Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Evander opened his mouth to speak, only to fall silent as Elland walked up behind her silently. Elland's hangover was not any better and being forced up off of his plush, dimly lit carpet was no way to improve his afternoon. His bedraggled hair was lopsided and dust from the carpet clung to the side of his head. He was wrapped in his coat, which still had a stain of wine on it from the evening before. This was known as an ask-spot among the servants of the castle. If they or the castle needed anything, they needed to wait until one of these ask-spots appeared on appeared on his clothes. It was an indicator that he was so hung over that he did not recall the night previous. All they had to do was look downtrodden and he would give in to most reasonable demands and even the occasional unreasonable demand. Thinking hurt, so saying anything particularly cutting would be saved for when he could string two thoughts together. Well, that depends on how you wish to see me. For a second Elland debated taking her hand and kissing it, but realized that would be a poor decision if the other staff had seen it. Besides, she was a servant. Elland had nearly forgotten. He cursed himself, wishing he had made the cutting comment after all. That also depends if you don't want to spend the next three seasons in the cellars feeding my mushroom and spores nursery. You'd come out with the complexion of watered down milk. Elland smiled wryly. That felt a little better. Elland was surprised that she did not look like a commoner. She was certainly well knit and not covered in pocks and did not appear to come from squalor. In fact she appeared to be quite attractive, given her lithe frame and green eyes. Then another smug thought perhaps her looks are what have gotten her what she wants. Elland did not care for the outwardly beautiful. There were spells, potions, alchemy and all manners of conjurations and concoctions to make someone appear beautiful. People who leveraged their outer beauty seldom had inner beauty, in Elland's opinion, at least when he wasn't hypocritically currying favor with one of the other nobles. Welcome to my home. I assure you that it is quite lovely, when everything is in it's place. I am just waiting for the opportunity to get everything back - so I can put it in it's place. Elland said to Royce almost as much as he said it to no-one in particular. Elland looked about the room. You will be staying in the servant's quarters, but I have been made to understand that you are adept with plants. I shall have you work in the gardens, my cellar nursery and the kitchen. In turn you will receive food, shelter and a very modest pay. Isn't that right, Evander? Evander nodded I consider my role of servant to the house of Calderdale sufficient enough sir. Indeed, the pay is so modest that I rarely even receive it, but I know that when I do, it is by the generosity of m'lord that I am given my wages. Quite right, Evander. You may show young... Elland pointed at Royce Young... her to her quarters. Ensure she is given a tour of the estate and given bedding and a bath. I would hate to have commoner all over my library or finery.