Walking On Thin Ice|Malagard | Khelek

[Kender Bard]

Young Armand felt like a sneak as he walked with trepidation towards Lucifer's home. He, like most of the people, had laid very low once Haukea had gone missing. Now that it seems the worst of the political turbulence had blown over, life was returning to normal. Armand needed to work again. The idea of joining the lower class made him shudder, and so he held tight to a glimmer of hope that perhaps he would have a shot at his old position.

Here was hoping.

[Darastrix]

Armand was met at the door, not by a housekeeper or similar staff member, but by none other than Nagi, the youngest of Lucifer's personal guards. It had been decided since Nissar's visit that someone else should be placed at the door. Nagi had quickly learned that when "someone" was needed for a task, the chances of that someone being him were directly proportional to how menial the task was. Personally, he thought Schuldig should be made to do it--the man could read minds, after all--but then again, the flame-haired Mind did not usually take a "look but don't touch" approach when invading another's psyche.

The slight young man looked Armand over with a bored expression. He didn't look dangerous, but neither did Nagi. "Yes?"

[Kender Bard]

"I-Is King Lucifer in?" Armand asked weakly. It was clear to him Nagi was not in a high enough position to demand prostration, and yet, he didn't know anything about the new king or his allies. Perhaps the man was. "I'm... here to inquire about a job of sorts."

[Darastrix]

Nagi raised a fine eyebrow at that. "What sort of job?" he asked, sending a quick thought to Crawford, who was currently with Lucifer. He hoped the man wasn't looking for a guard position or the like; Armand seemed too nervous for that line of work.

[Kender Bard]

Armand licked his lips a moment before venturing, "I w-was the assistant to the librarian.. Back when H-haukea and Jokull was in charge... if.. if you're in need, I'd be glad to take the job again..."

[Darastrix]

Nagi stood silent for a brief moment, then turned abruptly. "Follow me," he said, heading off down a hallway toward the sitting room where Lucifer and Crawford were waiting. Figuring the man had sense to step inside before the doors closed completely, he began pulling them shut as he walked.

[Kender Bard]

Armand scurried behind Nagi, trying hard to make sure he didn't get left behind, though he would have liked to stop and stare at the inside of the palace. He wasn't sure what had changed, and had never really looked in the first place anyway.

Instead he just hurried along and tried not to let his heart beat out of his chest like it felt it would.

[Darastrix]

Though Nagi walked briskly, his height--or lack thereof--made it relatively easy for Armand to keep pace. Upon reaching the sitting room, he rapped lightly at the door, then opened it on Lucifer's softly spoken command.

The King and his chief advisor were both seated in plush, comfortable-looking chairs with a small round table between them. A half-filled glass of wine and a stack of papers sat on the table nearest Lucifer, who wore a silver circlet in place of the heavy crown he donned for audience. He looked at Armand with the mildest of interest. Crawford just looked annoyed.

"This is the young man who wishes employment?"

"Yes, Majesty," Nagi responded with a bow, then left as Lucifer dismissed him.

"Have you a name?"

[Kender Bard]

Armand bowed stiffly, his body snapping to the action like a toy soldier. "Armand!" he said quickly, voice threatening to squeak. "I am Armand Harris, majesty! I humbly beseech you a place in the library, if it still stands, for my old wages."

[Darastrix]

~I see no threat from the child,~ Crawford sent to Lucifer. ~And it should be fairly simple to verify his claim besides.~

"The library stands in good repair," Lucifer said, feeling a very faint touch of amusement that this boy would come address him directly. "Though it is lacking in staff. What were your prior duties?"

[Kender Bard]

"Assistant librarian, sir," the boy piped, a note of confidence creeping into his voice as he felt a little less threatened. He wasn't dead yet! "I helped old Mr. Spindler shelve the books since he was having trouble."

[Darastrix]

Menial labour, he thought. Anyone could put a book where he was told.

"Are you literate?"

[Kender Bard]

Armand nodded swiftly. "Oh! Yes sir! Quite sir. Moreso than my parents in fact. I took pains to read as much as I was allowed."

[Darastrix]

Lucifer was silent for a moment, considering, then he nodded. "Very well. I see no reason why I should deny your request."

Better to have someone familiar with the place working inside than outside anyway. He would have Schuldig scan Armand's mind as a precaution whenever the damn telepath got back. At least, Lucifer reflected, Schuldig would have had whatever urge had taken him sated by the time he returned, so there would be little danger of damage to the boy's mind.