between the end of secondary school and entry into the collegiate level loomed before him, rife with possibilities. It was a welcome breather after six years of continuous schooling and the time to tend to personal activities before the start of another six years of higher education that was the mark of all Deira of decent name.
“I was hoping you’d allow me to assist you,” he admitted. Seeing Ruomi’s surprise, he explained, “I’ve been thinking about the future. About gainful employment and all that. I’m not cut out to be a solicitor or teacher, and I’m not especially gifted in any craft.
But I did help my parents manage what property we had—our house and the field behind it and the few animals we owned. I had to dispose of what was left after the fire to earn enough to make my way here. I got a very good price for them, too,” he added a little proudly. “So I think I’d make a decent caretaker and maybe even a good household adjutant like you.”
Ruomi eyed him thoughtfully. “You do realize such professions are not considered dignified enough for the gentry,” he pointed out.
“I’m in no position to be picky,” Naeth replied. “Besides, I think it’s up to a person to invest his job with dignity, even a humble one. And I know it can be done. You’re the best example of that, Ruo- tyar .”
The sedyr smiled at the compliment. “Thank you. It’s heartening for one’s efforts to be noticed, more so appreciated. Very well, I shall inform Reijir of your request. Let’s hope he approves it.”
Naeth did not wait long to learn the Herun’s reaction to his request. Within the week, he found himself tagging along after Ruomi on the latter’s daily rounds.
It proved more difficult than he’d expected. Ruomi’s work entailed much more than being an administrative assistant. It required paying close and careful attention to the
details of running a noble’s extensive ménage and dealing with a plentiful array of personalities. This ranged from the household staff to the professionals and tradespeople who serviced and supplied the Arthannas, to the many visitors who called upon the brethren almost daily for every social and political purpose under the sun. And the patience and judiciousness needed to maintain cooperation between the butler and the cook and settle the many petty squabbles among the liveried servants, stable hands and lowly scullions…!
By the end of the week, Naeth’s respect for Ruomi had risen a hundredfold. And his optimism regarding his own capabilities had decreased somewhat.
Nonetheless, he stayed the course, determined to be useful and hopefully gain a permanent place in the Arthanna home when his time under Reijir’s guardianship ended.
This latter hope he kept to himself lest anyone wrongfully think him too ambitious for his breeches. Not that it would be any better were the truth known.
It was one thing to aspire to warm the bed of a great lord; quite another for a guardian to require such a service of his charge. It smacked of abuse of one’s power over another, and while the political practice of it was not unheard of in Ylandrin society, initiating sexual relations with a Deir under one’s care was deemed reprehensible by polite society. And if that Deir was still below the age of consent, it amounted to rape and was punishable by law.
To avoid casting Reijir in the role of a debaucher of innocents, Naeth would not only have to wait for his thirtieth year, he would also have to make the first move. He seriously doubted the Herun would even make a move if Reijir was as much attracted to Naeth as Naeth was to him.
Of Reijir’s feelings about him, Naeth was quite certain. It fairly sizzled between them, this maddening yet delicious tension that bespoke carnal desire and hopefully presaged more intimate contact between them. But Reijir was not keen to go as far as consummation, either physical or emotional, of that Naeth was also aware.
So how was a
“I was hoping you’d allow me to assist you,” he admitted. Seeing Ruomi’s surprise, he explained, “I’ve been thinking about the future. About gainful employment and all that. I’m not cut out to be a solicitor or teacher, and I’m not especially gifted in any craft.
But I did help my parents manage what property we had—our house and the field behind it and the few animals we owned. I had to dispose of what was left after the fire to earn enough to make my way here. I got a very good price for them, too,” he added a little proudly. “So I think I’d make a decent caretaker and maybe even a good household adjutant like you.”
Ruomi eyed him thoughtfully. “You do realize such professions are not considered dignified enough for the gentry,” he pointed out.
“I’m in no position to be picky,” Naeth replied. “Besides, I think it’s up to a person to invest his job with dignity, even a humble one. And I know it can be done. You’re the best example of that, Ruo- tyar .”
The sedyr smiled at the compliment. “Thank you. It’s heartening for one’s efforts to be noticed, more so appreciated. Very well, I shall inform Reijir of your request. Let’s hope he approves it.”
Naeth did not wait long to learn the Herun’s reaction to his request. Within the week, he found himself tagging along after Ruomi on the latter’s daily rounds.
It proved more difficult than he’d expected. Ruomi’s work entailed much more than being an administrative assistant. It required paying close and careful attention to the
details of running a noble’s extensive ménage and dealing with a plentiful array of personalities. This ranged from the household staff to the professionals and tradespeople who serviced and supplied the Arthannas, to the many visitors who called upon the brethren almost daily for every social and political purpose under the sun. And the patience and judiciousness needed to maintain cooperation between the butler and the cook and settle the many petty squabbles among the liveried servants, stable hands and lowly scullions…!
By the end of the week, Naeth’s respect for Ruomi had risen a hundredfold. And his optimism regarding his own capabilities had decreased somewhat.
Nonetheless, he stayed the course, determined to be useful and hopefully gain a permanent place in the Arthanna home when his time under Reijir’s guardianship ended.
This latter hope he kept to himself lest anyone wrongfully think him too ambitious for his breeches. Not that it would be any better were the truth known.
It was one thing to aspire to warm the bed of a great lord; quite another for a guardian to require such a service of his charge. It smacked of abuse of one’s power over another, and while the political practice of it was not unheard of in Ylandrin society, initiating sexual relations with a Deir under one’s care was deemed reprehensible by polite society. And if that Deir was still below the age of consent, it amounted to rape and was punishable by law.
To avoid casting Reijir in the role of a debaucher of innocents, Naeth would not only have to wait for his thirtieth year, he would also have to make the first move. He seriously doubted the Herun would even make a move if Reijir was as much attracted to Naeth as Naeth was to him.
Of Reijir’s feelings about him, Naeth was quite certain. It fairly sizzled between them, this maddening yet delicious tension that bespoke carnal desire and hopefully presaged more intimate contact between them. But Reijir was not keen to go as far as consummation, either physical or emotional, of that Naeth was also aware.
So how was a
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