The Crows on the Corpse (Elias Truden)

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien walked through the lobby of the high council offices and entered an elevator. He had retired with honour so he wasn't challenged . He had come here under the pretenders of taking a glass globe from Andra's desk, he did want the globe but he had actually come to employ [member="Elias Truden"] Andra's former assistant.

He passed by his old offices it was rather different now . He passed on swiftly and moved on to Andra's offices , he could only hope Elias was there.

 

[Asher]

It had been a good run, but when your boss gets 'fired' and your main source of income -- actually, your only source of income -- gets suspended there is little you can do but take it with a sigh. I had gone to Andra's offices to give the place a final rundown before the office was handed over to the next man or woman climbing the food chain. There was a small bottle of scotch in the cabinet that had gone untouched in months and I had no idea why.

With the shake of my head I rise from my crouched position. A melancholic little smile set upon me. It was odd to think that I had managed to do so little in so much time yet enjoyed it this much. As much as I missed my friend I had to keep my mind on other things. In the end it was just another spot up there among the others.

Footsteps in the hallways pass me by as I take one final look out the window. Annej still didn't feel quite like home.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien rounded the corner into the former offices on the Sivas administration. [member="Elias Truden"] was stood there "captivating isn't it ?" He said going to lean on the door frame. It was the principle thing he missed about his old office.

He looked around the place had been cleared out the next occupant would put their own stamp on things . " Lady Sivas is safe by the way, I have her stowed away on Skye " he said as he shuffled in taking the scotch from the cabinet but sighed when he couldn't find a glass " how are you keeping Mr. Truden "

 

[Asher]

I withdrew my attention from the landscape outside and let them set upon [member="Lucien Cordel"] . "It certainly is, Mister Cordel."

I had never met the man in person but I could remember having sent a few messages between him and Andra. They seemed to know each other well and judging by the fact that he had her safely 'stowed away' on Skye it was enough for me to trust him. I let out a sigh of relief that would have gone quiet had it been anyone else.

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about." I point at a smaller cabinet at the opposite of the room. "Glasses are in there, for now."

"Anyway, I am relieved to hear Andra is safe on Skye. It's not every day you wake up only to find yourself 'relieved of duty until further notice' so to speak. So as to how I feel? Straight outta luck, I guess, but there are other jobs, right?"

A nervous chuckle, in reality I hated it but punching a wall in front of a superior was still not a good move and especially not when the nearest wall was made of glass.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"Lord" he sighed under his breath, he had lost a few things but not that title and he was irrationally angered when people addressed as anything other than a Lord. However the moment passed and he Was returned to rationality.

Following [member="Elias Truden"] 's hand led Lucien to the glasses and lucien capitalised pouring a drink for himself and Elias. He was sure Andra wouldn't mind. She was after all on maternity leave in his mountain retreat a drink of scotch was hardly unreasonable. He made a silent toast to the old guard then dipped his scotch and strolled to the window .

"I'm sure Lady Sivas regrets that you've been left in the lurch she thinks highly of you , as for your present lack of employment I may be able to help there , you come highly praised by Andra and I need a new permanent assistant to shadow me always, I pay well but make no mistake I'm a vastly different boss to Andra , for a start I'll require you take up residence with me incase I need you in an emergency." He stared out over the capital it was abuzz as ever "You will need to keep to rigorous standards but I can be a spring board to better jobs and I'm the only one who knows where Andra is" Lucien downed his scotch and placed the glass and a calling card on the desk and walked from the room "Contact my secretary within the hour If you want the job, I'm not accustomed to waiting on people"

 

[Asher]

I cleared my throat in embarrassment. "Right, sorry, Lord Cordel."

The man walked up to the window and I positioned myself a bit closer for the sake of not seeming like the total stranger that I was. To hear I was highly thought of and praised was weird. Certainly not in a bad way but it was unexpected. Yet not even half as unexpected as being offered a job. I perked my eyebrows in surprise and turned around to face the man.

Even with rigorous standards and a springboard to better opportunities I'd be an idiot not to take the chance. The man downed his drink and I couldn't get a single syllable out of me. A thank you felt like it'd be too soon and a 'I will think on it' felt stupid.

The man left the room and I wasted no time to get the comm devices out. A complete resume and previous letters of recommendation was sent to his secretary. Maybe things would get better, and soon.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

A message was returned soon after

Dear Mr. [member="Elias Truden"]

It is with great pleasure that you are accepted into the Employment of Lord Cordel. Please make your way to the lake town on Annaj and attend the Cordel estate. You will be paid a fixed wage of 80,000 credits per fiscal year. Your expected to be on call at any given time with the exception of one day off per week and a four week allowance for personal time off to be taken at your discretion.

You will serve as Lord Cordel's primary assistant and will be primary aid and will be in charge of his Calendar and be privy to much of his dealings. To assist you you will be in command of a team of secondary assistants based around His graces various holdings as well as having authority over the majority of the household servants with the exception of the butlers and the house keepers who are your equals. Your references speak highly of you and I have no doubt your capable however I would like to outline the standards that are expected of you.

It goes without saying that the information you hear in the course of your role is privileged and you are expected to exercise discretion in relation too it.

You are expected to dress appropriately for all public appearances and events details of dress codes can be obtained from myself should it be required, within the confines of the various private houses owned by Lord Cordel you may dress in whatever you are comfortable in so long as it is appropriate. I must also affirm to you that treading mud into the house will not be tolerated (this is one of his graces pet hates) you are therefore reminded that you are required to either hold a pair of indoor shoes or simply remove your shoes at the door either is accessible.

As part of your employment you will be given rooms at each of Lord Cordel's homes and these rooms will be furnished and decorated to your specifications free of charge once every two years for as long as you are employed with us. You will also be provided with three meals daily and are given use of all of the facilities in the various residences

We look forward to the start of your employment

Sincerely

Lavinia Swiret
Senior secretary