What Can't You Tell Me

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 26th August 2005

Characters: Penryn, Farinal
Description: Penryn fields questions from a concerned minor holder
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 7, day 7 of Turn 3

Penryn looked up from his hidework when there was a knock at the door. A drudge peaked her head inside. "Excuse me sir, but there is a Farinal from Riverfield hold here to see you."

The acting steward rolled his eyes. Not another disgruntled minor holder. They had been coming in droves to demand information about the change in situation despite the official letter that had been sent to all the minor holdings. He sighed as he put his pen down. Preparing for the spring planting would just have to wait... again. "Show him in."

At the beckoning of the young drudge, Farinal gave a haughty sniff and strode past her without so much as a "thank you". _Finally_. Clutching the official letter in his sweaty palm - the official letter he had read over many, many times - the man strode into the room, his fierce eyes landing instantly on Penryn.

"Sir," Farinal formally managed to get out by way of greeting.

Penryn was a bit uncomfortable at the formality. Afterall, he was still only _acting_ steward, and the man in front of him was a holder, minor or not. "Sir," he repeated back with a slight bow. "How can I help you today?"

"Yes, actually." Farinal's annoyance that had been building within him slipped through his tone. He held out the letter for the younger man to see. "Care to elaborate more on _this_?"

Penryn stifled an annoyed sigh. "Of course, sir. Any questions you might have I would be happy to answer. Please have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink or eat?" This was going to be another long interruption to an already full day.

Satisfied that he wasn't going to be put off, Farinal took the chair. "Klah's fine," he said, absently brushing invisible specs of dust off his shoulder.

Penryn nodded and peeked his head out the door. He asked a passing drudge to send up some klah and something for the both of them to snack on. Lunch might be a long time in coming...

"Now then, what can I tell you?" Penryn asked as he settled himself in the chair behind his desk.

"The question is more...what _can't_ you tell me? The letter was awfully vague, and I'm sure," he added with a slight lift of the chin, "I'm not the only one who found it to be so."

"Well," Penryn started as he laced his fingers together, "I can't tell you what the motivation behind the crime was. And I can't tell you who the next Lord Holder will be or when the announcement will be made. That is for the Conclave to decide. I also cannot tell you what will happen to Lady Thalia and the young heir Aslain."

The older man frowned. This wasn't _quite_ what he had been expecting to hear. And he didn't want to hear it. This did _not_ but his mind at ease. "And what of the...murderers?"

"Still at large I'm afraid," Penryn answered as he waved the drudge carrying the tray of klah and goodies forward. He dismissed her with a nod and reached for the pot and a mug and began pouring a mug for Farinal. "One of the suspects, Meijah, was a guard here at the Hold for turns and he knows our moves and our abilities. It seems he has been able to stay one step ahead of us so far. But we have not given up the search."

**Still at large...** That did not sit well with the holder at all. "Then he is a threat to my hold, and others. I do _hope_ that you are doing everything you can to find them?" His tone was hard, clipped. Fear was not something Farinal felt often.

**No, Farinal, we're just hoping they will turn themselves in...** Penryn thought sarcastically. "Of course, sir. We have stepped up out patrols and we have our best trackers out searching for them." He pointed towards the letter the man carried. "As you no doubt read, however, it would be prudent for you to step up your own patrols and to keep a sharp eye out for any strangers matching the description of the one sent to your guard captain."

"I have been." Farinal eyed the younger man irritably. The nerve of him to think that he, a holder, wasn't protecting his hold! It was his duty.

"Of course, sir," Penryn replied, unphased by the look in Farinal's eye. He had seen that look a lot lately. Minor holders seemed annoyed that the only one they had to deal with was, afterall, just an _assistant_ steward. "Then I can assure you that everything that can be done to protect your hold and capture the perpetrator is being done."

Seeing that he couldn't get anything else out of the younger man, Farinal gave a brisk nod. The holder didn't feel any better about this situation. Well, what had he been expecting? He stood.

Penryn also stood politely. "Please feel free to come to me any time you have questions or concerns. I will also be sending regular updates to the minor holds as to any new developments."

Again, Farinal gave a brisk nod. "That would be appreciated." After a very brief moment, he offered his hand to the assistant steward.

Penryn took his hand and shook it firmly. "Please feel free to take a lunch with us this afternoon before you start back to your own holding. I will unfortunatly not be able to join you as I have a lot of work to do, but you are welcome none the less."

Farinal gave Penryn a searching look. Perhaps there was more to this young man than met the eye. "Thank you. Perhaps I will."

~~

Eimi (sea_spray_singer@fastmail.fm)
Penryn, Acting Steward, GVH

Dana (dana@triadweyrs.org)
Farinal, minor holder, NPC

Last updated on the August 26th 2005

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What Can't You Tell Me