The Use

by D. L. Carter

  Both Halidan and the Elven woman cringed at the shout, recognizing the voice in the same moment. Halidan relaxed her grip as hands from outside the carriage drew the girl off. As her attacker disappeared, Halidan crawled across the crowded floor to the doorway.

  Outside High Lord Eioth was standing toe to toe with the Elven girl. She regarded him with an expression of disdain while at her side a younger version watched open mouthed.

  “Your public behavior lacks dignity,” said the High Lord.

  “I entered my carriage to discover this thief stealing my valuables,” Halidan heard a shrill voice declaring as the Elf shook her skirts straight. “How did you expect me to react?”

  Lord Eioth did not reply immediately; instead, he turned his head to meet Halidan’s eye. Halidan felt the pressure of that gaze all the way through to her spine. This morning was the first time she’d faced the High Lord while in full possession of her own mind. The first evening in the dimly lit mortuary chapel she’d been distracted by fear and grief. The next morning at the funeral both eyes and mind were numbed by exhaustion. Today she was well rested and aware of the world around her, which suddenly had expanded to be filled with the High Lord.

  He was stunning. Tall and powerful, the movements of his hands through the air were the epitome of grace. Eyes of silver grey regarded her calmly, deep-set in a face of sharp planes and high cheekbones. She had seen faces like his carved in marble – the classic profile of a High Court nobleman – every day of her life, but never before had she truly appreciated the beauty and power. His voice had a resonance that had sweat springing to the surface over her entire body and set her hands trembling. She dropped her gaze as a blush rose to fill her face with heat. She wished the ground would open or a wind rise to carry her away from under the burden of his attention. Never before had a voice or gaze set her heart galloping. It would not do for her to be terrified of her employer and yet unable to think of a word or action, she stood frozen while decaying fruit peel dripped from her fingers.

  “You cannot claim surprise as an excuse for your behavior,” said the High Lord. “You were informed, I know, that you would have a travelling companion this morning.”

  “I am aware,” shot back the Elven girl. “However, I entered the carriage to discover her rifling through my valuables . . .”

  Valuables? That word at least penetrated the fog that threatened to take her wits entirely. Halidan shook her fingers and the remainder of the half-rotted fruit peels splattered on the ground. “Indeed, you cannot imagine the depths of my sorrow that I could not escape with the wealth I found.”

  Lord Eioth stared at the decayed mess for a moment, then eased past the women to peer into the carriage. He didn’t bother hiding his disgust at the smell, or at the sight of the debris Halidan had unearthed. After a few seconds examining the contents of the carriage, he turned and offered Halidan his handkerchief with which to clean her fingers before returning his attention to the Elven girls.

  “This carriage is foul! Lilianda, how could you permit it to reach such as state?”

  Lilianda, the taller of the two girls, drew herself up, attempting a superior posture. She lacked, however, the age, height, and skill to challenge the High Lord. “Cleaning is a servant’s responsibility.” She turned to glare across at the servant who huddled beside the carriage.

  “It cannot be exclusively her fault,” said Halidan, disturbed by the fear in the servant’s eyes, but still aware that she was taking a risk bringing the ire of a noblewoman on herself, no matter that the noblewoman was little more than a child. “You would have had need of her in the evenings, which prevented her cleaning the carriage.”

  “Yes, Father never should have sent us with only one servant.”

  “Say rather that you should have exercised more care and not scattered trash about so freely,” said Eioth reaching in and removing a badly stained cushion; he seized two more and threw them to the ground. He regarded the stained and stinking floor with disgust. “Have the carriage cleaned now, quickly. Get rid of all the cushions. Thankfully the normal carriage seating is still present.”

  “But, it’s uncomfortable to sit upright for hours and hours,” wailed the younger girl. “We need the cushions.”

  “You should have thought of that before you made such a mess. No,” he added, placing his hand on the servant’s arm as she prepared to climb in. “No! Although it will take longer, I believe I require your mistresses to do this task. It will give them a better appreciation of cleanliness.”

  Both young women scowled at him, but did not protest when he handed each of them up into the Ladies Carriage and closed the door behind them. Then Eioth turned to Halidan.

  “Mitash will be displeased, but our departure will be delayed. Come and take another cup of tea with me while we wait.”

  “I . . .” When Halidan hesitated Eioth extended his arm toward the stairs up to the guest quarters and waited for her to precede him. “Really, I would be comfortable waiting here.”

  “I would speak with you. I have not yet explained to you your duties.”

  He turned and walked toward the Sanctuary steps. It was necessary for Halidan to stare down at her own feet, possibly to reassure herself they were still there before she could command them to move. As she followed in the High Lord’s wake there was a burst of swearing behind them and the top heavy Ladies Carriage swayed and dipped on its wheels.

  “There is one matter on which I wish to be clear,” said Eioth, pausing to wait until Halidan reached his side. “It is not your duty to tend nor to serve the ladies with whom you will be traveling. It is more a convenience for me than them to have you with them.”

  “Oh?”

  “They are a burden placed upon me and you are a chosen employee. Where rank and precedence are concerned, please consider that I have higher regard for you than for them. Therefore, do not permit them to abuse you.” Eioth smiled down at her, then glanced away as Mitash appeared at his elbow. “I apologize, Mitash; the delay is my doing. I have ordered the Ladies Worind to cleanse their carriage before we continue on.”

  “Cleanse?”

  There was more cursing and the fabric hood of the carriage shook, again.

  “It is actually a humorous story I shall tell you once we are underway,” continued Eioth. He went down a few steps to speak quietly to Mitash before returning to Halidan’s side. Mitash bowed toward the High Lord before vanishing on some task.

  “Come, Halidan, we have had no time for speech and I would wish to know my companion better.”

  Halidan blushed for the High Lord had made no attempt to lower his voice and several nearby listeners had turned and looked their way at those words. Eioth appeared not to notice and directed Halidan toward a stone terrace with a scattering of tables and chairs. A servant appeared the instant they were seated

  “Tea, I think, is all we require,” said Eioth to the servant before returning his attention to Halidan. “Before we begin my requirements for my personal librarian, tor Halidan, I have been made aware by the Prior of the circumstances surrounding the end of your last employment. Know this; I disapprove of the actions of the House Pitchuri. If you require, I shall write and explain my displeasure to them. More importantly, I hear that you came away with barely any possessions. Is there anything you would have me retrieve from that House? I understand that they destroyed your property. Do you wish me to demand recompense?”

  Halidan stared down at her fingers while fragrant tea was poured into a shallow dish and seconds ticked past. Emotions she didn’t want to examine closely competed within her. Yesterday’s terror and grief rose to demand punishment of those who treated her father as garbage in the last hours of his life. Her hands trembled and tears threatened until she clenched her fingers together and pressed them to her chest.

  “High Lord . . .” she began and stopped as unshed tears burned. It took a few moments of deep breathing and determined effort before she was able to speak. “High Lord, I would prefer
you did not. Until two days ago, I was well treated by the family and servants of that House and would have been shocked if anyone had suggested they would act as they did. I . . . I have to remember the years I was with them without complaint. As for what was stolen, it was only things. Clothing. Books. They are nothing compared to my other greater loss. They can be replaced, my father cannot. Besides, if you were to write in your own hand, or even Mitash at your command with your sigil and seal, I think that the Matriarch would find a way of turning it into some sort of compliment. Instead of my being cast out of the House, they would spread the story that you had so admired their House that you hired one of their employees away from them. Having any paper in their House with your sigil and seal on it would raise them in the opinion of their neighbors.”

  Her answer appeared to amuse him and he grinned as he rolled his cup back and forth between his fingertips.

  “You have a gentle nature, Halidan; I can value that. And you have an understanding of the true nature of people. That can be useful to me.”

  “You are kind to say so. I would be honored to be of use.”

  The High Lord was silent for so long that Halidan risked a glance up. He was studying her with a look of such intense concentration that Halidan’s chest tightened and a blush rose to stain her cheeks, though she couldn’t have answered if asked why.

  After a few seconds, Lord Eioth’s expression softened.

  “As for use,” said Eioth, “I should explain what I am seeking from all those books I so famously buy. I seek knowledge. Any sort of knowledge that I didn’t have before is my ambition. It will take time for you to come to know what I am already familiar with. Don’t be afraid to approach me thinking you will comment on something I already know; I do wish to hear it. It is only through conversation and discussion you will learn my needs.”

  “How often will you expect me to report to you?”

  “Daily,” said Eioth and smiled at her shock. “What? I surprise you? During the day you can expect to spend time with me in simple conversation and you can expect to dine with me each evening, unless I am called upon to attend some function in my honor.”

  He said the last with such a wry twist to his mouth that Halidan laughed, then blushed and apologized.

  “Oh, do not trouble yourself,” said Eioth. “I have a core group of employees who I also call my companions; those on whom I often choose to rely for more than their contracts demand. You will find yourself spending time with me as well as Mitash, my secretary, and a select few others who are currently off dealing with problems in the demesne. In addition to time spent organizing my library, I might require you to attend official gatherings such as the Synod to provide me with your insight.”

  The Synod! Halidan almost fell off her chair.

  “I am greatly honored . . .”

  “And terrified, I expect. No, I have not read your mind, I only remember Mitash's reaction when first I employed him and gave him the same command, poor fellow. I have few enough people on whom I must depend, and in time, you will become more comfortable with the role. The demesne demands much and I have need of intelligent assistants.”

  “As you say, High Lord.” She concentrated on keeping her hands from trembling as she sipped her tea. “I cannot think what use a librarian can be.”

  “Oh, Halidan, do not fear me. I do not like it. Instead, concentrate on doing your work well. I would ask a favor of you.” He waited until she raised her eyes to his, again. “Work out some way of marking your place in the book, if you think you’ve found something to interest me. I am the most serene of employers right up until the moment I observe someone going from book to book saying, I have something interesting to share with you. I’m sure it was here just a moment ago. I shall find it in just a minute!”

  Halidan surprised herself by giggling.

  “Much better,” said Eioth. “I do not enjoy being regarded with an expression of stunned awe.”

  “Even when you deserve it?”

  “A sense of humor, High Lord,” cried Mitash, appearing beside the table. “Punctuality and humor. I am certain our processionals will be enhanced by her presence.”

  “You are too kind,” said Halidan, setting the dish to one side and giving up on the idea of drinking without spilling the tea all over herself.

  “Are we ready?” inquired Eioth.

  “The Ladies Lilianda and Porish inform me they are ready to proceed.”

  Halidan came to her feet instantly. Eioth rose in a more leisurely manner, settling his clothing into neat folds. Unlike the first time she'd seen him dressed in soft, unornamented indoor clothes, today his riding costume left no doubt as to who he was. Each sleeve and the front panels of his vest were decorated with the symbols of his rank as High Lord and the Elements to which he was magically bonded. The fabric was soft, expensive and shimmered faintly in the summer light. Mitash's garb recorded his rank as Master of Earth Element and his membership of a High Court family. Halidan felt quite out of place with her recently purchased clothing. She had no magic to boast of and no family affiliation of any significance, even amongst the mortals. However unworthy she was of the company, she departed Blue Waters Sanctuary with one High Court Elf on each side, down the stairs and across the forecourt to the Lady's Coach.

  Mitash aided Halidan up into the carriage and when she turned to thank him, Eioth stepped forward.

  “Halidan, I remind you that it is not your role to serve these ladies. To ease your journey,” he held out his hands to Mitash who handed him one large book covered in warm gold leather and a slim volume of faded pink, “I selected these books from my own traveling library. Hopefully they will aid in the passing of the hours.”

  “Thank you, High Lord.” Halidan accepted them and withdrew behind the fabric walls.

  Chapter Five

  “Norfarland the bastard? Come sir, that is hardly the way to speak of yourself. Did not old High King Olifeink declare that all children are legitimate since so much hard work must go into the getting of them?”

  “Old Olifeink was well intentioned to be sure and all ordinary bastards are grateful to him,” replied Norfarland. “But, his command does not help me as I am that rarest of creatures – a true bastard.”

  “How can that be? There are not types of bastardidity. You either are or are not!”

  “Ah, sir, there you are wrong. There are some who are caught in a quarrel where a woman is married to one man and lover to another. Then there are those children of love affairs long forgotten seeking to be acknowledged. Many, many children live in agony and deprivation awaiting the acknowledgment of their sires. Since however, I cannot so much as name my mother, no one is as much a bastard as I.”

  The Adventures of Norfarland the Bastard ~ Book 9

  Inside, Halidan found herself face to face with her previous attacker and young sibling as well as their silent servant. The girls had arranged themselves on the more comfortable of the seats available leaving only a thin ledge under the fabric petals for Halidan and the servant.

  The Elven girls regarded Halidan with matching sneers until they spotted the books.

  “Gifts,” cried the youngest and grabbed for the larger book.

  The other, moving swiftly, shoved her away and snatched the prize from Halidan's hands.

  “You are too young to be of interest to him,” said Lilianda.

  “I am the most beautiful,” shot back Porish. “Negotiations can take years. You are so much older than me that you would be beyond childbearing by the time they were completed and I would still be fresh.”

  Porish seized hold of the other book. Halidan released it immediately rather than risk damaging the cover in a wrestling match.

  “We will soon know,” said Lilianda, flipping her way bare-handed through to the inside back cover. “He will have left a message on the provenance page.”

  “Ladies, please, have a care,” cried Halidan. “You are damaging the books.”

  The girls paused long eno
ugh to glare at her, then drew thin page turners out of the binding and used them to turn to the provenance page. Listed there was each person who had owned the book since its imprinting.

  “There is no dedication to either of us,” snarled Lilianda. “The last owner was Halidan tor Ephram. What sort of name is that?”

  “Mine,” said Halidan in surprise. The High Lord had not only given her something to read, he had gifted her with the actual books! “And it is a name that fits me comfortably, thank you.”

  “Why would Lord Eioth give you anything?” demanded Porish, glancing back and forth between Halidan and the item in question.

  Halidan was wondering that herself.

  “I am to be in charge of his personal library,” she said slowly. “No doubt he knows I honor and respect books.”

  Lilianda sniffed and turned to the title page. Her disdainful expression vanished in an instant. “The ninth book of The Adventures of Norfarland the Bastard. Porish, this is excellent. Our aunt Marinea told me of these.”

  “Is it a good story?” asked Porish.

  “What sort of title is that?” demanded Halidan and was ignored

  “Our aunt tells me she reads The Adventures whenever she tires of her husband,” said Lilianda.

  Halidan considered that statement for a few moments. There had been times in her life when she'd preferred the company of books to her father or any other person so it probably was the same in a marriage. One could not always be able to find subjects of conversation with a person one had known for years.

  “Oh. Well, if your aunt reads it . . . it is kind of Lord Eioth to provide us with entertainment,” said Halidan. “We shall take turns reading aloud.”

  “If I must read aloud,” said Lilianda, “I will choose where.”

  She flipped through the book, again.

  “But, we have plenty of time, Lady Lilianda,” explained Halidan, “our journey will take days. Begin at the beginning.”

  “Aunt Marinea said there were clues when you were getting to a good part.” Lilianda addressed herself to Porish. “She said to go to where you see an illustration of Norfarland alone. Ah. Here is one.”