A Sip of Two

Writers: Chelle, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th August 2010

Characters: Sarban, Fayazel
Description: Sarban meets with the vintner to discuss an upcoming event for the Hold.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 9 of Turn 5

After dismounting, he hurried away from the watchdragon since they had
to get back. Sarban stood still in the courtyard, waiting for someone
to come to greet him. He'd been at the Vintner Hall before a number of
times, but not very often.

Fayazel had been informed that the Steward of Emerald Falls would be
visiting their Hall that day. It was a little unusual for someone of
that rank to come to the Hall in person. After all, that's what they
had assistants for. But he felt that he was owed some special
attention. He could just send one of the Masters out to show the man
around, but Fayazel was curious what the business might be, and in order
to satisfy it he decided first hand knowledge was always best.

"Steward," he called, waving the man over, not wanting to get too close to a dragon about to take off.

Catching the voice, he approached Fayazel, glad to see someone so soon. "Well met, Master! How are you today then?" He had a small carisak
over his shoulder that was carrying a change of clothes in case.

"Well, thank you. It was a surprise to hear that you had decided to
visit our Hall personally. To what may we owe such a pleasure?" Fayazel
asked, reaching his hand out to the man in greeting.

Sarban returned the gesture, then released him. "Aye well, there are
a few things, but it'd be easier to talk inside, I think." **Maybe over
a drink**

"Shall I show you to my office? Or are you here in the hopes of a
tasting?" Their tasting room was open and it could be easily arranged.

"The office first. I'd like to run some ideas by you." **And then maybe
the tasting room** Sarban wished they were building a vintner hall
instead of a harper hall, but things didn't always go his way.

"Please," Fayazel said with a wave to welcome him into the Hall. He was
intrigued just what the Steward might have to propose.

"Here's my question..have you ever done a sort of custom vintage
before?" Sarban had several ideas in his head, but it all hinged on one
thing.

"Yes, we have. If for a large order." It wasn't worth the time and
marks to develop a special vintage with little in return.

"What would be your idea of large?" Sarban didn't know if his idea of
amounts was the same as the vintner's.

"Why don't you tell me your idea first, and we can negotiate?" After
all, without knowing how big of a challenge it would be it was hard to
tell.

"Allright so month 3 will be the Lord Holder's 50th birthingday. I think
it would be good to celebrate that in conjunction with the new Hall.. to
do so, I thought maybe a custom vintage of wine would be perfect to
serve at the huge party." **Oh I'm cooking now** Sarban looked to
Fayazel for his thoughts.

"Both are events that would be worthy of something special, and a
special vintage would certainly add to the occasion." But would six
months be enough time to develop it? "Would a fruit wine be
acceptable?"

"You're the Master. I will defer to your opinion." If Red Rush hadn't
caught fire, he might have been able to plan farther ahead. As it was,
with the Hatching and all, he was behind.

"I can put my vintners on it. One of the easiest ways to make a special
wine would be to mix a couple standards in a new way." This could be an
interesting challenge to put his journeymen on. They could see just how
good they really were. His mind was really popping now. "Of course,
wine also is not the only option. There are liquors as well."

"Aye but they have to be aged longer don't they?" Sarban liked a good
stiff drink every now and again but as a seaman, he had ended up with
ale more often than not.

"Well, again, you take something that has already been made and alter it
by putting herbs or fruit into it to change the taste." It certainly
took a bit of time to infuse the flavors, but not six months, certainly.

"Well, I could see us ordering maybe 20 casks altogether if everything
went well." Sarban knew they'd have to come by boat so that meant some
time there. "We're talking feeding about a thousand people."

"I think the number of casks would depend on the type of alcohol.
Twenty casks of liquor might not be a wise idea." Drunken debauchery
had its place, but perhaps not at a formal party.

"Well liquor usually comes in barrels. I was thinking if we were talking
wine. So, maybe that we have an idea now, do you think we might be able
to test some possibles?" He was looking forward to that part. Once they
knew what they were working with, the ordering would go swiftly.

"Barrels and kegs are both just kinds of casks and so any kind of
alcohol can be stored them, though that is a common misconception,"
Fayazel said with a wave of his hand. "So you are still thinking wine
then? Or are you open to the idea of a liquor?"

"I'm open to the idea of a liquor but it wouldn't be as freely available
as a wine would. We'd still have to order wine to augment the juice,
water, and other beverages offered." Sarban considered the choice.

"You know your Lord Holder's tastes much better than I. Why don't I
find a couple possible candidates and you can decide then which you
prefer." He might even throw in a fruit brew or two just to show him
what the possibilities were. Besides, it was good to give his
journeyman some incentive to get creative.

"Ah sure." Sarban would wait while he was getting things organized.

"In the meantime, would you like to sample some of the vintages we have
now?" Fayazel wouldn't want the Steward to waste his first trip to the
Hall, after all.

"Mm that'd be nice. I'm pretty sure we have some new apprentices coming
your way," he said by way of conversation.

"We'll be happy to take them." They could always use more hands. "We
have a few fine journeymen I know that came from your Hold."

"About all I can brew is klah, so it's good to know there are those in
the world who can do better." He gave a small tip of his head with a
grin.

Fayazel found himself grinning back. He was pretty sure the Steward was
not flirting. After all these turns, he had developed a keen sense for
that. Still, it was a nice smile. He wanted to know more, just in case
he might be wrong. "I thought your woman was supposed to brew your klah
for you."

"Wellinna tries, really," he shrugged. Sarban missed Vanea, but he could
deal with the other woman.

"Your wife?" the Hallsecond prompted.

"Ah no, the Headwoman. Haven't managed to find the right lady despite
Lady Felyna's best attempts." He rather enjoyed being a rascal at times,
but he wouldn't tell her that.

"Oh, why's that? No interest in settling down with a woman?" Fayazel
asked innocently, though he watched the Steward carefully to see how he
would respond.

"Mm someday. Just was always at sea and now I'm busy. Holds catching
fire and all that." Sarban thought he had all the time in the world.

"But someday you want the stability of a family and a woman to love?"
the Hallsecond asked, putting the feeler out there one last time.

"Family...that would be nice aye." He saw Corowal with his kids and
wondered if it could be the same for him.

"Well, I hope you find a woman who can give you all you want," he said,
deciding against pressing any further. The man really wasn't giving him
hints one way or the other, so Fayazel decided to give up. It wasn't
worth the risk.

"Aye thanks for that. So how about that sampling?" Sarban wondered if
they needed to go to a different room.

"Follow me," Fayazel smiled, glad to be able to show off for the
handsome steward, even if he really wasn't his type.

Last updated on the September 22nd 2010

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A Sip of Two