Thread: The Unexpected Apprentice (Retro/PrinceCaspian)

He had been called a genius, a conjurer, a menace, a knave, a gentleman and noble. In the end, however, Elland of Calderdale was a just a man with the fortune of being born into a noble family and the added gift of being skilled in magic. He drank too much, consumed too much Henbane, he gambled, he womanized and he had a temper that was unrivaled. He had a superiority complex and felt that most, if not all of the human race was beneath him. His natural talent for magic made it impossible for him to fathom people who did not have the skills he did. This resulted in people disliking Elland, even though he was a terribly witty companion. He would claim that he was misunderstood, but he was misunderstood because everyone who dealt with him mistook him for an ass. Elland was a tall man, thin and dexterous. He had long, wavy black hair that framed his somewhat pale face. He had piercing blue eyes and sharp facial features. He was never one cut out for working the fields or any trades. Instead he spent most of his time going over incantations and spells, learning some of the greatest magics in history. He consumed more wine and whiskey than he did food. He also experimented with plants and medicine. He often took Henbane for it's hallucinogenic properties, thinking up new ideas and testing them however he could. He had managed to create things never before seen or heard of. He bred plants that thrived on only wine and would sprout flowers of ice petals and fire stamens. Elland was an ass, and today Elland was waking up with a bad hangover. He had drunk nearly a gallon of wine, and had sacked the poor serving girl who had refused to bring him another quart and refused his advances. He slept somewhere between a fitted sleep and a coma. His sleep was neither restful nor recharging and he woke up feeling as tired as when he had lost consciousness. He staggered about the room looking for something to cure his headache. He found nothing, so he sought solace in his library instead. He closed the curtains and lit the room dimly with a small fire. After an hour of wrestling with trying to focus his eyes on words he fell asleep. Elland's headache was a dull throb when Evander, his manservant, entered the room. Sir, the carriage has returned. Your newest servant is here. Would you like to meet her? Elland shook his head. No, not now, I need to..., you know... whatever it is that I do, well I need to do that. Elland replied from the floor, slumped over the carpet like a tired sheepdog. I will meet her later. Very good sir, I shall leave you to your studies. Evander exited the room trying very concertedly to hide the disappointed expression on his face. Courtesy dictated that a noble must meet his servants upon their arrival. Shall I tell her to expect you soon? He said, peeking his face back in one last time. Evander was one of the best servants to nobility. He was possibly the only person who could ever persuade Elland to do anything. Oh yes, very well, I'll meet this girl. If her family had any bloody money for their taxes I wouldn't have to feed and house her. I even sent my best carriage. Or at least the best one I will have until I win my good one back. Elland grumbled into the carpet. He waved his hands and snuffed the flames of the fire - leaving only the hot coals to warm the room while he went back to sleep for an hour.