Good for a Hall

Writers: Bree, Vix
Date Posted: 21st April 2007

Characters: Fielton, Hartam
Description: Fielton officially welcomes Hartam to the Vintner Hall.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 4

Fielton

"Hallmaster?" The Tavern Harper rapped on the doorframe, his smile barely masking the nervousness he felt. "You sent for me?"

"Hartam, come in..." Fielton waved at a chair in front of his desk and smiled. "I'm sorry, I just have to finish up these notes. Have a seat, though, and I'll be right with you."

The harper complied with the other man's request, glancing around at the office, trying not to peek at what Fielton was writing, though reading upside-down was one of the talents that Hartam had cultivated in himself. He reflected that in the vintner craft, as in other crafts, what those outside the Hall saw was only a small portion of what actually occurred.

The hides were hardly interesting, mostly lists of tasks assigned to certain apprentices and an untidy scrawl that might have been a schedule. Fielton crossed out something on the bottom and scribbled a new name in, and then pushed the work aside. "Now, how are you settling in, Hartam?"

The harper sat up straighter before replying. "Quite well, Master Fielton. Those of your Hall have gone out of their way to welcome me."

"Good. And the tavern? Things are going well there?" He'd had far too much to do to spend as much time there as he might have liked, but the reports had been favorable.

"All appears to be well there." Hartam grinned as he spoke of the new establishment. "You could not have assigned a better Tavern Master than Bhervehan - he runs a tight ship, and yet could not be more welcoming to the guests."

That brought a faint smile to Fielton's lips. "I agree with you completely. He's got a skill with the guests that I certainly never had. I hear you have made yourself very popular with new music, too."

The harper reddened slightly at the mention of his songs. "I figured that a new place deserved a new song. It was well-received, so I'm looking over some of the tunes I've written over the Turns and may add them now and then."

"New tunes are a good draw. And many of the people who came from Amethyst Cliff have had enough sorrow. It's good to see them happy again." The only thing that was making him happy was the fact that they were slowly regaining their marks.

"I have a few others in mind, but I'll try to keep them upbeat. Unfortunately, some of the thoughts I place in rhyme run to the morose."

Fielton shrugged one shoulder. "I think we all have our morose moments. But whether he's singing happy or sad songs, a harper is good for a Hall. I was hoping I might be able to use your expertise on other matters from time to time, though."

Hartam raised his hand in a flourish. "I'll gladly do that. My title may be Tavern Harper, but in reality I'm assigned to your Hall."

"Of course, but at the moment the Tavern is all that is keeping this Hall afloat," Fielton said frankly. "If we want to recover from our losses, it is important that it becomes the best success possible."

That certainly put a significant amount of pressure on the harper, but he kept his smile as he responded. "I'll do my best to help with that, though your craft's wares will be the main draw."

"I'm glad you think so." Fielton smiled. "I won't take up any more of your time, but I may have a matter that needs your advice in the next few sevendays. But please let me know if you need anything before then."

"I will, indeed, Master Fielton." The harper rose from his chair and bowed slightly. "And thank you for the chance to serve your Hall."

Last updated on the April 22nd 2007

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Good for a Hall