Improving Relations

Writers: Ainsley1, Eimi
Date Posted: 23rd June 2007

Characters: Benaroy, Nimroy
Description: Benaroy gives Nimroy an assignment and the two remember that they have not always been at odds
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 22 of Turn 4

The Lord Holder waved his son into the room as he
finished scanning the latest letter sent from Garnet
Valley. Of course the news was the same. No news.
"Do you want a drink, Nimroy?"

"Yes, sir," Nimroy was curious about the summons and
cautious, but a drink sounded safe enough. He noticed
the letter and his father's look. "Garnet Valley?" he
asked. "Is there news?" His youngest sister held a
special place in his heart and he was anxious for any
information.

Benaroy shook his head. "Just more of the same.
Leads that lead no where. Could you pour me a drink
please? The special wine from the Vintner Hall."

Quelling the urge to swear at the less than
satisfactory news, Nimroy calmed himself and answered
automatically, "Of course." He moved to do his
father's bidding before he stopped to consider that it
had been some time since they had shared a glass of
wine. He poured his father a glass and offered it to
him before pouring one for himself. "Would it spur
them at all to have a family member present - not me,"
he was quick to assure Benaroy, not wanting his father
to think this was a ploy for more travel. "Benaran
can be rather imposing when he so chooses."

"We can't stop the business of the Hold to chase after
shadows," his father sighed. "Perhaps if they find
something _real_ to go off of that wouldn't be a bad
idea." He sipped at his wine thoughtfully. The blend
wasn't bad. It was one of the medicinal wines the
Vintner Hall's journeyman had been working on which
was supposed to help his circulation. Hopefully
it would take care of some of these headaches... Which
reminded him of the reason he had summoned his son in
the first place. "Have a seat, Nimroy."

Nimroy did so with some trepidation, taking a sip of
his wine and noting it was a curious blend. He and
his father didn't speak much and their last meeting
had ended...uncomfortably. He looked expectantly at
Benaroy, curious and bit concerned over what he was
going to say.

"How is Ailaya?" Benaroy asked, setting his glass
down.

The younger man's brow furrowed. "The healer has
insisted that she stay abed until the baby comes."

That might not bode well, the Lord Holder thought
sourly. "Well, I'm sure it won't be long now."

Nimroy ran his thumb idly along the stem of his glass.
"Hopefully not," he replied not entirely comfortable
with this conversation. He still did not to know what
to do with or for his wife and he hated this perceived
lack in himself.

Benaroy was also starting to feel a bit uncomfortable
with this whole topic. "Yes, well, I'm sure you're
wondering why I asked to see you."

"Yes, sir," the younger man answered with some relief.

"I thought perhaps you could put your diplomatic and
organizational skills to better use a little closer to
home for a while. Here," the Lord Holder said as he
passed a hide across the desk, "is the Vintner Hall's
projected yield from the last Turn. I don't have to
tell you that this Turn it will be considerably less.
I would like you to find out just what the Hall
honestly thinks it will be, and work with them to see
if there is any way we can help them improve upon it.
I don't have to tell you how badly we need them to
make a decent tithe, considering the resources we have
spent on all the refugees now in our Hold."

In times past, his father's first statement would have
set Nimroy off, and he would have assumed Benaroy was
slighting his contribution to the Hold. This time,
however, the younger man found that he wasn't
offended, but rather felt that his father was
acknowledging some of the skills he'd learned abroad.
Accepting the hide, Nimroy was nodding in agreement
before he even looked at it, "I don't need to tell you
that we are already getting multiple trade requests
for beer and wine. With the destruction and
relocation of the Vintner Hall, there are many
concerned about the availability in the next few
turns. A good tithe will definitely help us out when
it comes to trade."

"Well, we do have our own vineyards in and around the
canyon. We can supply them with at least some grapes.
And they have talked of harvesting what they can back
at Amythest Cliff. But I would hate to see our own
vintage lost completely. Its part of our heritage,
after all." All the changes hadn't settled well with
many of his people. "Perhaps we can persuade them to
incorporate some of our varieties into their list of
wines. It would actually give them more exposure,
which would be better all around. Let people know
Amber Hills is more than just runners and beasts."

A slow smile spread across Nimroy's face and his blue
eyes were alight with the possibilities of this
endeavor. "There is tremendous potential for all
involved to gain something. I'll start by reviewing
this," he held up the hide, "Then I'll set up meetings
with Daigoro and a few of our holders. I'm sure we
can improve upon the projections."

"This assignment sits well with you then?" The
question was not accusing as it once might have been.
It was more hopeful. Could it be that for the first
time in a long time he and Nimroy could really see
each other eye to eye?

Once again Nimroy was surprised to find that a comment
which would normally have offended him did not rankle.
"Yes, father," he answered knowing he should leave
well enough alone, but having an irresistible urge to
tease as he might of before the seemingly impenetrable
wall had gone up between them. "Of course if I do
well, I shall want a new runner," he said with
mischief in his eyes remembering a time when he was
nine turns old and had used that very line.

A slight, nostalgic smile touched the corners of his
father's lips. Yes. They had been good friends once.
"I believe I have an old nag that would suit you
well."

Nimroy gave a snort, rising from his seat and drinking
the last of his wine, "Probably the very same one."

"No," Benaroy replied with a bit broader smile. "Her
daughter."

Last updated on the July 1st 2007

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Improving Relations