Your success

Writers: Emma, Kaysea
Date Posted: 20th February 2008

Characters: Thanja, Willia
Description: Thanja tells Willia that her story is to be published
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 8, day 10 of Turn 4

Willia tapped lightly on the Hallsecond's door, and waited for her assent to enter, she could see Thanja inside, with her head bent low over her desk, and wondered if it were her latest work that the Hallsecond was perusing.

Turns ago she had switched from being a talented writer to a printer when writers-blank had plagued her for more than two turns. Lately though, she had started writing short children's stories again, and had been given permission to print a few copies for the children of the Weyr. She suspected Thanja was inspecting the books before they were permitted to be used around the Weyr. Surely there wasn't a problem?
She had been so happy to find she could write again, was the joy to be taken from her now?

"Come in," called the Hallsecond in response to the knock.

"You wanted to see me ma'am?" Willia asked, slipping into the room, her eyes glancing at the desk and the open book, then back to the Hallsecond. The quick glance hadn't really confirmed or denied her suspicions, she couldn't tell from the angle she was looking.

"Yes I did Willia, take a seat." As she waited for the other woman to do so, Thanja composed her thoughts. The work was good, and the children of the weyr would no doubt love the story. And probably a few in the holds around as well.

She sat down and watched the Hallsecond closely, "Is something wrong, Ma'am?" she asked finally, unnerved by the other woman's silence.

"No Willia, in fact it's good. Very good. And we'd like to circulate it to some of the surrounding holds."

"Really?" she didn't realise she'd been holding her breath, until it came out in a gasp at the news Thanja had. "You really want to send it out of the Weyr?" she could feel the tears springing to her eyes, finally - her writing was back. It felt like she was complete again.

"Yes really," Thanja did enjoy spreading good news. "Just a few around here to start with. Of course, they'll have to bear a generic label for the Hall, some of the more conservative areas won't take anything from a female crafter."

"Yes, yes, I understand." she nodded happily. "It's nothing I haven't been used to before - when I first arrived here." for a moment it was like the sun had suddenly gone behind a cloud and she remembered the way she had been treated.

"But the copies for the Weyr will have your name on them."

"Are you sure? Last time they all went out under a man's name, even the ones that went to the Weyr; you can still find them around here somewhere, Journeyman Willam." she gave a shrug, "But to have them out in my own name." she shook her head in amazement.

"I'll be supervising the print run," explained Thanja. "I'll be checking the typesetter before they start, and believe me, if I think something is wrong, they'll know to change it."

"I still can't believe it..." Willia held her face in her hands, her cheeks still hot and flushed from the news. "Thank you, Ma'am. Thank you so very much."

"You're welcome Journeywoman."

"Was there anything else you needed to talk to me about?" she asked, wondering if someone pinched her, whether she would wake from this pleasant dream.

"Not right now, but once the proofs are done, I'll call you back in to check them over."

"I guess I'd better get back to the press then." Willa said, standing slowly, "And thank you, Thanja, you don't know how much this means to me."

"I can imagine though."

With a smile Willia turned and opened the door. "Can I tell anyone, or would you rather I keep it to myself?" she asked not wanting to cause trouble if keeping this quiet would make life easier.

"It's no secret, so feel free to let people know. This is your success and you deserve to be congratulated on it."

"Thank you." with one last smile, Willia closed the door behind her, excitement grabbing hold of her once more.

Last updated on the February 21st 2008

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