Worlds Apart 57

[kaelaaw]

This one is really long. Sorry :(

“What I do not understand is Silvya’s reaction to Gorlyn telling her Johar put him in his uniform.” Neisk added after showing Oriel everything Tocus had shown him. “She knows Gorlyn is Johar’s replacement.”

“With all due respect your grace, I do not think she does.” Oriel responded polite as always.

“What do you mean?” Neisk asked, always eager for Oriel’s insight.

“According to Tocus only he and Finne know about Johar’s dismissal.” Oriel answered.

“How could they be the only two that know?” Neisk asked truly puzzled.

“Did you make a formal announcement, your grace?” Oriel asked.

“No but surely Johar did.” Neisk responded. Even as he said it he doubted his own words.

Despite how Johar assured Neisk he would take care of running the household there was no way that prideful old man would tell any of them he was being replaced.

I should have known it would not be this easy, Neisk thought to himself. Now it seemed on top of running an embassy, maintaining a good relationship between his Queen and the King General, assisting immigrants from his homeland and impressing local nobility he would have to run his own household as well. For the first time he wished he had a wife to run his home.

“Your grace?” Oriel asked. Neisk realized he had gotten lost in thought again.  Wishing was not going to help anything.

“Sorry.  Just thinking that Johar most likely did not say anything.” Neisk responded. “Now I am thinking of how I will set up my household to run smoothly with the changes I have made.”

“Would you like my help your grace? Or would you prefer silence to allow you to think?” Oriel asked.

Neisk smiled. He did not have a wife but he did have Oriel who helped him run the embassy and once he got Gorlyn more comfortable in his new role he would have his advice and assistance as well. The weight of the world was suddenly no longer on his shoulders and it felt good.

“I need a few moments to think on how I want my household run and then I will need your advice on implementing it. If you are willing.” Neisk answered Oriel.

“Of course your grace.” Oriel responded. “I am always willing to provide whatever you need.”

Neisk was already forming plans as Oriel spoke. After half an hour of silence he thought he had it all figured out. “I am going to need you to keep Gorlyn occupied while I meet with the upper ranks of my household. Here is what I am planning to do.”

********************************

After stepping through the door to his house, Neisk waited a few moments before he realized there was no one there to remove his coat, hat and shoes. It wasn’t that he missed Johar but he felt the older man’s absence for the first time. He also realized he had subconsciously looked forward to having Gorlyn there to greet him.

“Allow me, your grace.” Oriel offered and fumbled with removing his coat.

Neisk removed his own hat and then sat down on the small bench. “Thank you but I think it will go faster if we each take care of our own shoes.”

“Of course, your grace.” Oriel removed his own coat and hat before sitting down to remove his boots. Unlike Neisk, Oriel had no house shoes waiting for him. Of course he could let Oriel go about in his boots, but it would set a precedent that Oriel was a servant rather than a guest. He would have to send Oriel around to the servants entrance where he could clean the bottom of his boots with a brush. He didn’t want to wait that long and he needed Oriel viewed as a guest for the next week.

“I have some extra house shoes in my room you can borrow. Did you pack a pair of your own?” Neisk asked.

“Yes, your grace they are in one of my trunks.” Oriel answered keeping his stockinged feet from touching the cold stone floor.

“I know the runners in the hall do not provide a lot of protection from the cold so I suggest we walk as quickly to my room as we can and still maintain an ounce of decorum.” Neisk suggested.

“I would appreciate that, your grace.” Oriel responded.

As they walked briskly down the hall Neisk opened a channel with Gorlyn.

How may I serve you master? Gorlyn asked there was a hint of emotion in his voice. Neisk couldn’t tell if Gorlyn was nervous or anxious but then those emotions were very similar. He hoped nothing else had happened.

Is everything alright Gorlyn? You sound anxious. Neisk asked.

Everything is as you requested master. Gorlyn answered his voice definitely nervous.

As I requested? Neisk was unsure what to make of Gorlyn’s answer.

Yes master. I rearranged your closet as you requested. I hope it meets with your approval. Gorlyn answered.

Of course. Neisk thought to himself. He had ordered Gorlyn to re-arrange the closet. It was ‘busy work’ really but he imagined Gorlyn would be nervous about it. Ah yes I was unclear what you meant by everything. Thank you Gorlyn I am sure you did a wonderful job.  If you could ple..... He stopped himself from asking and turned his thoughts into an order. et out a pair of house shoes for Oriel. He has come home with me and I did not plan ahead to have some waiting for him at the door. We are almost to my room.

Yes master. Gorlyn answered. Neisk closed the channel and found he was at the door. Pulling out his key and unlocked and then opened the door.

Gorlyn was lowering himself to his knees as the door opened. He lowered his head and held a pair house shoes up.

“Are those for me?” Oriel asked turning to look at Neisk. “When....how....?”

Neisk couldn’t help smiling, it was rare that he could make the young man speechless and even rarer still to make him slip up and forget to use the honorific. Still smiling Neisk tapped his temple and grinned.

“Oh right.” Oriel blushed. “Thank you, your grace.” He walked over and took the house shoes from Gorlyn. “Thank you Lyn.”

“I hope they meet with your approval, ashe.” Gorlyn spoke as he straightened his back and leaned forward.

It did not dawn on Neisk what Gorlyn was doing until Oriel placed a hand on Gorlyn’s shoulder to steady himself while he slipped his feet into the shoes.

“They are perfect. Thank you both.” Oriel dropped his hand to his side and Gorlyn sat back on his heels.

“You are most welcome of course, Oriel.” Neisk smiled at him. “I have some things I need to see to before you dinner. Perhaps you would like to relax in your rooms for awhile?”

“Yes, your grace. I have  had a long day would greatly appreciate it.” There was a twinkle in Oriel’s eye but nothing else to betray they had planned this conversation.

“Gorlyn, I want you to go with Oriel and see to his needs. You are to serve him as dutifully as you would me.” Neisk ordered. He had asked Oriel in the carriage if he had a valet growing up. Of course Oriel had and was full of fond memories of the older man. He knew every other noble born male enjoyed being ‘pampered’ by their valet. He knew he was the strange one, but he couldn’t help making sure that Oriel would welcome the attention.

“Yes, master.” Gorlyn rose to his feet and followed Oriel out the door.

Oriel was going to keep Gorlyn busy enough that the man couldn’t worry about what would happen between Neisk and Silvya. Every servant in the house knew that while Oriel was his employee, while in Neisk’s house he was to be treated as an honored guest. No one would question or counterman Oriel’s orders concerning Gorlyn so he would be safe from further harassment. Not that Gorlyn was going to be leaving Oriel’s rooms.

He rang for a servant and sent word to Finne, Silvya, Arler and Vias to meet him in the main parlor. Neisk gave a mental warning to Finne that the summons was on it’s way and asked to be notified once everyone had gathered. He did not want to appear to be waiting on his staff instead they should wait for him.

While he waited for his messages to be delivered he took the time to change into  more comfortable clothing. He kept the same pants and shirt but changed into a less stiff coat and changed his tie to a  looser knot. Looking at himself in the mirror he was horrified at his tie. Two years of having Johar dress him had left his tie knotting skills rusty. It took nearly ten attempts before he got it right and just as he did Finne informed him that everyone was waiting for him.

He took his time walking to the parlor, giving the staff plenty of time to wait and wonder what he was up to. When he opened the door four heads turned to look at him. Four different expressions met him as well. Finne looked slightly amused, Arler looked worried, Vias looked confused and Silvya smug. With the exception of Finne he intended to change all those expressions to their opposites.

“My lord, I have a matter of great importance I need....” Silvya started up first and Neisk held up his hand for silence.

“All of you will refrain from speaking until I give you leave.” Neisk commanded. “There has been a grievous error made and I will see it rectified before I hear your thoughts. But rest assured I will hear all your thoughts.”  Arler and Vias looked a bit uneasy. Arler more so than Vias. Silvya gave a satisfied smirk thinking she knew what the error was. Finne had managed to form a neutral expression on his face. Neisk moved to have a seat in the most comfortable chair and motioned for the others to face him. He offered none of them chairs.

“Now you may have noticed Johar is not present.” Neisk began. “I have dismissed him from service and he left on the  ship for Yndsie early this morning. I had hoped he would inform all of you about this change and who was to be his replacement. However it has been brought to my attention that he has not done so.” Neisk gave his words a moment to sink in, before he continued. “I have decided that it is wasteful to spend money paying a valet when his most gracious King General has gifted me with a slave trained to provide the same services. Therefor Gorlyn will be taking Johar’s place as my valet and will be dressed accordingly.”

“Absolutely not!” Silvya protested. “I will not serve in a house that dresses up dev’sleuv in servants clothing, allows them to walk freely about the house and gives them positions of authority!”

“Then you are dismissed Silvya.” Neisk rang the bell to summon his footman and then the bell to summon one of the maids. The maid arrived first.

“Yes, my lord?” The woman bowed.

“Escort Silvya to her room. She has one hour to pack up her most vital possessions and change out of her uniform. You will watch her and make sure she does exactly as I have ordered. A footman will arrive at the end of the hour and escort her to a carriage. She can tell him to take her to any destination of her choice and the remainder of her belongings can be picked up at the Yndsian embassy tomorrow afternoon. You are both dismissed.”

“My lord surely you can not mean....” Silvya had remained silent at first but had finally found her voice.

“SILENCE!” Neisk bellowed and was surprised to see even Finne flinch. He lowered his voice be did not remove any of his anger from it. “You are dismissed I will not hear your voice again in my house. Speaking out of turn has earned you a ride in a wagon instead of a carriage. One more word and I will withdraw the use of a wagon and you can walk back to the city.”

Silvya stared at him in complete shock as the maid pulled on her arm to try and get her to move. He had never seen a face as pale as hers. Finally the maid managed to get her to move and both left the room. No sooner were they gone when the footman arrived. He ordered a wagon be made ready for Silvya’s departure.

Once the footman left, Neisk turned his attention back the men he had summoned. Arler looked about ready vomit and Vias couldn’t be more nervous than if he faced the hangman. Neisk felt sorry for the two men but he needed to make a point with Silvya.  He let his anger drain from him as he exhaled and turned his attention to the next order of business.

“Now as I understand it Johar has been running this house up until now. Giving you all orders, overseeing all your work and demanding his approval for everything. Is this correct?” Neisk asked. He was immensely grateful that Tocus shared everything that went on among the servants with Oriel. Although he still wondered why Finne had never complained to him.

All three men gave a fearful  “Yes, my lord.” Although Neisk suspected Finne’s fear was manufactured.

“That is going to change. Gorlyn is my valet not my head of house. He will be too busy seeing to my personal needs to oversee any of you. I am therefore putting you in charge of your own departments. I want you to make your own decisions, order your own supplies and handle your own emergencies. You were hired for your ability to lead and your pay reflects that. It is time to earn your pay increase.” He noticed all three smiled at that  although Arler still looked a bit worried.

“Unlike Johar Goryln will not accompany me to the embassy. I can not take Gorlyn with me to the embassy as he is a slave he can not step foot in it. So he will remain here and have the sole care of my rooms. He will also serve as my liaison. If there is something you need from me while I am away from home you will tell him. When I get home he will tell me everything that you have told him. In this way I will know what needs to be addressed in my household the moment I walk through the door and none of you will have to wait around for me to come home. Instead you can continue your work  knowing  that as soon as I come home I will know you need me and I will send someone to get you.” He watched the surprise look in their eyes. “Gorlyn is not going to be higher in rank than  you in anyway. However if I choose to leave behind orders for the day I will leave them with him. If he comes to you and says he has an order from me you will obey it. Should he try to give you orders himself I will know of it and I will punish him accordingly. You will never be called to account for obeying said orders. Now I imagine you have questions and I do not want you to feel intimidated by the presence of your peers so you will each speak to me one at at time. Let me start with Vias. Finne, Arler could you please wait outside?”

Once the other two left Neisk motioned Vias to have a seat. He did so nervously. “Tell me honestly and with no fear of reprisal your concerns and questions. As long as you present them in a polite manner I will not dismiss you as I did Silvya. She was dismissed for making demands of me as though she was the Lord of the Manor instead of me.” Neisk used every trick he knew in his voice and body language to put the man at ease.

Vias swallowed a few times before he spoke. “I have but one question, my lord. Concerning the dev’sleuv.”

Neisk felt anger rise in defense but he pushed it down since he didn’t even know what Vias was going to say. “Speak it without fear, Vias.”

“Was he....his crime.....was it murder?” Vias stammered and then babbled out. “I wish no disrespect to your choice of his use I am just ill at ease working with a murderer. I know my fears are foolish for I trust my king when he says the dev’sleuv are rehabilitated, but I can not banish them my lord.”

Neisk wanted to laugh, Vias was afraid of Gorlyn. Instead he kept a sympathetic look on his face. “He was not a murderer. It was treason. How does that make you feel?”

“Forgive me my bold tongue my lord but I feel quite well. To be in your service he must have been a noble man and treason for a nobleman is never a violent crime. Not to belittle his crime for he surely deserves his punishment, but I feel more at ease knowing that any violence done through his treason would not have been by his hand.” Vias responded.

“I understand your words, Vias and I know you mean no disrespect. I assure you if the King had wanted to give me a man who was known to do violent acts I would not have stood for him coming into my home.” Neisk tried to sound reassuring. “Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?”

For a while Vias seemed calm but then he grew just a bit nervous again. He wrung his hands as he spoke. “I heard a rumor my lord that in your home country women are allowed to work in stables. Is this correct?”

“It is.” Neisk was completely surprised by the question.

“My niece she is very good with horses but it is not considered proper work for a woman here in Ghuryni. No one would ever hire her to work in their stables and it is her passion.....I was wondering if I am truly able to make my own choices if that might include who to hire?” Vias asked nervously.

Neisk could not help smiling, he should have gotten to know his staff much sooner. What a fool he had been to leave it all to Johar. “Of course Vias, you may hire as many women as you want. Hire young girls as well as long as they are of age to work and you feel they are capable. You will of course have a budget you will need to keep to. But if you need some more money then come to me and we will work something out.”

Vias jumped up and bowed. “Thank you my lord. It is an honor to be in your service. If I may say so Silvya was a damn fool.”

Neisk widened his smile and gave a brief nod of his head. “And it is my honor to have the continued service of such a fine man. If you have nothing else to discuss please send in Arler.” He wanted to save Finne for last.

Arler entered and bowed keeping his head down until Neisk told him to take a seat. The man sat at the edge of the chair and toyed with the cap he had in his hands. Neisk gave the same speech about speaking honestly and put everything into making the man feel comfortable. The man said nothing.

“Do you have any concerns or questions about the work I put my dev’sleuv to?” Neisk asked gently. “Or do you have any concerns with working with him?”

“No my lord.” Arler answered. “Tocus and Finne vouch for him.”

Neisk was not surprised the Arler would trust Finne’s judgement but was a bit shocked to hear Tocus’s name. “There is something on your mind I can almost feel your worry. Please tell me what concerns you so we can address it.

“About Tocus, my lord. Silvya ordered him punished for lack of respect. I have postponed punishing him until I was able to speak with Johar or with you. Now that she has been dismissed does her request still stand?” Arler’s nervousness increased as he spoke.

For a while Neisk was unable to discern what exactly was behind Arler’s fears and then it clicked. Arler didn’t want to punish Tocus. He could have laughed if it wasn’t such a somber moment. “Yes, despite her lack of manners concerning me Silvya was correct, Tocus needs to respect those above him in rank which Silvya clearly was.”

“Yes, my lord. If I may add, he told me his disrespect was borne of anger at her treatment of Gorlyn. He said that her behavior was not respectful to your orders and so he could not be respectful to her.” Arler added. Neisk was stunned to hear the man use Gorlyn’s name. Was it Tocus’s  influence? Surely the boy wouldn’t have gotten that much influence with Arler in such a short time....No Tocus would have done it in less time the little imp.

“Yes, I understand Tocus’ reasoning. However it is a poor example to the other servants and he knows better. I want you to put Tocus excrement detail for the next two weeks.” Neisk  said, holding back a grin.

Not all of the house had indoor plumbing in fact the servant quarters still used chamber pots. All chamber pots were emptied into a giant barrel in the back of the gardens where the gardeners used the contents to fertilize the grounds. It was the worst assignment and the entire garden staff cursed the days it was their turn at that duty. However Tocus loved it. He was not the least bit squeamish when it came to excrement and was in fact fascinated by how the waste of other beings could provide nourishment to plant life.

“Yes, my lord. It will be as you say.” Arler responded. Neisk thought by the slight curve of the man’s lips that Arler knew Tocus enjoyed the duty as well.

“Any other concerns?” Neisk asked holding back a grin of his own.

“No my lord. Thank you for the audience.” Arler looked completely at ease again.

“Then please send in Finne and you may return to your work.” Neisk ordered.

Finne didn’t wait for permission but rather took a seat in the second most comfortable chair. With a grin Neisk repeated his same speech out of protocol.
“Yes, I am concerned  who will be in charge of maids and stewards.” Finne answered surprising Neisk with his serious tone.

“I will hire a replacement.” Neisk responded being equally serious. “Any concerns about my dev’sleuv?”

“Yes, I want him in the kitchen if he’s done with whatever chores you leave for him. I refused to let Johar into the kitchen out of our mutual distaste for each other but having your valet familiar with my kitchen will be beneficial to us all.” Finne answered still impeccably serious.

“That can be arranged. Do you have anything else you would like to share with me?” Neisk asked.

“Yes, it’s about damn time you did this lad.” Finne answered  his voice unchanged.

“I wonder why you did not tell me earlier that Johar was overstepping his bounds.” Neisk had grown tired Finne’s business like manner and he was suddenly full anger and hurt that he had to hear about this from Oriel.

“Johar had you wrapped around his little finger. You were too afraid of upsetting him to listen to anyone who might say something against him.” Finne answered, his tone finally changing to the soft and caring one Neisk was used to. Neisk felt his anger and hurt leave him in a giant rush.

“Was I really that bad?” Neisk asked.

“Yes, but you are making changes now that will make everyone happy and the morale of the household with improve by leaps and bounds. Now what concerns and questions do you have for me?” Finne asked.

“I was merely hoping for your approval, your comfort, your advice and your counsel.” Neisk mumbled feeling very much a child again but in a comfortable way.

“Merely?” Finne scoffed. “Come and give me hug lad.” Neisk threw himself into the older man’s arms. “You are doing just fine lad, just fine.” Finne soothed.