A bad idea

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 20th May 2009

Characters: Daigoro, Keayd, Tepat, Ankia
Description: Keayd meets a potential bride and her father...
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 3, day 7 of Turn 5

"Don't fidget," the Hallsecond whispered, even though the dragon was
still high enough in the sky that they could not be heard.

"I try not to," Keayd said nervously and pulled the collar of his
tunic. He was dressed well, not exactly gather-best, but certainly
better than everyday clothes. He was very nervous and pessimistic
towards the outcome.

"Now, it would look better if you were the first to walk up and greet
them. I'll be right behind you," Daigoro assured him.

Key just nodded and watched the dragon landing. The great beast landed
smoothly, back winging for balance. When the passangers started to
undo their straps, he limped closer. He managed to get his face into a
welcoming smile. "Welcome to the vintner hall," he said. The girl was
first to dismount and Keayd offered his hand to help her down.

Her father regarded the two men carefully before throwing his leg over
the side of the great beast and accepting the rider's help to dismount.
The ground had never felt so good under his feet! He turned towards the
man with the journeyman's knots, his potential new son in law, and gave
him a polite, though guarded nod. "You must be Keayd then?"

"Yes, I am. Pleased to meet you, sir," Key replied. He felt the girl's
eyes on him when she regarded her thoughtfully. He felt like runner on
sale.

"And I'm the Hallsecond, Daigoro," his companion offered as he stepped
closer. "Welcome to the Vintner Hall, holder Tepat. And to your
daughter." He gave the young woman a nod and welcoming smile.

"Yes, sir, your cousin told us we could expect you to greet us. Thank
you for your attention," the holder said with an awkward bow. He wasn't
used to meeting important people. "I'm not sure we deserve it, though,
sir. I'm just a farmer."

"Nonsense," the brewer grinned, giving the man a slap on the back.
"We're all excited to meet you and your daughter. Why Key here was
practically beside himself, weren't you."

"Yes, sir," Keayd replied. The girl smiled at him. She was pretty one,
Key admitted to himself. "Shall we go indoors?" he suggested and
offered her his arm.

"Thank you. I'm Ankia," the girl said.

Daigoro lead the way with Tepat bringing up the rear. He watched as the
journeyman began walking towards the Hall with his daughter. The roll
to his walk was obvious and he studied it carefully. It was possible
that the man had suffered some kind of injury, but there was something
about it that seemed to indicate it wasn't his hip. It didn't seem to
be his knee either. There was something wrong with his foot...

"So, what do you do here in the Hall, Keayd?" the girl asked to stike
up an coversation. His limp did not escape her attention.

"I'm specializing in liquers, I'm currently experimenting with fruit
brandies," Keayd replied rather uneasily. The stress was making his
gait even more limping that normally.

Perhaps he had crushed it in the earthquake? Tepat had heard that the
earthquake had destroyed their previous Hall. Part of it had caved in.
Maybe... maybe he had injured it. Maybe... But there was still
something... strange.

"What do you do?" Keayd asked.

"Me?" Ankia was surprised by the question. Was he really interested.
"The usual women's chores: cooking, cleaning, sewing and so on."

"Do you have any hobby or particular interest?" Key asked.

"No hobbies, but I do like sewing and embroilery. I rather good at it
too," she said modestly. His obvious interest flattered her and it
felt good.

**But he is a journeyman, and one who seemed to have high
connections...** her father tried to remind himself. Having a
Hallsecond as an ally was no small bonus, especially since it was hinted
that one day he would be a Master. But... what if it wasn't just an
accidental injury? What if he truly was... a _cripple_?

The girl seemed nice enough and she was not being shy or tongue-tied
around him, which was guite promising. It was Keayd who had
difficulties to find something to talk about.

Daigoro was feeling rather smug and pleased with himself. They seemed
to be getting along well, and the girl seemed rather nice. Certainly
pretty. It would be a good match for them both! He pulled the large
door open and smiled as they couple walked through and nodded to her
father who paused in front of him.

"Master Hallsecond," Tepat stopped in front of the brewer and looked him
straight in the eye. "Why does the man limp?"

"Limp?" Daigoro asked, surprised by the question.

Tepat sighed, shaking his head. "Look at the man's shoe, Master
Hallsecond. That's not the boot of an injured man. He's a cripple,
isn't he. That's why he hasn't found a wife. I may not be an educated
man, but I am no fool."

Keayd heard his words. They hardly suprised him but they still _hurt_.

Daigoro was taken aback. "But... I'm sorry, I don't understand what
the problem is. He is skilled journeyman with a bright future and a
kind disposition."

"And that's all well and good, but what kind of deformity is he going to
infect his children with?" the farmer asked, pointing straight at the
journeyman's foot. "I may not know much, but I know you'd never breed a
crippled animal unless you were ready to accept crippled offspring.
It's the same for humans. What kind of life would my daughter have
taking care of a whole family of cripples?"

"Dad," Ankia hissed with low voice. She could see how his words struck
to Keayd.

"I don't see what you are getting so upset about..." Daigoro protested,
utterly confused by the man's hidebound thinking.

"No, of course you don't, Master Hallsecond, sir," Tepak snapped back.
"You were hoping you could blind me with dragonriders and fancy knots
and finally get me drunk enough to agree to anything. Well, I may be a
simple man, but I was not Hatched yesterday, sir. My daughter and I
will find our own way home if we have to, but I will not play the fool."

"I don't care about it," Ankia said quietly to Key.

"Thank's, you're a kind woman, I hope you find a good husband," Keayd
replied and patted her hand. Then he released her, so she could join
her father.

"Now, wait a minute," Daigoro objected. "Let's at least take a moment
to _talk_ about this..."

"What there is to talk about? He made his stance quite clear," Keayd
asked, bitterness welling inside.

"Now don't take offense," Tepat said, raising his hands passively. "We
could have saved a lot of time and trouble if you had just been honest
with me from the start."

"I wasn't hiding anything from you," the Hallsecond said in a low growl,
bristling at the accussation. "I told you everything that was important
for you to know."

"Be that as it may," the holder shrugged, taking his daughter by the
elbow. "Come on Ankia. Maybe that rider's still about."

Key didn't move or say anything. In truth, he just wanted to run away
and hide somewhere.

Daigoro's jaw was set as his icy stare bore into the back of the
holder's head, watching him and his daughter walk back towards the field
they had been dropped off in. "Let him leave. It saves me from having
to slam my fist in his face the next time he called you 'cripple'." And
to insinuate that he, _he_ a Hallsecond, would be dishonest!

"Told you this was a bad idea," Keayd muttered silently.

"Well," Daigoro sighed, turning to place and hand on the young man's
shoulder, "I promise I won't make that mistake again. I'll make sure
and tell the next one. Come on, I'll buy you a pint."

Last updated on the May 24th 2009

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A bad idea