Hope?

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 14th April 2006

Characters: Cyrek, Daigoro
Description: Cyrek and Daigoro wonder about what the future will hold forthem
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 2 of Turn 3

Daigoro wiped the sweat of his brow with the sleeve of his tunic. It was a cool day, but all the heavy lifting insured that no one was feeling it. He had given up all manners and propriety when it came to cleanliness. It didn't matter in the middle of this mess anyway. Wiping his hands on his trousers he nodded a greeting to the Steward. "I think we're making progress. But its been... awfully quiet the last candlemark."

"I know." The Steward's voice was clipped, but motioned for the
Hallsecond to join him in the shade of a tree. Once Daigoro was
seated he offered him a waterskin. "J'nus said he'd fly me to Amber Hills Hold today."

Daigoro nodded as he brought the waterskin to his lips. He sighed appreciatively after swallowing the refreshing drink. "It's the best move. For everyone."

Cyrek scowled. "Not permanently. Everyone seems too eager to leave Amethyst Cliff Hold behind, and I don't think it's warranted. Sure, the Hold is... damaged, but there's still hope."

"Cyrek, we've been digging far into where the Lord Holder's quarters should be. There isn't a sound. Not a peep. And those we have found... This is a Hold without a Lord." Daigoro knew it was the last thing Cyrek wanted to hear, but it seemed to be the sad truth. He could understand the Steward wanting to hold onto hope, but the Hallsecond lost his when they found the Lord Holder's daughter-in-law, still clutching her baby in her arms.

Cyrek shook his head. "There's still a chance. There's always a
chance. And a Hold is more than its figurehead." This was where he'd grown up. Where Alalir had taught him everything he'd known. Where he'd fallen in love... twice over, when he'd met his daughter for the first time. Redfruit trees, mountains, vineyards and fields of wheat and ovines... this was his home.

Daigoro sighed. The Hallsecond was attached to Amethyst as well. He had been their neighbor for ten turns, and had spent his apprenticeship there. Part of him wanted to rally behind the
Steward, to bolster him and pledge his help to bring Amethyst Cliff back to greatness. But as his eyes scanned the once familiar cliffside he knew that it had all changed now. It would _never_ be as it once had been. The best they could hope for was something new. And the most important thing for him right then was finding a home he and Cinale could settle into. A permanent home where they could start their lives together, and perhaps a family. That home and that life was with the
Hall. He was a crafter, not a Holder. His purpose in life was to _make_ something, not build it from the ground up.

"Even if there is hope, Cyrek," he finally said, "you of all people cannot afford it right now. The people who are left will be looking to you to lead them forward. You can't do that if you are always looking back."

The Steward snorted. "People are looking to me to tell them what to do, Daigoro, and if _I_ give up, so will they. The Hold is not dead." **I won't let it die.** "The Vintner Hall and the Woodcraft Hall are both still standing and beholden to Amethyst Cliff. It might take us a few turns, but we'll rebuild." He looked at the valley around them, obscenely whole and beautiful with the first green blush of spring. "And we'll prosper. Fielton doesn't seriously intend to move to Amber Hills Hold, does he?"

"I don't know," Daigoro said with a small shake of his head. They had not discussed it, but he already pretty sure he knew the answer. "But Fielton is a business man. He knows Amethyst Cliff cannot support a Crafthall for a good many turns, let alone two. Even if you do rebuild... The best thing for the Hall would be to establish itself at Amber Hills. If I were Hallmaster, no matter how much I loved it here, that's what I'd do," he admitted reluctantly.

"You give up too easily," Cyrek said stubbornly. **And it's a good thing that you're not Hallmaster..** Then he sighed and changed the topic. "How are things going, otherwise? How much have you been ableto salvage?"

**Mostly bodies...** Daigoro thought sullenly. "Not much yet. But we haven't made it back to the store rooms."

"We're running low on foodstuffs. J'nus and his Wing have been flying in supplies, but there are so many to feed." And so many hide beneath stone, and so many lavatories to dig... Cyrek really missed plumbing. "The sooner we can get to the storerooms, the sooner that we can load up the wagons to take folk over the mountains to Amber Hills Hold."

"I don't know if we should wait that long," Daigoro said
thoughtfully. "The Vintner Hall is falling apart, and the cots and Woodsmith Hall cannot sustain their own numbers _and_ half a Hold for long. Who knows how long it will take us to get to the store rooms." The Hallsecond looked over at the rubble and ruin. There was just so _much_ of it...

Cyrek rubbed his face, suddenly exhausted. He was tired of trying to organize the survivors, of trying to hold them together, and fight for the Hold. He wanted to just walk away from the entire scorching mess.... but he couldn't. "We'll see what happens."

"We'll see what Lord Benaroy says," Daigoro nodded. He also just wanted to walk away. The Hallsecond just wanted to take Cinale and go to their new Hold and start in on the business of making a new home for themselves. Here was just... so lifeless.
Someone shouted, and when Cyrek looked up there were a pair of bronze dragons in the sky. The smaller one he recognized at the Wingleader's - they'd spoken before. He sighed, stood, and sent Trouble to find Mariss. "That's my cue to find out what Lord Benaroy will say in person."

Last updated on the April 18th 2006

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Hope?