“All right, novice, let us see how well you did this time.”

Talindra stood solemnly in the corner of the room as her instructor scrutinized her work. She was certain she did everything right this time, but the unforgiving instructor would always find something to complain about. Something wasn’t scrubbed right, or there were a few specs of dust left in the furniture gaps. She did her best each and every single time, and yet she’d always be berated in the end, for some trivial mistake she made.

But, that’s what all novice maids have to go through if they want to be accepted by noble masters. And, no matter how unforgiving, her instructor was kind enough to take Talindra under her care. Out of dozens of maids who sought the instructor’s help, she was the chosen one. Meaning that giving up was simply not an option.

Her family would certainly never forgive that. Talindra dreaded to think what her grandmother had to do so she’d have such a prestigious instructor. And if she proves herself, who knows? Maybe her instructor will put in a good word for her. Maybe she’ll even get to serve general Maelyrra, just like her instructor. There could be no greater honor, for both her and her family, than to serve under the greatest elven hero.

Maybe she’ll even run into human maids a few times? After all, everyone knows the humans are constantly bothering general Maelyrra about all kinds of things.

A stern voice interrupted her daydreaming:

“Hmm … it looks like you did your duty properly, this time. I have a hard time finding something out of place. But, after a decade of my close attention, it was about time. I was starting to worry about you.”

Turning to face Talindra, the instructor stopped for a moment.

“Actually, there is something you missed. Wipe that big smile from your face. A maid is supposed to stay rational at all times.”

“I’m sorry, mistress.”

“I am sure you are. Especially concatenating I and am like some peasant. That being said, you deserve some praise. So I will pretend I did not hear it this time.”

The instructor approached her, grabbing her jaw and shaking it left to right.

“That smile is not supposed to deepen!”

“I am sowy, miswess!”

The instructor let out a disappointed sigh: “Are you daydreaming again? I understand you are just a decade into training, but it is time to stop.”

In the very first year of her apprenticeship, Talindra realized that lying to her instructor is a futile endeavor: “I apologize, mistress. I was just thinking about how much my skills have improved, thanks to you, and how much more they will.”

“It will take far more dedication. Far more than this.”

“I understand, mistress. Know that my dedication has no limits.”

The instructor’s stern face soured upon hearing those words: “That is where you are wrong, novice.”

“I am speaking true, mistress! I will do anything you ask of me.”

“Would you clean windows on top of the tower, from outside, while hanging on a rope?”

The very specific example made Talindra’s ears twitch in confusion.

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“I am waiting for your answer, novice.”

“I … what would be the point? The tower does not even have windows.”

“But if I would find you such a tower, would you clean them from the outside if I demanded you to? While hanging on a rope?”

“I understand mistress,” Talindra bowed her head respectfully, “you are telling me there are limits to my capabilities.”

“Your only limit is your determination, novice. And reasonable people keep their determination reasonable.”

“I understand, mistress. I promise I will not make such foolish statements in the future.”

“Grab your tools, and let us go. There is never a lack of rooms that need cleaning.”

As they walked through the hall, Talindra decided to speak.

“Mistress, you told me that I should ask you about anything that I do not understand.”

“Yes. Do ask.”

“I understand your point, but why rope? Why hanging on a rope? Cleaning windows from the outside is silly enough, so why insist on a rope?”

Talindra could swear she saw her instructor smiling for the first time: “Because that is what the human maids do.”

“Huh?”

“No huh, novice. Stop with the peasant tongue.”

“I am sorry, mistress. But, what do you mean, that is what the human maids do?”

“You know that human maids have become an ideal. Something all the other maids on this continent are striving to become like.”

“Yes, and I do not understand why. Why have even we, the elves, accepted the human maids as the most superior ones? I must admit, it irritates my high-elven blood to no end.”

That made the instructor smile once more.

“Maybe you have heard of bizarre constructions the humans are building. The so-called skyscrapers.”

“All I know about them is that they are incredibly tall.”

“Yes, and most of them are built out of glass.”

“Glass?”

“Yes, glass.”

“There are all kinds of wild rumors about the humans. Do you believe that one is true?”

“I know it is because I have seen those skyscrapers with my own eyes.”

“Oh …”

“It sounds impossible, but it is true. Those massive things have glass for walls. It is so polished, you can see your reflection in it, like in a mirror.”

“I … if you say so then I believe it to be true.”

“Now, here is a problem. Glass gets stained very easily and has to be cleaned often. So tell me, as an aspiring maid, how would you clean those tall, huge, sky-piercing walls made out of glass.”

“We open the frame and clean the glass from the inside.”

“You would open a wall?”

“Umm …”

“You cannot open a wall, you have to clean it from the outside. But the glass is ten times, no, twenty times taller than the tower.”

“What is the point of having such a tall building?”

“Humans have very little land, just the city of Qalo and its surroundings. So, since they do not have enough land to build around the city, they are building up.”

“Is that where the rope comes in?”

“Yes, novice. That is why the human maids are held in such high regard. Only a human maid will climb on top of the building that is as tall as the clouds, wrap a rope around his waist, and clean glass while hanging in the air.”

“His?”

“Yes. I have only ever seen their male maids clean windows like that. There could be some females doing it, but I have not seen one.”

“Humans have … male maids?”

“Humans have all kinds of unbelievable things. Do you understand now? Why you should never compare yourself with a human maid?”

“But … why do it? That is insane! A maid is supposed to make her lady’s life easier, not risk her life in the most outrageous manner possible! And for what, to clean some windows?”

“Humans are not intelligent creatures, that is for sure. But they make up for it with their dedication. You have probably heard of their impressive knowledge. The truth is, very little of it is a product of intelligence. It is a product of their dedication because, when humans are passionate about something, they will pursue their goal as if possessed. Maid, scholar, or a warrior, it makes no difference. So, when an elven mage dies after trying to cast some thunder spell, the other elves will realize thunder is not to be meddled with. Humans will do the exact opposite. They will dedicate their lives to understanding it and, eventually, after a pile of corpses, some human will figure it out. Also, you must have heard how humans hate it when their spouse has sex with someone else.”

“I have heard of it. What of it?”

“That is a great example of their dedication. Once married, it is unimaginable for them to even give a flirtatious look to someone who is not their spouse. Their society sees it as the ultimate betrayal. That all sounds silly, but, since dedication is the highest virtue a maid can have, it also means that humans are made for it. Therefore, no matter how hard you try, you cannot outdedicate a human. Even if they are not a maid.”

“I understand dedication, but going to such lengths is … disturbing. It sounds as if …”

“After everything that has happened, they are still classified as demons for a reason. Even though we have accepted them.”