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The Heirs of Ga'nerin
Part Five

~Fan Fiction~


Hurvig's Journal
Beetle

Sea Cliff House, Tigano

160.5.23
I think I've made good use of my time here thus far. After we dined last evening, I complained of weariness and retired to my bed chamber. I felt perfectly confident leaving Eamon and Tewa to roam around at will. They seem to be open and genuinely honorable young people. I think I can trust to their good nature that they will deal honestly with me, and not impinge upon their uncle's interests.

I did not immediately go to bed, however. I sat up writing the first of the two Linking Books I plan to write in this place. I chose a very modest chamber that would likely be allotted me if I were invited here with the family, especially when Klayo has important guests, so that I could use the Book without too much fear of linking into a room inhabited by anyone else. I will hint to Luesa that I would like to have this room on a permanent basis so that I can study in the library.

I then used the Linking Book I brought with me to return to my room at the Guild House in New D'ni, taking my new Linking Book to Sea Cliff with me. I safely installed the new Book in my secret "Book Room" and returned here immediately. So, that's done and I can get on with my other work.

I am not sure whether or not I was surprised to find that Eamon had been up the whole night exploring. After breakfast, which Tewa and I prepared and ate together, we went to the Library to begin our studies there and found him seated at the desk, engrossed. I was momentarily annoyed, but I can't think why. He's merely eager for knowledge, which is surely a good thing, especially at his age. I should encourage it. We are family, after all, and his advancement is my advancement. He is a very talented young man and will likely do well in life. Fortunately he's in another guild, so we won't be in competition. That's the last thing I need!

I was surprised, delightfully so, when he pushed a stack of books towards me, the uppermost actually a D'ni architectural manual! Ga'nerin seems to have studied them when building his homes here on Tigano. How very kind of young Eamon to think of putting these aside for me when he found them!

And that isn't the best of it! There were several books of designs, the kind that builders made to show prospective clients! These are beautifully made books full of floor plans, interiors, exteriors, and sketches of architectural details. I never dared hope for anything of this magnitude! The depth of information on style is astounding. I already have ideas that will make my designs unique and appealing. I will spend as much time with these as possible, and will see that they are not called to Klayo's attention. At the very least not until after the deadline for filing is past. He might decide to win favor in certain circles by lending them to those who would also submit plans, severely increasing the chances that mine would be less outstanding.

This has given me renewed hope. So much depends upon these plans! I won't get another chance like this ever. When Master Sigo finds what I've done, he'll be livid. That it is my right to submit with the rest of them cannot be denied, but Sigo will be furious that I've acted on my own in competition with his submission! He's been milking us all for ideas for weeks. He's tried to inspire a group effort from his staff, but the response has been so unproductive that I have a faint idea that he may have to create his plan all on his own this time.

I've certainly had enough experience to know that however much work I put into a team effort, none of the credit would go to me or any other individual on the project. Sigo would step forward as usual and claim it all for himself, muttering insincere sounding compliments about the contributions of his team. Even should a team plan be chosen, painful experience tells me that no elevation of duties or status would filter down to me. Unless I seize my opportunity, I will be at his side for the rest of his life, or mine, should I die of sheer frustration years before my time!

I shudder to think what he'll do to me when he finds I've filed plans of my own! He will do his utmost to make my life a misery. My only hope of escaping his authority is to excel so completely that I either win the honor of having my plans chosen for the work, or am promoted to the team that will do the actual planning and building.

160.5.24
I was so engrossed with my studies yesterday that I failed to start the Linking Book I'd promised to write for Klayo. I have remedied that. I will complete it today, link to Klayo's with the Book I wrote there for the purpose before we came here, and let Luesa know how splendid things are in the house. I'm sure she'll want to have a thorough look at the place before Klayo sees it, so she can determine what tack to take with him on the subject. I've decided to write it in the foyer by the front entrance. It will be the ideal place for guests to arrive at Sea Cliff.

I am taking my time and the utmost care in Writing not only to do a good job, but to allay suspicion that I could do such a thing in a matter of mere hours. I don't feel that I'm doing wrong to have my own access to special places, but I don't wish to appear presumptuous, and I am certain that people would misunderstand my motives. They've no idea how much I love my people and how I've devoted my life to bettering our lot and recapturing what was lost. If only I were in a better position to help guide our course, I know I could accomplish great good.

So much depends upon my advancing within the Guild, and that depends on my achieving a new situation with people who will not be afraid to recognize my abilities and make proper use of them. I am risking more than I've ever had the courage to do by submitting my own plans. There will be no turning back as soon as I hand them in. I will wait until the day before the closing date to submit them, so as to shorten the period between when Sigo learns what I've done and the announcement of the Council's choice. It's possible that Sigo may not hear of all the entries right away. He is not on the Council himself, thank the Maker, and he is not terribly popular among Council Members. I realize the news will filter down to him eventually through his contacts among the supporting staff, but I will bless each day of delay!

160.5.25
I've found another section of books that might be helpful! They are children's illustrated histories of the old D'ni Guild Halls and there are 18 slim volumes, one for each of the major Guilds, and another devoted to the great Guild House, the seat of government. How I wish I could have seen those Halls, and even more, to have seen the Guild House! The workmanship! The books have exquisite illustrations, but there are not many details. I find myself with a myriad of questions for each picture I see.

How I love my work! Even could I turn back time, even could I erase the Fall and suddenly find myself in my rightful place in the flourishing D'ni of old, a nobleman with an ancient respected family, great riches, the island mansion that had been ours for thousands of years, the splendid town house, the many Ages our family owned. Even could I, in such a position, choose any Guild and any work, I would eagerly choose to be a Stonemason!

How I wish to excel at the thing I love most! It is the deepest desire of my heart. That and advancing the welfare of my people. As long as there is a chance of that, and a chance to excel at my work, I will not regret what my family has lost. I am honest enough to admit to myself that I ache to advance beyond my present station and achieve by my own merit some of the rank and honor that belonged to my family before the Fall. Without a patron or personal wealth, advancement beyond senior guildsman status is only to be achieved by chance, popularity, or extraordinary ability. Chance has not favored me. Popularity in high places has not been my fortune. My only hope is to polish my skill, work like a draft animal, and take the necessary risks.


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