To Life, Luck, and Love

Writers: Ainsley1, Vix
Date Posted: 25th April 2007

Characters: Hartam, D'ryne
Description: Hartam and D'ryne share a glass of wine and make plans to meet again
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 3, day 6 of Turn 4

As usual the brown rider sat alone, his tall frame positioned comfortably to observe the activities of the tavern without participating. He enjoyed the music and watching the patrons. And the wine, yes, he most definitely enjoyed the wine. Sharp gray eyes studied the glass on the table, watching the deep red streak down the sides after he swirled it gently. A good vintage with a full body.

It was a slow night, at least compared to most since the opening a few sevendays earlier. However, Hartam enjoyed the break. There was a good crowd - enough to bring in the marks needed to keep the place running and yet there was room to move about without having to dodge the movements of those getting drinks.

On nights like this he liked to work the crowd, to wander from table to table during breaks in his music sets, and to talk to those who were spending their evening here. "Thanks for coming!" He shook hands with a party of smiths at one table, and then moved to the next.

"Good evening, good rider!" Hartam extended his hand to the man. "Welcome!"

D'ryne stood, accepting the proffered hand with a small smile. "My thanks, Harper, and my compliments.
Your music is exactly what is needed to soothe a weary rider. I am D'ryne of Dragonsfall Weyr. Won't you join me?"

Though he seldom invited company, the brownrider found that tonight he would welcome it.

"Thank you, and I think I will, D'ryne." The harper shifted into the chair opposite the man. "I'm known to most as Hartam and have the pleasure of singing here most nights. It's always encouraging to hear that my music is well-received."

D'ryne waved to catch the attention of a passing drudge and request another glass. "Music is to an aching heart what numbweed is to threadscore. I've been lead to understand that some of the best and newest songs I've heard are indeed your own."

"A few of them are my creations," the harper admitted, "though the greater part of what I sing is either standard fare for my craft or taken from local favorites." He lounged back into his chair. "You seem to have a poetic streak yourself. Have you taken any formal training beyond the usual classes?"

"No, not I. My brother was the harper in my family,"
the brownrider answered taking a sip of his wine, with a saddened air, collecting himself before he continued, "I croak like a watchwher and can't get the most simple of instruments to respond with anything resembling music."

Hartam chuckled lightly, though he noted the sadness that the rider had displayed. "I've found that very few of those who claim they cannot sing are really as bad as they paint themselves. On the other hand, many who feel that they have voices that all want to hear actually send their audiences running for cover."

D'ryne laughed. He actually laughed. Not a smile, not a chuckle but a true hearty laugh. This harper seemed to bring out the best in him. The drudge arrived with another glass, and the brownrider met the green eyes of the man opposite him , "Harper Hartam, will you share a glass with me? This is no common tavern pour mind you. Tis a very fine vintage."

"I'll not turn that down, though I warn you - don't let the Tavern Master hear you calling his drinks 'common.' Of course, with the loss of the Vintner Hall's vines at Amethyst Cliff, many vintages are considered rare."

"I'll be the first to admit that he serves a far better vintage than most for his standard fair, but the Tavern Master himself recommended this as something special," D'ryne explained as he poured a glass of the red for the harper.

"I do shudder to think of what the next few turns may have to offer with the devastation at Amethyst Cliff.
I had heard rumors that those terrace vineyards of Lord Benaroy's were producing a fine grape. By the first egg I hope those rumors hold some merit."

The brownrider pushed blond bangs from his weathered face, and raised his glass to the harper.

"From what I've seen," stated Hartam, "both Hall and Hold are doing their best to provide the resources to bring wine production back to where it was before the quake." He tapped his glass against the other man's.
"To life, luck, and love."

"May we have our fair share of all three," D'ryne added with a nod, taking a sip of the wine and savoring the rare vintage. He gave Hartam a speculative look, rather liking the man who reminded him so much of V'ryne, though an older version.
"You've just recently come to the Vintner Hall haven't you?"

Contemplating the taste of the wine, the harper took a moment to reply. "Yes, very recently. I arrived a few days before the opening of this place, assigned to the Vintner Hall but with my prime responsibility the overseeing of the entertainment here. It was a unique opportunity and one that I seized when offered."

Hartam set down the wineglass and leaned forward. "Of course, the posting brings responsibility as well, including the pressure to supply new songs. Perhaps you could help me with that."

D'ryne's brow furrowed, the query obvious on his tanned face. "In what way?"

"I have a song in mind - still no more than a chorus -
and it's about dragons. I'd like to visit a Weyr, to just have a little bit of time to wander around and see dragons going about their daily business. That might give me the inspiration I need for the verses of the song."

A smile tugged at the brownrider's lips as he relaxed back into his seat, taking another sip of wine. "That is easy enough to see to. Quirinynth and I would be more than happy to take you to the Weyr. When are you available to spend a day, Hartam?"

He spread his hands expansively. "My days are easily rearranged as long as I'm back in time to perform.
Your schedule is more likely to interfere."

D'ryne sat thoughtfully considering his drill schedule, Weyr duties, and the next threadfall. "Not tomorrow or the next, but the one after would work well. I could pick you up as early as you'd like.
Before dawn if you want to watch the Weyr awaken."

"That sounds like a good plan. It might be difficult to wake up after a night of playing, but it will be worth it to have that experience."

"Nothing quite like it. There truly is something exhilarating about witnessing the Weyr come to life each day," D'ryne said, a far away look in his gray eyes.

"I'd like to see that," Hartam mused. "If you're sure that you have the time, I'll be waiting for you in three days time - much in need of klah but ready to soak in the milieu of awakening dragons."

D'ryne gave a nod and lifted his glass, "Three days it is, harper."

Last updated on the April 26th 2007

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