Chapter 10: When a position becomes secured

--SABLE--

“So! You have returned to my humble abode,” Lord Orvin spoke with a kind voice. I had returned to Lord Orvin’s residence, hoping to confirm details about his expectations. A servant showed me through the great halls, but turned a different way than when I had visited the night before, showing me through an area that opened into a glass garden area where Lord Orvin was examining a flower bush.

“I do love aromatic flowers, don’t you?” he asked while gently touching a pink rose, and he moved his upturned nose to breathe in the flower’s aroma.

“I only examine flowers for their color as they often indicate the change of season,” I said. “But, Lillie does like flowers, but mainly for herbalism.”

“So forthright and direct,” Lord Orvin said with a chuckle, and straightened up while he adjusted a pink plunging waistcoat that matched the roses, and smelled strongly of their scent. “Oh, I was rather worried I wouldn’t see you again. Have you returned with your answer about my question from our dinner night?”

“Yes,” I said.

“And? What have you decided?”

“I am interested in your proposal.”

“My, what excellent news today. I already have your first assignment.” He stepped away from the bushes and beckoned for me to follow as we left the garden area and entered the main house. I followed at his side, noticing the whimsical cape flow from behind as we both drifted further down the hall.

“I would like to know more about the details before I completely commit,” I said, and Lord Orvin twisted his neck while smiling.

“Naturally, my dearest Sable. I wouldn’t want to leave you in the dark,” he said softly. “What would you like to know?”

“Money and the work expectations. I know you said that I would be a messenger, but who would I be delivering messages to? How long would I be working? My last excursion of work obligations caused me to never have any time with Lillie, and I would like to avoid that from happening again.”

“Money is no discussion. I have every intention of giving you a decent salary so that you can live comfortably. How long your obligations will take will be dependent on the task at hand, although I cannot expect it to give you no time for spending adequate time with your bae. As for where you will go, well, that will depend on what I need on a daily basis. It will change accordingly. But, I won’t be sending you too far. The furthest, I can imagine, is the farmlands to the north; the closest, my servants down the hall.” He chuckled at his last statement, and I furrowed my brows, thinking it odd to be used as a messenger in his own house.

“Only a mere quip,” he said, widening his mouth as he leaned his head backwards, and he smoothed the side of his white hair. “Are you satisfied with your current accommodations—you are living at the library, yes? I would be happy to also provide a room as your new residence.”

“Here?”

“Yes, of course, wouldn’t that be lovely? You can live here. It is quite comfortable, and you’re welcome to use the entire estate for your pleasures. Meals would be included. You wouldn’t need to go fishing anymore, I assure you. Unless, of course, you so desire. But everything you need would be given to you as part of the contract.”

“Can Lillie come with me?”

“If that is what you desire.” He stopped in front of a tall door, opened it quickly, and we entered into a wide room with tall windows covered by blue tapestries. A wooden desk with quills and papers stood in the middle of the room, a few other desks towards the corner, and a large shelf with only a few books.

“This is my office where I run most of my inquiries,” Lord Orvin said as he placed a hand on the dark wooden desk while he circled around to the chair behind it. “I would like you to come to me here every morning. That is how we would start the day.”

He sat down on the oversized wooden chair with decorative engravings and began writing with a feather quill, and I stood in front of the desk watching him as he scribbled onto paper. His nails were long and filed, and his hands were embellished with silver rings with lustrous gemstones. I wondered if he had any affiliation with the mine, and if this was my chance at voicing my concerns for the dangerous environment. Since Lillie had refused to return to the mine, my apprehension of its ominous existence for the local people subsided, yet a courageous feeling emerged as I examined Lord Orvin’s obvious wealth. However, I was heedful to my promise to Lillie about not charging into dangerous situations, and decided to wait and discover more about Lord Orvin and his associations.

“My, you are a quiet one,” he said as he continued to write on several more papers. “Have you experience in servitude? Say, how old are you? Not more than nineteen, or perhaps twenty?”

“I will reach my eighteenth year this upcoming winter,” I said. “And, no, I have never served anyone before.”

“Oh, so young and moldable—splendid. Then, you will be learning as you go. I assure you, I will treat you better than any other. I say this to you now, because after our next dinner event, many others will beg you for your servitude.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, did I not mention?” Lord Orvin looked up from his writing, resting his pointed chin in the palm of his hand. He grinned, and his yellow eyes glowed in the low morning light. “I am hosting a large dinner event next week. I would like you to attend as my guest of honor. Although you are working for me, I’d like you to think of me as a friend—I as your mentor, if you please. How does that sound to you?”

“It sounds fine.” I nodded, feeling delighted in seeing him as a guide. Although I detested the isolation in which the Sage of the Teragane created, I did feel rather lost at times without proper guidance, and a sense of relief overcame me at the idea of someone older and wiser could take that role within my life. Lillie often explained things to me, but I realized that she also overlooked some details, especially whenever Jamie said something unusual.

Perhaps this would give me a better method of understanding the Tamarines and how they functioned—finding my own way as the only Teragane braving to live amongst their complex city.

“You are not easy to please, are you? Tell me, what does bring you pleasure?” He tapped his quill with one hand while he tilted his head, curiously examining me as he smiled.

“Lillie. Being with her. And—“ I looked away, feeling conflicted to show my true emotions to a man I had just met—attempting to trust my instincts, which indicated that Lord Orvin’s guidance was exactly what I needed, but, still, Lillie’s apprehension lingered in the back of my mind.

“Don’t be shy,” he beckoned with his smooth voice. “Tell me more about yourself. That is what friends do, correct? It may be difficult to find myself capable of guiding you through complexities if I do not understand you so well, especially when you tend to speak more about Lillie than yourself when I ask you directly.”

“I like to help others, especially those in need.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Well, aren’t you quite noble. Is that what brought you to Cedrus City in the first place? Is that what led you to leave the mountain summit where Teraganes usually congregate?”

“Partially.”

“Well, working for me fulfills a great need. So, I hope you do find utmost pleasure working with me. Oh! Please, let us send these invitations and then I will show you to your new home.”

“Wait—“ I said quickly as Lord Orvin rose from his seat. “I need to speak with Lillie before I confirm staying here.”

“Oh, yes of course,” he replied, and he began folding papers and sealed the folds with candle wax. “Even if you do not desire to fully live here, especially if Lillie is not willing to leave her home from the Divcii District, you are also welcome to stay here whenever you like. Think of your room as a second-home; a place for you when you need to stay somewhere else.”

“Okay.”

“Would you like that?” He looked up at me while holding the stack of folded papers in his hands.

“I—I don’t know. I don’t like being away from Lillie.”

“Then we will not rush anything,” he spoke kindly, then moved around the desk and to my side. “I want you to be as happy and comfortable as possible. Here. These are the last of the invites I need you to send.” He handed me the stack of papers, and I looked down at them, realizing that I had no idea how to read the names or even where to take them. Although Lord Orvin was interested in my swift abilities to reach far off places, I did not know how to read or even where to go within the large city. He spoke of the districts, and I knew somewhat of the separation by levels, but hardly felt adequate to fulfill the role in which Lord Orvin expected of me.

“Lord Orvin,” I muttered. “I don’t know how to deliver your invitations to their proper locations.”

“Of course, all in due time. I would not expect you to be perfect on your first day,” he replied with a laugh. He placed his hand on my wrist and gave it a squeeze. “I assume that you do not know your way around the city, although you seem pretty capable on your feet. Of course, how foolish of me. You will need to familiarize yourself of the city, yes? Yes, I believe you will need a map.”

“A map?”

“Daresay, you know what a map is, correct? Or, are you completely illiterate of these things and I must hire a tutor?”

“I have seen a map, although I do not know exactly how one is used or created. And—I’m sorry to say this—I do not know how to read.” As my words left my mouth, I expected Lord Orvin to immediately disregard all of his offers, perhaps demand for me to leave, and call me a useless foreigner. Instead, his mouth curved into a smirk while his yellow eyes glowed.

“My dearest Sable, I had no idea. I did not expect such a mighty, noble creature such as yourself to be completely illiterate.” He shook his head, and moved his hand my from wrist to behind my back, and guided us towards the door in a slow, smooth manner. “Tsk, tsk, for your parents to keep you uneducated. Yet, who am I to judge? You do have parents, yes?”

“I have lived alone since I entered my tenth year,” I said while still holding the pile of papers in my hands. Lord Orvin opened the door, and we continued walking slowly through the great hall.

“They abandoned you at ten years old?” he exclaimed while looking toward me with wide eyes. “Oh, what a dreadful childhood. Here I thought you would have come from higher standards, but, no, it was quite the opposite—worse than those born in the low-levels, I could assume. No wonder you came here. So, you lived alone all this time?”

“Not exactly. There were others.”

“But no mentors? No education, further instructions? Nothing?”

“Not exactly.”

“Oh, Sable, is it so hard for you to explain things in great detail? Please, I beg for you to explain further. I feel so excited to learn more about your mysterious life and existence beyond the forest, and within the mountains. It has been told that the Teraganes once resided within the lands of the Tamarines.”

“Really?”

“Well, I am not expert in historical accounts, but I had read a book during my early years of Teraganes being guides—spirit guides, to be exact.”

“We do have the Sage.”

“The Sage? Are they the original spirit guides?” My heart began to pound within my chest as my thoughts swirled with the last words of the Sage banishing me, claiming that I was never to speak about our people, let alone learn anything about our history. Yet, here was a Tamarine man who could know more about the history of my ancestors than the very people who claimed to guide me in life.

So, why did I feel so nervous?

“I am sorry, but I am not really supposed to speak about my culture,” I said while lowering my head.

“Oh, my—my apologies if such inquiries have brought offense,” Lord Orvin said, and he stopped and turned to face me, sliding his hand onto my shoulder. “I only wish for you to share what is acceptable and most desirable. Please, forgive me if I have pushed for too much.”

“No, my Lord, there is no offense,” I said, formalities rolling naturally from my tongue. He was easy to speak with, especially after so many years conversing formally with the Sage and the others from my ritualistic culture. “I am only regretful I cannot fulfill your expectations. I feel as if I am inadequate of performing messenger duties on your request as an illiterate and foreigner of the city and its residence. My Lord Orvin, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you have held me too high of a standard, for my people—the Sage—neglected to educate me further than survival skills.”

“My dearest Sable,” Lord Orvin spoke softly, and his yellow eyes glistened. “You are far from a disappointment, regardless of your illiteracy. You have brought great joy and enticement into my dull life. Yes, we may need to work through some obstacles, but is that not what life truly is all about? Finding ways beyond plights and exciting adventures? If the Sage taught you how to survive, then allow me to teach you how to thrive.” He stared deeply into my eyes, and I felt a sense of relief, wondering if Lord Orvin truly did not care if I could adequately fulfill his requests. “No, my dearest boy, we shall conquer such obstacles together, and we will pave way to new aspirations. Your name will be passed down in history as the first Teragane of a new era.”

“You speak with such excitement; I cannot discern if you jest with me or are perfectly serious.”

“I do not make light of your involvement in my affairs, and I truly mean what I say. I desire your friendship, aid as a messenger, and look forward to how we can accomplish all that I ask of you as we create a new era—for, your existence amongst the Tamarines is by no means a simple incident.”

“If what you speak is valid and thorough, then I also look forward to pursuing these endeavors.”

“Excellent. Then, let us begin your training. Alas!” He spoke with grandiosity, lifting his ringed fingers with animation, and we continued down the hall, and he called for a servant.

A young man, perhaps in his twenties, approached us. He had fluffy, brown hair that bounced as he walked, reaching just above his eyes, and long around his face, but not as long as the Tamarine people in Lillie’s old neighborhood. I noticed the patterns of hair by association of societal class—or at least I assumed.

“Moritz will help you learn the ways of being a messenger,” Lord Orvin spoke as he placed a gentle hand on the servant’s shoulder. Moritz nodded at me, and I bowed my head. “He is an astute servant, and I have no intention of losing him, even when you’ve become well adjusted to your service. Please, Mori, help our new courier deliver my latest messages.”

“Yes, my lord,” Moritz said, and took the letters from my hands. He began walking down the hall, and Lord Orvin motioned for me to follow him, and I hurried behind the servant, excited to get started in my new job in the midst of other heightened emotions of Orvin’s obvious desire of a grand future for both of us. Moritz entered a small room from the grand hall, and inside hung various leather satchels, boots, and coats. He placed the stack of papers into a satchel, and wrapped it across his chest.

“I assume that you know nothing of what is to be done,” he said with a skeptical tone while pulling out a rolled paper from a small wooden desk. “Which is why I am to have you tag along as I deliver these messages?”

“Yes,” I said quietly, and Moritz sighed heavily, and a sense of nervousness overwhelmed me.

“Wonderful,” he said sharply, and slammed the drawer shut, and brushed past me while evading my eyes.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but I assure you that I am quick to learn.”

“I hope not.”

“What?” I asked with a furrowed brow, but Moritz moved quickly out of the storage room and down the grand hall to the front door, completely ignoring my question. As we left the residence, Moritz used a map to guide himself through the city, and I trailed behind him, asking questions about how the map worked. He spoke quick and sharp, still evading my eyes and obviously focusing more on getting the messages to their correct location than teaching me about the process, and by the end of the day, we had delivered all but one message.

“Seems this one belongs to your bard friend,” Moritz said while handing me the final folded paper. “I’m sure you can handle delivering this one on your own.”

“Of course,” I said, and took the paper. “Moritz, why do you not want me to learn?” From under his thick black eyelashes and lowered lids, I could barely see his eyes shift. He sighed, but kept his head low from my gaze, although his short stature was suitable enough for him to evade eye contact.

“I never said that. Now go,” he said sharply, and I turned to leave, still puzzled with his strange behavior towards me, wondering why there were so many methods of indirect communication amongst the Tamarines of the city.

I really hated the undertones, but pushed forward before completely drawing any further judgement of Moritz, hoping that he would soon warm up to me, and we would work well together.

Ah, such hopeful tendencies I held onto during those early days within the city of conniving Tamarines.