(no subject)
Recently, I had occasion to be moved to recollect my first encounter with the man who would become my tutor.
On that day, one Isandare Blackwell was plucked from the floor of the family workshop and scrubbed within an inch of his life before being dressed in his best suit. Bewildered, I inquired as to the occasion (I quite detested wool, I am afraid), and was informed that I was to be presented to Mister K---- for inspection. Furthermore, I must be on my best behavior when meeting with the old master, so as not to besmirch the family reputation.
His sanctum seemed all very grand and forbidding, and yet, looking back with the eyes of a man, it was in fact a mundane scholar's office packed very nearly to the rafters with papers and books. Against this background, Mister K---- 's frame rose from behind his desk to greet us, each spare movement like that of a great hunting waterbird. (The grey robes, being quite dappled with ink-stains, did nothing to dispel the illusion.)
'So tis the Blackwell boy, then.' He peered down at me and spoke most peremptorily. 'Come, boy, have you knowledge of your sums and your letters?' Thus I was catechized to the furthest extent of my paltry knowledge.
Already, I knew how to discern uncut ruby from garnet from amethyst; I knew the seven most popular semiprecious cuts; I knew how to go from our house to the markets with all possible speed.
However -- sad day! -- I knew nothing of how to address a personage of equal or higher rank, save that, depending upon their gender, they were diversely addressed as Mister or Lady. Neither had I any knowledge of the proper fork to use at mealtimes; our family used but two forks, one for the meal, and one for dessert afterwards. I had only the most passing acquaintance with the laws of the Church of Light despite a vague wish to become a paladin (Sir Uther Lightbringer spent his time smiting evil instead of studying musty books, I was quite certain.).
Twas merely to be expected for a boy of my age, yet I felt my failings keenly with each 'Hm!' or reverberating sniff that Mister K---- made at each trembling answer, my head swimming with visions of being turned out into the street as unfit. (Tho' my parents might have begged to differ, had they but known.)
At length, peering down at my sweat-drenched form, he declared me to be just barely fit for the education that he intended to confer upon me, and pointed toward a door of which I had not previously taken notice. With the deepest gratitude, I took advantage of this opportunity to escape, wrenching at the knob with unseemly speed.
Thus, my first introduction to certain of Gilneas City's lesser nobility was my wide-eyed tumble into a classroom that I should come to know extremely well over the years.
On that day, one Isandare Blackwell was plucked from the floor of the family workshop and scrubbed within an inch of his life before being dressed in his best suit. Bewildered, I inquired as to the occasion (I quite detested wool, I am afraid), and was informed that I was to be presented to Mister K---- for inspection. Furthermore, I must be on my best behavior when meeting with the old master, so as not to besmirch the family reputation.
His sanctum seemed all very grand and forbidding, and yet, looking back with the eyes of a man, it was in fact a mundane scholar's office packed very nearly to the rafters with papers and books. Against this background, Mister K---- 's frame rose from behind his desk to greet us, each spare movement like that of a great hunting waterbird. (The grey robes, being quite dappled with ink-stains, did nothing to dispel the illusion.)
'So tis the Blackwell boy, then.' He peered down at me and spoke most peremptorily. 'Come, boy, have you knowledge of your sums and your letters?' Thus I was catechized to the furthest extent of my paltry knowledge.
Already, I knew how to discern uncut ruby from garnet from amethyst; I knew the seven most popular semiprecious cuts; I knew how to go from our house to the markets with all possible speed.
However -- sad day! -- I knew nothing of how to address a personage of equal or higher rank, save that, depending upon their gender, they were diversely addressed as Mister or Lady. Neither had I any knowledge of the proper fork to use at mealtimes; our family used but two forks, one for the meal, and one for dessert afterwards. I had only the most passing acquaintance with the laws of the Church of Light despite a vague wish to become a paladin (Sir Uther Lightbringer spent his time smiting evil instead of studying musty books, I was quite certain.).
Twas merely to be expected for a boy of my age, yet I felt my failings keenly with each 'Hm!' or reverberating sniff that Mister K---- made at each trembling answer, my head swimming with visions of being turned out into the street as unfit. (Tho' my parents might have begged to differ, had they but known.)
At length, peering down at my sweat-drenched form, he declared me to be just barely fit for the education that he intended to confer upon me, and pointed toward a door of which I had not previously taken notice. With the deepest gratitude, I took advantage of this opportunity to escape, wrenching at the knob with unseemly speed.
Thus, my first introduction to certain of Gilneas City's lesser nobility was my wide-eyed tumble into a classroom that I should come to know extremely well over the years.