Cleft visitor apartments
Afternoon of day three

--Samuel & Serina-----

 Samuel listens as Vorbis gives his reason for asking him here. Samuel
isn't sure what the Lord has in mind, but he is willing to listen, since
the man could be a worthy connection for him. Samuel knew of course
what kind of man Vorbis could be, but it didn't hurt to at least forego
that for now. Afterall, Vorbis was of nobility, and might bring Samuel
new gain.

> "I will tell you what, I need a girl servant to help me while I am here. 
>You go home alone and tell her you left her to clean up and help with some
>small chores. I will pay you five gold crowns a day for her services. I am
>sure your lovely wife would understand the importance of your daughter
>earning you a little extra cash?" Vorbis smiles and leaned back, he made
>it clear in his tone of voice that this was not negotiable. "We would want
>her to have the proper manners to be represented in court, wouldn't we?"  

 Samuel raises an eyebrow at such an offer. It is true he wouldn't
mind Serina learning what it is to earn money, and the mention of
court didn't escape Samuel either. As for money matters, Samuel had
introduced Serina to such things by bringing her with him a couple
times on his 'biz' travels, but she had a ways to go. By far, Seth
at his young age was more knowledgeble, and more skilled at such
things then his older sister.
 As he thinks of Seth, Samuel feels his temper and disappointment
edging there way to the surface as he recalls what his son has now
become, but he is not about to show that to Vorbis. He directs his
thoughts back to the offer. *It would be good for Serina to learn to
earn, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to have the additional income,
but Vorbis' price will not do.*

> Samuel sat for a moment looking at the man, then leaned forward. 
>"Serving girls would be hard to find in the warren, she is worth at
>least ten gold crowns a day."  

 Nearby Serina looks on the dealings with wide eyes. Both her father
and Vorbis are oblivious to her as they set a price for Her! She thinks,
 *This is absurd! And it is just like dad to do this! I must admit the
idea of being around the striking Vorbis and away from mom and dad isn't
a bad idea. But the way they are going on with me here, gods, it's
embarrassing.*  Serina knowing that not only would she face father's
wrath, but possibly be even more embarrassed if she were to voice her
irritation, remains quiet as the two men continue.

>Vorbis smirked.  "I understand that, but the gold I have brought to
>the warren is limited, I can only pay the most of six a day, no more."  

 Samuel isn't phased at such a line. His persuasive nature and
bartering skills gathered from years of minding 'the biz' kick
in, and he persists.

>"I am sure her mother would understand for eight, and I am sure a Lord
>such as yourself could have some sent." Samuel was a cunning man.  

>"Eight it is then."  He stood and walked to a small chest he had under
>his bed, with a quick turn of a key Samuel had his eight gold crowns. 

 As Vorbis gets the money, Samuel gives Serina a smile and a nod of his
head in reassurance, as well as a look of success at what has transpired.
Serina still feeling flushed about the whole thing just looks stolidly at
her father. She isn't against the whole thing, but she doesn't want to give
her father that notion.

>Vorbis sat, "Tell me what is it you do that makes you such a
>hard man to cheat?"  

 Samuel takes his eyes from Serina, sits back, and smiles as he
says to Vorbis,"It is 'the biz' you see.

 At the confusing look that comes over Vorbis' face Samuel continues
with, "I am sorry, that is the Silvera term for the business. I am a
merchant by trade. I have spent many years dealing with many different
people, and a variety of goods from tools to home furnishings. And goods
I will add, that are of excellent quality and exceptional prices."

 Samuel puts emphasis on his last line, and with a hint of pride in his
strong voice. He then continues,"I travel quite a bit on business dealings,
and I have a shop back home as well, which my wife and her sister tend.
I do quite well, but I am always on the lookout for new goods, new routes,
or customers, to increase my business dealings." Samuel's last words carry
a subtle hint as he speaks to Vorbis, just in case the Lord is interest in
such dealings.

(tag Darren if you wish to add anything to their conversation)

*************

----Seth----
(Later, same afternoon. Newly joined quarters)

 Seth reflected on what the afternoon had brought him. There was the
training which had went well and which Seth had enjoyed, but there had
also been the mating flight. Seth had watched the pearl dragon's flight
along with the other newly joined from the upper green. Seth knew about
the flights. In school the other landbourn boys, and Seth had heard
even some girls, talked about such 'warren things'. Still, to actually
see a flight, had made Seth not only uncomfortable, but terrified. And
it didn't help that Alizarine chatted about some day catching a Queen
or another female. Seth had been startled at the red/purple's comment,
he didn't think the little dragon know such things yet-maybe it was
instinct, Seth didn't know.

 Seth had been glad when the flight ended. He had been so uneasy
throughout it that he had thought of leaving instead of watching.
But the thought of doing so in front of the others stopped him. He
didn't want to end up possibly being teased by the others if he left.
 Now as Seth sits feeding Alizarine, he hopes that it will be a long
long time before Alizarine chases a female. He even wishes that Alizarine
never will. Alizarine's mindvoice breaks into Seth's moment of hoping
and wishing.

 <Azure says her rider is looking for you. Something about your sire
and your other sibling>.

 <Thanks Alizarine. I'll go find them while you take a nap.>

 <You will be back soon>, replied a sleepy Alizarine?

 <By the time you awake I'll be back. Now rest, you've had a long day.>

 After the dark haired boy makes sure his dragon is bedded down, he
heads off to find his sister Katrina.

****************

---Katrina---
(Near the dining hall)

 Katrina was talking to P'ker about today's training session. Kat had
asked P'ker to keep her updated on Seth and Alizarine's training. Not
only did such a request keep her updated on how Seth and Alizarine were
doing while she was busy with her duties, but it gave her a chance to
spend some more time with the rider as well. When Seth arrives P'ker
compliments him on a job well done with Alizarine today. Then after
P'ker exchanges a few more words with Kat he takes his leave.

 "So what's up with Serina and father sis", says Seth eagerly?"

 "Before I had Azure bespeak Alizarine I saw dad by himself leaving
the guest quarters of a man named Vorbis."

 "Vorbis? Is he a dragonrider?"

 "No. He is a pompus, deceptive, and probably ruthless Lord with his
eyes on the Nomadlands. I was one of the first to meet him when he
arrived in the area, and I didn't like him one bit," says Kat with
vehemence.

 "It must have been some 'biz' matters that lead father to Vorbis.
Father often looks for new clients to sell to, or get access to
new routes, or new goods," replies the boy.

 "Possibly, but there is more. After dad left, I checked around.
Talked to some workers cleaning the apartments. They said Vorbis
entered with father and a young girl who fit Serina's description.
And..."

 Seth interrupts Kat,"And, you said father left the guest apartments
alone. So Serina is probably still there. But why? Serina has little
knowledge of the 'biz' up in that flighty head of hers."

 "I don't know why bro, but we are going to find out," says Katrina
with concern.

 Seth laughs out loud and replies,"Oh great Kat! What a task that'll be!
Father wants little to do with me since my joining, and even less to do
with you. I don't think he will speak much, or listen much to us, about
such a matter."

 "He has to tell mom where Serina is though, since she was last
seen with him. Mom's probably packing now so we can..."

 Seth interrupts with a disheartened look on his face, "Packing?
Mother's leaving already?  No, she can't go yet."

 Kat smiles at Seth. She thought it was Samuel whom Seth was closest
to, but it seems mom is just as close. "Don't worry Seth. When you
went off for training mom and I talked. She isn't going yet. She
probably will stay until that hatchling of yours flys for the first
time, maybe longer. By packing, I was refering to mom getting dad's
things ready. Now that he knows your news, and unless he has other
dealings with Vorbis, he will be on his way. He has to get back to
'the biz' you know."  Seth smiles as he agrees with his sister on
that note.

 Kat continues, "As soon as we find mom away from dad, we can find
out what is up. After we find out whatever it is, I doubt you or I
can go against dad's decision, but it can't keep us from at least
saying something, or from keeping Vorbis under watchful eyes. And
I promise, if Vorbis so much as lays a hand on, or speaks ill to
Serina, I wont let it go unoticed, and he'll know it too," adds Kat
with determination in her voice.

 After Seth agrees with Kat, the two head off to their family's guest
quarters to learn about what new lease in life awaits their sister.

********
NRPG:
All: Been working on and off of this for most of the week.
  So we have Serina employed with Vorbis, Kat/Seth concerned,
Samuel leaving soon, and also poor Seth worried about mating flights.
Now I wanted to put Seth's worry about mating flights in because Seth
is not only young(12), but he has lived/raised amongst the landbourn,
with little warren contact. And the warrenlife (eventhough his sister
is a rider), is still a bit new for him.

Darren: Well Serina is in Vorbis' employ now. If you have any ideas,
or questions about anything please e-mail me. I'll be here ready to take
the young girl through this new, and probably temporary, arrangement
for now.

Arlene: Glad everything is going well for you in your new home.

Respectfully,
Kris B
Katrina/Azure
Seth/Alizarine

Also: Samuel, Tess, and Serina.

Cleft Warren



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