A little teaser
So, I've been successfully writing up a storm and thought I would post a little tease for your enjoyment.
Wes Tilcora did not scurry. He was in too much of a hurry to merely walk. But also far too visible to run. So a quick skip step was the best he could do. It was not a scurry.
"Aide Tilcora! If you have a moment!"
We Tilcora did not flinch. He was not scared of the nobility. He worked with them happily on many projects. The fact that he gasped and his skin twitched uncomfortably was a sign of encroaching exhaustion and didn't he have some vacation due to him?
"Of course, Lord Amendrale. What may I help you with today?" He didn't bother greeting every Lord and Lady in Glinov Amendrale's entourage. He didn't have that kind of Time.
Amendrale was of the usual sort. Blonde hair, green eyes, and the broad straight frame that was the envy of any not in the nobility. Those sharp eyes sparkled at Lady Dogelus, hanging on his left arm, before he spoke.
"I was hoping you might have the Crown's response to my missive from yestermorn. My household eagerly awaits for promising news and good fortune."
Wes hardly needed reminding. Amendrale had been hounding for an answer since an Exact Hour had passed from the moment he handed the missive to Wes. He had a noble's sense of time and self-importance. Something Wes had not the Time for.
"Ah, yes," Wes said, an amiable smile upon his face, "about your mines and their troubles, my Lord?"
Amendrale's face lit up and he patted Lady Dogelus's hand in excitement.
The Amendrale mines were famous for their rich output of gems and precious minerals. They kept the Amendrale line in high status at court and were always in demand with the Crown. Recently however, a few reports had crossed the Lord's desk about possible poaching and outright stealing. As the mines bordered the Kingdom of Landreska, Amendale had turned to the Crown first for aid. As he was right to do.
"I'm afraid His Majesty had no direct reply for you yet, Lord." Wes did not feel a thrill of pleasure as the Lord's face darkened. "He asked me to pass along the message that he is thinking deeply about your situation and will have an answer for you soon. In the meantime, might you consult with your buyers and check their received shipments against your exports? His Majesty would hate to step in on internal matters."
More like, the king was sending Nimblefoots into Landreska to see if they could find any evidence first. Amendrale checking the books was just a time consuming task that would give him something to focus on. Landreska was a long time friend of the Akellians and the king did not want to go to war.
"Hm, yes," Amendrale said, "of course. I will personally oversee all accounts from the past year. Thank you for your assistance, Aide Tilcora." A little stiffly, Amendrale and those around him started to walk off.
Before Wes could breath his sigh of relief, a lingering Lady peeled off the group. Wes Tilcora did not choke on his own breath. He was not scared of nobles.
"I wonder, Aide Tilcora," Lady Gabanom said, her contralto voice silk smooth to his ears, "if His Majesty has realized something."
"What message may I carry for you, Lady?" Wes Tilcora's hands were not shaking. Even if they were, Lady Gabanom couldn't see them, tucked into his sleeves.
Lady Kiltarina Gabanom was twisting a loose strand of blonde hair around a carefully manicured finger, painted green to match her eyes, which were tilted to look at him from under long, long lashes.
"His Majesty has lessened his public appearances lately, Aide Tilcora. And Heir Apparent Ioynation has not been seen ot heard from in quite some time. I hope everything is going well for the Akeliars behind the Crown."
His mouth was not dry. His heart was not pounding loudly in distress.
"All is well, Lady." His smile was stretched a little thin. But that was due only to feeling as he was running out of Time. "Prince Ioynation is in constant contact with his father and was quite well in his travels at last report. I will pass along your good will, however." Feeling the Press of Time, Wes began to walk past the Lady.
Her voice followed him down the hall. "No need for that, Aide Tilcora. Merely stating my concern was enough for me." Her voice was thick with satisfaction.
Wes Tilcora began to not-scurry down the hall. Turning three more corners and going through two more doors would bring him to his office. His wards. And the disappearance of the weight. The Press of Time.
He would not face boundary disputes. He would not hear schemes in motion. He would not think of the ailing king. He would not search for the missing Heir. He would not bear witness to open hostility from the various Guilds and Clergy.
He would be Wes Tilcora. And he would not lie to himself.
Wes Tilcora did not scurry. He was in too much of a hurry to merely walk. But also far too visible to run. So a quick skip step was the best he could do. It was not a scurry.
"Aide Tilcora! If you have a moment!"
We Tilcora did not flinch. He was not scared of the nobility. He worked with them happily on many projects. The fact that he gasped and his skin twitched uncomfortably was a sign of encroaching exhaustion and didn't he have some vacation due to him?
"Of course, Lord Amendrale. What may I help you with today?" He didn't bother greeting every Lord and Lady in Glinov Amendrale's entourage. He didn't have that kind of Time.
Amendrale was of the usual sort. Blonde hair, green eyes, and the broad straight frame that was the envy of any not in the nobility. Those sharp eyes sparkled at Lady Dogelus, hanging on his left arm, before he spoke.
"I was hoping you might have the Crown's response to my missive from yestermorn. My household eagerly awaits for promising news and good fortune."
Wes hardly needed reminding. Amendrale had been hounding for an answer since an Exact Hour had passed from the moment he handed the missive to Wes. He had a noble's sense of time and self-importance. Something Wes had not the Time for.
"Ah, yes," Wes said, an amiable smile upon his face, "about your mines and their troubles, my Lord?"
Amendrale's face lit up and he patted Lady Dogelus's hand in excitement.
The Amendrale mines were famous for their rich output of gems and precious minerals. They kept the Amendrale line in high status at court and were always in demand with the Crown. Recently however, a few reports had crossed the Lord's desk about possible poaching and outright stealing. As the mines bordered the Kingdom of Landreska, Amendale had turned to the Crown first for aid. As he was right to do.
"I'm afraid His Majesty had no direct reply for you yet, Lord." Wes did not feel a thrill of pleasure as the Lord's face darkened. "He asked me to pass along the message that he is thinking deeply about your situation and will have an answer for you soon. In the meantime, might you consult with your buyers and check their received shipments against your exports? His Majesty would hate to step in on internal matters."
More like, the king was sending Nimblefoots into Landreska to see if they could find any evidence first. Amendrale checking the books was just a time consuming task that would give him something to focus on. Landreska was a long time friend of the Akellians and the king did not want to go to war.
"Hm, yes," Amendrale said, "of course. I will personally oversee all accounts from the past year. Thank you for your assistance, Aide Tilcora." A little stiffly, Amendrale and those around him started to walk off.
Before Wes could breath his sigh of relief, a lingering Lady peeled off the group. Wes Tilcora did not choke on his own breath. He was not scared of nobles.
"I wonder, Aide Tilcora," Lady Gabanom said, her contralto voice silk smooth to his ears, "if His Majesty has realized something."
"What message may I carry for you, Lady?" Wes Tilcora's hands were not shaking. Even if they were, Lady Gabanom couldn't see them, tucked into his sleeves.
Lady Kiltarina Gabanom was twisting a loose strand of blonde hair around a carefully manicured finger, painted green to match her eyes, which were tilted to look at him from under long, long lashes.
"His Majesty has lessened his public appearances lately, Aide Tilcora. And Heir Apparent Ioynation has not been seen ot heard from in quite some time. I hope everything is going well for the Akeliars behind the Crown."
His mouth was not dry. His heart was not pounding loudly in distress.
"All is well, Lady." His smile was stretched a little thin. But that was due only to feeling as he was running out of Time. "Prince Ioynation is in constant contact with his father and was quite well in his travels at last report. I will pass along your good will, however." Feeling the Press of Time, Wes began to walk past the Lady.
Her voice followed him down the hall. "No need for that, Aide Tilcora. Merely stating my concern was enough for me." Her voice was thick with satisfaction.
Wes Tilcora began to not-scurry down the hall. Turning three more corners and going through two more doors would bring him to his office. His wards. And the disappearance of the weight. The Press of Time.
He would not face boundary disputes. He would not hear schemes in motion. He would not think of the ailing king. He would not search for the missing Heir. He would not bear witness to open hostility from the various Guilds and Clergy.
He would be Wes Tilcora. And he would not lie to himself.