Shall We Get This Celebration Started

Writers: Anwen, Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th November 2006

Characters: Benaroy, Jielta, Fielton
Description: Lord Benaroy escorts Jielta and Master Fielton to the Turns End celebration
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 3

Fielton

"Ah, Master Fielton," Benaroy smiled warmly at the Vintner Hallmaster as he walked down the steps to greet him. "I hope you brought marks to wager on our races. One of my personal runners is in the second, and I would not bet against him if I were you."

Fielton smiled and held out his hand to the Lord Holder in greeting. "I'm not much of a betting man, Lord Benaroy. But I'll watch the races with great interest."

"It's a start at least," the Lord Holder nodded as he took his hand. "But I would suggest trying a bet or two. Follow me and you'll see the marks double in your pocket by the end of the day or I'll make up your losses for you. How about that. You can't lose."

"Well, if you put it that way..." Fielton held out his hand to Jielta, who was hanging back behind him. "Lord Benaroy, can I introduce my daughter, Jielta?"

Jielta made a pretty curtsy, smiling up at the old Lord Holder. "My Lord."

"I'm pleased to meet you at last. I heard you have been a great help since you came to our valley." The Lord Holder gave her a polite bow and offered her his arm. "Shall we walk to the Gather Square together?"

Fielton fell into step on Benaroy's other side.
"You'll have to come and see the Hall now that we've finished restoring it. You'll hardly recognize it."

"I haven't yet seen all the restorations, Lord Holder, as I am only just back to the hold. So, we shall both be seeing them for the first time," Jielta added politely. She very much wanted Lord Benaroy to like her- she knew it could be beneficial to her hopes of a good marriage in the near future. "I'm sure you are anxious to be settled into your new home," Benaroy said with an understanding smile. He was looking forward to their moving into their Hall as well. They were welcome in his Hold, of course, but it would certainly ease some of the over-crowding to have the Vintners in their own home at last.

"Its certainly nice to be home," the girl agreed. "The rooms built for me are particularly lovely, for which I have father to thank, of course."

"You know, Fielton, I might have a lad or two who might make very good apprentices in your craft. Do you have room in that new Apprentice Barracks for a couple more?" Now that his Hold was filled, Benaroy was starting to feel more confident about sending more boys out to craft. With the Woodsmith and Vintner Halls so close by it seemed only logical that he should encourage a Hold presence in those Halls. It could only serve to expand the Hold's influence in the area in the future. It was a future he would never see, but the Lord Holder could not afford to stop looking ahead.

Fielton's smile widened. "Of course. I hope to find quite a few suitable young men to fill out our numbers. Send them by to meet Araster when they can be excused from their duties."

"Will you also be accepting fosterlings soon? There are a few fathers from our minor holdings who have been asking." The Lord Holder turned to the young lady on his arm. "I'm sure it would be nice to have more young ladies your age to associate with."

"Once I'm sure I have someone in place who can keep an eye on them," Fielton replied serenely. "Isn't your youngest daughter Jielta's age? Perhaps she could come for dinner some evening to give Jielta a little company."

"I will certainly suggest that to Royani. Thank you. But I think it only fair to say she may not be with us too much longer. It's time to find her a suitable husband." The sooner the better, in Benaroy's mind. That was his first priority in the new term. He wanted to his his youngest daughter happily married and settled. She deserved at least that.

"I would love to meet your daughter," Jielta piped in.
"I'm sure we would have much to talk about, both being at a marriageable age."

"Well, perhaps we should have our two families meet for dinner some time. I shall invite you all to the Hold for dinner as well." After all, the Lord Holder also still had sons who were of a marriageable age...

"We'd be honored," Fielton replied, his thoughts having gone in the same direction as Benaroy's. Having Jielta married to one of his sons could be good for Hold and Hall, not to mention keep her close enough so that he'd still be able to visit her. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to work on the details while we watch the races."

"Daddy, don't forget that you promised we'd ask around at the races about a runner for me," Jielta pointed out. "All the other girls have a runner of their very own..." For once, Jielta sounded exactly her age. The Lord Holder smiled knowingly. A girl's first runner was always special. "I would be happy to make some recommendations for you."

"That would be wonderful!" she replied exuberantly. "I know I'll find it awfully hard to choose, as I pretty much love all runners, so advice would be greatly appreciated."

"Of course! Only the finest for you, Jielta." Fielton smiled easily, but inside he was wincing. A runner would be a hard enough expense to deal with as it was... the sort of fine animal that Lord Benaroy would no doubt recommend would cost him dearly. But his pride wouldn't allow him to admit it. "Ah, here we are," Benaroy smiled as the walked around the windbreak and found themselves faced with a throng of people and stalls. "Shall we get this celebration started, Fielton?"

Last updated on the December 1st 2006

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Shall We Get This Celebration Started