I looked in the mirror book before going to bed that night and found that he had left a message congratulating me on the birth of my niece and nothing else. He was either stringing me along, hadn’t made his mind up or was playing hard to get, no matter which I wasn’t all that concerned.
I spent the next three days in meetings, a whole lot of meetings, concerning any number of things. From integrating my staff with that of the Barony’s to planning for the harvest festival, the dungeon fair and my upcoming investiture. It wasn’t all business, of course, I kept up with my training and had the master of the hunt, Turell Davis organise a hunt on the third day. I and everyone else that took part had an enjoyable morning hunting a particularly large and fearsome wild boar and I give my brother Dako the honour of making the kill.
The fourth day, the day in which Rachana and my sister Lilou were expected to return from the funeral began the same as any other. I woke up, got ready to face the day and then went to the practice yard for arms training before breaking my fast from the night before. I then went to see my sister Daphne and her family off as they were returning to Tilebawn. My sister Rhea and her family would be leaving the day after the harvest festival and they were both hoping to return for my investiture.
Once they left I head to a meeting with the Steward, the constable and others to discuss the Seneschal Gru Meten. Even before I had arrived back home, I had decided to get rid of him if fate made me the next Baron of Membe rather than it’s regent. The meeting was to decide on the best way to deal with him and his possible reactions to the news. Then there was the matter of who to replace him with and whether it would be on a temporary or a permanent basis.
“Alright, so I will have Bagrat write up a letter to him recalling him back here after the harvest festival for consultations with me. Provided he bothers to return and not seeing the writing in the wall simply flees which we doubt he will I will then inform him that his services are no longer required. I will then inform him of an employment opportunity that has recently come to light and he will either go ahead and take it or look elsewhere for employment, possibly his sister in the Manor House but this seems unlikely.”
“That’s the only way to do it, milord, anything else is just procrastinating and that never ends well,” said Tagas Onus.
“Alright as to his replacement, I feel that you Tagas are the best man for the job, the current constable will take your job and either Elias Labil or Marvin Abela, preferably Elias will replace him as constable, what say you?”
“Milord I would be honoured to become the Barony’s Seneschal and I will endeavour to carry the duties to the best of my abilities as I have those of steward.”
“I have grown comfortable in my role as constable milord and am sure that in time the same will be true of that of steward. I am also sure that either successor you mentioned will do fine as my replacement.”
“I agree that Elias would make a fine constable for Membe Castle milord, far better than me. The question is will he take you up on the offer, I am not so sure, he is a man of action and may not think himself suitable for such a position.”
“That is the problem but I am sure I can talk him into taking the position, that is if he doesn’t run away at the mere mention of the possibility. Don’t worry I am sure that you will be my secretary for a whole lot longer and if he does run then I’ll try my best to catch him, not that I think it will be an easy thing to do but I have more money and influence than he does.”
“If nothing else it would be interesting to see him run but he is more likely to try and hold out against your offer.
“If there isn’t anything else then please get on with your current roles while you still can, Marvin if you wouldn’t mind please stay behind there is something else I need to discuss with you.”
“Anything you need milord, just not the role of constable.”
When I was alone with Mavin I first asked him if he really thought Elias would turn down the role of constable.
“Two years ago maybe, six years ago probably but not these days, I don’t think. There was a reason after all why he retired five years ago and got married, just as there was for the state he was upon his return after her death. I do not claim to understand the reason any more than you can but it’s there and will probably always be there. If he gives you any grief when you ask him to take up the position just offer him three options. Take the position, leave your service or just temporarily leave it to return to that hamlet of his for a while before re-joining your service in his current position.”
“But what if he leaves.”
“I doubt it, you’re just going to have to present him with the options and hope for the best.”
“For him or me.”
“That’s the question isn’t it.”
“Well he should be back later today, should I ask him then or wait until tomorrow.”
“Either won’t make any difference, what will be will be.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
“Was there anything else milord?”
“Still no word from Andersal.”
“Not yet Amondo but just because last we heard from him he was in the Duchy of the Absent Peak doesn’t mean he was anywhere near there when the time came for that letter to catch up with him, you know the life he leads isn’t always that cut and dry.”
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