Ghost Story

[Varric]

"Well, along with the manorhouse, the Verbury estate includes ownership of the defunct mine," though from the look around I did when I first got here, 'defunct' might not be entirely accurate, "and partial ownership of a few other businesses. The fishery, the mill, some of the fields, that sort of thing." Varric smiles, offering a small shrug as if somewhat embarrassed. "Call me old-fashioned if you will, but I was raised that if you own something, it's your responsibility to ensure it's run well. Kept up and such. Good business need good workers, good workers need good education. So, I wanted to take a look over the school here and see what needs keeping up."

[GamesMaster]

"Well!" She seems flustered by the attention, moving a self-conscious hand to adjust her braided bun. "As you can see, we're well provisioned here. We have twenty slates," she adds, gesturing to a cubby in the back. "Which is more than enough. The texts are old, but in good condition -- we do not allow the pupils to damage school property, you see."

[Varric]

"How old is old?" Varric asks, a polite note of concern and disapproval in his voice. 

[GamesMaster]

"Only some fifteen or so years," she says dismissively. "The Hawke family made an endowment of new texts back then."

[Varric]

"Even the history texts?" Varric half demands, sounding struck. "You at least have recent broadsheets, right? For current events?"

[GamesMaster]

"We don't concern ourselves with big city affairs here, Mr Tethras," she sneers. 

[Varric]

Varric gives her a long look. "Even the city that governs you?" he asks mildly.

[GamesMaster]

She sniffs. "Govern is a bit of an overstatement. They don't concern themselves with us, and we don't concern ourselves with them. It's not as if they aided us during the Demon Plagues."

[Varric]

"Funny, I seem to recall a rather sizable amount of money, good and relief works coming down to help rebuild. More than a few patrols, guard and hired adventurers both, to clean up stragglers as well."

[GamesMaster]

"A full month after the attack, when it was safe! If it weren't for Lord Verbury, the town would have been altogether lost."

[Varric]

Varric shrugs a little. "He was here, so yes, he helped first. He was able to stop the sceleratis you summoned on yourselves and start repairs, which is his right and obligation as the lord overseeing the village. But don't hinko Nyra didn't help as well. Besides, where do you think Verbury came from in the first place?"

[GamesMaster]

"His grandfather may have come from Nyra, but the late Lord Verbury was born and raised here in Golden Shores, as much a citizen as myself. Did you know my father served him? He was his cook until he was killed in a bugbear attack fifteen years ago."

[Varric]

"My condolences," Varric says, nodding again. Born and raised, maybe, but he was educated and worked at least a third of the year in Nyra. Still, this is all off topic. "Forgive me, but we were speaking of your needs here in the school?"

[GamesMaster]

"I don't think we need help. Golden Shores is independent and strong, as always. We don't have much use for your city money."

[Varric]

Varric nods, an understanding look on his face. "Ah, so your wounded pride is far more important than either your duty as a school teacher or the education of the children in your care? Interesting."