Page 138: Dockside Discussions
Dockside Discussions
Summary: Lords Aeric, Sarojyn and Dafydd discuss the building of the docks, the necessities and the potential future that it brings.
Date: 30 November 2011
Related Logs: None
Players:
Aeric Sarojyn Dafydd 
Coastline — Terrick's Roost
The Cape of Eagles looms out over Ironman's Bay, a vast, blue ocean inlet, that spreads its watery depths out beyond the horizon. The path that leads down to this coast winds down behind the towers for several hundred meters before arriving at the rocky water's edge. Rather than sand, the coast is covered with innumerable smooth and rounded stones about palm-sized. They stretch up and down the coast in all directions with the battered remnants of driftwood scattered about. Above the beach, one every mile or two, are towers with a large bell and mallet atop them which are to be beaten to warn of an incoming invasion. A small dock is being constructed of thick northern timbers, with mooring space for two large ships, or perhaps a half dozen smaller craft.
30 November 288

The weather, while rainy last night, has cleared up somewhat, even if there are some clouds; it doesn't look quite as threatening. With the rain of the night before, there is mud in patches, small catches of puddles at the foot of the hills sweeping down to the docks.

It was through most of this rain that the youngest of Lord Camdens, Dafydd, rode— at the request of the Lord of Tall Oaks. When one receives a request, with the added words 'with haste', from one's brother and Lord, the Captain of the Guard responds. There is no hint of a threat couched, however, so as Dafydd rides, there are no weapons truly brandished. Simply that with which he normally rides; bow, quiver set into his saddle, and sword at his side. The horse is marked with the Tall Oaks crest, as well as Dafydd's personal 'Camden' escutcheon.

Full in the knowledge that his brother probably still yet sleeps, the first stop is, of course, the Inn for food, and then off to the docks once again. The Oaks have been checked, the markers of the woods laid— and it's back to see to the timber needs of their almost lone trading partner.

Dafydd is on foot, his small, dark horse off to the side, grazing happily on whatever puff of grass he may find.

***

It would seem fortuitous then that the figure garbed in purples, blues, and silver who stands proximus to those same docks is so present. The tall, bearded man, with a demeanor conflicting of casual airs and formal both, directs several workers and stands beside a commoner who looks to be the one truly planning the organized chaos. Wet does not seem to bother him, only progress. When the sound of an approaching horse comes to his attention, he naturally turns to face it and brushes his cloak free of his arms though he does not draw them. The crest he identifies as the horse comes into view and his poise relaxes somewhat as he awaits this mysterious horseman from the Tall Oaks.

***

When last the Camden brothers visited these docks last week, the workers were quietly taking their food, work having stopped for those brief moments. Now, before him is a scene of activity which doesn't escape note. Vigourous building is renewed, which means that he'll have to discuss—

Ah…

The form and figure of one who appears to be overseeing the work is noticed, and something of a scowl creases his face. Colours are off for a Terrick lord, but only slightly. Damn.. Aaaand, there's the brush of a cloak from the sword. Not a very welcoming gesture.

Dafydd begins to pick his way closer, and doesn't send a hail of greeting until he is close enough that he need not shout. Of course, he stops his path outside the immediate reach of said sword as well.

"Greetings, my lord." One knows one, after all. Raising his hand to gesture towards the docks and the workers, his head cants in askance, "Work is beginning again, refreshed?"

***

Aeric takes in the approaching man in his finery. That there was haste in Dafydd's approach is evident in the flush of the man's cheek. Aeric smiles and offers a bow of his head in greeting. "Indeed it is. Do forgive me for my initial wariness. There are, as ever, concerns for security. But. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ser Aeric Mallister, cousin to Lord Jason. I've been sent to assist in the construction here among other duties. To wit, I might ask, to what do I owe the pleasure of the Lord's company and how may I assist you?"

***

Dafydd returns the greeting, a bow followed by an outstretched arm to clasp in greeting. "Ser, I am Lord Dafydd Camden, Captain of the Guard for Tall Oaks." Now that that is completed, he nods towards the docks once more, eyes moving past the now-known lord and knight. "It is mostly our timber that is being used in construction. My brother and I were concerned that our wood would run into some.. resistance with the Naylands, what with their tariff war raging. Now, that I see that there is no reason for concern, it is our intention that we see to what is needed for the completion, and .. some renewed negotiation, perhaps, for the fair use of the port when completed." Dafydd inclines his head once again, a smile creasing his face, "Which my brother will be discussing, no doubt, with the Lord of the Roost."

***

While Dafydd had been summoned to the Terrick's lands by Sarojyn, the Lord of Tall Oaks hadn't been available to meet with his brother upon his arrival. As such, once his business had been concluded, the Lord had emerged from the Inn to which he'd been staying and after being told of his brother's arrival and where he had gone, he'd set off to venture past the Greens and to the Coastline. Once there, eyes simply shift about before he descends the hill with steady footing so as to move further towards the throng of workers that tend to the construction at hand.

***

"Of course." Aeric agrees with a simple nod as he half-turns so that he might indicate the dock and still watch Dafydd. "As you see, work progresses and, naturally, more timbers will be required. How much, precisely, has yet to be determined." There is a moment's pause as a thought seems to occur to him and his brow knits slightly. He looks back to Dafydd and seems about to ask a question when he spots another approaching individual. His speech is paused while he awaits this one.

***

"I see.. last week, it seemed to me the work was somewhat stalled. It's good to see the renewed work." Dafydd nods in the words, an acknowledgment and consideration of the information gained. "How much is precisely—"

With Aeric's attention pulled away from the conversation, the youngest of the Brothers Camden follows his gaze back. Rolling his head back, this time he calls a greeting. "Brother, my Lord." With a capital 'L'.. "As you see, I have arrived.. and assumed you still abed." The last couple of words are given a little more.. concisely.

And now for the introductions, "My lord Ser Aeric, this is my brother, Lord Camden, Holder of Tall Oaks. Brother, Lord Ser Aeric Mallister, cousin to Jason Mallister. He has been tasked to assist in the construction of the docks." Turning back around, Dafydd finishes, and with a brief nod, continues, "Which, as I was saying, is fortuitious for us in that we can now get an accurate accounting of needs of timber without as much guesswork."

***

Aeric offers the Lord Camden a bow and upon straightening a sweep of his arm indicates the docks. "I brought with me a number of skilled tradesmen who will see this matter forward. As to the matter of precise estimates for our timber needs… that will be forthcoming once I have a report from my carpenter. I'm sure I speak for Lord Terrick that you are both welcome guests this evening, if you were not already, and so I hope to have a number for the cord we require. Also, to be added, will be timbers suitable for masts which will require a visit to your lands as such things require specifics that are difficult to ennumerate on parchment." And no doubt involve numerous trade secrets, ahem.

***

It doesn't take long for Sarojyn's gaze to play over Aeric and Dafydd and with a slight shift of his movements, he's beginning to angle over in their direction. Upon drawing closer and with the greeting from Dafydd, the Lord of the Oaks offers his brother a slight nod of his head and the hints of a smirk before murmering, "Ahh, Brother, I'm pleased that the messenger reached you. I wondered if I should have sent a raven." There's a little jest to those words, but it fades as his attention then shifts to Aeric. There's a moments regard before a bow of his head is offered, "A pleasure, Lord Aeric." Then, he's looking in the direction of the docks, his gaze resting there a moment before looking back to Aeric, "A visit to our lands can certainly be arranged."

***

"Your man arrived breathless and appeared to want me to make haste. Though.." a raven? ".. I am curious as to the reason for the summons," other than the fact that it was a fit of amusement, what with the mention of Lady Kathryna in the missive. "It can wait, however, until such time." How's that for a straight face?

Trade secrets and negotiations for the best timber, of course. "Perfect." With his brother here, Dafydd is secure in the promising of what he can and cannot deliver, as there are no secrets from the brothers Camden. With a sweep of a gestured hand towards the docks, he adds a "May we?" get closer.

"What, if you do not mind telling me, is the draft here? It will accomodate trade ships with no issue, yes? Deep water if need be?" Not that he can foresee a need for such, as such…

***

Aeric merely smiles. "Let us say that there is one vessel that we will be certain to have a suitable draft for and that is healthy." Its no big secret that the Terrick's have a war galley now. You can't exactly hide a ship that big. Or maybe they have? "But, such things truly are not my place to reveal. Not without discussing the matter first with Lord Terrick himself. However, as you are providing the timbers, I see no harm in a brief tour. Not that there is much to see as yet. As I only arrived the day before yesterday, my men have mostly spent their time evaluating the progress and tidying up.. the situation. From a seafarer's perspective." Those familiar with the Seagard court will know Aeric himself to be a ship captain rather than a knight on horse. He gives a welcoming gesture to both lords and proceeds to lead the way.

***

"Of course. I was speaking in generalities anyway." Dafydd heads towards the work area, following the knight, picking his way, his eyes casting over the work done and what still needs completing. As he approaches, the captain looks out onto the water before twisting around and looking up. A Captain of the Guard, as always. Defensible.. particularly with archers if need be. It's a good position, the port with the cliffs.

"Nothing much to see, there is still a great deal to learn from it." The younger Lord Camden smiles tightly, though he's at ease. "While some of our land borders the sea, we don't have a port.. nor can we truly see the value in it while we have allies and trading partners to the south. Still, the requirements for timber, the demand for logs and such is a welcome education. Seeing first hand where it all goes, so we can aid in determining your needs." Sounds like a Camden.

***

"Indeed it is." Aeric agrees with a small amount of pride in his voice. They are not his lands. Nor is he likely to gain any for himself. But they are in the service of his cousin and that is enough. "I would like to see a shipyard here, eventually. With such a realization, there will be an even greater need for your timbers and the long a fruitful relationship that comes with it. Wealth for all for what takes many oxen a week to take a modest trade to King's Landing, a ship can do the same with ten times the cargo and no risk of banditry. Or little. The Ironborn seem to be.. quiescent of late." A thing which he states with some suspicion in the tone.

***

Dafydd really is a Camden, perhaps as he gets older? The idea of this becoming a larger port, with the resulting needs added to the list both encourages him and repels him. Trade-wise, it would open up a great deal, which is both good and bad for their land. Their population would increase, it always does in good times, and the added necessities to defend would also increase.. so it's almost coming up a zero-sum after a short consideration. When, again, did he become an isolationist?

Dafydd nods, his hands swinging behind his back in the casual air as he walks and takes in the sights and information. "The Ironborn, perhaps, do not have the population to carry on prolonged battles anymore?" The Captain of the Guard shrugs his shoulders, nothing professing that he has any more insight than a guess. "The Roost does lay claim to the first Envoy from their isles, so that may be a hint?"

***

Walking along with Dafydd and Aeric, Sarojyn had chosen to remain quiet for the time being, his eyes playing out over the construction ahead, even as he listens to the conversation that happens between the other two lords. The mention of a shipyard has his eyes flitting in the direction of Aeric as a faint smile begins to dance upon his lips, "While ships reduce the change of banditry, a shipyard would bring it's own host of problems. A larger population, more trade and more coin would flow through the area. As such, there would be more crime to attend to." Letting hands unclasp from behind his back, the cloak is drawn around him before he looks to Dafydd and then back to Aeric, "As for the Ironborn? Like my brother, I can only hazard a guess as to why they have been quiet for as long as they have. But, I will not question such things. The quietness is a welcome thing."

***

Aeric glances to Sarojyn at the mention of crime. "But also prosperity. People bettering themselves and in useful trades. Skilled laborers. There will always be crime. But, as you are being forward thinking, it would not be amiss to begin pondering a constabulary. Which isn't to say you need to go forth and empower ten men immediately.. merely consider the notion and whom you might trust with such.. trust." He smiles. "In any event, it is merely a dream for the present and not reality. Plan for the future, build for the now. My visions are not necessarily those of Lord Terrick's."

***

The brothers are apparently of the same mind, though while Dafydd keeps such things to himself, his brother gives it voice. One of the differences between the pair. "Exactly, brother. More troops to be levied, and," twisting around once more, blue eyes look ot the cliff's edge. "archer fortifications, which would require more skilled archers." He smiles and turns about, "Accurate archers aren't built in a day." Dafydd exhales, a shrug rises and with Aeric's words, he nods his agreement and affirmation. "Exactly.. it would turn the Roost from a town to a true city." With everything that brings. "It's is refreshing to hear of such things, the understanding of responsibilities of tasks undertaken. Too many enjoy.. playing at life rather than understanding."

Now, with the hour marching on, Dafydd looks to the two, "Lunch, my lords? A bit of ale, and the venison is quite good at the Inn."

***

"Nor are shipyards." Aeric returns with some amusement in his tone. "But yes, the immediate need is sustenance and you have ridden hard this day. I may not be your host but do allow me to fill in until such time as a Terrick might accomadate you." He departs them briefly to exchange words with a common fellow who seems to be more in charge than not then returns with a gesture towards their horses. "Shall we away to the Roost?" Keep, presumably.