*elaborate sigh*
I am not convinced by this declaration of innocence.
saskia399 Maybe you could do a drabble on the dictionary ^__^ Or not *looks innocent*
Not for a single moment *glower*
This story likely wont make complete sense unless you've read at least the one previous!
Declaring War - Negotiations - Clashing Cultures
Title : Dictionary Games
Wordcount : 1015
James stalked into the library shoulders rigid, tension screamed from his straight spine and blank expression. The librarian stepped politely out of the way when he walked directly to the corner alcove, sunk down on the padded bench and crumpled. His shoulders drooped, his back curved, his eyes closed and his hands sunk into his hair.
The librarian reappeared with a small tray and setting out delicate cups and saucers served them tea. Fragrant steam stirred James from his misery, he accepted and nibbled a thin sugared biscuit.
‘Thanks Benoni’
The young librarian sipped his tea before answering with a knowing question ‘another war?’
‘Second this week already and it’s only Monday’
‘Poll has another three for tomorrow’
‘Quinlan has won for the last two weeks, I’m sure he instigates it somehow’
‘Because causing our Kings to war takes so much effort?’
‘No’ James gave a deep put upon sigh ‘but he disappears for lengthy negotiations with Lord Nadim, every time the Kings lock the war room door.’
‘At least their locking the door of late!’
‘Yes’ James agreement was most fervent.
They sat companionably sipping tea and nibbling biscuits. Benoni refilling their cups and adding a measure of sweet gold honey to each without asking. It had become their ritual. Both content it took a time to break the silence.
‘I wasn’t warned about this when I was taken on as a secretary’
‘If there were warnings there’d be no secretaries!’
‘True. Quinlan says you get used to it’
‘Quinlan was terrified after the first squirmish, wanted to retrain as a fool’
‘Really?’ James chuckled ‘I didn’t know that’
‘The main royal secretary went to great lengths to persuade him to stay’
‘As Quinn now persuades me’
‘Exactly’
James gave a rueful laugh ‘Sooner they choose another apprentice the better’
‘Another biscuit?’ Benoni offered the plate.
When only dregs and crumbs remained of their evening repast James turned to face his friend.
‘You know, they should hold training that people are prepared for castle life here’
‘Know to step out of the way of wars and leave the room when negotiations start?’
‘Yes. Their royal highnesses give the words new meaning.’
Benoni looked thoughtful then gave a quick flash of a grin ‘hold that thought’ he entreated mysteriously before going over to his desk and returning with a narrow book and inkwell.
He placed the writing materials between them, inking his simple quill to write a title on the cover in a neat bold cursive. Castle Dictionary. The look he shot at James was pure mischief.
James wrote the first entry, his writing neat and precise:
Secretary - A brave stalwart person of iron nerve. Master of sharp room exits. Veteran of many a war.
Benoni inked the next his writing a smooth flowing exercise of beauty:
War - Heated negotiation between kings. Frequent in occurrence and liable to result in torn clothing. Rapid exit of room recommended. War can rage for untold lengths of time but result in a relaxed and generally biddable monarch.
Heads bent over the book, pens scratching on paper their soft laughter drew a crowd. A kitchen maid offered shy suggestion and blushed when Benoni offered her the pen. Her print the deliberate lettering of one unused to writing:
Kings - He who rules; dramatic and given to war. He who supports; vexing and often ….
She paused stuck and Benoni reclaimed and inked the quill to write …deshabille! Then he added underneath.
Deshabille - half-dressed, lounging in want of war.
The group laughed bringing over the housekeeper who’d been returning books. She tut-tutted at their activity then snatched up the quill daring them to complain:
Closets - Them that should be kept locked at all times to discourage closeted negotiations
A brief pause, pen hovering then the bold firm hand continued:
Inventory Taking - Disappearance into closet with spouse for prolonged noisy examination.
She gave them a prim look, eyes twinkling as she tapped various errant staff and sent them back to work. Over the next few days a number of absentees could be found pouring over a little book in the library scribing away with giggles.
Negotiations - To craft outcomes to satisfy various interested parties, through pleasurable interaction.
Was added in broad sweeping text. James could guess the culprit.
Rain - A cause of impromptu walks that necessitate war.
Was accompanied by a cartoon of a rueful king regarding his now transparent apparel and followed a bout of bad weather and sudden war.
Debriefing - The removal of all clothing that would otherwise hinder war.
A pair of fancy pants was inked falling from that line.
Peace Talks - Time not to interrupted for any reason.
Was written by a shaking hand. A new member of the castle staff who’d learnt a hard won lesson.
Treaties - Paper inducements to war.
Quinn added that one, muttering discontent before returning to his duty of delivering said treaty.
And on it went from the simple to the elaborate. Penmanship varying and a host of illustrations springing up over the paper. The kings mindful of their role if imaginative in it’s interpretation heard of their staffs activity but voiced no complaint. Indeed an entry appeared in a fine and looping script:
War Room - Large room with grand four-poster, bouncy mattress by choice and an absence of nosy staff.
Castle Staff - Hindrances to a good war!
Was written beneath in a dark ink with underlining.
There was a lot of laughter and speculation when those two were withheld. Interest had waned however before the last entry got penned, trickled to an occasionally addition.
Librarian.
The ink was coloured, a wish to stand out and be noticed. The style that same neat, precise hand that had started this endeavour.
Librarian - A fine learned person, worthy of adoration.
The response was not written where any eyes could see.
James developed a liking for the frequent wars, sliding away to his library haven at every opportunity, welcomed by a much loved grin. Though no war dare occur within the book clad walls, many a negotiation started there was taken to more amenable surrounds.