Be grateful boring tasks can be the hobbies of others, otherwise I might actually have to do them.~Krrroum, King under the mountain
The next day Bernin made her way up the tree. She decided against going the way by broom and took the pulleys instead. She had seen them on the way in. It had made sense afterwards, she already rarely enjoyed walking up stairs, she could not imagine having to climb up and down the tree all day. Imagine having to bring groceries up from the bottom to the top, it would be at least a few hundred steps.
Gregarious said the top of the tree. Once she got there though, she realised it wasn’t a single home, but instead a small cluster of homes was built in the canopy. It smelled great here and the warm feeling from last night returned in full force. Bernin had written the feeling off as just a nice rest, but this was clearly something different. She hadn’t felt this way in a while. She had some idea what it could mean but that would have to wait. She would be here a while and it was better to get this audit underway early.
Gregarious’ home was easily found, she hadn’t even bothered to ask around. Instead, people around had immediately noticed her as being out of place and given her the directions. The home was big, but more impressive were the tables in the open area in front of the home. Even so quickly after sun up, people were seated there, having breakfast. She ignored the people seated and walked up to the front door.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
A butler opened, she hadn’t expected a butler so far from the cities. In full uniform even. He stood still and she realised he was waiting for her to announce herself.
“Mage Bernin, here for the audit.”
“Thank you Mage Bernin, please follow me to the small waiting area. I’ll get Mage Gregarious for you.”
She followed him inside and sat down when he bade her to. The exchange had told her much. He used the title Mage for Gregarious, not Councillor. It could mean many things, things to keep in mind for sure. More surprising was that he clearly used his emphasis when speaking the word ‘Mage’. Few outside of nobility used it that way and they only did so that she would be forced to use their pompous titles as well. It made her think, she only barely resisted writing down her thoughts. It was never good to assume you weren’t being watched at all times inside the home of a Mage the calibre of Gregarious.
Gregarious himself walked in not long after, bringing with him several binders and a young man.
“Bernin, please meet Tyrom. He’s my assistant and the one who keeps my books in order. He will be assisting you with the audit.”
That got a reaction out of her. A single eyebrow raised as she looked over Tyrom. Interesting. Few outside of the capital used professional assistants and even fewer trusted them with their finances. A male assistant was interesting on their own, he wouldn’t be the first to try and seduce her on the orders of a superior. She supposed it would be an interesting few weeks.