Any Words of Wisdom?

Writers: Aaron, Francesca
Date Posted: 31st May 2024

Characters: Corofel, Gordenic
Description: Corofel consults his new Steward on how to approach his relative, the Holder at High Hills.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 12, day 11 of Turn 11

Corofel

"I hope you don't mind me intruding," said Corofel to Gordenic. "I'm
planning several trips out in the territory to meet and confer with more
of the minor Holders in the territory, and as I presume you know
Zeresian of High Hills, I wanted to ask you how best to approach him."

"Not at all!" Gordenic was delighted to have the Acting Lord Holder in
his office, and even more so after hearing the question. "You've come
to the right place." He gestured to a chair. "Yes, Zeresian is my
great-nephew. As you may know, his father, Zerenic, passed away
earlier this year; bad fall from a horse. Before that, the minor
holder was my older brother, Lemenic. Died of a heart attack. And,
before that, my father, Gorlimet."

Remembering who he was talking to, he moved back to the matter at
hand. "Well, Zeresian is young: he just turned 19. Isn't married yet,
which his mother is working hard to remedy. He's a good kid. He's good
with people and animals, and decent with numbers. I'm sure he and the
rest of the family would be delighted to host you if you went for a
visit." A Lord Holder hadn't visited the hold in Turns.

With as much as they had in common, it sounded like in another life,
Zeresian could have been his best friend. Maybe they could still be
friends. Corofel felt somewhat... light in the friend department, with
as long as it had been since he had seen R'gelen.

"I hope he and I can be friends," said Corofel. "Especially knowing
there are so many who... well. So many with whom I couldn't be
friends."

"I hope so too. I think you'll get along well. Just go for a ride
around the hold, make some nice comments about the ovines, and you'll
be set." High Hills specialized in ovines, sending much of their wool
by riverboat to the Weaver Hall. "And, as for the other minor holders,
many of them just aren't sure of you. They don't like change, but once
some time passes and nothing much changes for them, they'll settle
down." Gordenic didn't know all of them, but had met a few, and could
guess what they were thinking; it was a thought shared by many in the
Hold as well, including himself. However, he was quickly growing to
like the eager, hardworking, young Lord.

"There are some for whom I would _like_ to see a change-- for the
better, of course," said Corofel. "That's a big part of why I'm doing
this. So I can learn who needs my help and what I can do.

Perhaps he would ask Oriel to make provisions for him to stay at High
Hills instead of at River Wood. He rather liked the idea of staying
with someone closer to his age instead of some grumpy old man who was
not very kind to his sister.

Then again... Oriel would probably say that staying with the younger
Holder would be an insult to someone who might otherwise be inclined
to support him.

"I'll probably be seeing Zeresian at River Wood," he said. "It's where
Captain Oriel suggested I arrange the meeting for the southern holds.
But it's still good to know what to talk to him about."

An involuntary "Hmm," betrayed the new Steward's initial reaction to
the news. "I can see the logic of meeting at River Wood," he said
slowly, thinking. "It's a shorter trip for you, and Jyltor would be
proud to host you, I'm sure. Maybe you could invite the holders here
at some point, or visit some of the other holds next Turn." It would
be useful if as many as possible could see Corofel taking an interest
in the entire Emerald Falls territory. "Do you already have an
itinerary figured out?"

"I am planning to invite everyone here for Turn's End," said Corofel.
"My original plan was to leave soon and travel to every minor Hold on
horseback and by riverboat. But Oriel convinced me that this was...
unrealistic. He said that a Turn's End gathering here would be enough,
but I wanted to get out there and let them see that I care enough to
come to them. But he was right about me needing to give them more
advanced notice that I'm coming, and since it needs to be after
Turnover anyway, I agreed that I should invite them here, too."

"Ahh," Gordenic said approvingly. "A splendid idea. I have some of the
understewards doing an inventory of our stores and can make sure we
are prepared for the additional guests. Let me know if I can be of any
assistance drafting the invitations or with other preparations." He
had not been in the role long, but was familiar with all aspects of
the work and had a good team. "I'm sure Zeresian will come, and bring
a sibling or two; and his mother." He would send his own message
strongly encouraging the visit, but didn't think his encouragement
would be necessary.

"Help with the invitations would be amazing," said Corofel. "You must
know every single minor Holder better than I do. If any of them
need... personal touches, you would be the best person to know how to
lay them."

"I do know many of them, and know something about the rest." Gordenic
was pleased to be entrusted with such an important task. "I will
prioritize drafting these letters and share them with you as soon as
they're ready. Any other plans for Turn's End I can help with?" He was
plenty busy already, but knew how important it was for Corofel's first
months as Acting Lord Holder to go well.

"Check with Jylanya," said Corofel. "She'll be putting together the
menu. Would you let her know if any of the minor Holders have a
favorite treat she might have ready for them? Thank you, Gordenic.
You're a lifesaver."

"Happy to help. I'll speak to Jylanya first thing tomorrow." The
Steward made a quick note, even though these were not tasks he would
forget. They were now his first priority.

"Is there anything else I should know about all of this?" asked Corofel.

Gordenic's thoughts turned in a slightly different, although related,
direction. "I'm sure you've already been thinking of this, but many of
the holders will be wondering who will be the next Lady Holder, and I
imagine some will be insistent about introducing young ladies to you.
You may want to plan some opportunities for you to meet family
members, both at Turn's End and during your visits. Otherwise, they
might create their own opportunities." In a show of restraint, he
didn't directly state his own opinion that Corofel would do well to
marry as soon as possible.

"A good point." Corofel sighed. He did not want to think about that.
But he had to. "Master Rhudas already has a head start on that for his
daughter," he said. "I hate to pile too much on you, but do you think
you might help me schedule that? It wouldn't do for me to leave anyone
out."

"Of course. I can draft something to share with you in the next day or
two." Gordenic was already mentally rearranging his schedule for the
day.

"Is there anything you need from me?" With everything he was relying
on Gordenic to do, he certainly had better make sure he was returning
the favor.

"Nothing in the short term." He paused for a moment, wondering if he
should burden the young Lord with yet another item to add to the list.
However, he had asked. "I'm slightly concerned about the number of
understewards we have. At some point, probably not for at least a few
months, I'd like to think about recruiting some new young men.
Luckily, we have well-trained senior stewards, but some of them are
getting older. So, there's nothing you need to do, but as you meet the
families of holders, I'd be interested to hear if there are any who
show promise." He would also see about coordinating with the Harper
Hall so harpers on teaching circuits could keep a lookout.

"I'll be on the lookout." Corofel had quite a few things to watch out
for, but this was important.

Gordenic gave a nod of thanks. "I'll be by tomorrow with an update."

Last updated on the June 1st 2024

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