The afternoon was chill, and the drizzling, sleety rain didn?t help matters any. It reminded Hudson of home ? of the winter grey skies and bogs, despite the forest that lay so thickly around the city of RhyDin. He missed the scent of peat fires on the air. One of the folds of his plaid had been pulled up and around his head and shoulders as a shield against the rain.

The hike out to Yearling Brook was becoming familiar, and it passed quickly. Hudson stopped as the guards halted him and questioned his intentions. ?I be here tae meet with Captain Caisson, regarding a job.? After the answer was considered, the guards stepped aside to allow him past, and he walked up the drive. Under his feet the surface went from slushy mud to rough gravel, and eventually slick pavement.

Hudson turned his black eyes automatically toward the fences he had helped repair, checking on their endurance, before he looked at the front door. It didn?t seem right to come to the front door seeking a job, even on invitation. After a moment he headed around the length of the manor. Eventually he reached the kitchen door and paused there. Clean run-off from the gutter served to sluice off the worst of the mud from his hike.

Plaid re-settled into its normal drape and the silver brooch of a charging stag re-fastened, Hudson lifted his hand and gave a sharp knock at the kitchen door. With luck, it wouldn?t be too early for the Captain to have returned to the manor.

Standing to properly greet the man, ?Master Fraiser, come in.? It had to be Hudson Fraiser, for Gaerwyn was expecting no one else. He approached with a hand out to offer a firm shake. ?Let us sit you by the fire here and see if we cannot warm you up.? A hand gestured to a collection of comfortable chairs, three in total, collected about the warmth of a well kept fireplace. The seats where upholstered in dark green brocade the lent itself to suitable setting, though nothing of the nature one would fall asleep in. One entire wall from floor to ceiling held books of all manner lined upon shelves, and lamps between these shelves were already lit in preparation for the night.

?Would you care for something to drink to assist in the warming?? Gaerwyn walked to a side table that had two decanters and one teapot upon it. ?I am afraid I have little to offer over here but tea, brandy, and port.?

He stood ready to prepare whatever the man requested, and took the time these preliminaries offered to observe more of the man?s manner. Sylvia had spoken to what she knew of him, and even Ewan had spoken of the man?s relations. It all tended towards promising possibilities. ?I understand you?re a fisherman by trade. A good trade that, though harder to manage on the seas than the lakes. Not unlike some challenges I?ve run into myself. Perhaps we can assist each other.? And that was exactly what Gaerwyn was hoping would come of it. Only the next half an hour could tell.

Gaerwyn poured two cups of tea, a glance to the books upon the comment of the collection, ?Her Excellency is overly fond of books,? he paused and thought about what that might sound like, ?or perhaps I should not say overly, but it is something troublesome to find place for them all, so here some have found a home.? It was an easy smile that formed the curve of his mouth. Even in the wintering seasons, his face tended toward the tan of days in the sun upon the seas. Cups of tea in hand, he joined the man by the fireplace, and offered over the cup as he sat.

The man looked at ease, comfortable, and importantly, confident without the arrogance so many that took up their residence of Rhydin carried. Honest and forthcoming as well, Gaerwyn was finding himself warming to the man. A self effacing chuckle, he rubbed his chin a moment, ?I will admit I have no need to add a fisherman to my payroll, as I trade well enough with others. No, what I have need of is a man to help me start this new venture here in Rhydin.?

Sitting back in the chair, he sipped the tea and began in full. ?The barony of Yransea has had trade with Rhydin for some years, since the war, but I am a merchant, sir, and I have just started my routes here. One warehouse serves both the barony?s needs and mine, which also cuts my costs.? A wry grin and another drop of tea, he continued. ?I have a manager of the warehouse brought over from Rhydin, Rhys by name. As trustworthy and skilled as he is, there are a few things of concern: one his age, and second his distrust of the?? he searched for the proper word, ?uniqueness of this place. I was, and am, hoping that he will work through the latter issue, but the former is one of difficulty.?

Gaerwyn set the tea aside, and he laid out the particulars, ?I need someone who can appreciate the predicament of what is allowed into Yransea, there are trade restrictions for the King does not want too many unusual items brought in for fear of the impact such strange and alarming changes made without-? he stopped short, ?you do not need to know the reasons why, but as a man who also comes from a world of a nature kin to my own homeworld, at least that is my understanding," but he did not wait for correct, "it is possible you can make these judgments without me needing to look over your shoulder. This brings me to another point: I would rather spend more of my time in my homeworld with my children, family, and other trade interests, than here, so I need someone who is likely to be around more than not.?

Hands out with palms up, he leaned forward. ?The short of it is, I need someone who can manage the wares that come and go from the warehouse, hire and manage the workers, find new opportunities for trade that fall in appropriate boundaries, and take care of the monies all entailed therein of the activities.?

A few young voices carried in the hallway atop the rush of little feet and stopped at the door. Gaerwyn motioned them to move along, and a young girl tugged at the hand of a little boy moving further on down the hallway and a door shut. Gaerwyn looked back to Hudson, ?Is this a position, co-managing my warehouse with Rhys, of interest to you, Master Fraiser??

Hudson sat a moment after Gaerwyn, and wrapped his hands around the hot cup of tea in an effort to further soothe their ache. The telltale traces of a seaman were evident in the Captain?s voice, in small mannerisms ? traces that put Hudson at his ease, and encouraged him. As Gaerwyn elaborated on the position and its requirements, Hudson leaned forward in turn, occasionally taking a sip from the hot tea.

Mention of limiting trade to reduce the impact of sudden change upon Yransea had him nodding slowly, thoughtfully in agreement; when the Captain mentioned wishing to spend more time with his children, a slightly wistful smile quirked up the corners of Hudson?s mouth even as he nodded again. He glanced over at the brief appearance of the children in question, and then considered Gaerwyn?s words.

When his answer came, it was not hasty agreement ? Hudson had long passed the impetuosity of youth ? but a thoughtful response. ?Aye, Captain. ?Tis a thing I think I could do for ye, and well, with th? kenning of yer Master Rhys tae guide in th? customs and ways of Yransea. I shall be around here, as ye say, more often than nae, and th? training and education my da had driven intae my head should finally come tae good use. He would be pleased tae ken that, I think.?

Empty cup set aside, Hudson offered out his hand once again. ?If ye will ha?e me tae yer employ, Captain, ?tis happy I?d be tae work for ye.?