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Writers: Kaysea, Paula
Date Posted: 9th October 2007

Characters: Causton, Keayd
Description: Causton starts his rounds and introduces himself to some of the journeymen of his hall.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 6, day 4 of Turn 4

"Ah, journeyman Stabel, thank you for meeting me, today." Causton smiled in greeting, holding out his hand in welcome to the old journeyman who appeared from the small office inside the vat building.

"When my Hallmaster requests my presence, who am I to deny it?" Stabel asked, reluctantly taking Causton's hand and shaking it.

Causton sensed the older man's animosity, even before he released his offered hand. The lack of eye contact was always a good indicator, Causton considered. "Yes, well," he chose to ignore the intended slight, "I just want to familiarise myself with the way things are being done down here, and see how they are different from the last Hall I was posted to."

"Come this way then. Though we run this section as per the orders from the Southern Hall, why change something that has worked well for hundreds of turns?" the dour man asked.

Whilst sticking to prescribed directions was well and good, Causton would have liked to see some initiatives being taken, but judging for Stabel's attitude, he couldn't see that happening, here - unless some of his workers had broken out on there own, he mused.

"Ettien, Tatio, come here - meet the new Hallmaster!" Stabel yelled up into the high walkway above the vats. "You - Keayd, come over and meet the new Hallmaster." he waved his arm and encouraged the lame journeyman to hurry.

Causton watched as the journeymen above slowly made their way along the narrow walkway overhead. "Checking temperatures or mould formation?" Causton asked Stabel.

"Both," the older man replied, "I have to go check something, I'll be back in a few moments." he didn't wait for an answer, just nodded at Keayd as the journeyman finally approached the Hallmaster, "Key'll answer any questions you may have." he said, before hobbling off as quickly as his old legs would take him.

"Journeyman Key, is it?" Causton asked, noting the journeyman's disability but not making it an obvious observation.

"Officially, it's Keayd, sir. Key's a nick name," Key replied selfconciously.

"I'm Causton." he replied, holding out his hand in acknowledgement. "I hope I'll get more sense out of you than Stabel. I'm assuming, and probably correctly, that he doesn't approve of the way I came into the Hall. How do you feel about it?"

Key shook the hand and just shrugged.

"Not worried about the disappearance of Fielton? Or not willing to give me an honest opinion?" Causton smirked, determined now that he would face any opposition head on, and try and smooth out concerns around the Hall, instead of ignoring them and making himself appear aloof.

"Or maybe just cautious enough not to say anything that might land him in trouble," Keayd suggested. Wasn't that what had gotten Fielton in trouble? The old hallmaster had probably angered many people with his straightforwardness.

"Ah!" Causton could see a glimmer of what could be worrying others around the Hall. "You think being honest and upfront is why Fielton was recalled? Is that what everyone thinks?" he asked, his face creasing into a frown.

"Well, I know that some people took offence of what he said," Key replied.

"It wasn't anything to do with his personality. Or his - brashness." Causton finished, awkwardly. "So you can feel free to tell me whatever you want, without reprisal."

"Right," Key grunted, sounding sarcastic. Only time would tell what kind of leader this new Hallmaster was, and until then, he would keep his tongue.

"Suit yourself." Causton shrugged, "But while I'm here, you can show me how the room has been set up. I assume all the vat's are ready to receive the wine, once we have grapes - or whatever else we may need them for?" he asked, indicating the large cylinders that lined one wall of the huge room. "It was lucky they could be salvaged from the old Hall." he mused.

"Yes, sir. The old cellar was sturdy enough to withstand the earthquake. Those vats would have been almost impossible to replace. We did loose lot of other valuable equipment, like the distillations devices.
Technicians hall is making us new one but it hasn't arrived yet. So, at the moment we're not able to produce any stronger brewerages," Key told him, becoming more animated and enthusiastic.

"I have plans to start producing some variations on the wines, until we have the vines producing enough. There're fruit trees aplenty, have you ever fermented wines other than from grapes?" he asked the journeymen, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Keayd nodded, "Some older journeyman had experimented with things like strawberry wine." he replied.

"Good, good." Causton nodded, "I was thinking pear, redfruit and even some good orange brandy could be made while we await the vines." He started walking again, down the length of the building. "We won't need every vat, and some of the fermentations could be made in a smaller cauldron of the type the smith hall has in plentiful supply for cooking. What say you?"

Key coughed and grinned. "I just happen to have five small, experimental patches of fruit brandy coming along. Grapes, redfruit, two different kind of citrus and apricot. I'm also thinking about sixth, from blueberries," he said, remembering his discussion with Lynson.

"Oh?" Causton stopped and turned to look at the other man, "You show an interest in differing liqueurs then?" he asked, a smile widening on his face. "I'd be interested in the results, when you have a sample."

"It will take months before I know if they'll be good for anything," Key said.

"In the meantime we can discuss the possibility of trialling other fruits, do you think?" Causton asked, as they finally stopped at the end of the walkway. Turning and looking back down the path they had followed he could see Stabel hurrying towards them. "Think on it, at least?"

"I will, sir," Key said, It wasn't a hard promise to keep. He liked nothing more than experiment.

"I hope Keayd has been informative, Sir?" Stabel asked, as he drew up beside the pair.

"Yes, thank you Stabel, most informative indeed." Causton nodded, sending the journeyman a brief nod of thanks. "I'll speak to you later Keayd?"
he asked.

"Always at your service, hallmaster," Key replied with polite half-bow.

Causton watched as the journeyman bowed and turned away. "Very interesting. Most informative." he nodded, then turned his attention back to Stabel. "Right, let's get on shall we?" he asked.

Last updated on the October 9th 2007

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