Herald of the waters
"What should I do? Do I know which is the lot of a servant boy; will it be better than being an apprentice? Perhaps I should look for advice, for sure this is not the time for decision". These are the thoughts that lead you to answer Voloi
"May I answer you later? I don't feel I'm sure"
To this the Count's servant replies:
"Indeed, I will come back this evening; by then you should have made up your mind. Until then I wish a good day to you".
And having said this he walks away back to the castle.
The very last time at anything is often intended to be exhilarating; however it is not uncommon for that day to become dull and lacking any object as an anticipated nostalgia fill your heart. Yet you cannot afford to waste a moment because grave matters await you.
So you clothe yourself with such dignity as your family's feeble finances allow you. A hat, which used to be your older brother's and now is properly yours by way of inheritance. This hat, by the way, is the only element of your attire that does not approach the definition of rag. Alas, your brown coat is lacking a button or two, your white linen shirt is turning to become gray even after proper washing; and it was mended already by the time it was passed down to you. Your knee breeches, or shorts as it would be called in this time, shares with your shirt the adjective of been older than you, but contrary to the shirt it used to be gray and now is turning white.
Do you wonder for shoes and socks? You have not ever worn any of them. This fact, while it may surprise you, it is indeed very common for the children of poorer families and servants. Indeed, at summer, it is common to see almost any child playing around barefoot or wearing sandals.
Now I think it is a time to equip yourself; please pick up to two items. That is no more than two things. A change of clothes of similar quality to the ones you are wearing, a brown jacket whit some buttons missing, a knife, a pair of dice, bread and cheese to last for two days, and a set of flint and steal (to start a fire).
Make a note in your diary of the things that you have chosen to take with you.
You spend the day trying to chat with anybody which happens to be around you, but with little fortune. It looks like if they were afraid of you, as if you were supposed to be with the dead and not with the living. However there are some who do not allow themselves to mistreat you just because an absurd fear, so you do get an advice or two.
However, anybody seems to agree with anybody, and some cannot even agree with themselves. There are those who feel there is nothing like a filled stomach, but others who think a servant is just another name for a slave. Some warn you of the many children that have died in the road to Denai'oli or have been kidnapped to work as slaves in strange lands; but others advise you that the life of the servant is one of misery that leads to nowhere.
You are lucky enough to find a family who welcomes you at the table. It is a half filled bowl of simple onions and lentils, with some bits of meat for flavoring. This lovely and slowly cooked recipe is the everyday food at your village; but that of the Count who eats a big fillet everyday, or so they say.
It is when you are welcoming the very last one of the lentils in your half happy stomach than you spot Voloi, coming for you.
"Well, my dear boy, are you coming to Castle Griffith with me?"
At this question everyone at the table freezes waiting for your response
"May I answer you later? I don't feel I'm sure"
To this the Count's servant replies:
"Indeed, I will come back this evening; by then you should have made up your mind. Until then I wish a good day to you".
And having said this he walks away back to the castle.
The very last time at anything is often intended to be exhilarating; however it is not uncommon for that day to become dull and lacking any object as an anticipated nostalgia fill your heart. Yet you cannot afford to waste a moment because grave matters await you.
So you clothe yourself with such dignity as your family's feeble finances allow you. A hat, which used to be your older brother's and now is properly yours by way of inheritance. This hat, by the way, is the only element of your attire that does not approach the definition of rag. Alas, your brown coat is lacking a button or two, your white linen shirt is turning to become gray even after proper washing; and it was mended already by the time it was passed down to you. Your knee breeches, or shorts as it would be called in this time, shares with your shirt the adjective of been older than you, but contrary to the shirt it used to be gray and now is turning white.
Do you wonder for shoes and socks? You have not ever worn any of them. This fact, while it may surprise you, it is indeed very common for the children of poorer families and servants. Indeed, at summer, it is common to see almost any child playing around barefoot or wearing sandals.
Now I think it is a time to equip yourself; please pick up to two items. That is no more than two things. A change of clothes of similar quality to the ones you are wearing, a brown jacket whit some buttons missing, a knife, a pair of dice, bread and cheese to last for two days, and a set of flint and steal (to start a fire).
Make a note in your diary of the things that you have chosen to take with you.
You spend the day trying to chat with anybody which happens to be around you, but with little fortune. It looks like if they were afraid of you, as if you were supposed to be with the dead and not with the living. However there are some who do not allow themselves to mistreat you just because an absurd fear, so you do get an advice or two.
However, anybody seems to agree with anybody, and some cannot even agree with themselves. There are those who feel there is nothing like a filled stomach, but others who think a servant is just another name for a slave. Some warn you of the many children that have died in the road to Denai'oli or have been kidnapped to work as slaves in strange lands; but others advise you that the life of the servant is one of misery that leads to nowhere.
You are lucky enough to find a family who welcomes you at the table. It is a half filled bowl of simple onions and lentils, with some bits of meat for flavoring. This lovely and slowly cooked recipe is the everyday food at your village; but that of the Count who eats a big fillet everyday, or so they say.
It is when you are welcoming the very last one of the lentils in your half happy stomach than you spot Voloi, coming for you.
"Well, my dear boy, are you coming to Castle Griffith with me?"
At this question everyone at the table freezes waiting for your response