With What Comes

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 19th May 2006

Characters: Ishek, Penryn
Description: Ishek and Penryn go over the state of the Hold, including felines, small Holder problems, and the search for bandits.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 11, day 19 of Turn 3

Ishek looked down at the rolled up hide and sighed. More reports of tracks in the ground, marks on fences... He hadn't thought much of them at first, but they were becoming more common in the remote holds, the ones up in the hills. Even that might not have tipped him off, and yet... here, in his hands, was proof of something going on.

There was a broken fence, and two dead herdbeasts in a small, remote, cothold where there were only six. One-third of their stock gone, coincidentally the same amount they were supposed to tithe... That was a problem.

He sent Yimas to find Penryn. He had to ask his Steward what this could be. It was troubling him.

"Felines," Penryn sighed as he took a seat across from the Lord Holder.
"They're coming down from the mountains."

"Hadn't we gotten a reply about this before?" he asked. "Why the frequency? Because supplies are scarcer now that it's near the end of the winter and they need the food?"

"Usually if they come down its in search of food," Penryn nodded. "That must mean that they aren't finding it in their natural environment for some reason. What that reason is, I'm not sure. We should consult the hunters on that. They'd know if game was scarce."

"Hmm." Ishek reached for a stylus and made a small notation on the side of a spare hide. "We do need to do that then." He blinked and rubbed at his eyes. "Know a convenient one to speak to? The felines were fine before, but now that they're killing herdbeasts...isn't it possible more could come?" He paused, considering. "And if the felines are experiencing food scarcity, couldn't we eventually experience the same, if game is scarce?"

"Game may be scarce, but we are not to dependant on it," the steward said reassuringly. "Luckily we have bovine, porcine and the like to make up for scarce game. It might mean fewer hides, but it shouldn't hurt us too badly. The worry would be that the felines might start to kill our herdbeasts. If we don't keep on eye on our herds, they could do real damage. But the _real_ fear is if the felines begin attacking humans, which is rare, but has been known to happen."

"At least we won't be too affected." Ishek answered. "Let's make sure we keep an eye on our herds, as we don't want a pinch of hunger this late.
As for humans... well, we can't stop them now, can we, unless..." He paused. "Could we have traps set, you think?" He pondered for a minute.
"If they start to hurt humans, we'll have to have someone go after them." he added.

"Well, we don't want them getting the herdbeasts, either. They are their owner's livelihoods, and a part of our tithe, not to mention the tithes we must send to the Weyr. I would advise we send out a warning to all holds and cotholds in the area, and increase the patrols."

Ishek nodded. "I can write those orders up tonight." he remarked. "Do you think they'll have hides on felines in the Records Rooms, or should I consult our Harper about that?" He shrugged slightly. "If we're going to have to combat then, more information would be useful."

"There should be hides about it. I can direct you to where the hides would be on Garnet Valley records of feline attacks. Perhaps Carlan can recommend some reading from other sources."

"That would be appreciated." Ishek said. "Is there any other worrisome news, other than the feline rumors?"

"I wouldn't say any of the news is _worrisome_. More annoying in the usual way," the Steward said rolling his eyes. "Holder Cosimon is still insisting on accusing Holder Wilov of sneaking his bovine into his stud coral at night to impregnate them and is demanding some of the offspring as payment, which is absolutely ridiculous since everyone knows Wilov's studs are far superior to Cosimon's. So, the usual kind of news." Penryn gave the Lord Warder a knowingly patient smile.

Ishek shook his head. "He's probably just looking to improve his own stock since he can't seem to breed better ones." he muttered. "You would think silly disputes like this could be handled easier." He shook his head. "Oh, and have you heard anything about the renegades?"

"No," Penryn answered simply. No need to go into detail. There was none to give.

Ishek sighed. "Do you think we'll ever find them?" he asked. "It's been awhile without a trail."

"No one is giving up, sir. And we shouldn't considering what they have done." If only Penryn had not been injured when he was younger, he would have been one of the men out there pursuing Meijah and Verora to the ends of Pern. There was nothing he could do from here but... hope.

"No, we shouldn't give up- that's absolutely unthinkable!" Ishek said quickly. "I rather hope the winter's gotten them, but it's not to be, is it?" he mused, shaking his head. "Let's just hope that none of these threats, feline or bandit, become too serious."

"We'll deal with what comes, my lord," the steward replied resolutely.

"Indeed we will." Ishek answered, privately hoping that nothing horrible would come.

Last updated on the May 19th 2006

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With What Comes