Return from a Posting
Evening, fifty-sixth day of summer, forty-first Turn, Tenth Pass
Main Hall and Ballroom
The ballroom's vast space is simply and tastefully decorated, combining images and materials from many parts of Pern. Opposite the main entrance, a broad balcony is supported by pillars of the finest northern marble; polished to glassy smoothness, they contrast the toning blues of the walls. A staircase of the same stone rises in sturdy flights to the upper level. The high vaulted ceiling with its round wrought-iron window is white, brightening the room, while the varnished floor is the deep red-brown of a Lemos hardwood. High on the west wall, a large 'mural' shows a map of Pern, framed by images of harper life and symbols of the Craft, while the bright 'tapestry' opposite offers an informal scene. Glowbaskets rest on marble stands of different heights, turned to give both direct and reflected light, while carved stone benches along the walls provide places to sit for those attending functions, or simply wishing to rest. For everyday use, rush matting protects the most frequented parts of the polished floor.
A weary-looking Ylisa comes through the doors from the Great Hall. She's carrying a large and bulging carisak, and three over-excited firelizards are flying in tight circles above her head, chittering loudly and gleefully. Ylisa drops her bag with a visible sigh.
Jueann is heading to the office with a stack of reports that were delivered and a pot of klah. Seeing Ylisa, she pauses, "Uhhh... Can I hel.... Ylisa!"
"Master Jueann! Yes, I'm back," is Ylisa's reply. "As you see. Glad to be here, too. I think I've had enough of ships and sailing for a bit." She smiles, blinking a bit.
Jueann sets down her burden, before going over to ylisa. "Welcome home, Ylisa! I hope your mission was successful? And you have a full report for me?" Ready to usher the journeyman into the office. Flagging a passing apprentice. "You go to the Dining Hall and get soup, sandwiches and fresh klah for Ylisa. And you..." pointing at another apprentice, 'Bring my stack of reports into the office and no peeking into them."
Ylisa fixes the smile firmly to her face as the prospect of collapsing in her room retreats. "And /you/," she adds to a third apprentice, "Could take that up to my room, please." She indicates her bag, as she turns towards the office. "Soup would be wonderful, thank you."
Jueann chuckles as the apprentices run to do her bidding. Ahhh power. "I won't keep you long Ylisa. You need a hot bath and rest. But I want to make sure you eat and I get my report first." Ushering Ylisa into the office.
Harper Office
The office is cheerful, the light reflecting off of whitewashed walls and ceiling. A pattern mimicking musical notation in colors runs along the tops of the walls, shelf upon shelf rising from the floor to meet it. Desks, cabinets and filing drawers are arranged about the room, workplaces for those whose job it is to keep the harpers and hall in order.
The air is fresh, tangy with sea and hides and well-seasoned woods.
Watching from a high shelf are three firelizards.
Ylisa obediently follows Jueann into the office, and finds herself a seat. "It's funny, when you've been on a ship, the land seems to move. Oh, well. Yes, my report. Well, I sent you the most important part by firelizard. And Marisa is fully recovered now, and she was eager to get back to work, which is why I'm a few days earlier than I said."
Jueann nods to the apprentice that brings in her reports, "You may go." Before returning to Ylisa. "That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear that. And you? How are you faring?" Frowning as the apprentice takes his time to leave, "I said you may go!" The apprentice leaves with a sigh. He really has to work at not being noticed more.
Ylisa settles herself more comfortably. "Well, thank you, or I will be when I've had a good night's sleep. Nabol was... interesting, but I certainly prefer it here." She starts to bend as if to get something. "Oh... it's in my bag. I managed to get a slightly better description of the man that Lady Alebra was associating with. Enough to do a rough sketch from."
Jueann frowns as she leans on her desk, watching Ylisa. "I see. I've been getting several heated letters from Bramero." A knock on the door. "Come in." In comes the apprentice with the food. "Your bags have been taken upstairs journeyman." Jue watches the apprentice set down the meal by Ylisa. "Anything else?"
Ylisa smiles at the apprentice with a shake of the head. "Thank you, that's wonderful. No, I don't need anything else." She picks up the mug of soup as the apprentice departs. "No further sightings of his daughter, then?"
Jueann shakes her hear, "Mimi did talk to the traders but nothing was conclusive. I think I've sent you a report on that. But the latest reports is she's here on Ista Island. But this is a big island."
Ylisa nods thoughtfully. "Well, if she's here, then it's a fairly good guess that he's here, I'd say. He doesn't seem to have been seen around Nabol Hold for a while, anyway. Maybe they've settled down together somewhere. New place, new start in life... it would be nice to think so. On the other hand, he's a known renegade." She bites her lip in contemplation.
Jueann blinks, "Who's here? Who's the renegade?"
Ylisa frowns. "Did I not mention that in the note I sent you? Dennell - the man Alebra was involved with - is known to be part of a renegade group. Thieves. They work mainly by stealing small, valuable items that could be sold or bartered. They've been quite a nuisance round Nabol, apparently." She pauses. "It occurs to me that the thefts we were having were of that type."
Jueann frowns, as she moves around to her desk. "Ahh yes." fishing for the reports on the thief. "Hmmm you might be right. None of the items aren't showing up." Lookingup at Ylisa, "Anything else?"
Ylisa is drinking soup, so it's a few seconds before she can reply. "And didn't those thefts start at about the time we heard about Lady Alebra's disappearance, give or take a few sevendays? Worth bearing in mind, anyway." She pauses for a moment. "Fortunately, I didn't have much to do with Lord Bramero - Marisa's based at the Hold, but she's out riding her route most of the time, so I was out a lot. Has he been saying anything I should know?"
Jueann hmms and nods, "Hmmm..." checking the dates, "You may be right." Looking up at Ylisa, "Why don't you get some rest...." passing over the sheathes of messages, "Here's Bramero's letters. They should help you fall asleep."
Ylisa's eyes widen as she sees the pile of letters. "All those?" Under her breath, she adds, "Shells!" Taking them from Jueann, she flicks through them briefly, then stands and picks up the rest of her supper. "I should think they will. And if you'll excuse me, Master Jueann, I think I'll take them and me to bed. If I've missed any details, I can fill you in tomorrow."
Jueann grins, "Get some rest Ylisa. And..." she makes a shoo'ing motion, "Welcome home."
Logfile from Ylisa
