Getting down to work

The new reve meets his scribe.

When she felt a spike of self-satisfaction, she turned to watch her maighstir as he made his way to the office in the back and looked around. 

At the center of the room was a large wooden desk with silvered inlays and a leather writing surface.  Balgair walked around the desk, nodding as he saw the three drawers with heavy locks.  He made a satisfied noise as he sat in the large wing-backed chair and turned to the desk.  “Do I have a scribe?” 

Tackett nodded, “You do, sir.  She’s probably waiting right outside.  Would you like me to get her?”  When Balgair nodded, the sergeant poked his head out the door and called, “Delilah, your new boss wants to talk to you.”

It took a few minutes, but the woman he had called for walked through the doorway and knelt before Balgair.  “I am Delilah, Maighstir.  I’m the former Reve’s scribe.” 

Heather appraised the woman, noting how she carried herself.  She’s more than a bean-cheangail and less than an umhail. Heather thought as she felt the other woman’s pain of loss.  She misses her maighstir.  She looked up at Balgair.  He knows how she feels. 

“I see,” the new Reve said as he watched the woman.  Even though she looked put together, with her brown hair curled and dress neatly fitted, he sensed her pain, which somewhat surprised him.  Is this new?  He wondered.  He couldn’t remember being this empathic before.  Could this be Ananke’s doing? 

When Delilah looked up at him with her brown eyes, he asked, “Do you want to work for me?” 

For a moment, she was silent, then she nodded, “Yes, maighstir.  I have nothing else.” 

“Were you bonded to the Reve?”  Balgair asked, a sudden suspicion crossing his mind. 

Delilah closed her eyes. No, don’t cry, not here.  “Yes, Maighstir, I was.” 

Crap, Balgair inwardly sighed.  I wonder.  “Are you still living at the Reve’s residence?” 

Heather knew the answer before Balgair did. Yes, she is, and she’s not alone.  When he glanced at Heather, she hesitantly raised two fingers. 

“How many bonds did the Reve have?”  Balgair asked.  When Delilah confirmed Heather’s answer, he blew out his breath.  “Would you and your bond-sister like to stay and serve me?” 

The brown-haired scribe held her breath as she judged Balgair, then hesitantly said, “We wouldn’t want to be any trouble, Maighstir.” 

Balgair shook his head, “It would be no trouble.  Of course, you and your bond-sister will have to step down from your current positions in the house for my Bonds.” 

“Do I have to step down here as well?”  Delilah inquired.

Balgair shrugged, “I don’t think so.  Neither Amelia nor Nell are scribes, and Heather, well,” he looked over at Heather.  “Do you want to be a scribe?”  When Heather shook her head, he said, “Heather doesn’t want the job.” 

“Thank you, Maighstir.  I will do my best for you.”  Delilah whispered. 

She means it, Heather determined as she felt the woman’s relief. 

“Delilah, go back to your desk and write me four letters.  One to the mayor expressing my displeasure that he left the Crystal unattended.  You might as well write one for the Magaidh and the Captain of the Guard.”

“And the last letter?” Delilah asked, gazing at him.

“That’s the easy one.  I want to advertise for new deputies.”  He tapped his finger on the desktop.  “I’m assuming that the deputies got killed when the Reve did, correct?” 

“Yes, Maighstir,” Delilah admitted, “All four of them.”  She paused, “they are all buried together.” 

“I see.”  He ticked off on his fingers.  “I’m going to need a new magaidh, a handful of deputies, and support staff.”  He paused. “Are any of the existing support staff bonds of the deputies?” 

There was complete silence, and then the scribe wept.  “All of us, Maighstir.  All of the existing support staff are bonds to previous deputies.” 

Shyte, I can’t just throw them out of their jobs.  Balgair closed his eyes.  My lady, do I have to bond them all?  I don’t know if I can do that.  Balgair sank onto the chair, his mind awhirl.

Sensing his despair and concern, Heather crawled to his side and placed her hand on his leg. 

Heather, what am I going to do?

When inspiration struck, Heather reached into the bond they shared.  I don’t think Lady Ananke wants you to bond them all.  You have to provide for them until they find new men to bond with. 

That seemed to take away some of the pressure she felt from him.  “Thank you, Heather,” he whispered, then looked at Delilah.  “Let the others know they will still have jobs for as long as they want.” 

The scribe looked at him, surprised by what she heard.  “Thank you, maighstir.  I will do so.” 

“Well, this wasn’t what I expected when I took this job,” Balgair commented. 

“Maybe it was Lady Ananke’s plan, Maighstir.” 

Balgair blinked and stared at Heather, causing her to blush.  “I hadn’t thought of that, mo tè àlainn,” he said with a careworn smile.

“Delilah,” He addressed the scribe, who was still watching him.  “When you are through with those letters, you can show us how to get to the Reve’s estate.” 

“Yes, Maighstir.”  The brown-haired scribe replied with a smile.