Sel, Chapter 3 Options

[Dantrag]

I was soon accepted into House Redoran, and my mother was pretty proud of me. Probably too proud. I didn't go to Athyn's class anymore, being too busy as councillor Venim's page. Or, at least until the fiery councillor died, and was replaced by his brother. All young hirelings in the House had to spend five years in a councillor's service, and I was no different. Close to the end of those years, my fourth, to be exact, I wondered why I was even in the House; I got no money for my service, being a page, and my family needed money. I should have gotten a job. There I was in Bolvyn's manor, getting fed and clothed while my family starved. My own damned fault. I paid for my selfishness.

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I'll put the actual story here in a while; I just needed to start this back up.

This post has been edited by Dantrag: Feb 8 2006, 02:47 AM

[Dantrag]

Boo!

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"I'm home." he called in the classic sing-song voice as he walked through the door.

"Sel!" Vysi exclaimed, dropping the clothes she was carrying to run towards and embrace her brother. "I'm glad you're home." she said, but her tone quickly changed. "I'm still mad at you though." she said flatly. "Why do you need such a dangerous job? Look at those cuts on your neck! You almost died on your first day!"

"It wasn't that bad." Sel said, "And I love you too, Sis." he said with a wide grin. "Look at this." he said, convieniently changing the subject as he put his bag of gold in Vysi's hand.

"Wow, Sel, this is a lot." she said, staring wide-eyed into the pouch.

"And Aldaril said that he owes me more." he added.

"And when do you go back again?" Vysi asked, obviously worried about him leaving again.

"Not for another week or two." he answered. "So I can spend time with you, and still have some money." he said, messing her hair.

"Come on, let's go to the Rat in the Pot. You look hungry."

After their lunch, Sel went to the Venim Manor with his sister to speak with Arsyn about his absence the previous two days, and his future ones.

When he was caled into Arsyn's chambers, Vysi stayed in the main chambers while he walked in the door.

"Sel, here to explain yourself, I presume?" Arsyn said in his typical noble tone.

"Yes, Sir." Sel replied, seating himself in the customary seat in front of Arsyn.

"Well?" the dead Bolvyn's brother prompted.

"As you already know, Arsy- Councillor Venim, my mother died, and I have to take care of my family in her place."

"Get on with it."

Sel couldn't help but give Arsyn an angry look. He hated how these nobles could take hours of everyone's time, but if someone else took an ounce of theirs, they went crazy. Instead of voicing his thoughts, he said. "Yes Sir."

"I was forced to get a job, and will not be able to attend to all of my House duties, though I will try my hardest." Sel continued.

"Alright then, I hereby release you from your duties as a page." Arsyn said flatly.

"What? I'm not having these four years I spent here wased. Especially since my mother starrved because I wasn't paid, nor was I able to work for any extra money. I swear by the dead Almalexia, that if you go through with this, your House will have many problems to work out."

Arsyn stood angrily. "I have just heard heresy toward the gods and threats toward this House in the same sentence! One spoken by a brat too young to lift a sword!"

"The rumors of Almalexia's death have been circulating for over a year and a half now, and she still hasn't shown herself to prove the rumors wrong." Sel retorted. "Only House Redoran fools itself by insisting that she lives. You're all too cowardly to face the truth. The truth that the gods you spent years serving were all frauds! And if you-"

"Enough!" Arsyn interrupted with an explosive shout. "Even if I hadn't already banned you from our House, I would do so now, after that speech. Now get out of my home before I force you."

"You'll regret this." Sel promised, as he rose slowly to leave.

"And don't even think of going to your childhood friend Athyn. He cannot help you. Just as he was a coward when my brother was here, he's a coward now." Arsyn said just before Sel slammed the door.

He doesn't need to. I can help myself. And Athyn's no coward.

"Come on, Vysi, we're leaving." he said, not stopping to wait for her.

Vysi ran to catch up with her fiery brother. "What is going on, Sel?" she asked with concern.

"That bastarde in there just banished me from the house."

"Sel! Watch your mouth!" Vysi reprimanded.

"This is not the time, Vysi." he said, trying to calm himself. He needed to vent his anger, but not on someone undeserving like his sister.