Post by Ian on Jan 23, 2021 17:45:40 GMT
“It is time to go.”
The Butler kneels before his adopted master, perched on a satin pillow.
“I owe you my life, and I am eternally grateful for the time I was allowed to serve you in turn, in what little way I could.”
The master sighs and bats away further niceties with a languid gesture.
“There is really no need, Henry. I have enjoyed your company and wish you all the best for your journey. Do you know where you will be heading to?”
Henry nods, “Indeed, my lord. I shall travel back to Cormyr, to the Baron Siegfried’s estate. It is high time that I take up my rightful place by his side once more. If…” there is an almost imperceptible pause,”…he will still have me.”
The master purrs and bats long-leashed eyes. “He would be a fool not to! Fear not my friend, all will be well. And if you should ever return to Kantas, please drop in, I would very much like to share a cup of milk with you again and trade stories.”
Henry allows himself to break into a smile and reaches out to give Master Berenwald Grimburn III one last serving of scritches, right behind the ears, before getting to his feet.
“It has been my honor. Thank you, my friend.” He bows deeply – and leaves. No more words are necessary.
Greebo looks after him for a minute – and then returns his attention to the pillow tussle.
_-=+=-_
It is late when he arrives. The estate is cloaked in long shadows, as the sun hides behind the nearby hills of the vineyard. The rain falls in fat drops, a ceaseless barrage of cold water that pierces his coat. But Henry hardly notices the cold. He does notice the lack of light in the windows.
He knocks at the heavy door of the mansion and awaits the night porter to open.
Noone comes.
He knocks again.
And again.
With more urgency each time.
“Henry, is that you?! By the gods!” Henry pushes past him into the foyer. Only a few candles are lit, but in the grey gloom he can see that not all is well. Dust has accumulated in the corners, he notes, an oversight no proper Manservant would have allowed the staff.
“What has happened here?”
“The Baron, he…” the old porter nervously wrings his hands “…has been unwell.”
Henry leaves the porter at the door and hurries up the winding staircase, past the library and trophy wing, straight for the Baron’s private suite. When he comes to the great double-doors of the bedroom he finds them ajar. A small gathering of relatives, moochers, lickspittles and “distant relations” are gathered about, but Henry weaves through them, eyes fixed on the bed cast in gloom by the heavy brocade baldachin.
There, huddled among the pillows and weighed down by blankets and furs lies Siegfried, Baron von Hagen. Ragged breaths cause the blankets to rise ever so slightly – and a little less each time. Henry approaches and falls to his knees at the bedside, taking the Baron’s limp hand.
“My lord. I have returned. Please forgive my delay, I came as soon as I could.”
“Henry? Is that you…?”
“Yes, sir. All is well.”
“Oh Henry! I thought you lost! In that cave… All for a few statues… I am so sorry!” the Baron begins to weep, but the Butler pulls a hankerchief from his pocket and daubs away the tears before they can fall and sully the silken pillows.
“There is no need, sir. All is well.”
“I should have waited. I should have organized a rescue party. I should have… should have…”
The Baron trails off, a violent coughing fit seizing his entire body. He has grown frail, a trembling leaf in the wind, the mighty oak having finally succumbed to the teeth of time.
“You did what you could, sir. There is no need for apologies. All is as it should be. All is well.”
“Yes Henry. I am so glad that you came back. My friend. All the way from Kantas…”
“Of course, sir.”
“It was quite the adventure we had, didn’t we?”
“Yes sir.”
“Henry?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I think I can go now.”
_-=+=-_
Here lies Siegfried, Baron von Hagen.
Famed adventurer and duelist of Cormyr.
Peer of the realm and royal companion.
Explorer extraordinaire.
Husband, father, friend.
Famed adventurer and duelist of Cormyr.
Peer of the realm and royal companion.
Explorer extraordinaire.
Husband, father, friend.