| Subject: The Good Life |
Author:
Cricket
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 00:34:26 01/11/15 Sun
Much has happened since my last entry, and so it is difficult to know where to start, but I shall do my best.
My daughters have come back to me, their father has disappeared. I feel in my heart he will never be seen again. The twins will not speak of him. I found a school for them, that I hope will continue their education and instruction in the dark arts. They are 12 now, and lovely young women, just budding into maturity. I dare say when they are grown, they will be a bane to any man that dares come near! Still, it gladdens my heart to see them enjoy their lives, and though they must go back and forth between school and home, they seem quite content. Laura too, returned with them.
Rose, has also come back to me. Mose passed on last year, and for four months, she created the image of the doddering, senile old woman so that none would come in search for her when she disappeared. They assume that she just wandered off into the wilds one day, but nothing could be further from the truth. She has come to us, and I am fair well happy that she has. I missed her much and her help is invaluable to me. Up until the time she left, there was still no word about Lucas. We all must assume the King killed him, for no news reaches us of his, or Nobi's fate. I still miss them both.
So now our house is a full one. Meg, Bette, Laura (she came back with the twins), our newest girl Rizza, Rose, Little Luke, of course the twins, myself and occasionally John and the wolf. It was getting quite crowded and so work is ongoing to add to the house.
Upon my last entry, I stated that I was going to travel, perhaps visit some old haunts, but that never occurred. Instead I have delved into a new business, that has prospered quite well in the last few months. I call it "The Menagerie" and I like to say it is a "talent agency". It began one day at a village far from here, where the local militia was holding several criminals for punishment, which ranged from beheading to removal of hand or foot. I noticed in their holding pen, two girls who looked young and pretty enough to be put to some use. Their crime was theft, but it was done out of hunger and desperation. And so I paid compensation and took both with the contract that if they broke the law again, they would be returned for execution. This is a situation that is beneficial to everyone. It also assures me that they are loyal.
One turned out to be a skilled seamstress and the other cooks quite well, and so began my idea for The Menagerie.
Since then, I have added a number of initiates, both male and female and ranging in age from 14-60.
It took some time to decide exactly how we were to go about it, and it is forever changing, but things are running smoothly and actually bringing in a small profit. I expect in this next year that it will bring me a small fortune.
All the initiates are put to it immediately. Some teach, others learn, everything from reading and writing to money management. They receive a small wage when not in placement, and a slightly larger one when they are. The list of clients is growing as well, merchants, farmers, politicians, wealthy land owners, soldiers, etc, and they request everything from cooks and sexual slaves to body guards and carpenters. Every initiate, no matter how poor or bereft, has a talent. It takes very little time really to discover what someone can do. We now have cooks, slaves, seamstresses, body guards, carpenters, blacksmiths, farmers, book keepers, scribes, household servants, woodworkers, and more. They are contracted out for one to six month terms, are bonded for life and all seem quite content with their lot. I provide them with clothing, food, housing and family assistance, which is far more than they would ever get elsewhere. They are all taught to read and write if they cannot, they are all taught how to manage their money and their health. It is a highly beneficial situation for all involved. Of course it was expensive to get under way, but the profits I believe, will be well worth it.
There is a sense of renewed joy in our household these days, with the return of Rose, Bette and the twins. When John and the wolf are there, it is a full and happy place.
The only sadness these days, are for wondering of the fate of those like Lucas, Nobi and Khaless. We miss Mose of course and I think often of my son of Gaia. I have considered going to find him and bring him here, but I do not for fear that it would make his life worse instead of better. I feel to leave him in the hands of the monks is the best I can do for him.
So, my days are spent between Kamet, where The Menagerie is, the surrounding towns and villages searching for more clients and initiates, and the house where there is always construction going on these days. We are adding three new rooms and underlying cellar, to make room for what is now a crowded home!
On a sadder note, I continue to have strange dreams of which I can only recall bits and pieces upon waking, but always leaving me with the sense of death. There have been days when old faces appear, like Mr. A, or Lyall, but again these are wispy dream fragments which are only partially realized upon waking. If this is all that plagues me in my later years, then I consider myself quite blessed.
At the very least, I am calm in this time, and Rose says I smile more than she has ever seen me before.
I will try to write again before a year is passed.
~C
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 