The Perfect Idea
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: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th October 2006
Characters: Fielton, Daigoro
Description: Fielton shows Daigoro the plans he's been working on to set up a Tavern at the Vintner Hall.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 13, day 19 of Turn 3
It had been in the back of Fielton's thoughts from the moment he'd first seen the building. Obviously set up to house important guests, the building directly behind the Main Hall would make a _perfect_ tavern.
The first time he'd set foot over the threshold the picture had formed in his mind... roaring fireplaces, long tables, good food and people.
People who would pay good marks to enjoy the finest brews and wines the Vintner Hall had to offer.
He'd kept this plan to himself, knowing how tentative their position was at first. Supplies had to be moved, buildings cleaned, fields cleared...
So much work before he could begin to think of a new project.
But with the Hall settling down around him, there was finally time to look over the plans he'd labored over in the long nights when his bed had seemed a cold and lonely place. Sketches, tallies, price lists, staff lists... he'd planned everything from how many people he'd need to how much he'd have to sell to clear a profit. Now he sat quietly, watching his Hallsecond take in the vast amounts of information he'd set before him this morning, all neatly organized and written in Fielton's own hand. "What is this word here, Fielton? Is that 'tavern'? Or 'tuber'?"
Daigoro ask as he squinted at the hide before him. Fielton's good humor disappeared. "Two turn's worth of work I did in the past month, and you're getting annoyed about my handwriting?"
"Well, the idea is brilliant, Fielton," his Hallsecond amended. "But perhaps we should get someone to recopy it before we present the plan to the Hall?" The Hallmaster's handwriting was infamous for its illegibility, even when he was trying to be careful.
"Jielta will copy it for me. She has been asking to help out, and she has beautiful handwriting." Besides, it would be something they could do together. His nagging conscious would be appeased, Jielta would be thrilled, and he wouldn't be forced to come up with something for the two of them to talk about. Anything would be an improvement, except perhaps for Daigoro's own handwriting. "But where will we get the staff for this? Cinale can't cook for an entire Hall and a tavern too..."
"We'll start off with mostly drinks," Fielton replied, sitting back in his chair. "Maybe a few of the refugees from Amethyst Cliff who haven't found a place can help with basic cooking. Simple fare that goes with ale and wine. There are enough people looking for something to do now that I can find servers enough. We can give it a few months and see how the idea takes. Perhaps in time we could find a baker and harper. The rooms upstairs could be fixed up nicely enough to offer pleasant quarters to tempt crafters."
"I think this idea is just perfect, Fielton," Daigoro nodded in appreciation, looking over the figures. "We can show case our new work as well as have a steady flow of marks."
Fielton hesitated for a moment before revealing what would probably be the idea that shocked everyone the most. "I was thinking it might not be a bad idea to speak to the Weyrleaders and let them know dragonriders are welcome." Not that Fielton particularly wanted to welcome dragonriders... but he certainly wouldn't mind welcoming their marks.
His Hallseconds eyebrows raised in surprise. Was he hearing right? "You would bring dragonriders here on a regular basis?"
"I would bring dragonriders _there_ on a regular basis," he corrected shortly. "The tavern will be staffed by mature people who aren't likely to be lured into indiscretion by a charming dragonrider whispering pretty words. I'd rather have them safely in one place instead of wandering the Hall at will. And if we want to rebuild our Hall, we're not going to be able to be picky about who is buying our goods."
"Well, the dragonriders will have to come into the Hall if we want them to buy _real_ drinks, and at larger quantities," Daigoro pointed out. "Their marks are as good as any other. But here's a question - where will their dragon's _land_?"
Fielton shuffled through his paperwork before coming up with the rough map of their new home. "Right here," he said, jabbing his finger down on a spot behind the apprentice barracks and right next to the tavern.
"There's room enough in the courtyard for one dragon at a time to land.
But if the rider doesn't mind walking, they can land here." He pointed to a second spot between the Hall and the river. "There's enough room here for any number of dragons. As long as they stay between the path and the river, they won't be trampling anything important."
"Well, it might prove a distraction for the apprentices to have so many dragons lounging outside their windows, but I suppose that cannot be helped." It would cause quite a stir. The Master of Apprentices would have a terrible time keeping the boys in line.
"They can stay a bit downriver, if it comes to that," Fielton replied, fingers tracing the river. The next thing he had to do was find a friendly captain or two who wouldn't mind helping him take advantage of his newly acquired shipping dock. "Besides, a few mornings rising at dawn after no sleep should dull their interest."
"Well, I think it would be a good idea to not allow the apprentices in that area. We don't want them to be climbing all over lounging dragons when they should be doing the chores or studying. Perhaps we could encourage the dragonriders to allow their dragons to sun on one of the ridges at the edge of the valley."
"Hmmmm..." Fielton nodded, moving his finger down the valley. "I suppose it's close enough, and it's not as if the riders can't call their dragons when they're ready."
"That's what they do at Gathers and Market Days," Daigoro nodded. Fielton smoothed his hands over the map, feeling oddly unsure about this idea. He could think of endless arguments against it, but in the end his fear that his Hall might never recover sufficient wealth to prosper was stronger. "You think it will work?" he asked Daigoro, trying to hide his uncharacteristic uncertainty.
"Yes, I think so. Especially if we are willing to cater to dragonriders. It might make some of the residents a bit nervous, but as long as we make sure they keep to the tavern and the buying areas, and we keep ours out of the tavern, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't."
"Well, then." Fielton sat back, a real smile on his lips for the first time in longer than he cared to think about. "Let's keep this quiet for now while I work out the details. But I'll announce it at Turn's End... and then we'll see how well it works."
Last updated on the October 30th 2006