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Posted on January 17, 2014 at 05:49:18 AM by arthur
 “Don’t worry, Mallos,” the king smiled coldly, “if you lose them around the castle or in the grounds, I am sure the guards will make returning them to you a priority. I would hate for you to misplace something important.” He looked pointedly at the stack of papers then, Mallos might find his English-accented Spanish to be cringe-worthy, but Arthur was keen to make it clear that any idiot could work out what urgent meant. “If you would like to move to an office with less of a through-draft, then I’m certain it can be arranged. There’s a perfect little room on the ground floor...” The ground floor was used only by the household staff, “no windows.” Neither the Spaniard’s physical, nor vocal impression had any outward effect upon Arthur; his forbidding expression remained unchanged. “You should consider speaking like that more often,” the king commented provocatively, “it suits you.” He did not pause, his lesson on that score learnt, and overrode any opportunity for his father-in-law to voice his inevitable objections. It was important, Arthur knew, when dealing with someone like Mallos, not to hand them control of the conversation. Once they had taken over, it was almost impossible to re-divert them. Thus far in the conversation, Mallos had mostly just responded, and Arthur intended to keep it that way. “You know, of course,” he continued, leaning back in his chair, “that I received a letter from Tsi. He was very good as to suggest various ways of dealing with you.” The King reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. It was not the letter itself which had been far too long and would cause Mallos far too much pleasure. Arthur had scribbled down his choice favourites for his own use. “Manual labour,” he read, glancing at Mal over the top of the piece of parchment, “pet-sitting, and oh! One of my personal favourites, helping the guards in the barracks – I know how much you enjoy their company.” Arthur poured himself a goblet of wine, an indication that he intended to be in the office for quite some time; it was not going to be a short meeting. Slowly, and very deliberately, he folded the piece of paper in half and tucked it back into his pocket. “I honestly cannot decide which would be best,” he sighed, shaking his head, “they all have their merits, don’t you agree?” Again, Arthur failed to pause, powering through any answer Mallos may have tried to give, “I was thinking, perhaps a combination of all of the above. There are certainly a good many jobs to be done around the castle; there always is, you understand, in a building of this size. The chief groom is always happy for an extra pair of hands, not to mention the head falconer and the kennel master. I am equally sure that the captain of the guard would be able to make some recommendation of his own. Oh!” Arthur, leaned forwards a little, “or, I could have a word with the cook.” Finally, the king paused briefly in order to take another sip of wine, “what do you think, Mallos?” |
Replies:
- there's a wise man in every fool. - By mallos January 18, 2014 at 05:34:01 AM
- through mist and shadow - By arthur January 22, 2014 at 05:11:12 AM
- there's a wise man in every fool. - By mallos January 24, 2014 at 02:19:22 AM
- through mist and shadow - By arthur January 22, 2014 at 05:11:12 AM
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