Interlude: Special

Archie stood at the front of the room with all the other staff in attendance for the morning meeting. These had become a necessity over the past weeks, as too much had happened too fast, and the only people exempt from attending were the guards currently on duty.

Looking over everyone, he’d be sure to lecture them later to ensure they were awake and ready, not half asleep like they were.

“Right, I’m calling this meeting to order. Everyone is to maintain their current obligations of the house unless there are any objections,” Archie said from the front.

There was a hand raised near the back. “Sir, the library is getting increasingly difficult to clean. I feel like more books are arriving daily, and half of them look like they are covered in years of dust,” Petra stated.

Archie just shook his head. “Too much dust is not an excuse, Petra. I expect you to keep at it.”

“Well, sir, it’s not just that. The piles are getting so large I just can’t reach anymore. Also, that lady is in there constantly, and she is terrifying,” Petra shivered.

Archie just let out a sigh. “Cameron, can you do the library? Tony, I will move you to the Lord’s wing. Petra will be moved to do foyer and sunroom.”

There was a visible groan from Cameron. “She terrifies me also, but it’ll be nice to get a break from the constant messengers, I suppose.”

“She should! She’s a dragon,” Tony added.

“About that, Archie sir, do we get bonus pay for working with these creatures?” Cameron asked. A few of the others chuckled, even the guards, before quickly straightening up.

A very stern look came across Archie’s face, clearly unimpressed by the joke.

“I will warn you all now. It is not wise to call them creatures, or to think of them as lesser. I have seen what they can do to men. Just yesterday, we had a visitor who travelled across the continent due to night terrors after he encountered Lily. Also, you’re already getting paid the same as royal house staff,” Archie said.

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“Sir, did you get the request from my parents?” the soft voice of Vanessa came through.

“I did, but as I told you already, the Lord has absolutely no interest in politics, so this will go for all of you. He will not meet your parents, no matter how much they ask or the pressure they put on you to make it happen,” Archie frowned.

“Sir, is there any chance I could be removed from kitchen duty? I keep finding random pieces of burnt melon. It’s never ending,” Vanessa groaned.

Archie sighed. “Enough. I already addressed the melons. I believe Lord Ashmoon will do them in the butchery room from now on.”

“Sir, what’s in those massive stone blocks in the butchery room?” Cameron asked.