KerlanRayne
Explorer
Theric takes to his tasks with little trouble. The morning lessons went smoothly if a bit dull. Most of it he already knew but the court protocol was helpful. He is able to get through the long days with monotonous chores by putting his mind to work on other tasks while his body is busy. He worked through some of the books he had read, worked out details of his magical studies, and planned projects he expected to work on in his workshop. When interacting with others he tries to learn their name and faces, getting to know them. Being friendly with the staff can have all sorts of benefits. He also keeps his ears open for potential information that might be useful. At night he writes information down in his journal, saving the sketches for his day off between appointments.
Starting in the stables got the worst over from the beginning. Working with the animals wasn't a problem. He had ridden before and learning to take care of the horses would come in handy for any later travel that may come. The bad part was from mucking stables. There were enough people working that he only had to do it once, but that was more than enough. He particularly enjoyed spending time with Storm, a beautiful heavy horse that loved apples. He was incredibly well trained and the grooming left his coat as smooth as silk.
The kitchens were not a problem, he had done a little basic cooking before and took this oppotunity to expand his knowledge. Knowing how to cook can always come in handy. Even basic things can get you by in many circumstances. His manual dexterity got him the job of cutting vegetables which he was able to finish quickly and cleanly. It usually got him out of the job of washing dishes. Sampling some of the leftovers was a treat.
In the gardens Theric got to see many of the things that were prepared in the kitchens. Having helped cook them, he pretty much knew which of the vegetables were ready to be picked. Weeding, picking, cleaning, and a little bit of planting was most of the job but it went by quickly. This was where he met Alida, one of the permanent gardeners, new to the job. She had studied nature with those who practice druidic magic. She was considering learning actual magic and they had long talks about the nature of magic while working. Even after moving on to other duties he would sometimes come back to talk to her and she would give him an apple for Storm.
The armory was the assignment that Theric worried about the most but it turned out to be mostly cleaning and maintaining the equipment. Having crafted or helped craft various weapons and armor before it wasn't a bad job. Some of the military men being trained there needed help getting their armor on, which he would do. And sometimes he was able to spend a little time watching the weapons training sessions. Not for him, but still interesting to watch.
Being stationed in the chamberlain's office was more his element. There was lots of paperwork and numbers. These were things he was very adept at due to his magical training. He was praised on his penmanship and was used to double check calculations at times. He marveled at how much effort was required to manage the entire royal family. He was reluctant to leave the somewhat familiar setting to move on to the final assignment.
Working with the household staff was mostly cleaning, dusting, and putting things away. The palace is huge and there are many parts that spend most of the time unused. These areas must be maintained so that they can be ready at a moment's notice. Laundry was a near constant process as well. With so many servants and workers there was always something to clean up. This was also the group with the most gossip. They had eyes and ears everywhere. He noticed some of them paying a little too much interest in what the royal family was doing and saying. Some of these just wanted more gossip to talk about, but others kept what they learned quiet. Most likely to earn some coin on the side.
On his days off, Theric spends time with some of the people he had met on his assignments. Some were serving like him, but others were permanent staff. He accepts the offer given by Yevas and visits his family. He thinks he detects some deflection about the family trade but has no problem talking about his family instead. Because he only has a few hours each week available, he only works on some small projects in his workshop. Mostly painting or drawing with a little bit of woodwork as well.
The time goes by both slowly and quickly. He uses these assignments as an opportunity to expand on his varied knowledge and learn how to be more self sufficient.
Starting in the stables got the worst over from the beginning. Working with the animals wasn't a problem. He had ridden before and learning to take care of the horses would come in handy for any later travel that may come. The bad part was from mucking stables. There were enough people working that he only had to do it once, but that was more than enough. He particularly enjoyed spending time with Storm, a beautiful heavy horse that loved apples. He was incredibly well trained and the grooming left his coat as smooth as silk.
The kitchens were not a problem, he had done a little basic cooking before and took this oppotunity to expand his knowledge. Knowing how to cook can always come in handy. Even basic things can get you by in many circumstances. His manual dexterity got him the job of cutting vegetables which he was able to finish quickly and cleanly. It usually got him out of the job of washing dishes. Sampling some of the leftovers was a treat.
In the gardens Theric got to see many of the things that were prepared in the kitchens. Having helped cook them, he pretty much knew which of the vegetables were ready to be picked. Weeding, picking, cleaning, and a little bit of planting was most of the job but it went by quickly. This was where he met Alida, one of the permanent gardeners, new to the job. She had studied nature with those who practice druidic magic. She was considering learning actual magic and they had long talks about the nature of magic while working. Even after moving on to other duties he would sometimes come back to talk to her and she would give him an apple for Storm.
The armory was the assignment that Theric worried about the most but it turned out to be mostly cleaning and maintaining the equipment. Having crafted or helped craft various weapons and armor before it wasn't a bad job. Some of the military men being trained there needed help getting their armor on, which he would do. And sometimes he was able to spend a little time watching the weapons training sessions. Not for him, but still interesting to watch.
Being stationed in the chamberlain's office was more his element. There was lots of paperwork and numbers. These were things he was very adept at due to his magical training. He was praised on his penmanship and was used to double check calculations at times. He marveled at how much effort was required to manage the entire royal family. He was reluctant to leave the somewhat familiar setting to move on to the final assignment.
Working with the household staff was mostly cleaning, dusting, and putting things away. The palace is huge and there are many parts that spend most of the time unused. These areas must be maintained so that they can be ready at a moment's notice. Laundry was a near constant process as well. With so many servants and workers there was always something to clean up. This was also the group with the most gossip. They had eyes and ears everywhere. He noticed some of them paying a little too much interest in what the royal family was doing and saying. Some of these just wanted more gossip to talk about, but others kept what they learned quiet. Most likely to earn some coin on the side.
On his days off, Theric spends time with some of the people he had met on his assignments. Some were serving like him, but others were permanent staff. He accepts the offer given by Yevas and visits his family. He thinks he detects some deflection about the family trade but has no problem talking about his family instead. Because he only has a few hours each week available, he only works on some small projects in his workshop. Mostly painting or drawing with a little bit of woodwork as well.
The time goes by both slowly and quickly. He uses these assignments as an opportunity to expand on his varied knowledge and learn how to be more self sufficient.
