Chapter 5: Training week (pt.1) [3281]
4th Candle of the Day, Sunnudagr, Erstweek, Blüthamond, 69th year of the Adelsjahr,
Castle's Library
'A Sea of Books' was an apt description of the castle's library, which was situated on the third floor of the castle.
It surpasses all other rooms, second only to the dining hall.
They divided the Library into two smaller rooms: the study lounge, which was decorated to the brim like most things in this castle, and the actual library, which was not as decorated but adequate not to stand out.
In the study lounge, an older man was teaching a child, surrounded by servants, books, and scrolls of various kinds.
The old man closed the book he was teaching the child and asked him to close his notes.
"Now, let's start with the basics," he said.
"First, the calendar," he added.
"There are 12 candles in a day, six of day, six of night," he said.
Pausing to catch his breath, he continued, "Starting from Tagr, Wodin, Tordur, Frigedaeg, Samstag, Sunnudagr, Manadagr, Midvinterdag, Varblotdag, and Solskedag, there are ten days in a week."
"A month consists of four weeks — Erstweek, Zweitweek, Drittweek, and Viertweek. Then there are 11 months a year; Blüthamond, Ernthamond, Sonnenshtamond, Gluthmond, Lichtmond, Herbstmond, Jagdshthamond, Nebelshthamond, Wintshtarmund, Eishthamond, Nebelshthamond," he said.
"Hmm, you catch quite fast, Young Lord, I still remember Young Mistress Elara took an entire week to remember them," the old man praised the child.
"Thank you, Mr. Eion," Anmol said with a smile.
"Now then, tell me the social structure of Atrekha," he tested the child.
Anmol, without wasting a breath, opened his mouth and said,
"Nobility is based around mana, Eru-ukha, or the Master, the nobles having the largest mana reservoir. Because of being able to cast bigger spells and for longer periods, they have an uncontested dominance over the rest of the population,"
He stopped to catch his breath and continued,
"After them, are the Yaag-ukha, the Servants, or the Knights, they have significantly less mana reservoir compared to noble but more compared to the commoners. As their names suggest, they are servants to the noble since they are offsprings of the noble and commoner."
"And in the end, there are Stral-ukha, the Commoners. They have next to no mana reservoir, they are weak and short-lived compared to the nobility. Their sole purpose is to serve the nobles," he said.
"What if people of two different social classes mate? What would be the child's class?" Foinbharr Eoin asked Anmol.
"In that case, the child's class depends mostly on the class of their parents, but there is more chance of the child inheriting the mana reservoir of the parent with higher class," Anmol answered.
"What If they are Lords?" Eoin asked.
The child will be a Lord as well. But it is sporadic for the child to be Astra-uruk or High Lords. Hight Lords have more mana reservoir than their parents combined and a higher life expectancy." He answered.
"Correct, now then. Young Lord, our time for today is done, but tomorrow you do have a test of local politics. After that, we can start on the internal political structure and different families that serve the Master."
Anmol nodded. "I won't disappoint you," he said.
"I'm sure Young Lord won't," Eoin giggled.
"Mr. Eoin, how many families there are?" Anmol asked the man.
"Give me the regional map," Eoin commanded the servant standing near him. The servant complied and handed the map a scroll lying among the stacks of books in the trollies a few servants were carrying.
Eoin spread the map on the table.
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/mapmaking/comments/1db94ts/my_first_map_is_finished/
"As I told you, Qourdentz territory comprises five main families. The main family, of course, and the four subordinates and branches Earl Tiefsee, Earl Küstenstein, Earl Krause, and Earl Eisental." Eoin said.
"Each one has 50 to 80 knight families under them," he continued.
"Do I have to remember all of them?" Anmol asked Eoin with a strained smile.
"Yes, it is important to know about our relatives. Young Lord has to remember all of them, but for now, knowing about the major one will be sufficient," he explained.
"Quite the big family I got," Anmol said in sarcasm.
"No, it used to be bigger in the past, but you have to thank your Grandmother, Old Misstress Cassia for not having to waste your time learning about the waste of resources, some of the members were," Eoin replied with a hint of anger in his voice.
"The head maid told me that we did have a civil war in the past. Can you tell me more about that and Misstress Cassia?" Anmol asked with curiosity.
"Yes, I can, but that is a sensitive topic, so don't mention it often. Hope Young Lord will understand." Eoin requested with a bow.
"Yeah, sure. I was just curious to know about the history." Anmol replied.
"It's been almost seven decades since the purge, but I still remember as if it were yesterday," Eoin said in a low voice, reminiscing.
"As you know about Duke Spearziek of the Jinkian Empire, they are our enemies," he continued, tracing our rivalry back to the founders of our families.
'Damn, these guys are proper nobles with historical family rivalry and stuff.' Anmol thought in his head.
As they conversed, a feminine voice interjected, coming from the door where a maid stood, one of the attendants accompanying Anmol's little sister.
Eoin turned to the maid. "Yes?"
"I apologize if I've interrupted Young Lord's lessons," the maid said with a respectful bow,
"but Young Mistress Elara has sent a message for Young Lord Anmol."
Eoin nodded.
"No problem at all. Now, shall we continue our discussion after your test tomorrow?" he asked Anmol.
Anmol agreed with a nod.
Eoin rose from his seat, bowed, and exited the room.
Turning his attention back to the maid, Anmol inquired,
"So, what did my little sister have to say?"
"Young Lord, please refrain from calling that till the official ceremony." She corrected him.
"Sorrrrrryyyy, I'll wait," he said.
"So, what's the message?"
"Young Mistress has invited you for a tea after lunch." The maid replied.
"Tell her I'll be there," Anmol replied.
"As you wish." The maid bowed and left.
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Beginning of the 6th Candle of the Day,
Castle's Garden.
On this serene day in Neunelly, as the winter relinquished its grip and summer whispered promises of abundance, the city's inhabitants bustled with vitality.
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People across the social strata were preparing for the harvest season.
Farmers tending to the fields, craftsmen working on their artistry, merchants selling their wares, and administrative personnel bracing for the imminent flood of paperwork.
Among all these people were two children, currently in the courtyard of the Castle of this city's ruler.
The children were sitting in the gazebo made of a dark-colored wood with a roof made of Himmilstien, casting the gazebo in its characteristic mystical faint blue light.
Sheltered beneath the bought of a time-worn tree, providing both shade and some privacy from the rest of the garden.
Amidst the garden's enchanting embrace, Anmol and Elara relax in a charming nook, savouring a tranquil tea time. A symphony of colorful blossoms enveloped them, creating a whimsical haven. The air itself carried the sweet, fragrant whisper of the diverse flora that adorned their surroundings, adding a touch of nature's poetry to their afternoon rendezvous.
"Thank you, Lord Anmol, for accepting my invitation," said the girl.
"Oh, no need to thank me. How could I not come if you invited me, Lady Elara?" the boy replied.
"Aww, your kind words warm my heart, Lord Anmol. How's the tea? This is a special blend of leaves of Vermillion Astor, the flower of Reinstrenblum, mixed with roots of Yellow Tiutara and roosted Cindregum pods," Elara said with a delighted smile.
Anmol looked at the cup he was holding. The tea had a reddish, dark brown color with a few white flowers floating on top.
Although the looks were different, it taste was quite nostalgic.
'Hmmm... although I never had tea without milk, it's quite similar to my special cha blend' he thought.
"Oh, Lady Elara, the taste is quite nostalgic to the tea we have at home."—he took a sip—"With my biases aside, your tea is on the way to becoming one of my favourites," he said
"Is that so? I'm glad you like it so much. The Cindregum pods and the Tiutara were gifted by Viscount Galliana, he said they were brought from the northern forest of Voriodidas, north of Levios Territory in the recent Northern Expedition."
"Hmmm," He picked up the reddish-orange slice of bread with red marmalade of some berries.
"Also another thing," she turned to her made and ordered her to refill them.
"My cousin, Tiefsee Plume is coming here in early Veirtweek," she said.
"So 24-ish days till I have to remember all the etiquettes?"
"Yes, but Rowena says that everyone will lower expectations of manners from you, so that's the good news," she said with a giggle.
"Yup, that's definitely the good news," he said.
"So, tell me more about your cousin," Anmol asked.
"Minnie is from the Tiefsee family as I said. She's older than both of us, she'll be 11 at Solskblüthernstfest."
"Oh sorry, you are 10, so you'll be the same age as her," she added.
"She was born on harvest festival?" he asked.
"Ah, no, we simply mark the occasion by celebrating our birth on that day." she elaborated.
"I reckon it's not like that in your culture?"
"Yes, we have our celebration 'on' the day we were born," he replied.
"Like I was born on 14th of May, 2004. So I celebrate my birthday on that day every year," he added.
"You must have to remember a lot of dates like that?"
"Yes and no. I just remember the dates of my parents, sister, some cousins and other members and best friends, the rest are just marked on the calendar. I think we deviated from our original topic quite a bit."
"I apologise but I'm quite interested in 'Earth'."
"Can't really blame you. So Teifsees, If I remember correctly are the commanders of the Northern Navy and the main diplomats regarding the Royals?" he asked the princess.
"Yes, did Eion teach you about the Knights already?" she asked wide-eyed.
"Just the basic introduction. He will start that tomorrow," he took another piece of bread but with some orange-ish marmalade.
"Really? That is really quick. It's not even been a proper week since you 'came' here and they are already on internal politics and history." *sigh* "I hope they are not being too tough on you." she said.
"Oh…no, they aren't, you see I was on top of my classes since I have been in school. They could increase my class with Mr. Fionbrahh and it would be fine." Anmol said.
"Hmm. Anyway, sister Minnie. As I said she's my older cousin from the Tiefsee family. She is the only granddaughter of Earl Tiefsee Lothar. She lived with us for a whole year three years ago, due to the birth of Yostral-yaag Kappianerk in Hodos polluted field in Count Galliana's territory." she said.
"Kappianerk? That's the...….. monster turtle Lord Graphis killed? If I remember correctly?"
"Ahh, No that's Kappiat. Kappianerk was the one who made the Verdorbenweg. I'm sure Eion will teach you all about the recorded Yostral-yaag."
"So yes, sister Minnie did stay in our castle a few years back, she told me a lot about the Norðrski-Arhaf, the sea west of Norðfælda, how they live there, thier food and other things. Like how their ships are different and they don't have turtles in the waters there! She also told me about her castle....." Elara finally found someone to dump all the knowledge she knew about the Isfloðarhof, the castle of the Tiefsee family.
'Hmm….. she used 'Norðfælda' for the isthmus joining the Southern and Northern continent, but used 'Hodos' for the 'polluted fields', subtle propaganda since 'Hodos' is the Royal dialect for Norðfælda? Is the Kappianerk incident is the result of Royal incompetence?' he sips another cup as he thinks about the political realm he's about to set foot in.
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Solskdag, Zweitweek, Blüthamond, 69th year of the Adelsjahr,
1st Candle of the Day,
Junior Scribe dormitory
"Voigt Conrad!", a young man with brown hair tied in a ponytail, screamed in a dormitory, full of younger boys. The inhabitants had just begun to freshen up but the voice had thrown everyone's drowsiness out the window.
'Conrad' meanwhile in the middle of removing his nightgown, finished up and straightened his back to look somewhat presentable and said, "Y–Yes?".
An average-height boy with blonde, shoulder-length messy hair replied.
"Heilskribna Klossner Haydn expects you in his office in a half candle!" the teen said, leaving without Conrad's reply.
"Yes! I will be there!" Conrad screamed.
"How bad it is?" asked a red-haired boy standing in front of Conrad.
"a..a-I don't know."
"Must be pretty bad, servant of Vice-Quartermaster himself came to relay this message, at LITTERAL FIRST RAYS OF THE SIRIJ AND KOGAJ?!" said his bunk-mate.
"I don't know Zenzi," Conrad said.
"Don't worry. I'll beg Quartermaster to let me execute you if it's a breach." Zenzi patted the brown-haired boy.
Some Time Later
Conrad, now dressed in better-than-usual clothes stands in front of the Heilskribna's office in Qourdentz Castle, and knocks on his door, asking for permission.
"Come in," said a low voice.
Conrad obeyed. Upon entering he saw the 'office'. It would be better to call it a library, while not as majestic as the main one, it still was filled with books, scrolls and wax tablets on various subjects and sensitive matters were scribed.
In the middle of the room was a table with two old men sitting facing each other drinking tea, surrounding them were a few servants.
Conrad recognised the man behind the desk, Klossner Haydn– The Heilskribna. the Master of Scribe, Library and Intelligence.
Every report, account and other information passes through his desk first and then gets stored.
Some rumours say that he has keys to a secret library where everyone's life stories and thoughts are written in books, whether they are dead, or alive.
Exaggerated, sure. But he does have extensive reports about everyone who enters the noble sector of the city.
Conrad's eyes widen when he recognizes who the other man is.
Anverst Reginald, the Head of Butlers, and personal servant of current Lord Qourdentz.
'Why is Master Anverst here? Did I create some serious mess?'
It's been a week since winter receded but the mornings were still quite cold, despite that sweat still pooled on his forehead.
'But I did make sure every document I scribed was up to standards. Even most of the superiors praise me.'
"Young Voigt, what made you so lost in thought that you forgot manners?" Haydn said, making his train of thought come to a full stop.
"I am very sorry for the disgrace!!" he said and bowed, making his upper body perpendicular to the floor.
'WHAT??!! WHAT DID I DO?! DID AN ACTUAL LEAK HAPPEN?'
"Again lost in your thoughts, you are only making yourself more suspicious, child," Haydn said, looking directly at Conrad and stroking his beard.
Hearing this Reginald put his cup down with a sigh.
"Haydn stop messing with the child." The Headbutler said.
*Haah* "Let me have my morning entertainment." Haydn sighed.
"Anyway, give us some privacy," Haydn said to the servants.
Everyone except for the old men and Conrad left the Master Scribe's office.
"Voigt Conrad, you have caught my attention recently." Master Scribe said.
"Your diligence, work ethic as well as results are worthy of a promotion."
'Wait, really? Didn't expect that it will come this soon."
"From now on you will be joining the Codex of Ink Bearers."
'What?....'
"Voigt Conrad, now you look suspicious, you should stop getting lost in your head. It is not a good impression you leave on your superiors," the butler said and took a sip of his tea.
"I am truly sorry for my lack of manners and decorum!!" Conrad made an all-most 90-degree bow and apologised.
"I would highly recommend you work on your manners if you want to not embarrass the Family." the butler continued.
"I agree. Etiquettes are important in social events, even domestic ones. You don't want to be the blemish on Our Family."
"Anyways, take these scrolls and go to the Codex Hall. High Scribe Kraüse Ada have already informed of your arrival. And these scrolls are your official transfer to-," Haydn gave the scrolls with the personal seal of Haydn.
"The Tinteführer Kodeks."
"It's an honour to work in the Tinteführer Kodeks. Despite my shortcomings, I will not disappoint you!' Conrad said.
"I have high hopes your you, young Voigt. Now go, you don't want to be late on your first day as Inkbearer."
"Yes! I will leave immediately!", and Conrade vacate the office.
"Haydn, you sure you made the right choice? Voigts are cartographers, not scribes." Anverst asked.
"I'm aware of this and the reason is exactly why I chose this Voigt over Emlin Foehrkolb," Haydn handed over a scroll to the redhead.
"Life-scroll of Voigt Conrad ?"
"Yes, look at the marked area of the Personal Interest section."
When Anverst read the contents he found it was filled with names of different books, by different authors. But all had one commonality.
"He likes The Ancient language."
"Yes, my friend," Hayden said.
"And that is exactly why I chose him over the Foehrkolbs."
"According to what Young Lord has told us, of the three languages he knows, one is like ours– like how our Atresa, we write vowels and consonants, but the consonants may have different sounds depending on the word, verb, placement and context," Haydn said.
"Well 'English' Is quite similar to Atresa."
"Really? So learning it would not be very difficult then?" Anverst asked.
"Not really, Young Lord described this language as three children standing on top of each other, wearing a long coat pretending to be a thief, who loot everyone he sees."
"And he describes Qourdentzi Atresa as 'one of those languages– a mix of German and Nordic, maybe don't know,' he said," Haydn said.
"That is one funny way to describe a language," Anverst said with a chuckle.
"So what are the other ones?"
"Yes, the other one. While 'English' is similar to ours, others aren't."
"They work on a different writing system, in them– they usually don't write the vowel, they add a little symbol of the vowel to modify the existing consonants. There are other interesting things in these languages, like the existence of a pseudo-vowel, half-consonants and I haven't even touched twenty-two other 'official' languages Young Lord's former country uses!" Haydn's face was something that Anverst knew very well— he found a new interest.
"Twenty-two? Are you sure Young Lord isn't exaggerating or misremembering? Few were understandable but twenty-two? That's just unbelievable."
"You read the reports on his article?, One of them was a 'note' of 'paper currency' which was written in seventeen languages. No wonder you or anyone would think it's unbelievable! But his world has something which is called 'Lingua Franca'— a common language which they use to communicate."
"Anyways we are getting away from the topic, if you think it sounds somewhat similar to The Ancient Language, then yes, it somewhat is."
"Weird, the similarities between us," Anverst said.
"Yes, very weird, unnatural even," Haydn replied.
"How?"
"There are more similarities, many more. From similar lifeforms to cultures, languages, clothes styles, arts and many more. It's just Unnatural!!"