Great Campsite - Southern Anacet Lakes
To one side (to the north, nearest the lake) of this huge open area are tents, pavilions, cook fires, the signs of mass habitation. To the other side (to the south, in the foothills of the mountains) is covered in piles of rough woods, stone and the workers who are processing the materials into usable materials for building.
The tents and pavilions are of every color possible, some simple, some more elaborate. In the center of it all is the largest pavilion of them all, colored in the Royal colors of blue and silver. Cirall's royal flags and banners fly from poles and posts around it, signifying it as defenitely hers. A pair of guards stand out front while others walk around it and the rest of the campsite, keeping peace and order around here.
Aldani Dragons are coming and going, even the children are being busy helping with little chores such as helping prepare foods, gathering small suplies for hunters, bringing water to those who need it, etc. Most of the adults are active over with the building materials, bringing them in from a path that cuts deeply south into the mountains, working on them in the open area somewhere, or taking finished materials back down the path to where something big is being built. Materials, tools and workers are also coming and going down the path to the main roads, probably to or from the other cities and Forts of the Aldani. A large table setup between the living and working areas is covered by dragons and mass paperwork, people overseeing supplies to make sure they get done right and to where they need to go. Draft animals pull the wagons of supplies around, their corral set up down near the lake.
Vahn enters the great campsite at the middle of a train of 17 huge wagons. Sitting beside him on the 5th wagon are two cloaked and hooded figures. A glint of red forms two dots every so often under their hoods in the sunlight.
Cirall is at the engineers tent, listening in as the two head engineers continue over some arguement concerning how much lumber they need and of what size. She finds this rather boring and turns to look as the sentries hail in the latest supply caravan. She watches as all wagons are slowly brought up and circled for easier unloading. She spies Lord Vahn and waves, wondering a bit at the two robed figures...
Rhinn leans against the tent rope near Cirall, listening idly as she handles the various affairs that need handling..
Vahn hops down from the wagon and begins assisting the two hooded figures down from the wagon. A furry snout ending in a black nose can be seen under one of the hoods for a moment. You can also see 4 others being helped down from other wagons.
Vahn begins leading the first in a line of six by the elbow towards the main tent and begins introductions.
Cirall begins to look very confused, but since Vahn seems to have things well in hand, she waits to see what he intends to do next. She does look over to Rhinn and comment idley, "Seems like we have visitors."
Vahn says, "This is Jonas, Wilton, Derba, Xinta, Chorlas, and Henya. Except for Chorlas they have worked off their indenturement at Light's Gate and have expressed interest in staying in Argalia and working on the new capital."
Vahn says, "The others couldn't bear to be seperated from Chorlas, so they will be working the first two weeks for room and board to pay off the rest of his indenturement."
Vahn says, "They would also like to ask to live here after construction is finished."
Cirall looks between Vahn and Rhinn, then back to Vahn and says, "You brought the Driggelans here? But I thought they didn't like the sunlight!" She looks at the covered workers and nods, saying to them, "I appreciate the effort, but the sun's too bright out here. Are you all sure you want to do this?" She's ignored the fact that one is an indentured slave still, according to Lord Vahn's words.
Vahn says, "Can someone lead the new master stonemasons somewhere dark so they can rest until dark while the rest of us unload the shipment?" You see six noses perk up at the compliment to their skills with stone.
Vahn says, "They said Argalia is their new home, and they want to help." Jonas nods his head and croaks out a low whisper "Please let us stay we are tired of the war in our home."
Rhinn shrugs at Cirall a bit as she glances to him, listening with interest but standing politely silent to the side.
Vahn holds his breath in anticipation looking at Cirall waiting for her answer to their request.
Davad yawns a little as she emerges from her tent, just waking up from her usual nap...After all, like usual, she's expecting to be up into the wee hours of the morn, studying over the plans and looking for errors in the current construction, and she doesn't want to risk falling asleep or missing something. Blinking a little, she sees the crowd of dragons over yonder, and quickly runs her hands over her clothing, making sure it's not wrinkly or anything...After all, the Queen is there, and she wants to make sure she looks presentable.
Cirall looks between the Driggelans, Vahn and Rhinn and looks back at the Driggelans and shrugs, saying, "Who am I to refuse the help of friends. Be welcomed here and know that your help is appreciated." She looks around and spots Davad. She calls out, waving her to come join.
Burkaar sits near the edge of the great forest of tents, where he can still view the loading area for a majority of the carts. Reclining in a comfortable sling-style chair, he checks and re-checks loading invoices and figures, trying to locate a discrepency.
Vahn sighs in relief and clasps Jonas' furry arm. for the first time Jonas' huge clawed hand becomes visible for a moment.
Vahn walks back to the wagons as a worker leads the Driggelans off to their new quarters.
Davad smiles, hearing the summons, and ducks back inside her tent real quick, grabbing her near-ever-present mug of coffee, emerging again and moving towards the group, smiling a little. She looks around a bit, nodding to the various dragons, and the...others, before nodding at the Queen. "Hail and greetings, Queen Cirall. I trust this day finds you well?"
Rhinn taps Cirall's shoulder lightly. "What was all that?" he asks curiously, then pauses as Davad calls the queen's attention as well.
Vahn remembers his manners and pops back long enough to bow to the queen, her consort and the lady engineer.
Cirall looks to Rhinn and says, "I'll explain in a sec." She turns and looks at Davad and nods, acknowledging her greetings. She points towards the new workers and says, "Make sure they are given proper duties as befits their abilities when you get a chance. Report it all to the head engineers inside." She points back to the large tent being used by the engineer core.
Davad nods, smiling, and bows a little. "Aye, Queen Cirall." She turns to look at the new workers, hmm-ing a little, and moves to converse with them, finding out about them, their skills and such...After all, sending in workers without knowing what they can do is like sending out soldiers when you don't know if they've been trained or not."
The crew from Light's gate begins unloading metal rods, lattice, and wire that has been coated in wax to protect the iron.
Rhinn bobs his head and stands back a bit. "You and your secs," he mumbles teasingly at his wife.
Burkaar frowns, and sighs, shaking his head, and folding his notebooks up together, heading off toward the engineer's tent. Perhaps someone there can answer his questions.
Cirall wraps one arm around Rhinn's waist and hugs, "Oh, don't be so silly. I have to do work." She straigthens up and points back the way Davad and company are walking, "The Driggelans are a race of burrowers who are at constant war with each other in their home sphere. We 'lease' their prisoners as indentured servants. When they have worked off their debts at Light's Gate's mines, they are free to do as they please, whether it's return home, stay here, or go elsewhere."
Davad smiles a little as she talks with the workers, assigning various ones to different construction-teams, watching them gratefully move off...then glances around a little, making sure nobody's looking, and moves behind a tent, visibly slumping now that she's out of sight...especially of the Queen's sight. Not good to show weakness like this in front of your employer, after all...
Burkaar smiles slightly as he comes around the tent to find Davad taking a few moments of time to recover. He stops, and steps back out of sight, before starting in on humming a somewhat noisy tune, and retracing his steps back toward her. Let her keep up appearances... he certainly knows how important they are. "Davad..." he calls, as if seeing her for the first time...
Rhinn nods a little at Cirall's explanation, then mumbles back to her. He hugs her back and relaxes a little, looking around the encampment slowly.
Rhinn whispers "Yes, but all you do IS work.."
Davad 's eyes quickly snap open, hastilly standing straight again, pulling out her notebook and looking busy as she hears the whispering, tail holding the cup of coffee. Not knowing her momentary lapse was noticed, she pretends to be studying the layout, writing notes as she hears her name called. Looking up, she smiles, no sign of anything amiss anywhere on her. "Oh, hello."
Burkaar inclines his head respectfully as he approaches. "I know you by reputation and shouted calls for your attention... I'm Burkaar, trade guildmaster. I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes with me? I'm having trouble reconciling some invoices."
Cirall hugs Rhinn and says a little too cheerfully, "Hey, I gotta do *something* around here to stay busy. Besides, if my people can do so much to help, I gotta do my part too....I owe them that much." She gets a bit sad at that last...
Vahn begins collecting worn and broken tools, and delivering the new tools to the quartermaster.
Davad smiles, nodding, and slips her notepad back into her belt-pouch, the pencil taking its normal place behind one frill-ridge as she takes the mug back in her claw with a practiced movement. "Certainly, sir...What sort of trouble's going on, hmm?" She takes a sip of her coffee, noting with slight interest the flavor seems slightly different...Then again, knowing her usual habits, she might just have slipped something into it earlier, and just forgotten...Oh, well.
Rhinn strokes one hand down her spines and shakes his head a little. "Later, love," he tells her, "we'll talk about it later..."
Cirall leans closer to Rhinn, her arms both going around his waist as her head leans against his chest. She thinks to herself, 'It was worth it. Despite it, it was worth it.' She just nods to Rhinn and enjoys having him again.
Burkaar chuckles, shaking his head slightly. "Let's at least find a comfortable chair and a spot of table space," he suggests. "It's a question about some woodworking tools from Rolarii. Either I'm rusty on the conversion rates, which... I doubt, or... well, come, let's take a look."
Davad smiles, nodding a little, and motions for the Blue to lead onward. "Yeah, let's see those numbers, maybe I can fix 'em for you..."
Vahn approaches Burkaar and Davad with a troubled look on his face.
Burkaar nods, turning to go back to one of the entrances of the great tent... but the motion of the approaching Vahn catches his eye, and he pauses. "There's a troubled looking face," he murmurs, to alert Davad to his approach as well.
Vahn says, "Burkaar, Davad, I've found something troubling at the quartermaster."
Davad hmms a little, raising an eyeridge at the comment. "Oh? What sort of trouble, hmm?"
Burkaar wonders the same, quite obviously, but lets Davad's words speak for him, simply arching his neck a touch higher, intrigued.
Rhinn glances around briefly and gently helps Cirall back into the engineering tent.. it's probably all right, but.. it doesn't do to have the queen showing strain or defeat in public. He holds her gently for a few seconds, then nuzzles at her neck. "Straighten up, Cirall," he murmurs, "You should probably lie down for a while.. let's get you back to your tent, okay?"
Vahn says, "The records show some items that should be there are missing. It's been a slow but steady trikle over the last month or two. It wouldn't be an issue normally but its mainly high quality alloy items from light's gate and costly imported items."
Cirall sighs and nods to Rhinn, letting him lead her wherever he thinks is best. When in front of others, she tries to look and act like she's fine.
The muscles of Burkaar's jaw flex and ripple subtly, and he frowns. "Interesting... that's just what I was hoping to find out from Davad, in fact. If the supplies were short, or not. Though I was more concerned that they might be shorted on the wagon, not here."
Vahn says, "In particular are the hardened stone chisels and imported woodworking tools."
Davad hmms a little, frowning a bit. "Interesting...Haven't heard of supplies going missing 'round here. How many did you say are missing?"
Vahn says, "I can guarantee everything from Light's Gate arrived."
Vahn says, "Of course the problem might also be in intake record keeping."
Burkaar shakes his head slightly. "The stoneworking tools, I haven't had much trade in. Mostly the eastern spheres like Rolarii, with some through-work to Mythrayel, and further. So my traffic's almost entirely out of sphere."
Rhinn keeps his hand surruptitiously on Cirall's wing, guiding her through the crowds toward her guarded and private tent. "I fear I've been negligent in my duties," he murmurs to her as they walk, "to keep you in health and clear mind.."
Vahn says, "But, accusations of stealing are very troubling."
Davad hmms a little. "Welll, we could do that...Here, d'you have any of the records of intake? Could check 'em against what I ordered...After all, if what's on the intake is more than what I ordered, even more likely just a clerical error, eh?"
Burkaar nods, but only slightly. "Triple checking is what I've spent the day doing, so far. Going back several weeks. I suspect we're going to find a pattern here. Possibly at one of the wagon reloading stations, or overnighting rests."
Vahn begins going through logs he brought from the quartermaster.
Vahn says, "If the items are disappearing at a point along the way, say at a layover point, if someone just updated from the invoice not knowing any better the problem would appear to be here."
Davad nods, hmm-ing. "I agree...Then again, if the items /are/ dissapearing from here, we have a problem, do we not?"
Burkaar nods in agreement. "Which is my concern. If the number on the paper is right, and the count on the wagon is not... then it is my domain, and that troubles me deeply."
Davad frowns, nodding. "Indeed...Well, then, sir Guildmaster, what do you suggest we do about it?"
Cirall sighs and nods to Rhinn, letting him lead her wherever he thinks is best. When in front of others, she tries to look and act like she's fine.
Vahn says, "As I said, most of what is disapearing from light's gates end are chisel's and such which may accidentally end up being thrown away."
Guards salute as Rhinn leads Cirall back to her grand tent in the 'sea of tents'.
Cirall dismisses her handmaiden from the tent, asking quietly for some privacy. Once alone with Rhinn, she practically crumples from exhaust to the carpeted floor.
Davad hmms softly, drinking a bit more of her coffee, the bitter taste of her little 'additive' numbing her tongue a little... "Hmm..."
Rhinn closes the flap of the tent, then turns back to Cirall as she sways on her feet! He grasps her quickly and grunts a little under the sudden weight, scooping her up in his arms and laying her gently on the bed. "I'm sorry!" he murmurs, caressing her brow with one hand.. "You're exhausted.."
What happens here between Rhinn and Cirall is best left for another day, another log.
Burkaar sighs, rubbing his temples. "Well... this just confirms that it's not something simple. Maybe there's a pattern and conspiracy... maybe there's just plain bad luck. I'll have some trusted people walk goods through every step of the process, in the next few weeks. That will tell us more."
Davad nods, hmm-ing a little, occasionally glancing at the construction going on...and at her tent, considering a little...
Vahn says, "I would lean towards dumb luck or a combination thereof."
Burkaar leans closer to Davad, and says quietly, "I'll take responsibility for tracking this down. Or at least, let you know where it's not happening. I do appreciate your time and help... and should let you find a little rest, hmm?" More directly to Vahn, he adds, "I'll make sure inventories are better checked on loading, in case a few pieces are simply being left behind. Or going missing somewhere en rout."
Vahn says, "Thanks."
Davad blinks a little, frowning a bit at what she hears as a veiled accusation, and snorts. "...Don't worry about me, sir. I'll have my claws busy enough here, I think..."
Burkaar smiles, shifting his wingwrists outwards slightly. "I worry," he chuckles warmly. "It's what I do. And sometimes my concerns are misplaced. You've a better strength than mine, for I'm exhausted and my head aches, and it's scarcely noon. A promising day, to be sure."
Davad sighs softly, frowning. "Eh. Maybe you should be the one getting some rest, eh?"
Burkaar shakes his head. "No, no... there's still much to be done. A rest in an hour or two, for the heat of the day. Take care, the both of you." He bows respectfully, then turns, and makes his way off towards his own tent, somewhere in the great sea of them.
Davad murrs softly to herself, watching the Blue move off...and looks at the other Blue. "..."
Vahn excuses himself to go take inventory and assist with unloading 4 ton blocks.
Davad hmms softly, watching the other dragon leave...and slowly, professionally, makes her way behind another tent, before gently placing her mug down...and proceeding to shudder, arms wrapped over her chest lightly...
Davad closes her eyes, concentrating, /forcing/ herself to relax, and gradually regains control...She's okay...she's fine...she's in control...She keeps repeating this to herself, glancing around in near-mortal fear to make sure nobody saw that...and after a moment, straightens fully, looking completely normal, and goes to her tent, mumbling something about another nap being in order, she thinks (for the benefit of any who might be listening, of course...)