Now We Sound The Drums Of War (Open, Benden Hold)

[holly]

Cold. Cold, wind, and sunshine that did little to warm the ground or air. No, Rukbat was too low in the sky for that, and Autumn was too far advanced for any hope of warmth.

Dairine hated the cold. She had grown up on the nice, toasty-warm Southern continent, and so her first winter up north had been... unpleasant, to say the least. It was probably why she was bundled up more than nessecary, wearing a couple of layers of clothing under her coat, and gloved hands that clumsily gripped the reins of her mount. In truth, the old runnerbeast was hardly deserving of the term anymore... the flea-bitten gray was old, probably older than Dairine herself, to judge by the snowy white dusting the creature's head around the eyes and partway up the muzzle. The gelding was swaybacked from age, and didn't seem capable of any pace faster than a leisurely amble, but he was patient, a skill that Dairine lacked. And he knew the way to Benden Hold, another advantage the old runner had over the young woman perched carefully in his saddle.

Sighing, Dairine glanced back over her shoulder at the pass that they were just exiting. Finally, it had taken them long enough to get through that sharding thing. Grumbling to herself, the fiery-haired young woman made sure that the mountain wind hadn't shifted the packs tied carefully to her runner's rump and sides. Most of it was leather and her tools to work it, being brought with her so that she would have something to start off with until she could get ahold of some hides to tan. Very few things in the pile were actually her personal possessions... an extra change of clothes, some food, a trinket or two...

And the Cloak. Her own personal fur Cloak, carefully made over the course of two years, marks scrimped and saved to buy the precious furs belonging to the felines that lived far south on the southern continent, in the snows. More time spent painstakingly stitching them together, making one seamless looking hide on the back, without a single spot being cut off or marred. The underside was made from the fluffy belly patches, and it was oh-so-warm, as well as her prized possession. A bit TOO warm for this weather, which was why she wasn't wearing it, but that kind of weather wouldn't be much longer in coming, it seemed.

Sighing, she turned back to the front, just as the aged runner rounded a bend in the trail they were taking that wound down the mountain, and she got her first true glimpse of Benden Hold. It wasn't all that far off, to be honest, the trails were mostly designed to hide sight of it until one got close. Oh well, at least it wouldn't be much longer. Hopefully by nightfall she could sleep in a REAL bed this time, instead of on the ground huddled up against her runner's side for warmth.

A small shift, and some residual excitement quickly served to wake up the last member of their tiny group, and with a wide yawn a small brown head, definitely draconic in shape, poked out of Dairine's collar. Gigo, her fire-lizard and only constant companion, had been sleeping underneath her coat in an effort to avoid the cold. While it didn't affect him as much as it did humans, obviously, it still struck at his small body far more effectively than it did at dragons, which meant that most of the journey had been spent with Gigo curled up under a shirt or in a pocket somewhere.

"Don't worry, we're almost there." Dairine murmured reassuringly, gently rubbing the top of Gigo's head with one gloved fintertip. After a moment of this, she sent a mental command for him to slip back out of sight. Northerners, while not hugely aggressive for the most part, tended to get rather nasty whenever they met someone who was obviously Southern... thus why Dairine was glad that the past five years spent at Benden College had given her skin time to lighten a few shades, and her time to work on her accent a bit. It was still there, but hard to hear unless you were listening for it. Still, the fewer problems had when she arrived at the Hold, the better.

Hopefully the message about the Hold's new leatherworker had gotten there before she did (one never knew) and they were expecting her. Again, sleeping outside was NOT something the red-head was looking forward to once more this journey... never again, if she could help it, to be honest.

As they approached the gates, Dairine gave a small tug on the reins, stopping her runnerbeast before dismounting and leading him forward, plastering on a smile for the guards that she hoped didn't look as fake as it felt. "New Journeyman-Leatherworker Dairine reporting in."

Let's just hope that this didn't blow up in her face, as things had a tendency to do.

[stolenhart]

Yedella rather liked Benden Hold, especially the outlying countryside with it's softly sloped hills and vines of fragrant berry blooms. In the spring and summer it was a fruity place to spend time in the fall and winter it wasn't so bad as some other places. She could see herself here in a few turns time, a fat baby on her hip, Farran walking beside her as they examined the fruit or talked to the workers. The college was a few days ride away, close enough that Del could still get her Master's knots during the winter's between kids.

Why Del was at Benden was not hard to fathom, she was a Journeyman Harper stationed at the College for the time being. Stationed at the college because come spring she would be marrying the Heir to Benden Hold himself, one Farran. He was one of the few Lord Holders that Yedella was not related to. And he shared her interests, Farran was a Journeyman Harper himself though Del doubted he would ever go higher. He had the drive he lacked the soul. It combined to make him a medicore Harper at best. Poor him. That fact that he knew he wouldn't be any better but kept trying touched her. He was a good friend and would make a good husband in the Spring. Such was her thoughts as she lead her runner up to the gates and heard "New Journeyman-Leatherworker Dairine reporting in".

"Lady Yedella", a guard recognized her and forgot all about Dairine as he gave Del a short bow. "How was your ride?". Del gave the man a smile and watched him shyly smile back. Del had the power to knock men flat on their behinds, stunning blue eyes and wavey blue-black hair and a face that in a few turns would be drop-dead stunning. Now though, she was simply beautiful. Turns of selective breeding had created a beautiful woman in Yedella of Fort. "Chilly but lovely. The vineyards are always so lovely this time of turn", she replied in her usual melodic voice. Another guard appeared to see what the fuss was about and turned to Dairine, "Ma'm I can't spare anyone to show you the way", he began his explanation. Del looked at him curiously. "Are you short staffed?", she asked.

"My Lady", the new guard bowed, "Yes. Two of my men are done with a fever this morning and another is home with his new born", he explained. "I'll take her then, she's just going to the Leather guild. It's on my way", Del offered the guard who frowned. "My lady I can't do that". "Oh nonsense, she's hardly a Southern assassin here to kill Fort's daughter", Del scoffed at the man as her runner sidled over to Dairine's. "I'm Del", she introduced herself, "I'll take you to the Leather guild", she added before putting her heels to her runner.

[saidaltam]

Farran had been sitting, yet again, through lessons as his teachers tried vainly to stir the soul he'd need if he was ever to make anything more than a technically capable musician. Unfortunately, yet again, they had failed. His work was, technically speaking, perfect in every way. His performances, however, continued to lack heart. Like trying to draw using math, all that could be said for the product of his labors was that it was correct.

Having brought himself within inches of giving up entirely, as he so often did, he sighed disparagingly, tossed his practice pipes into a chair in his rooms, and straightened up. A walk through the holding would do him some good. Perhaps he'd see something ... inspiring. Wasn't that what harpers -- er, other harpers, that is -- were always craving? Inspiration? Yes. That would suit.

Making his way through the halls, he paused, peering out one of the windows. That looked very, very much like... "Yedella!" He smiled brightly, though he knew from this distance, she'd not have heard him.

Del always did wonders for his mood. It wasn't that he thought she loved him. He knew better than that. It wasn't even that he loved her. Heirs of Lord Holders didn't marry for love. Besides, he still wasn't convinced the emotion existed. Mostly, it was just that he knew full well that she was one of the most beautiful women on the entire northern continent, and it was something of an ego boost to have her at his side.

Regardless of the reason, however, now that he had a more specific plan in mind, he hastened through the building and made short work of the walk toward the gate. As soon as he was outside, however, he slowed. Decorum, after all, forbade running up to his betrothed like some holder-boy and his milkmaid fiancee. The slower walk, topped off by a warm, welcoming smile that he'd been mastering for the past twenty-odd turns, gave him plenty of time to look over the newcomer with contemplative eyes.

She certainly was a ... striking child, wasn't she? ...At least, he thought it was a "she". Certainly not the curvy sort of "she", but perhaps she was just very young, yet. Maybe fourteen? Fifteen? She could grow into her looks. For a child, she was certainly pretty enough, with all that red hair. Passingly, he wondered if she was a new harper's apprentice. She looked to be about the right age.

[holly]

Thankfully, the reception by the guards wasn't openly hostile, though as it seemed that they were short-handed at the time, she would have to find her way to the local Leatherworking hall. And in a Hold the size of Benden, that could take her the rest of the day. Wonderful. Just sharding great.

At the sound of hooves approaching, the red-head glanced over her shoulder, spotting a beautiful woman that somehow seemed familiar approaching on a runner at least a decade younger and with breeding a lot more fine than her own. Judging from the response of the guards, this person was important here in Benden. Still, when she volunteered to show Dairine how to get where she was supposed to go, the young woman relaxed. Well, that could have gone worse. She was just opening her mouth to thank the other woman when the 'southern assassin' part hit her ears, and she winced. Ah, might be a good idea to keep Gigo out of sight for a little while.

Again, she was just starting to open her mouth to say 'Thank you' when someone else approached and commanded everyone's attention. Okay, this was starting to get ridiculous. Judging by her expression, which was rather annoyed, complete with twitching eyebrow, she wasn't all that fond of constantly being interrupted.

Granted, if she knew what Farram was thinking, she would have gone beyond 'annoyed' and into 'murderous rage'. Benden Hold's bloodline would have ended with him. Thankfully she couldn't, and yet again she was opening her mouth to say thank you to her guide when she felt Gigo stir inside her jacket.

Ignoring his mistress's mental commands, the little brown fire-lizard poked his head out of her collar and yawned widely before dragging himself out and stretching, using Dairine's shoulders for it.

Great. Just sharding great. Finally, she gave an irritated sigh. "Journeyman Leatherworker Dairine, and this little bottomless pit is Gigo. And thank you for showing me where I need to go." FINALLY, she was able to talk without interruption.

[stolenhart]

Del watched Farran approach slowly and then gave him the little half bow is rank deserved. He was the Heir to Benden afterall whereas Del was not the Heir to Fort and as such was not his equal, though that would change when she became his wife. "Afternoon sir", she gave him a warm smile, bringing a slight smattering of freckles across her nose. She had just turned back to introduce Farran when she saw the flitt. Now Del had seen flitts and dragons, even touched the both, but one of her faults was that she absolutely loved the adorable creatures. Most of the Holds had taken to marrying into families that had little or no riders, hoping to produce children who would not be Searched or Impressed. It seemed to work over the centuries since Del did not have any riders in her own family.

"He is adorable", Del replied with a fond smile. She had wanted a flitt for turns but was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. "Dairine this is Lord Farran of Benden", she introduced her betrothed before turning back to the girl. "Where did you get him? I hadn't heard anyone had a clutch nearby, my father always promised me one but I was never lucky to be around when a clutch Hatched", the words came out quickly, with enthusiasm that was characteristic of the Harper.

[saidaltam]

Farran smiled dryly as he reached them, pointing out mildly, "I'm not the lord, yet. My father is neither dead, nor retired." He knew the words would fall on deaf ears, however. There was something cute to look at. That was far more important than anything he might have to say.

He supposed that ought to bother him, but he'd accepted a long time ago that girls were a mysterious force of tittering, eyelashes, and cooing. He therefore did not anticipate that he would ever understand any of them, so he just accepted that the obsession with "cute" wasn't meant to be insulting. It was probably just some... "mother" instinct or something. Unfortunately, that meant that he was undoubtedly about to become meaningless to the both of them, but there wasn't much to be done for that, now, was there? He just hoped they wouldn't giggle too terribly much.

[holly]

Yes, this definitely could be going worse. The reactions of the northerners upon seeing her fire-lizard tended to range from open hostility to cooing and babying. Since this seemed to be leaning towards the latter, Dairine allowed herself to relax slightly. She wouldn't have to hide Gigo after all.

"I got him when I was eight. I... grew up in an orphanage, and one of the others found a clutch that was about to hatch. I got him rather by accident." Dairine shrugged. Really, it wasn't a big deal to her, and as she'd had Gigo for over half her life, the novelty had long since worn off. He was simply a part of her, that was all.

Figuring that they'd probably get a lot more done once Yedella had gotten the 'CUTEFLITTER!' out of her system, Dairine gave Gigo a mental command. The little brown looked up at his mistress and gave a chirp of acknowledgement before falling forward off of her shoulders and into flight. It only took a couple sweeps of his wings for him to settle on Yedella's shoulders, where he promptly proceeded to stick his chilly snout in her ear and sniff.

Meanwhile, the young woman turned a studying look upon Farram. The local Lordling, huh? She would have to make a mental note to at least attempt to be polite, it wouldn't do to get on the bad side of the one who was eventually going to be in charge of Benden Hold. She liked a little job security, after all.

[stolenhart]

Del lifted an eyebrow as she turned back to face Farran. Really now?, she thought to herself. She caught the sight of wings in the air as the brown flitt flew to her, landed on her shoulder then proceeded to stick his nose in her ear. "You were cute until you did that", Del turned to face the flitt with a somewhat serious smile on her face. "And you didn't have to send him over. I may be all 'CUTEFLITTER' from time to time but I can restrain myself", she looked alittle self-conscious, "Most of the time".

She turned back to Farran and announced, "I was going to take Dairine by the Leather Guild on my way back to the Hold, would you like to accompany us?", Del asked him, fiddling with the reins in her hand. She wondered where his runner was, the one he had been given as his betrothal gift, surely it would be around here somewhere. Her own had been left at Fort, since she'd taken a dragon out to the college. "Some talk outside of the Hall would be refreshing to me", Del added, "And I would like to know where exactly Dairine's skills lie in working leather".

[saidaltam]

"My dearest Del, I would be no sort of man and even less a fiancee if I were ever to refuse such a request from your own lovely lips," Farran replied graciously, catching his betrothed's hand and kissing it in a particularly courtly gesture. "Besides, I am always happy to welcome a new crafter to my father's holdings." He paused here to flash a welcoming smile toward Dairine. The expression managed to be more reptilian than warm, but he was trying.

[holly]

Dairine had to stiffle a chuckle at Gigo's actions. "I'm sorry, he does that to everyone when he first meets them." A small whistle, and with a reluctant chirp Gigo flew back to his mistress, settling obediently on her shoulders. At least this one seemed to be a well-behaved and trained fire-lizard, unlike some. At the mention of her leatherworking, the young woman shifted slightly in unease. She didn't particuarly have a specialty at the moment, and at the College she had simply been working on becoming proficient in all areas, without neglecting any one. Between that and her own special project, it had left little time to pick an area to truely excel in.

However...

She used the fact that she was digging for the Cloak to hide her gag at the romantic situation. Ugh, public affection. Affection in general. If those two were going to be lovey-dovey like that all the time, she would have to cultivate a habit of making herself scarce when around them at the same time. Still, by the time they had finished, she had managed to pull the neatly folded Cloak from the bag it was in. "I have no specialty as of yet when working with leather, but I did manage to make this while I was still studying at the College." Feeling a little self-concious, she unfolded it, draping it across her runner's patient shoulders so that they could get a good look at it. "And while I don't have a specialty, I AM proficient in all areas, from mending to cutting to creating new pieces, and even engraving."

[stolenhart]

Del gave Farran a look that didn't bode well for his creative impulses while Dairine dug in her bag. She turned just in time to see the luxurious cloak unfold against the runner. "What exquisite work", she offered, the complment quite heartfelt. Yedella had rarely seen it's like though she was a Lord Holder's daughter. Cloaks for Del were usually woolen, which was itchy when dry and heavy when wet. This cloak of Dairine's however, was beyond wool. It was even beyond silk, though silk would never be an appropriate cloak material. "Southern felines?", Del asked.

She had a few rugs made from the fur of a southern feline, they'd been smuggled in from the South though Igen and Ista holds which still traded with the Southern holds from time to time. They'd come to her as rugs already, she'd never seen enough hide to make a bedfur let alone a cloak. The guards moving back into their post caught her eye and Del glanced up. "Shards. Dairine, I hate to be pushy but we've got to hurry or Lady Benden will have my heart for dinner, if i show up in this clothing", Del apologized to the girl gently, "Farran do you want to ride double or walk?"

Yedella was wearing riding breeches and a loose tunic under a thick sweater under one of those itchy cloaks. If Farran's mother caught her in such unbecoming clothes she would probably die of shock. Del tried her best to behave here at Benden for the time being, which included wearing gowns, playing the harp, and barely having a moment of free time. Even now she had to get back to the hold, bathe and dress for dinner. Maybe she could cajole Farran into her bedchamber, then she'd have a reason to be late. Most people assumed Farran and her shared a bed anyway, as much time as they had spent alone.

[saidaltam]

"I'll walk. I'm sure the runners are getting tired, by now," Farran replied mildly. "There's no reason for me to tire them out further." It may be a period of indulgence for the boy, but he was always cautious of the well-being of his runners. He had the option to choose to push himself too hard, or to relax when he needed it. They didn't get a choice in the matter. "And I'm sure Mother won't have your heart. We'll tell her that I had you off discussing the wedding. That will keep her happy. You know she always cheers up at that word." And that was revoltingly true.

He did, however, have the decency to pause and examine the cloak. He had a very hard time imagining wearing a leather-worked cloak, unless it was the sort that was treated with those special oils or whatever it was that they did to water-proof them. Regardless, however, it was finely crafted, and he had the decency to say so. "Del is absolutely correct, my dear: you do fantastic work." He made a brief mental note to advise his parents of the new leathercrafter's skill. It would likely keep them busy for a whole few hours and buy him a little bit of peace.

[holly]

Dairine took a moment to quickly but carefully fold the Cloak and put it back in it's bag, completely unaware of the fate that Farran had in store for her. If she did, she would have kicked him in the head, Lordling or no, for foisting his parents off on her to buy himself and his intended a little peace and quiet. As it was, for his sake it was a good thing that she was so blissfully unaware, even as she straightened and urged her runnerbeast after Yedella's. After she found out where the Leathercraft guild was and was able to unload her things, she would have to see about finding where the stables were. The old creature deserved a good rest, after the trip they had made. Hopefully no one would try and take him back anytime soon, she wasn't sure the poor thing could handle another trek within a short amount of time.

As they walked, she made sure to look around, not out of curiousity or awe, but because she was trying to memorize the location of things so that she wouldn't get as lost. The soonder she learned where everything was, the better.

[stolenhart]

In the turns since thread had been destroyed changes had come to the face of Pern. No longer were caves hand-carved for living quarters, or stones carted in to created barns. The abundant woods, once precious, were now used to build houses, barns, shops. Where once the Holds had been built within stone walls, wooden structures had spilled out and around. Caves were slowly becoming obsolete, used for storage and little else. Even Benden was not immune to such growth. "These are just houses", Yedella was telling Dairine as they rode through the large hold.

"The guilds and few halls here are further in, still housed within the stone structures", she explained, nodding towards the hold itself. "And of course the WineCraftHall set just down the road from the main Hold itself", Farran really should be doing the talking but Yedella had offered to show the girl the LeatherCraftHall so she had better show it. "It's not hard to get lost but I think your hall is near the tanneries so just follow your nose".

[saidaltam]

"Of course, there will be other areas for you to work, if you wish," Farran added mildly, having always detested the smell of tanneries, himself. This was, perhaps, because tanneries smell terrible. "Benden is not a small hold, and let it never be said that we are unaccommodating to our craftsmen." Having said that, he let Yedella reclaim the tour.

Really, he was very much enjoying listening to her. It was impressive how well she had learned the hold, and how quickly. He didn't know if she was merely that fond of him, that adept a historian, or that well trained, but it always made him smile when she displayed her intimate knowledge of all parts of the hold, as opposed to just the Harper Hall, which she should properly know all too well. She was going to be an admirably capable Lady Holder and an adept and proficient wife.

[holly]

Dairine nodded as she listened, still starting up a mental map of Benden Hold, so as to not get TOO lost later on. Even if the crafthalls were within the main stone structure, Dairine was sure that even she, in all of her anti-socialness, would have to venture outside sometime. At the comment about the tanneries, she couldn't help but give a short, amused laugh.

"One of the first things that an apprentice in the Leatherworking Craft has to learn is how to make the tools of our trade, and that includes how to tan skins and prepare the hides to be worked. I'm so used to a tannery's smell that I can barely smell it at all anymore. I'm not quite sure whether that's a perk or a liability of the job, though I'm leaning towards the former." It was similar to how people living near the sea couldn't smell it anymore. The nose got so used to it that the scent wasn't really registered anymore, and one only knew it by the absence.

"Still, I do remember not wanting to eat for a week the first time I was in one." Yes, a definite perk that she was used to the smell. Of course, anyone who worked in a tannery generally needed to take long, hot baths at the end of the day just so that other people could stand to be around them. Thankfully, Dairine was past the point where she needed to work in one, that was for the newer apprentices, and she was a journeyman now. She could devote more time to actually working with the leather itself.

[stolenhart]

Fort didn't have a tannery persay, they importated their hides from Ruatha so Del didn't have much experience with the smell. Oh she had smelled something horrible from time to time when the wind shifted but she'd never asked and it had never terribly inconvienced her. "Really?", Del was interested, apparently the Leathercraft was built along the same lines as the Harper Hall. "As apprentices we learn to build instruments and the various notes. Once we've made a satisfactory instrument we begin learning to play it", Del explained. She had studied both harps and other stringed instruments along with singing. The singing had been the easiest part, the acting that went along with it hadn't been so easy but it had all been fun. And Del loved to play her harp, especially the ancient harp that belonged to Fort. It had been made turns and turns ago and was a masterpiece of rare make.

"I would have to agree about the perk. I assume it's the tannery I smell some days as I've never smelled anything worse that what can blow towards the hold. And that is including the winery", she added. That was true, the winery could smell when it was being cleaned out. Del was dreading the day she'd have to live here forever and smell both the tannery and the winery. Hopefully Farran would agree to being married elsewhere.

[saidaltam]

"Oh, Yedella, the winery isn't that bad," Farran replied lightly, smiling at her. "It just smells... fruity, most of the time." He chuckled dryly, amused by his own feeble wit, then added brightly to Dairine, "Don't let it worry you any. If you can handle the tannery, I don't think you'll even notice the winery! Besides, the benefits well outweigh the costs. There is no finer wine on Pern than is produced here."

He'd never actually been that fond of wine, when he'd first had it, but, like so many things, it was an acquired taste, and he hadn't had a choice but to acquire it. He would not, however, sully himself with drinking less than a Benden vintage (and was only grateful that his position gave him liberal excuse for this). Really, after as many turns as he'd been here, he barely noticed either, any more, unless it was a particularly hot day, but that was hardly the point, now, was it?