playing his flute. The melody was a beautiful one, full of melancholy.
The Harper Hallmaster was out for his daily walk when he heard the haunting melody. Quietly he sat down behing the player, far enough back that he would not be noticed, and listed to the song. It was a very old song. He was fairly sure it was no longer part of the usual list of songs taught to apprentices, but one he knew well from his youth. It seemed appropriate on a day like this, with the sea breeze blowing on the cool side, wipping up the waves and dragging low, black, rain-filled clouds across the horizon. Almonteo wondered if the wind just might carry some of those their way. It would be a relief from the heat, and a good excuse to cuddle up warm with a good book and a cup of tea with Carmora beside him. He was so lost in thought he was surprised to hear the last familiar note slowly die out and be drowned out by the crashing waves.
"Very well done, lad," the Hallmaster clapped. "Very well indeed." Ednan was startled, he hadn't been aware he had audience. "Thank you," he said. The man looked vaguedly familiar, like someone he should recognize. Almonteo had the same feeling, though there seemed to be so many apprentices faces, it was hard to remember them all. "What's your name again?"
"Ednan, sir, I'm apprentice dolphineer," he replied. Wind was whipping his copper red hair to his eyes and he had to push it back. "Apprentice _Dolphineer_? Really?" the Hallmaster said in surprise, reaching up to catch the wide brimmed hat a sudden gust of wind threatened to blow of his head. "I would have thought you were a Harper the way you played that tune."
Ednan grinned. "I grew up in harper hall, my father's a harper and some of my siblings too." "Really? Then you probably know who I am already," Almonteo chuckled. "That puts me somewhat at a disadvantage."
"What do you mean, sir? I haven't been at the hall for six turns," Ednan asked. "Ah, well, then you wouldn't know me I suppose," the Harper said, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "I'm Almonteo, the Hallmaster."
"I'm pleased to meet you." Now Ednan realized that he had seen the master around, att the harper hall's welcoming fest. "And you too," the Hallmaster nodded. "So who is your father?"
"Master composer Endras," Ednan's reply was almost embarrassed. "Endras! I know Endras, of course," Almonteo smile. "Is he the one who taught you to play?"
"Yes, sir. As soon as I was old enough to held things, he gave me instruments to play with. All of us kids were taught to play and sing from early age. You should hear my sister sing," Ednan replied and grinned. "Well, you have a talent for it." It was rather too bad he was already apprenticed elsewhere. "What made you decide to become a dolphineer?"
Ednan shrugged. "They fasinated me, I kept reading about them whole my childhood and more I red, more I wanted to be with them." "I see," Almonteo nodded. Just because a child comes from good Harpering stock didn't always mean they had to be a harper. His oldest, Teomar, was quite the fine Healer, after all. "Well, it must be nice to have your family so close once again."
"It's just me and my sister here, sir. Rest of us are scattered across Pern," Ednan replied quietly. "Do you have much chance to visit them?"
Ednan shook his head. "Well, that is too bad. I met your father once at a Lord Holder's inaguration. We had the most pleasant chat about our compositions, and he is very talented. Perhaps I can arrange to have Endras come to Dolphin Cove to showcase some of his newer work someday," Almonteo suggested. He really would like to hear some of his new pieces.
"That would be nice," Ednan said wistfully. "When was the last time you met your father?" Almonteo asked curiously.
Ednan looked sad. "He briefly visited me three turns ago." "He is a busy man," Almonteo nodded, though he could understand the young man's disappointment. "I'm sure its not because he doesn't want to visit."
"Yeah, guess so. Last time I heard, he was working on something big, a grand sinfony in three parts." Almonteo's eyebrows shot up appreciatively. "That is quite a feat! I would be most interested in hearing it."
"I'm sure he delivers it to you after he's done. But you know he doesn't show half-done productions to anyone." As a compuser himself, the harper could appreciate that. "Compositions are a work in progress. They can be tweaked and changed right up to the moment they are sent off for copying. That is a scary moment, let me tell you."
Ednan just shrugged. Composing wasn't his talent, that was something Enilda had inherited from their father. "Well," Almonteo said, standing back up to his feet. "I think my lunch break is just about over. I have to check in with my wife before heading back to the office. If you ever decide you want a change in crafts though, we could use a good set of pipes!"
"Right," Ednan smiled and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. If he had wanted to be a harper, he would be.
Last updated on the July 28th 2006