Rebuilding Trust (2)

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 16th January 2009

Characters: Corowal, Almonteo
Description: Almonteo and Corowal finally have a man to man talk.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 17 of Turn 4

Almonteo

"Do you think that's what your people were thinking when they torched the building? Make way for a good piece of land?"

"No, I don't think so. I believe, although I don't have any proof, that it was one single person, a guard angered by the fact that the hall had "stolen" his wife," Corowal said. "He might even had the previous Lord Holder's blessing," he continued.

All of that the Hallmaster knew. What he really wanted to know was if they would have had this Lord Holder's blessings. "Had it been only one man, the Hall would never have left this Hold, I'm sure. It was the end of a string of animosity exhibited by the Hold as a whole. It's unfortunate. The Harpers would never have left this Hold had it been up to them."

"Yes, I'm aware of that. Enrizial was... unstable. Guess he was already showing symptoms of his illness back then, but no one realized it. _I_ can't see any sense in driving a hall away from hold. A Hall, any hall, is a boon to the hold. The crafters buy their food from local farmers and beastholders, they bring their marks for the Hold's crafter if their own hall lacks them. Who the hall accepts as an apprentice, well, it's their business, not nobody else's." Corowal talked with passion.

"Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, not everyone shares their Lord Holder's opinions unless they are pre-inclined to do so." Would the people of Emerald Falls share their Lord Holder's progressive view? Or did they only grudgingly accept them now that they did not have to see an example within their Hold's boundaries?

"That it is a bit of a problem. People are slow to change their view," Corowal answered. "I've tried to bring changes, only to find out that my own staff is still doing things old way."

"That is indeed unfortunate. People seem to be a little too comfortable when they are set in their ways." His own Hall residents included.

"They need to be shaken up from time to time," Corowal said with a feral smile.

"Oh? And now you have my curiosity piqued. May I ask how you intend to do that?"

"I'm not sure yet, but something will come up no doubt," Corowal said and winked.

Think wink was pithy with meaning. "And wouldn't it be something to look forward to if you could announce some sort of progress in that direction for your wedding? Almost like a gift for your Hold?"

"Yes," Corowal said and waited.

"Wouldn't that be something?" The Hallmaster met the Lord Holder's gaze square on, eyebrow cocked. One of them had to say it out loud, but as the Lord Holder of the Hold that all but drove them out, it should come from Corowal. Almonteo was the Harper Hall's representative, and they still had their pride.

"It would be great to announce that there's been warming up in our relationship, that the hall and hold are no longer at odds. A public gesture that would keep people guessing and talking," Corowal's gaze was directed into to horizon, or perhaps to the future. "I like surprising people. Nothing is more fun than sprung something totally unexpected on someone. Behind the tree so to speak."

Almonteo thought his invitation to play at the wedding was already a show that their relationship was on the mend. "How warm _is_ our relationship, Lord Corowal?"

"I don't know," Corowal admitted honestly. "But I hope it's grown warm enough for you to consider returning here."

And now that it had been spoken aloud they could finally talk about it as men. "I will tell you, Lord Corowal, that I have nothing against you. I think you have proven yourself a fine Lord Holder, and I wonder if you hadn't been at Emerald Falls then if we would ever have come to this. I would like to consider returning. My people are tried of living off of the Weyr's generosity, though we will always been deeply indebted to them for their kindness. But I believe it is my people's deepest hope to come home. However, my first concern _must_ be for their safety. I don't know that your Hold can accept us again."

"There are ways to make you safe. I think majority of this Hold's people would like to see you back again. I brought my captain of the guard with me from Coral Bay Hold and he has been culling out the rotten fruits among the guards. They are all now loyal to me," Corowal said. "And if you choose a location that is bit easier to protect than this..."

"Sure, how about a Weyr?" the Hallmaster said with a sad smile. "If we have to be _defended_ from your people, is that really a home? We need assurance that we will be welcome here, not just tolerated."

"That does need a bit more work yet," Corowal said. "What I really need is a good case of wife beating, so I can sentence the beater in a public trial. That should drive the point in. And didn't that sound just terrible?" Corowal grimaced.

"Yes," the Hallmaster nodded. "It's sad that it would have to take that. You had been such good neighbors of the Hall for generations."

"And it only took short time to ruin it," Corowal said sadly.

"Trust is the hardest thing to find once lost." As the Hallmaster was painfully aware.

"Yes," Corowal agreed, well aware of that in his personal life.

"Why don't you put feelers out amongst your people and I'll do the same in mine, and we'll see if we can't find a little common ground we can build on? We can share what we've found when I bring the new piece to you."

"That sound like a plan," Corowal agreed.

Last updated on the January 19th 2009

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Rebuilding Trust (2)