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Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Elland looked at the girl and was able to combine two opposing expressions simultaneously frowning and smiling. He looked at the girl, her frame was slight and she looked like she didn't eat much. He'd find a way to profit from her services, no question. He might as well keep her. She was pretty enough, and her skin had a lively tone - something he lacked himself. Very well... Royce, I am Elland of Calderdale. You are welcome to wander the house. Myself, I am going to go to my study and read. That's where I look at little symbols on a page and discern a meaning from each of those symbols that corresponds to a sound. Those are letters. Do you read at all? Elland looked smug. He knew full well that less than 5 women in 100 could actually read at all. I can read in several languages - I've always had a knack for it. I can read most anything. It's one of two talents that I have. The other one is even more impressive to commoners. Elland winked and held his arms straight above his head. He extended his thumbs into the air and lowered his head. Elland's eyes shut tight and his mouth moved, forming words that weren't quite spoken aloud. A white spark formed at the end of his thumbs, which exploded in a pulsing arch from one thumb to the other. He widened his stance and lowered his hands so that they spread out wide, just above his head. The sparks jumped from his hands to his feet, completing a circle around Ellands extremities. The arch then snaked along the floor, rising up so that the front tip was mere inches from Royce's nose before it all dissipated in a bright flash that left everyone blinking away sunspots.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

The bastard knew. Just by that bemusing half smile and half frown she could tell that he very well knew what he was doing. Disgust twisted her stomach in knots and her word hardened hands balled into a fist. Inwardly she fumed, cheeks becoming redder with each thing that fell out of his mouth. What the bleeding hell did he think of peasants?! It was true that most of them couldn't read but they understood the concept of it just fine. This reading you speak of sounds very interesting, m'lord. she replied sharply. Royce didn't want him to know that she could read and understand some words. Simple ones but they were words none the less. Before he demonstrated his talent she wondered what it could have been. Rudeness and a smug sense of superiority weren't things she would personally brag about but she wasn't a pompous drunk. However when he showed what he could do, the petite ill fed young woman was impressed. The only other person she had seen perform other than herself magic was her mother and that had been long ago. As the spark came to her nose she reeled back and flinched. Again she figured it was time to be prudent. Despite the urge to tell him that he wasn't so special and that she could do some magic as well, she reigned herself in. Peasants generally didn't have such abilities and it was suspect when one did. Truly impressive, m'lord. Truly. It was impressive to an extent. The command he had over the craft was nice. She did not have that and she could not remember if her mother did or not. If I can be pardoned to explore on my own for now I can let you get to your large, complex symbols that I dare not even try to comprehend.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Elland's expression remained smug, he wore the same grinning frown and nodded her adding a shoo-ing motion to ensure she did not bother him. As soon as she turned her back to his eyes gazed to her backside as she walked away. She was, indeed, very easy to appreciate aesthetically. Once she was out of sight and he could not ogle her any further he glowered. Evander, I must know more about this girl. He reaction was not what I expected, and I am usually right about everything I expect. That's why I get so damned bored. Elland pursed his lips so hard they turned white. How did you expect her to react sir? Evander offered, knowing his masters game of talking things aloud with him. Evander was one of only a handful of servants to actually understand this process. Master Elland would have made him play along anyways, so there was no sense in not going along with the master's wishes. Like a peasant, of course. Elland sneered Sir? Evander prompted his master again to continue his explanation. Usually when I do that impressive little number people panic, they accuse me of being a demon or worse! Half the time a young girl like that would make water onto the floor. She simply ducked and went on going like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Ah, offered Evander. Is the master displeased with Royce's lack of excitability or is it something else. There is more to this girl than a pleasant walk, Evander, and I must know what it is. In the meantime, instruct her of her duties. She is not to deal with my food, drink or safekeeping until I know what I want to know. Elland looked at Evander. Of course it was done to distance himself from the female staff. Once he got too familiar with them they would leave or wind up sacked very quickly. He wanted to solve the mystery of this common girl who did not run shrieking from him and his little illusion. Very good sir. May I draw you a bath? Evander offered To sooth your nerves? Evander would never let the master know that it was because he smelled of wine-turned-vinegar. Evander nodded and undressed, leaving his clothes in a pile on the reception room floor and made his way to the stone-walled bath room. The pot had already been boiling and the bath merely waiting for the addition of hot water. Elland slunk into the tub, a look of deep thought on his face.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Everywhere she went was just as bare as the front parlor and seemingly devoid of life. There had to be more servants there than just she and Evander. With a place so large she knew there had to be at least five people on staff just to keep things clean. That was her assumption anyway. Royce had never seen a building so big. Not even the prodigious shop owners had store fronts as big and expansive and they had people hired to help. A lot. A lump rose in her throat. Had he fired them all? The man servant already said that Lord Elland sometimes went long whiles without paying them and paid them very little. It seemed completely plausible that he fired a good handful of his wait-staff to better feed his vices. She wondered how many she would actually be sharing with the servant quarters. She slung her bag on to her back and continued her investigation of her new house. Like before she noted the beautiful make of the building. It was a shame that it could not be decorated in the glorious splendor the place was built for. She came from a humble home which was satisfied with what little furnishings it had. The estate would probably have cried for shame if it could at the way it was being treated. A small hand came to stroke the wood of a stairway. Its alright, miss, I still think you're beautiful and once the master gets his head out of his ass, he'll fix you right up. This was an odd belief of hers. Houses had life energies of their own. So much happened inside of them that, eventually, they absorbed all of the emotions that happened to them. Since this house was owned by a line of rich nobles likely concerned about their appearance, she assumed that it was not pleased with the current owner. Not only was he clearly stripping her of her glory but he looked shabby and unkempt himself. Well I hope he will. At any rate I'll bring flowers in to chipper you up every once in awhile.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Elland crawled out of the bath, looking around for his clothes. Evander, where are my damnable clothes and I need something to eat. Also bring me a glass of... Elland's stomach lurched a little from the idea of liquor. It was too early and his body was not going to accept anything but a small amount of food and maybe some thin milk. Thin Milk! Elland finished. His clothes arrived from another servant, Mrs. Nicholls, his house seamstress, cook and general tidier. His nudity did not seem to bother her in the least. The master had fallen down drunk many, many times and she often had to undress him. She had seen him in the company of young women in his earlier days, so she was accustomed to seeing him naked often. She laid the clothes out on the bed and left a tray of cold, cooked meat and a small loaf of bread and the thin milk he had requested. She turned around and left without a word. Elland did not like being this unprotected in front of her, so they had an unspoken agreement. She didn't talk to him while he was naked in front of her and he did likewise. It made afternoons like these easier to manage. He was feeling better after a little food and some fluid that did not come from a wine bottle. He wandered over to his study and shut the door behind him. He roused the flames in the room up so that he could read by them and selected a book on the transfiguration of simple insects and amphibians.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Royce had managed to find the basement in her wanderings and her nose crinkled at it. Mold and fungus farms were disgusting in her book but she understood why they were being kept. Still the conditions of the cellar were nasty at best. He was right. Being forced to work down there would change her parlor and her health considerably. Thank goodness she had other duties other than that hole of stink. Upon ascending back into the realm of fresh air and pseudo finery she was instantly grabbed up by a rather bony middle aged woman. The circles around her eyes indicated that she hadn't slept in days or had a particularly rough work week. She looked frail as if a strong wind would blow her to pieces and Royce wondered if the poor thing had eaten in the last two days. Her clothes were also a fairly worn the bottoms of her skirts showed considerable wear and by the way they hung to her body, Royce assumed that whatever chemise she had was nearly disintegrated. In her one arm was a rather heavy bundle of folded bedding. Thank the gods! the woman said. The lord's sheets need to be fixed up nice and proper but there is so much I need to do to'ay. You look nice and strong and a far more welcomed sight in his bedchamber's than me! Without any warning the blankets and sheets were shoved into Royce's arms. The soft fragrance of soap wafted up from them. It was a nice scent. One that she wasn't used to and she took a second to sniff it. But... I... Hush now and get on your chores! We don't have a large staff anymore so the lot of us have to help each other out when needed! That made sense to Royce and she didn't want to seclude herself from the rest of the staff. Not to mention she as sure that if she helped out another servant that the woman would return the favor in kind. So without hesitation she asked for directions to his bed chambers so she could do the task. When the information was gotten, Royce made her way towards them. As quietly as she could manage she slipped into the room. He was in a different part of his personal quarters. To her surprise his previous stench hadn't lingered there and it smelled remarkably fresh like the linen in her hands. She stripped his former linen quickly enough. Getting the new dressing on was much more difficult. The size of the bed was huge firstly and whenever she managed to tuck in one corner another one would come undone. Color rose to her cheeks. Why did he think he needed such a large bed anyway? Four or five people could fit into it comfortably! With a huff she threw up her arms. He was well engrossed in his study at any rate and likely wouldn't be back. Looking at the sheets was enough for them to spring to life and she managed, somewhat sloppily with her magic, to tuck all four corners in. We needs three separate bed coverings? she muttered as the second sheet sprung to life. and tucked itself in. Uncrossing her arms she went over and began to smooth out wrinkles. Spoiled man.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

He had spent the remainder of his afternoon in his study, gathering up information and tidbits on what fungi and fauna were transmutable and which were completely changeable. Insects proved to be interested, since they could always be changed from one insect to another. You never had to revert an ant back into it's original form before changing it into a bumble-bee. Then again Toadstool could not be changed into a toad, or vice versa. However, there were several fungi that were capable of all sorts of things. Especially hallucination-inducing effects from special varieties of mushrooms. He snapped his fingers, knowing the first task for that new girl, Race was it? Or was it Rice? Reese? It was not important. What was important was that she would be sent at first light to gather up some ants and then toadstools in the forest. If there were any varieties that had the properties he was looking for he would be certain to make the staff try them. Making the staff try his experiments were one of his favorite pass-times. He would never make them try things that he didn't try himself, but it was amusing to watch his staff lollygagging about in the halls, talking to whatever art and tapestries still hung in the walls. His favorite part was watching the effects take hold of the staff while in the middle of their duties. Somehow, only Evander was capable of not being effected by his little prank or he somehow managed to keep his composure throughout the experience. Elland suspected that Evander had some unrevealed magical ability, but he was never certain. When his senses weren't dulled by liquor, women or Henbane he was quite astute at discerning who had a touch of magical skill. If Evander knew magic, Elland didn't know for certain. A bell rang clearly down the halls, bouncing off of the stone walls unobstructed by tapestries or elaborate rugs. It traveled down the hallway like a strong gust of wind between two buildings and assaulted Elland's delicate ears. Elland wandered down to the table for dinner. He used to sit by himself in the formal dining room, but in order to pay off a gambling debt he sold the grand oaken table and ate with the servants. Eating by oneself was lonesome anyways, Elland had not had guests in some time, not since his luck ran afoul, anyways. This evenings dish was poached fish, potatoes and soup made from the remainder of a duck - all caught or grown on his own property. Most meat came from rabbits, ducks and the occasional deer. The groundskeeper, Lorin, was responsible for the hunting of animals on the property. Between his hunting and his vegetable garden in the summer and fall, the castle had food. It was this blasted spring that had been a blighted mess. Nothing but old potatoes, and other tubers that had been stored all winter until his stipend came. Then they would have wheat, and wheat meant bread. Elland's mouth watered at the thought of hot, crusty bread from the baking oven. He sat down to his meal and looked around waited for the rest of the staff to arrive. He wanted to get another look at this new serving girl. Something was different about this one.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Finishing up, she left the room without giving herself time to look around. There were likely things in there that Royce did not want to see or know about. He was a right mess and there was probably piles of bottles licked cleaned of their alcohol in a shadowed corner. Maybe a mistress would come sauntering out of the water closet in nothing but a pair of stockings and a smile. The more she thought about it the faster she moved down the corridor. In her continued exploration of the castle she found a few other things that were of interest. The servant's quarters were located down a pair of narrow steps just down the hall from Lord Elland's room. There wasn't much to them. There was a girl's room that was small and housed the five woman who worked there and the male's quarters, which were considerably bigger simply for the fact there were more men than women. Just through the quarters was a rather tiny kitchen meant for staff use that connected to the large kitchen. There a cook, a large man with a red face and bulbous nose, chastised her for trying to get a nibble early and shooed her out of his working space. There were many at least many to her small passageways that the servants of the manor could easily get around the house and she had fun finding them and figuring out how to move about the place. By the time they were all called for supper she had made her way around the entire place several different ways and felt rather accomplished for it. Following other servants she made her way back to the servant dining area. Although she did not realize it, the eyes of several of the younger men traced the sway of her hips. Her eyes widened when the surprisingly clean lord was sitting there. Goodness! She had expected him to, at the very least, take his meal in his personal chambers. Visibly flustered, she took a seat away from him. The meal set before her looked amazing. She had never had one that had more than one sort of dish. There was fish and potatoes and a delicious smelling stew. Well. At least there was one good thing about this arrangement. Now she could eat much better than what she had been eating.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

He watched as they all poured into the dining hall. They all sat down at their usual places. Ms Wolcott looked somewhat out of sorts when the new girl, Royce, sat in her chair. She wasn't upset though and took over the spot which sat vacant since he had one of the milking maids sacked for insubordination. He did not remember why she was so subordinate, but Evander assured him it was because she would not bed him. Of course, Elland reminded himself, if he was so inebriated that he could not remember the night then it was unlikely he would have been able to perform anyways. Elland would have known that... wouldn't he? Elland shook his head chasing the thought away. Ah, Solid food. How I have missed thee. Elland tucked into his fish and the household followed suit. They did not waste much time on idle chit-chat or details. Elland had a few orders under the veiled title of requests and they were to be performed the next day. Some of the staff were resigned to do as they wished for the evening. Elland did believe that the serving staff needed a few hours of their own time. Evander was the only servant who was responsible 24-hours a day, and even Evander was given the occasional day-off to visit his family in the town nearby. Elland consumed his fish and his stew and decided that his potatoes should go to the pig. The pig was the only fat thing living on the property. He watched the girl sideways as he engaged some of the other members of the staff. He gave them a few menial tasks and made mention of how they would be reduced to cleaning with their own rags if things kept up the way they were. The stipend was 3 weeks away, he could feel it coming on the wind as though it were the weather itself. The entire town would be abuzz with his spending spree, and then he would win back his fortunes. Perhaps this time he might even be a little wiser with them. Perhaps the new girl would be better with finances than the last unfortunate soul. Elland had caused that man to explode. Every now and again a body part would show up in some remote corner of the estate. He pondered for a moment. Tell me, ummm... Grace, are you at all good with numbers?
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

The dinner had been wonderful and Royce had downed hers with a very unladylike enthusiasm that had earned her odd looks from the other, better mannered wait staff. If they did not approve that was their problem. She, for one, was going to enjoy the delicious meal provided for her. Then again they were probably gawking at the fact that she thought the spread was a formidable feast. Most were used to the meals provided before the lord had fallen too heavily into his vices. As all of the others were given tasks to do after their supper, Lord Elland had stopped her. For a moment she wondered what job he was going to assign her. Dishes perhaps or something like that. What he asked her was shocking. Royce, she corrected him. Grace was a horribly elegant name and did not fit her. And, m'lord, if I am a simple peasant that doesn't understand letters, how would I understand numbers? She did not understand what he was trying to get at. With a sigh, she added But I am sure I could properly get them if I were taught or exposed to them long enough. Is there a reason you need me to be good with them?
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Well, Rose, I am curious to see what other skills you have. I am certain that there is something about you that just isn't, well, it isn't normal. Elland said flatly. I am a good judge of these things, you know. I can read people like I can read books. I am a master gambler. Well, at least when they don't pry me with liquor or henbane... Once my perceptions are weakened, well then... Elland motioned around the room, showing that he was near destitute. But I shall win it all back and then it shall be the palace it was meant to be. Maybe I shall have the roof repaired as well... Elland trailed off, lost in the dream of what the house would become. He shook his head and brought himself back to reality. Besides which, the hurt you displayed when I mentioned your ignorance of letters was enough to indicate you at least know some of your letters. I need someone to do numbers for me though, and you will learn to manage my finances. At least, when you're not tending to my mushrooms. Elland watched the face of Royce as he spoke, studying her reaction, looking for another clue as to what was different about her. I receive my stipend in 4 weeks. Evander, in the past, has managed them but it is beyond his reckoning. If Evander is pleased you will undertake the finances of the household. There you will manage the finances for the household and what everything is to be used for. For tomorrow though, I shall meet you in my cellar and teach you of my mushrooms and plants.
Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

Royce , she replied back through gritted teeth. Oh! What she would give to be able to turn the lord of their province into a toad or equally vile creature! Her hands balled up into tight fists and she watched the smug expression sweeping across his face. Not Rose or Grace. Her lips pulled into a tight purse for a second but her features relaxed quickly. There was not need for anger. Of course he had forgotten her name, even if she had told him many times, there was just so much to look after. Like all of his gambling, apparently. It was interesting to hear how he had lost everything on a foul gamble but he intended to 'win' everything back. This may seem like novel idea, m'lord, but why not simply buy the items back a little at a time instead? It may take a little longer than gambling but it doesn't seem to me as if you're very successful about it. She nodded her head. The mushrooms were better company she wagered and, when the time came the next day, she would be glad to be rid of him. So I will see you then, m'lord? Wonderful. I bid you a good night.