The Best Wine

Writers: AL, Vix
Date Posted: 8th April 2008

Characters: Zathris, Hartam
Description: Zathris goes to the Vintner hall in search of fine wine and meets Hartam.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 9, day 13 of Turn 4

Zathris

Zathris stopped in the threshold of the door that led to the main hall of the Vintner building. His eyes traversed across the room, several doors offering him choices as where to go. It was his first visit, so he wasn't familiar at all with the layout of the area. He stopped the first person who walked by, a harper by his knots. "Excuse me, do you know where I should go to purchase some wine?"

The question brought a chuckle from the harper. "You can go to almost any room in this Hall and buy a bottle of wine, but you're also likely to endure a long lecture about why that particular person's wine is best."

"Oh really?" Zathris let out a soft chuckle. "So how do I know which wine really _is_ the best?"

"I'd suggest going to the Tavern and letting it be known that you want to experiment. You'll probably be offered tastes of several types and from there you can go to individual vintners who specialize in the type you like best."

"I guess I never thought about that." Zathris rubbed his chin. "I've actually never been to the Tavern, though I've heard good things of it."

"It's the best place to be able to taste wine and still discuss something other than the making of it," Hartam told him. "And you can listen to music as well." The final was offered with a grin.

"Oh?" Zathris' gaze flickered over to the knots that the man wore.
"Ah, a harper. Do you play at the Tavern often, then? By the way, I'm Zathris." He offered his hand, then, to the harper in greeting.

"Hartam." The harper shook the holder's hand heartily. "And the official title is 'Tavern Harper' so I'm there most evenings."

"Perhaps I should bring my wife and then we can enjoy some food and entertainment." Not that the hold didn't have harpers, and they often played in the dining hall. Still, Zathris thought it would be a nice change of pace. "How long have you been there?"

"Since it opened, a little more than half a turn ago." Hartam eyed the man thoughtfully. "And I assume you're new to this area, since you didn't know of the Tavern?"

"I've been here a couple of months." Zathris shrugged slightly. "I heard about the Tavern, just never thought about sampling wine there -
or even taking my wife. It's about time I remedy that, eh? Are you from here?"

Hartam shook his head. "I'm originally from the River Bluff area, but spent many turns in the North. As to your wife and the Tavern, you can also reserve a private room for dinner if you wish."

"Oh really?" Both of Zathris' eyebrows raised up a bit. "I had no idea. That might be nice, though she may enjoy being around other people. I'll have to ask her. Perhaps we can come within the next sevenday or so. I'll be sure to look for you when we do."

The harper had to admit that this man was more amiable than many he had met around the Hold. "I'd invite you to join my wife and I but Tayette doesn't visit the Tavern much right now. She's having a difficult pregnancy and has been prescribed bed rest."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Zathris could certainly understand the man's concern. His second wife had yet to conceive, but he had a feeling he'd be rather overprotective once she did - especially after his first wife's death. "Perhaps we can meet together after the baby is born.
How far along is she?"

"She has about a month to go, but we've an added complication." Hartam smiled, an expression that could not mask his worry and uncertainty.
"She's expecting twins."

"Wow!" Twins! Yes, that could be a cause for concern. "Is she doing better now that she's on bedrest?"

"I think so." The harper nodded. "Yes, I'm sure that she is. Her ankles still swell, but not having to carry all of that extra weight around and be on her feet all day seems to help a bit. And you - do you have any children?"

The question brought about a pang and a small, tight smile. He was supposed to have children, but something had gone wrong and Maisla had died. Since then, he had met and fallen in love with Benani, but she had yet to conceive. "Not yet. Are these your first?"

This brought a laugh from Hartam. "As far as I know there are no others.
I had thought to go without children for all my life, as had my wife, so we were doubly surprised."

"Got two for one, eh? I guess when you hit the mark, you hit it well."
Zathris grinned. "But I am happy for you. I hope that the pregnancy will be easy from here on out."

"Easy and soon finished," the harper agreed. "I'm not sure how much more of this we can take. It's telling on both of us."

"But it won't be forever." Zathris reminded him, "And I'm sure it will be worth it at the end."

"I'll let you know in a couple of months if that's the case," Hartam told him. "And perhaps by then you'll be on your way to finding out for yourself."

"Perhaps." Zathris gave Hartam a half grin. "We'll see. I know Benani wants children." Well, so did he, for that matter. "Hopefully soon.
Well, I should probably head over to the Tavern if I'm going to have time to sample the wares. It was very nice meeting you Hartam."

"The pleasure was mine." The harper gave a slight bow. "And I look forward to playing for you some evening."

"I look forward to hearing you play." Zathris returned the bow, then headed out of the Hall.

Last updated on the April 9th 2008

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