Stowaway (6/6): Legal Bluffing

Writers: Beth, Estelle
Date Posted: 10th September 2005

Characters: Ryndel, Reilina
Description: The harpers' riverboat is stopped and Ryndel is asked to hand over Reilina
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 2 of Turn 3

As the river flowed downstream towards the northern sea, it grew wide and busy with boats - from the large river craft which carried trade goods between Emerald Falls and the sea to the small fishing boats and rafts owned by cotholders. The land, too, became more open where the jungle had been cut back to make way for crops and larger holdings, and often the passengers could watch trader wagons or travellers making their way along the river roads.

Unlike the poets, composers and musicians among the harpers, Ryndel was unable to practice his speciality of crafting instruments on board, save for a little decorative carving work. Instead he saw to it that the junior apprentices were occupied with lessons, practiced a little on one of the few harps to have survived the flames and spent the rest of his time leaning against the rail, watching the scenery pass by him.

One afternoon after almost a sevenday of travelling, he joined the young 'stowaway', Reilina, on the deck and pointed ahead to a distant building.
"The captain tells me that hold is the last major stopping-place before we reach the sea. Then we'll board an ocean-going ship and leave Emerald Falls territory for the last part of our journey to the Weyr."

Turning to face him, Reilina looked up at him with cheeks flushed and a face full of wonder. "Master Ryndel, this is so much more exciting than I ever dreamed it would be! I've never seen...so much. I've never been away from Emerald Falls before." She paused, looked at the deck, then back up at him, more serious this time. "I still don't know how I can possibly thank you, adequately, for this. It means so much to me..."

"Think nothing of it. I don't see why some Emerald Falls girls shouldn't get to see a bit of the world." Ryndel could hardly admit that the thought of outwitting Lord Enrizial was one of the main reasons why he'd allowed the girl to stay on board! He was glad he'd done so, now. Though quiet, Reilina was bright and well-mannered, and the freedom of living among the harpers had caused her to blossom as the voyage progressed.

As they approached the hold, a young boy jumped up from where he'd been lazing on the docks and pulled a bell-rope, summoning dockhands ready to load and unload trade goods and provisions. Ryndel was startled, however, to see a burly man in a fine tunic approaching, with three guardsmen carrying staffs trailing behind him. It looked like the holder had come to pay them a visit.

The riverboat captain had seen the men, too, and as soon as his craft was securely tied up at the docks and the men were hard at work transferring stores and goods from the hold to the docks, he disembarked to talk with the man. Ryndel's suspicions were confirmed when the captain turned and pointed to where Ryndel stood with Reilina on the deck.

"It looks like we've been found out," he whispered as the holder marched over to the gangplank followed by the bored guardsmen. "Don't worry - I'll handle this."

Terror swept over Reili as she sidled behind Ryndel, keeping him between her and the approaching men. She could hardly bear to think of being sent home again, and she'd hoped that there would be no more problems after her discovery in the hold.

L.T. had sensed her alarm and come in from off the side of the boat. She saw him preparing to launch an attack on the men, and warned him off silently.

"Good day." Ryndel greeted the man politely as he approached. "Can I help you?"

"I believe so," the man replied, eyeing Reilina with suspicion. "I'm Holder Gelran, and I come under orders from Lord Enrizial. It's believed that you have a stowaway on board, who left Emerald Falls without the permission of the Lord Holder or her father."

"I don't believe we have any stowaways on board at the moment. Surely no-one could have survived a sevenday hidden away without being discovered by our diligent captain." Ryndel smiled innocently at the man.

"The girl's name is Reilina," Gelran continued, glancing at a sheet of paper in his hand. "And I notice that there is a young girl, exactly fitting the description I have been given, standing behind you." He paused, awaiting a response from Ryndel, but the harper remained silent. "It would be easiest if you just handed her over to me so that she can be sent back to Emerald Falls, where she belongs."

Ryndel frowned. "I don't think I can do that. Not legally..."

"What do you mean? You're still in Emerald Falls," the holder blustered, confused and nervous. He didn't like the disrespectful way this harper was..._looking_ at him, and had a distinct feeling that the man had something up his sleeve. "Lord Enrizial rules here, and he has ordered me to take the girl off this boat."

"Ah, but that's not quite accurate. Reilina here has sought sanctuary in the Harper Hall, and the Hall being autonomous, I am under no obligation to hand her over," Ryndel countered.

"But this isn't the Harper Hall."

"Technically, it is. Since I'm acting Hallmaster, the Hall is wherever I'm based, which at the moment happens to be on this boat. In fact, if I ordered these journeymen who are so interested in our little conversation to throw you overboard, Holder Gelran, I'd be perfectly within my rights." Ryndel grinned. "I hope you don't intend to question the judgement of a Master Archivist, holder. It could prove rather...costly to you if we were forced to bring you to trial for kidnapping."

Gelran paled. Faced with the decision between possibly disappointing Lord Enrizial and _certainly_ ending up brought to trial by harpers and losing a large share of his precious stash of marks, he quickly made up his mind. "I understand, Hallsecond...I mean, acting Hallmaster." He recovered slightly.
"After thoroughly examining this boat, I have discovered no girl answering the description of the runaway aboard. She must have slipped away at one of the river stops...or perhaps she never boarded at all."

Ryndel smiled placidly, hiding his relief. He had not told so many bold-faced lies in one breath since his boyhood! Fortunately, by the time Holder Gelran discovered that he was neither acting Hallmaster nor an archivist by speciality and his 'legal judgement' had no basis in fact, he and Reilina would be safely in the Weyr - where they really _would_ be out of Lord Enrizial's reach.

The holder stammered his goodbyes and quickly departed, guardsmen in tow, whereupon Ryndel let out the breath he'd been holding. He scowled in the direction of a few of the boldest journeymen, who'd started to clap and applaud his victory, and they quickly found other occupations to busy themselves with on deck. "There. I don't think he'll be back, Reilina."

Reilina let out a long breath as well, watching the holder leave, then turned a sly look on Ryndel. "You're not an Archivist."

"Technically, no. But that man wouldn't know a proper archivist from the drudge who cleans his latrines." Ryndel gestured in the direction of the departing holder, grinning. "If he'd bothered to read the Charter, as all good Holders should, he would have known he was being hoodwinked. It's not my fault he's too lazy."

Reilina sent him a glowing smile, then gazed up, once more at the new hold, feeling a renewed sense of wonder and freedom.

Last updated on the September 11th 2005

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Stowaway (6/6): Legal Bluffing