Runner races, part 7: The offer

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 6th June 2008

Characters: Benaroy, Aivorn
Description: Benaroy trieds to lure Aivorn away from Emerald Falls hold.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 7 of Turn 4

At least the snow fall was easing up a little, Aivorn thought when he wolfed down his meal during the break. The first two starts had gone smoothly, despite the weather turning ungly, but in the third start, two runners had collided and that had kept the master beastcrafter busy. At least the men would recover, he had Master Miranek's assurance of it.

A finger tapped him on the shoulder. "Master Aivorn, is it?"

"Yeah?" Aivorn replied. He swallowed his mouth empty and turned to look who it was. "How can I help you, your Lordship?" he asked when he saw who it was.

"I have been admiring your runners, Master Aivorn. I must say, I am very impressed. I was wondering if I might have chat with you while you finish your meal. And perhaps a tour of your stables?" The Lord Holder had already taken a quick glance at them, but he would like to have the chance to talk to the Stablemaster directly about some of the particulars. Besides, it would give him plenty of chances to compliment the man, and perhaps pick up a trade secret or two.

Inwards, Aivorn groaned, like he wasn't busy otherwise. But his face showed nothing, when he replied: "Of course, Your lordship."

"Thank you," he smiled as he took a seat next to him and motioned to one of the drudges on the side to bring him a beer. "This is quite a turn out today, despite the unfortunate weather."

"It can be so unpredictable this time of Turn," Aivorn replied. "This way, sir," he gestured him towards the stables.

The Lord Holder nodded to the drudge as he took the offered mug with him. "Are you from Emerald Falls originally?"

"No, but I've lived here half of my life," Aivorn said, walking, talking and eating at the same time.

Well, at this wasn't his ancestral home. That was one point in Benaroy's favor. "What made you chose Emerald Falls?"

"A young, pretty scullery lass named Troyshara," Aivorn smiled wistfully when he remember his wife, and how the weyrbred young man had suddenly realized he was in love, that she wasn't just a one more conquest.

Benaroy could understand that look all too well. "They can get the better of us every time, can't they. I'm sure she's grateful you didn't ask her to leave her family."

Aivorn just nodded, muching his meatroll.

"She's close with her family, I take it?" That could make things complicated.

"She's dead now," he said curtly, and he did not want to leave her grave.

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I lost a wife too." Three of them, in fact. "Do you have any children here at the Hold?"

"We have a daughter. She's a dragonrider now," Aivorn replied. He had seen a wing of dragons fly over the hold. He wonder if Aishara had been one of them. Probably the dragons were just bringing visitors, like Lord Benaroy.

"But you still have your runners here," Benaroy said, pointing his mug towards the wide stable entrance. "You've got a good program going here."

"I've been working with them for twenty turns now," Aivorn said with obvious pride.

"It shows," the Lord Holder nodded. "At Amber Hills we know a thing or two about runners, and I have to say, I'm impressed."

"Glad you like them. Here's the greatest of my hopes, Emerald Champion," Aivorn showed him the young stallion.

"Oh, he is fine. He has that look in his eye," Benaroy said with a nod of approval. "You can tell the real competitors by that look."

Aivorn nodded. "He's got good set of parents. His sire has won many prizes and dam too."

"Will you breed him?"

"Of course, when he is older. I can already see what kind of foals he would produce with Virtue's offspring..."

His issue would be a good addition to Amber Hill's genepool. "I might be interested in buying one of those off of you when the time comes."

"I keep that in mind," Aivorn said.

The Lord Holder looked at him out of the corner of his eye as he took another sip of ale. "Amber Hills is always looking for ways to improve, which I'm sure you can appreciate. We need to stay one length ahead of the pack, if you know what I mean."

Aivorn just gave a non-verbal grunt as a comment. He only hoped to get rid of him. He had plenty to do before the break would be over and the race continued.

"I don't suppose you would be interested in a change... A chance to work with Amber Hills racers... We have a rather good breeding program,"
Benaroy added modestly, though he knew that if the man was half as good as he appeared to be, he'd know Amber Hills was more than just 'good'. You couldn't get much better anywhere on Pern. And they worked hard to keep it that way.

"Thank's for the offer, I'm honoured, but no thanks. I like it here and I don't want to abandon a breeding program I've worked for over twenty turns," Aivorn said as politely as he could.

Benaroy had suspected he'd say that. "It is indeed a good program you have built here. But I've found it's possible to grow too set and comfortable in our ways. Surely a change can be good. Everyone needs a challenge..."

Aivorn shook his head. "This is a challenge," he said and patted Champion.

"Well, I wouldn't be doing my job as a Lord Holder if I didn't at least _try_," Benaroy smiled, admiring the fine racer. "And if you ever change your mind, just know Amber Hills would always been happy for you to join us."

"I'll remember that," Aivorn said with a bow.

"The races ought to be starting up soon. I have a wager on with Corowal, I can't wait to see the outcome of." He already had to give the man his three marks, though Benaroy certainly hadn't counted on winning that wager. The next race, however, he expected to win a large portion of it back anyway. "Thank you for the tour."

"You're welcome, Lord Benaroy," Aivorn said.

Last updated on the June 7th 2008

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Runner races, part 7: The offer