The Housecarl

**THE HOUSECARL**

Patiently Knight Bathori waited on the ramp of the Nebuchadnezzar. Only an hour ago she had visited Terrogate's ‘Companions Staffing Solutions’, to hire a housecarl, but that wasn’t the only reason for her visit. After the festivities on Wayland they hadn’t seen much of each other, Ammit wanted to see Terrogate again. He was very professional when he helped her finding a suitable housecarl, but he was also very busy with his new business and didn’t have more time for her. Slightly disappointed she had left the shop and went back to her ship to wait for her new Housecarl.

Nervously twisting the golden scorpion ring around her finger Ammit looked into the distance. A man with sleek silver hair, carrying a bag approached the shuttle. As he came closer the Iktotchi recognized the Echani from the profile photo Terrogate had shown her. “You must be Jovian” she said with a smile as she looked him up and down. “Yes, Knight Bathori. I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said as he made a bow. “Yeah.. very nice to meet you as well" she replied as she flicked her hair behind her ears. “come, we shall depart at once" she continued and walked up the ramp.

~\*~

Moments later the Nebuchadnezzar took off, and set a course for the Deep Core. Ammit was sitting in the pilot seat, the silver haired Echani sat in the co-pilot seat. “Do you know where we are going?” she asked him as soon as she took the shuttle into hyperspace. “Prakith mam" he replied as he looked over at her. “indeed, Prakith.” She replied looking at the navigational computer and continued “Prakith will be your new home. Your main task will be taken care of my children when I am away.” She glanced at Jovian who silently nodded. “I have a twelve year old son, Kas’sparr. I have been training him...  I understand you have experience in combat?” “yes, I am trained in the Echani martial arts, it would be my pleasure to train you and your son.” He replied eagerly. Ammit smiled, “it’s not for me, just my son and maybe later also for my daughter. Khara is almost two now..” “I am honoured to take care of you and your children.” He replied to her. The Iktotchi felt flattered by the Echani’s charm, “like I said, the children are your priority. I don’t need much taken care of.” She chuckled and continued “I never had a housecarl before, so I’m not sure what tasks I can give you.” “ ‘everything’ you want” he replied with a suggestive smile and continued “I am sworn to protect you and your family. I will take care of your home and do ‘anything’ you ask of me. I am your servant.” Nervous she looked away at the navigational computer “well I’m sure I can find you plenty to do.”

~\*~

K-0R9 stood outside in the snow, waiting for Ammit and the new Housecarl to arrive. He waved as he saw them approaching the tower. “welcome back Master, I am pleased to see you. We have missed you..” he said and then turned to the the Echani “Greetings, I am Korg.. I am...” before he could continue Ammit interrupted him. “he knows who you are Korg... lets get inside.” She says looking at the sky, it was already getting dark. “yes Master of course ” the droid replied and took the bag from the Echani, leading them to the tower.

“Welcome to your new home" Ammit said with a smile as they entered the old watch tower. “Thank you master" Jovian replied. Behind the security droid locked the heavy entrance door. The Iktotchi walked up the old stone steps, signalling to the Echani to follow. “its already late, so I’ll just show you to your room" she said as they stepped onto the first floor living area. With in the short time Ammit took residence at the Tower it had changed several times. The first floor was still the same, a large circular room with pillars, a sitting area, open kitchen and dining table and a bathroom.

She lead Jovian to the next floor, which had changed a lot. “the children’s rooms” she said as she pointed at the two doors at the right, once stood ajar and a faint light came through the crack. “ this is the bathroom, and here" she reached for the last door on the left and continued “is your room” and pushed the door open, it was a small room with all the basic needs. She looked at the Echani as he stepped inside looking at his room. “this is perfect master" he said. On that moment K-0R9 arrived “your bag” he said as he held the bag up. “thank you Korg" Jovian m took it and placed it on the bed. “I’ll let you get settled” Ammit said as she and K-0R9 stepped back into the hallway. “Is there anything you need me to do?” Jovian asked. She shook her head “no, I’m tired, I’ll be turning in as well. We can discuss your roll tomorrow morning.. sleep well” she said and closed the door.

After checking up on the children the Iktotchi climbed the stairs to the third floor to he private quarters to retire for the night

~\*~

The next morning when she went downstairs she found that both Kas’sparr and Khara weren’t in their rooms and when she walked to the stairs she was welcomed by the smell of food and fresh caff. “Good morning master, I took the liberty to prepare breakfast” Jovian said when she noticed her climbing down the stairs. “Morning... that’s very kind of you" she replied feeling a little overwhelmed. This was the first time in her life someone made her breakfast.

“Morning Kas’sparr, did you eat?” Ammit asked her son, who was reading a datapad on the sofa. “yes, I did. We both did" he relied referring to Khara who was playing with Floki. Sitting down at the table she watched the Echani preparing her breakfast. When he noticed her watching he smiled, “I hope you like hotcakes” “I do...very much... you didn’t have to go through the trouble...”  “well it is part of my job"  the Echani replied with a wink as he placed her plate in front of her on the table. The food looked really good, Ammit was impressed.

“And a cup of fresh Caff" Jovian placed the cup next to her plate and then wanted to return to the kitchen “Come sit with me, so we can discuss your role" Ammit said as she took the fork and knife to cut into the hotcake. “of course" he took a chair and sat down in front of her looking at her as she brought the fork to her mouth, waiting for her reaction. The hotcake even tasted better then she imagined, “wow, this is really good" she mumbled with her mouth full. A pleased grin appeared on his face “there's plenty more where that came from". The Echani knew how to use his charm, Ammit could feel her cheeks glowing. Trying to ignore it she went straight to business.

“well you already made a great start..” she took another bite and looked at the children “they are your priority, taking care of them and training the boy.. did you tell him that you would train him?” “no, I haven’t. I thought it would be better if you explained the children about my role.” He replied as he watched her take another bite.. “fair enough... you will also care for the home, when Korg is here he will share half of the chores.” “What about you?” he suddenly asked, she furrowed her brow “what about me?” “you only speak about your children and the home, what about?” She let out a soft chuckle “you don’t need to worry about me.. I can take care of myself.” “I’m sure you can master, but it’s part of my job to take care of ‘all your needs’ " he said as he gazed into her eyes. Ammit nearly choked on a piece of hotcake and quickly grabbed her Caff to wash it away. “I don’t have many needs.. but since you are trained in combat I might take you on missions for the Empire.” At once she saw his face light up, obviously excited about the idea. The Knight continued “I might also ask for your assistance with ehm.. my own training.. I need to practice what I have learned so far.” She said, knowing that be didn’t have a clue what kind of training she was talking about. “Of course, it would be my pleasure” he replied happy. With a grin on her face she finished her plate, “that was delicious, thank you..” she took the cup of caff and stood up “a good start is half the work” and walked away from the new Housecarl, thinking he was a fine addition to her household.....

**~ End ~**