A Tavern Meal

Writers: Francesca, Paula
Date Posted: 10th November 2008

Characters: Lymria, Jadorin, Torgny, Lyale, Omrian
Description: Jadorin, Lymria, and her fosterlings go to the Tavern for a meal.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 12, day 7 of Turn 4

Jadorin held the Tavern door open to allow Lymria and her children to
enter. They had decided to go to the noon meal to limit the chance of
loud drunks there. "This looks like a nice place he said," closing
the door behind them and looking around. "You said you've been here
before?"

"Yes, months and months ago. I met my cousin here, he's a Trader and
stayed overnight here," She replied and rewarded his polite gesture
with brilliant smile.

Jadorin couldn't help but return the smile. She was so much like his
closest sister. "Did you grow up on a Trader Caravan then?" he asked,
as they found a table in a corner and sat down.

"Yes, I did. I was then married off with a holder at Amethyst Cliff
hold," Lymria replied.

She didn't seem to be devastated by whatever had happened to her
husband, but Jadorin didn't want to turn to dark topics. "I used to
be fascinated by traders; still am. I did a fair bit of traveling
after earning my Journeyman knots, but I have to say it's nice to be
settled. Traveling all the time was tiring, at least for me. Do you
miss living on a Trader Caravan?"

"I do. That life had certain freedoms that hold residents don't have.
But when weather is really wretched, I _don't_ miss it. The stone
walls do have their own attractions."

"Especially with the return of Thread," Jadorin said, soberly.

Remembering that the children were probably already getting bored he
smiled broadly to them. "Well, what do you think of the Tavern? Do
you like it?"

The children nodded except for little Omrian, who was more interested
crawling beneath the table.

"Well, I think it's great," Jadorin said, taking a look around.

A serving girl came over and they ordered their meals. "Would you
like anything to drink?" he asked Lymria, not knowing what she liked.

"I take a glass of white wine and milk for the children," Lymria replied.

"I'll have some white wine as well," he told the serving girl. After
she had gone to the kitchens with their order he turned his attention
back to Lymria. "I don't know much about wines, but I'm sure the
quality of anything on the menu here is good."

"This is the vintner hall's tavern. Their reputation would suffer if
they sold the bad stuff here, " Lymria said.

"Then, it's a win-win situation." Jadorin was surprised how
comfortable he felt at this meeting. He tended not to socialize much,
and when he did it was usually with other weavers. However, here he
was with a young woman and her fosterlings, sitting in the Tavern for
the first time. And, while he did feel a bit anxious at the prospect
of keeping up a sustained conversation, this feeling was not
overpowering by any means.

"It is. Omrian, don't eat the fork," Lymria said and was distracted by
her son. She took the fork off from him. "I don't understand what it
is with him and sharp, pointy objects." "Can I have a spoon for him?"
she asked the waiter.

"Hmmmm, what craft uses pointy objects?" Jadorin asked, hand stroking
an imaginary beard. "A healer, perhaps? Or a technician? And,
weavers need to learn to crochet and knit, which involves somewhat
pointy objects. Your Omrian will have many options," he said, "That
is, if he wants to become a crafter," he quickly added. It was easy
for him to forget that many parents did not want their children to
apprentice to a craft.

"Who knows," Lymria shrugged. "He is not two yet. Or maybe he becomes
beastholder like his father," she continued, but her tone indicated
that she didn't prefer that option.

"Of course, he has plenty of time to grow and decide." He was curious
to know more about her former husband, but did not want to pry. "And
the other two?" Turning to them, he asked, "Do either of you have
future plans?"

"I'm going to be techinician," Torgny replied. Lyale just shook her head.

"Will you be apprenticing to a technician here when you're old enough?
Or maybe going to the Hall?" Jadorin asked, looking both at the boy
and Lymria.

"I don't know," the boy admitted.

"We're still working out with the details," Lymria said. "My parents
could take him along with the Trader Caravan up to the Garnet Valley
and then another Caravan could pick him up there and deliver him to
the Jade Harbour and the Hall. But only if the Hall accepts him. It's
a long trip."

"Well, it's nice to have options." Jadorin stated with a nod.

"At least some us have," Lymria said with a little shrug.

"Do you think you had more options on the Trader Caravan?" It was a
touchy subject, but she could discuss something else if she wished.
Having traveled to many small holds, Jadorin had seen places where
women held equal power to the men, and others where they were
considered property. Life at Amber Hills Hold would be hard for many
women, but especially for one who was used to more freedom and power.

"No, but at least the Traders treat their wives as equal partners. You
have to, when the life can be rough. Daughters they see just another
commodity to be traded," Lymria's tone was slightly bitter.

Jadorin's heart reached out to her but, at the same time, what could
he do? He had no power to change the rules at the Hold. "You aren't
a commodity," he said softly, their eyes meeting. But he couldn't
think of anything else to say.

Luckily at that moment, the food and drinks arrived, providing him a
welcome distraction from the serious turn the conversation had taken.
He lifted his glass of wine and lifted it, a smile on his face. "Eat
up," he told them all, before taking a sip.

Last updated on the November 14th 2008

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A Tavern Meal