Arrival

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

Characters: Causton, Desree
Description: The new Headwoman arrives at the Hall amid the change of Hallmaster
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 6, day 4 of Turn 4

Causton had been going over the day to day running of the Hall, reading the records Fielton had been meticulous about, absorbing all the information like a sponge. With writing materials at hand, he had been making notes of his own; Masters, Journeymen, and apprentices -
he was making sure he would see each and everyone - his list was growing.

The Headwoman situation was becoming a cause for concern. The current Headwoman, Herida, had been in to see him, for the last two days asking if her replacement had arrived. At first he had misunderstood the older woman, thinking she was resigning before giving him a chance to settle in to the Hall, but apparently she had given Fielton her resignation a few months ago.

She may have, but he had found no mention in any of the records so far, that the previous Hallmaster had found a replacement; and with the days running short before Herida was due to leave, he was becoming desperate. The assistant Headwoman had only been in training for the past two months and hadn't the knowledge or experience to run the Hall.

~*~

"Ah, here we are at last," Desree stated as she leaned over to peer out the carriage window. It had taken much longer than she'd anticipated to reach the Vintner Hall. "I swear, if I'd have known this trip would have been so poorly managed, I'd have appealed to the Weyr for dragon transport. Risking /between/ would have been preferable to this."

Destom rolled his eyes, he was quite used to his mother's attitude, but that didn't mean that it didn't get old sometimes. "Oh, Mum. It wasn't so bad. We met some really interesting people."

"Yes. Interesting," Desree sniffed. "That's a word for it." They'd shared the carriage during portions of their trip, of course.
Thankfully, this last leg of the journey they'd had the carriage to themselves and now they'd finally arrived. The carriage pulled to a halt and she and Destom disembarked.

"It's quite busy, isn't it Mum?" Her son asked, his voice excited as he watched apprentices and journeymen moving about their business.

"Indeed, it is," Desree replied with a satisfied smile. This place would be a challenge, one that would keep her mind off of unhappy things. It would be good for Destom as well. Perhaps he'd even decide to apprentice here when he came of age, instead of going off somewhere so she'd rarely get to see him.

"You there," Desree called to a nearby apprentice who, unlike most, appeared to be doing nothing at all. "Please find someone to assist my son in unloading our belongings from this carriage and then I'd be most appreciative if you would take me to see Hallmaster Fielton."

The apprentice just looked at her for a moment, his expression much like a sunstroked wherry, before replying, "I'm sorry ma'am, Fielton isn't Hallmaster here anymore. You'll be wanting to speak with Hallmaster Causton."

"What?" Desree felt a bit blindsided, and she didn't like the feeling at all. She'd had an arrangement with Fielton, the terms of her employment all worked out. What had happened between his letter of agreement and now? Who was this Causton? What if he'd hired someone else while she was making her way here? She couldn't go back, not now.

"Yes, take me to the new Hallmaster now, if you please. Destom, find someone to help you unload our things and wait here until I return."
Once her son had replied affirmatively, she followed the apprentice, determined to discover what was going on.

~*~

"I know, I know, you still haven't found any sign of a replacement; but Causton in less than a sevenday, I'm leavin'. Come flood or famine, I'm off to my family." Herida stood, arms folded under her ample bosom, rocking back and forth on her large feet, watching as Causton shuffled through more folders of papers than he thought the desk should rightly hold.

"Not one more sevenday, Herida? You know Merily won't be able to manage on her own, she's not experienced enough, even I have realised that in the two days I have been here. Not least to the fact she can't be in the same room with me without shaking in her boots." his voice showed his exasperation with the whole situation. Why, when he was so meticulous about everything, had Fielton not left mention of a replacement Headwoman.

The knock at his door startled the pair of them, and Herida almost lost her balance as she spun in a half circle to face the door.

"Yes, come in!" Causton's abrupt order wasn't what he had hoped to show, but Herida's determination had him flummoxed.

Hearing the sharp order made the apprentice hesitate a moment, an uncertain look on his face. It was only after Desree prodded him sharply in the shoulder that he opened the door. "Pardon me sir, Headwoman," the boy's voice cracked a bit as he spoke. "You've a visitor Hallmaster." He indicated Desree with a nod.

Thus introduced, Desree stepped forward, deciding that bluntness was the way to go. "Greetings Hallmaster, my name is Desree and I was hired by your predecessor to take on the Headwoman position at this Hall. I have his letter of agreement with me." She reached into her pocket and retrieved the letter as she eyed the other woman. Desree didn't know if this was the woman who's position she was taking or one who'd taken the position from her. If it was the latter, she'd have a harper here faster than a dragon could blink /between/.

"What? New Headwoman?" Causton jumped up from his chair, "Thank you!
Thank Faranth!" he walked quickly around his desk, "You have an agreement, signed by Fielton? Can I see it please?" He could see all his problems slowly fading away, but first he wouldn't be doing his duty unless he checked her references and the agreement she had been sent. But soon! Oh soon, he could have this whole mess cleared up and Herida on her way. "Please - please ladies, both of you sit down."
His mood was suddenly more buoyant.

She handed the letter to the Hallmaster and then sat in the empty chair next to the other woman. She was a bit taken aback by his reaction and glanced over at the other Headwoman to see if this was normal behaviour - was she going to be working for a mad man? The other Headwoman had a harried look about her, but there was also relief in her expression. Perhaps this was the woman she was replacing then.
"You're Herida, I presume?"

"Yes, I am, and you've arrived not a moment too soon. He thought I'd be stayin' on until help arrived." she snorted, and folded her arms even more tightly around her. "Might've," she whispered, "if Fielton were still here, but not now." she pulled a face, her mouth tightening, resembling a felines backside.

"Oh?" Desree wondered exactly what had gone on during the change of power at the Hall. Obviously she'd arrived amidst some sort of intrigue; it was apparent the soon to be former Headwoman did not approve of the new Hallmaster.

"Comes in, in the middle of the night and starts orderin' us all about." Herida sniffed, not even aware of her exaggerations, she had known how to take Fielton, had grown accustomed to him, but this -
upstart, she was just glad she wouldn't be here permanently.

"Expectin' loyalty but doin' nuthin' to earn it." Herida's reply was hushed, but not hushed enough that Causton couldn't miss what she had to say.
She had nothing to fear from him, she would be leaving within the next couple of days, now that this new woman had arrived. Not a moment to soon, Herida thought to herself.

Desree was of the mind that a Hallmaster deserved loyalty as a matter of course, unless he'd proven himself completely incompetent. Of course, she also didn't know the situation, so she decided to keep her opinion to herself and see how this would play out. She answered with a noncommital mummer and turned her attention to the Hallmaster.
"Everything is in order, I trust?"

"What? Yes, oh Yes!" he smiled up from perusing her references, "Everything is more than suitable. I just wish I could find Fielton's copies, it would have releaved a lot of stress if I could have found copies of this letter, sooner." he smiled, and took his seat behind the desk. "I don't think we need to keep your from your duties, Herida." he said with a smile to the older woman.

Herida pushed herself up from the chair, half wishing she could make a protest and stay for the interview she knew was coming. Her curiosity was up - she'd like to have stayed, but didn't want to push the boundaries too far. "Yes, I've been kept far too long as it is." she muttered, as she made her way slowly to the doorway. "I'll bring the accounts to your office later," she said over the new Headwoman's head to Causton, "and I'll have your rooms air out and waiting for you, err, Desree." she ended, pulling the door closed behind her.

"Now, let's see. You're here with your son, yes?" Causton asked.

"Yes, Destom. He should be waiting outside with our things," Desree replied.

"You're not due to start work for another three days, so I think until then, your time is your own to settle in." He was a little disappointed she couldn't start work immediately, anything to get Herida out of his hair and out of the Hall, but he supposed he should give Desree some time to settle in. No good alienating another of his staff. "I'll introduce you to Diagoro and then you are free to inspect your rooms.
But first, some refreshments?" he asked.

Pleased that the Hallmaster seemed willing to keep to his predecessor's agreements, Desree smiled. "I would be very pleased to take refreshments, Hallmaster. However my son is waiting outside with our belongings. I should see to helping him move them inside."

"I'm sure Herida will have organised that for you, but if not, we'll sort something out." he stood from behind his desk, "Let's go -" in a few strides he was near the door, and opened it to usher her out.

Last updated on the October 9th 2007

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Arrival