A Fair Trade
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 17th September 2009
Characters: Barthella, Zathris
Description: Barthella asks Zathris for a favour and he suggests a trade.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 5
Barthella smiled when she saw the new Lord Holder come into the tavern and sit down at the bar across from her where she counted stock. His status hadn't seemed to go to his head since he was still making frequent visits here, though his hours had changed some and he now entered mid afternoon with the place nearly deserted. "Late lunch Zathris?"
"Late, yes. I'm starving and will fall down dead right here if I don't get something in me soon." Zathris said as he leaned onto the bar. "Either that, or I'll simply eat you or one of your patrons for lunch." He glanced around at the two people who were the only others taking advantage of the Tavern. "Maybe one of the patrons. Zandreu would kill me if you disappeared."
She reached under the bar and pulled out a small bowl of nuts she sat down in front of him to stave off the hunger. "He'd never suspect you though, you might get away with it. I do however _make_ much better food than I probably taste _as_ food, so why don't you tell me what's appealing to you today?"
"This is true, I have to admit, I do enjoy your cooking." Not that the cooks at the Hold didn't cook well, Barthella just had a completely different style. It was a nice change of pace. "As for what's appealing, serve me your latest creation."
It wasn't long before Barthella was back with a generous portion of thick steaming stew full of big chunks of herdbeast and tubers. "I've got a batch of bread that will be ready in just a few minutes to add to that as well."
"Ah, not experiementing today?" Zathris wasn't complaining - Barthella's more familiar fare was tasty as well, especially with a batch of fresh bread. "I'll probably eat this and the rest of the pot you've cooked up with the appetite I've got today."
"Well, as you can see, we're down a few hands today, so I'm helping out where needed." Barthella spread her hands out to indicate the bar. "I'll make sure to send something your way tomorrow though if you want."
"I always enjoy your exotic attempts, though attempts is a paltry description for your delicious concotions." Zathris set about taking a hefty bite of the stew, letting the tangy spices roil in his mouth as he chewed before swallowing.
Barthella snorted. "You only get presented with the ones that work. Just as often I've got to pitch an entire batch. Zandreu tolerates it, but I know he cringes at the excess of supplies that get wasted."
"I like to think of it as an investment." Of course, Zathris wasn't the one who had to deal with buying the items then having them thrown away. "You probably bring in more than you realise with your successes."
"Hmmm." she mused as she counted out the mugs on the lower shelf. Missing two... Her thoughts were disrupted by a giggle behind her and she looked up to see Jermanie coming through the door with a plate of hot sliced bread. She watched as the girl's cheeks reddened when she set the plate next to the new Lord, and then shooed her back into the kitchen when the girl made no move to return.
Zathris was oblivious to the girl's discomfort. "Ah, wonderful." His hand shot out and took up a piece. Without waiting, he immediately took a bite. "Delicious." He complimented after chewing and swallowing his first bite.
"Zathris," Barthella drew out the name slightly as her mind thought over the idea she'd just had. "Would you be willing to do me a favor?"
"If I am able." Zathris conceded. He wasn't about to promise her right there and then anything because there were some things that he could or would not do.
Barthella hooked her thumb over her shoulder towards the kitchen. "That girl, the one that just served you, she's become a bit of a handful. She's the sweetest girl alive, but naive like you wouldn't believe."
"Oh?" Zathris looked toward the door that led to the back, but the girl was nowhere insight. "She's been causing problems?"
Now Barthella sighed, "She's not really the problem, but she is a target. I've had to pull her away from more than one sweet talker, and I'm sure I haven't caught them all. She's going to find herself in a certain way if she's not careful, and I don't think she's got the brains to realize it.
"Ah, I see." So it wasn't something she was doing per se rather than the lack of experience. Zathris frowned. What was Barthella asking her? "Do you want me to find a husband for her?" Zathris wans't comfortable with that. He wouldn't mind introducing the girl to men who were gentlemen and would treat a lady with respect, properly court her before suggesting marriage, but he would not make an arrangement for her to get married to a stranger.
Barthella smiled, "No, but that's sweet. I was thinking more that you might find her a place in the Hold's kitchen. She's dependable and got good potential, but she won't last here if Zandreau gets wind of her behavior, and I can't see the girl go since she's got no family. The Hold kitchen might be a less suggestive enviornment for her until she gets some age and sense on her."
"Now that is something I'm a bit more comfortable with doing." Zathris' smile eased across his face. "I don't see why that would be a problem. I'll speak to the head cook about it and let you know this evening."
"That would be wonderful." Barthella exclaimed, very pleased with how easy this was, and a little annoyed that she hadn't thought of it sooner.
"As long as I can take the rest of the bread back with me." Zathris grinned as he took up another piece off of the platter.
The Head Cook chuckled, "Fair Trade."
Last updated on the September 21st 2009