Of Guards and Vintners (2 of 2)

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 23rd December 2014

Characters: Corran, Gautrek, Geiran
Description: Corran seeks out Gautrek for a drink and some conversation.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 7 of Turn 7
Notes: Notes: 2 of 2

Gautrek

Swirling the last of the wine in the bottom of his glass, Gautrek frowned upon
seeing a strawberry blond head bobbing behind a large barrel at the
edge of the bar.
"Geiran?" he called firmly.

Sure enough a sheepish freckled face boy emerged and approached the
men slowly.

"What in the name of the first egg are you doing here?"

"I saw ya come in and I just wanted to see inside," the boy replied weakly."

"I see, well this is hardly and appropriate place for a boy of nine
turns." He turned to Corran. "This is my youngest nephew, Geiran.
Geiran, say hello to Corran, he is a guard at the Hold."

"Hello, sir."

Corran grinned at the boy, a pleasant and broad smile that transformed his
face. He loved little ones. "Hi Geiran. A pleasure to meet you. How come
you're running around?"

"It's restday," the boy replied cocking his head to the side like this
was all the explanation one might need. "Besides, Geirlene said I
should spend some energy."

Gautrek chuckled, "I daresay your sister was anxious for you to
_expend_ some of your energy, particularly after you made such a mess
of her kitchen this morning."

"I didn't mean too," the boy insisted. I's just tryin' to catch the
crawler."

"You're chasing a crawler?" Corran asked him.

"Yep. Geirlene tol' me she didn't like 'em in her kitchen. Tried to
do her a favor, but she weren't 'preciative at all."

"Perhaps the spilled canisters, scattered cutlery, and overturned
furniture detracted from your good deed," Gautrek replied straight
faced, though his blue eyes danced with merriment.

Corran coughed and eyed Gautrek. The boy seemed bright but distractible.
"Just be glad it wasn't me who spotted you without your uncle," he said
mock sternly.

The boy's eyes grew wide. "Do you lock kids up for bein' in a Tavern?
I didn't know it was against the law! Just like stealin'? And
murderin'?"

"There is a rule against trespassing - which is somewhere you're not
supposed to be. It's not as bad as stealing, but a lot of people go into
places like this to steal," Corran said seriously. "But I trust your uncle
if he says you're not that kind of boy."

Geiran looked at his uncle with sad pleading eyes.

"Troublesome, sometimes, but not a thief," Gautrek assured the guard evenly.

Corran nodded at the vintner. He wasn't genuinely trying to scare the kid
too much, but sneaking around in a hold that was still jumpy could
eventually be an issue.

"You should try to be careful about going places you're not supposed to.
Some are only for adults. Others store things that could get you hurt." he
said seriously to the boy.

Of course, those were supposed to be locked...but as a boy Corran had had
a knack for getting into places he wasn't supposed to.

"But take a good look while you're here. It's not that special, is it?"

While the boy's head was turning in this way and that, doing exactly
as the guard had instructed, Gautrek gave the Corran and appreciative
nod. It was better the boy get a bit of a start now than find worse
trouble later.

"Uh, not really," the boy responded. "Bunch a grown-ups drinkin'," he
added with a shrug.

"Not too much fun, huh?"

"Nah, kinda boring."

"So, there was very little point in sneaking around to a place you
knew good and well you didn't belong," Gautrek admonished. "Why don't
you head back to the cot and fill up the wood bin. I'll be home
shortly and we will finish reading that ballad about the pirate."

"Okay," the boy agreed, "Nice to meet you, sir."

"It was good to meet you, too. Be careful out there," Corran told the kid.

He nodded to Gautrek once the boy was gone. "A handful for you?"

"Understatement of the turn," Gautrek laughed. "He's very energetic
and I'm afraid the transition has been more difficult for him than for
his older siblings."

"He seems like a nice kid. Farther away from deciding what he wants to
do, right?"

"Definitely. He's every bit a young boy. Speaking of which, I had
best not leave him unattended for long. It's been very good talking
with you, Corran."

"It's been good talking to you as well." The guard gave a smile, glad he'd
caught up with his new friend.

Last updated on the December 23rd 2014

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Of Guards and Vintners (2 of 2)