Looking out at the rising sun, Gammel took a deep breath to steady himself for what he knew would be a long day.
And it begins. He thought to himself as he finished making the two meals he and his sister would need for the day. There's still so much to do before the banquet tonight! I haven't heard back from the flower sellers; The Wood-workers told me there's just not enough lumber to make all the seats we'll need. Could everyone bring their own seats and blankets? Would that be seen as rude? Then there's our weekly family evening just an hour before....Tettsena could just wear her formal dress. No, no it's bound to get dirty and wrinkled.
“Tett, we have to get moving!” He interrupted his running thoughts before they could get out of control. He entered his sister's room, opening the curtains. A groaning sound came from somewhere in the pile of blankets and pillows on the bed as it began to move. An arm made a grab for the timekeeper near the bed, getting it in the fourth attempt. “Why do I have to get up now? School doesn't start till 8:30.” Came the grumbled response as a disheveled head popped out.
She's so cute when her hair splays out like that. Gammel thought to himself before answering. “You know today is a big day for me. I have a lot to do before the banquet tonight.” He reminded her for the tenth time while exiting her room. He checked to make sure they each had what they'd need for the day. He grabbed two learners off the little table in the common room and put them in Tett’s bag, glad to see she used them.
“Hurry up!” He called as she entered the washroom. He liked that they were able to get a corner apartment in the children's dormitories. They're smaller than some others and don't have sleeping rooms next to each other. This made it so he didn't disturb his little sister coming home late as he often did. It had the kitchen in the common room and just one washroom. Which meant no wasted space. It was also easier to keep clean. He grabbed a few other things for his sister's bag.
“Have you got everything?” He asked as she came out, finishing a braid in her hair. “Your school learners; Dragon beads; Farmer’s bun; Scribbler... “ He began to list off.
“Yeah yeah, yeah!” She interrupted, knowing he had already double checked. “Let’s go.” She grabbed her bag.
He grabbed his own bag and opened the door for her. He locked the door behind them.. They began walking down the long corridor toward the stairs. Weaving between some chairs and toys someone had left in the hall, he wished everyone lived to his standards. Getting outside, Gammel said “Nana Dune -”
“Not Nanny Dune! She's so boring!" Tett wined, interrupting.
“Nanny Dune will pick you up directly after school.” He continued in a firmer voice. Tett sighed in submission as they continued across the bridge to the main part of Maynard, the sanctuary where they live. “Be good for Nanny Dune while I'm away.” Gammel said as they neared the four-story school estate. “Don't forget, she has a list of all your tricks and hiding places as well as a list of your daily routine.”
“I'm not a little kid anymore, I can take care of myself you know.” She said, trying one last time to get out of being watched by Nanny Dune.
“I'd still rather Nanny Dune be with you. This isn't a day trip, or even a few days. I’ll be gone for at least a month.” Gammel reminded her. “We have to succeed!” He stated firmly, almost like a prayer, but also to strengthen his own resolve.
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“Can't you tell me anything?" She asked, trying to wheedle some information about his trip from him, being unsuccessful so far. "Just a little thing? Like, who is going with you?"
"You know I can't." He said for the hundredth time. "More like won't." Tettsena mumbled while rolling her eyes.
"What's that?" He asked, though he could guess what it was. "How many times do I have to tell you not to mumble?!"
"I'll miss you!" She said sweetly to cover the comment. He raised an eyebrow unbelievingly at the answer. "I will!" She said a little offended that he didn’t believe her.
“Okay.” He said relenting, with a smile. “Remember to change into your formal dress before the banquet.”
“I hate that thing, it's so stiff!” She grumbled. Gammel grinned at his sister's displeasure.
“Also we have our weekly meeting with our parents before the banquet. So don't be late.” He warned.
“Again?! But we just had one last week!” Tett said in fake shock.
"Tett!" Gammel said in warning. She hugged her brother goodbye.
My sister, she always has to get the last word in. He thought to himself. Gammel pulled gently on her braid, something he'd done for a long time, for luck, he always said..
”Take care!” She called as she ran to catch up to her friend who had also come early to school.
He watched her enter the building with a worried expression on his face, even though he knew he'd be late. He sighed gustily and continued on toward the church building in the center of town. It was also the government building. As well as whatever else they could cram in there.
A big six story stone structure that once had a courtyard in the middle. You could see where the new construction began from the outside because it was made of different stones and in a different style. He didn't like that you could see the difference. He felt the Mason’s Department should have put more time and effort into getting the right stones and studying the old style of the building to match it. He also knew why they hadn’t done it right. It was because they needed the space desperately. It still wasn't quite big enough.
He had had to shut down the surrounding market for a week to be able to prepare the square for the farewell banquet tonight. Gammel had tried to keep it to a small affair so it could be held in the banquet hall, but The Head Dragon Priest (and his master) had advised to have the whole Sanctuary attend. "It was a grand event for the people, after all, and everyone will want to wish the party well before they leave in the morning.”
The head priest was also known as "The Dragon", whose birth name was Burton. What The Dragon wanted, The Dragon got . He does know what is best for the sanctuary. Gammel thought to himself. Soon, I will receive divine guidance to lead us to prosperity, like Master Burton.
Gammel was in charge of all of the arrangements for their journey in preparation for when he took over as head priest, as well as picking the members that would accompany him and organize replacements for their jobs here. He had needed to pick four people just to cover what he normally did, and to do it at his high standards as the dragon's Apprentice.
His parents had been so proud and happy at his advancement, as they were now treated like the Royal Family. He was happy too, but hadn’t known it would increase his worries and work load two to three times more. He was learning to delegate. He just felt others couldn't do things as well as he could.
He loved the people and the church but felt torn between his duty to them and the demands of raising his little sister. He was very happy his parents stopped having kids after Tettsena, and didn't opt for the three children each family was allowed. He didn’t think he could keep up with another precocious sibling and perform his duties well. Gammel liked to have things a certain way, and was not sure what he would do if things didn't work. This was one reason why he was able to achieve so much in his seventeen years.
It did offer some perks, like being able to move him and his sister into their current apartment, And hiring as many caretakers as needed for his sister. He also liked the increased access to the church’s archives so he would be able to progress further in the church than most people.
He thought about all this as he observed the busy final preparations and then walked into the building.