Our second world- book one: Past beginnings

Chapter 31: August

He woke early that morning to a sleeping Haren at his side. Stretching with a yawn, he crawled out from the bed, light hair falling in his face. His hair had grown long; the last time he had cut it was almost ten years ago, but now he thought he'd grow it out for once. Pulling a ribbon off the nightstand, he used it to tie back his almost white hair into a loose ponytail. Hearing a knock on the door, he looked up and spied the head butler.

He was a man around his mid-fifties now with short, neatly trimmed black hair just beginning to gray at the roots.

"Good morning, Master August," he bowed, his short hair falling over his eye." Has Master Haren woken yet?"

"No, not yet," August replied.

"The princess shall be here around lunch. I shall have a tea room prepared for the meeting."

"Thank you, Christopher."

August smiled to himself as he walked down the familiar halls of the mansion.

"Nothing's changed," He chuckled to himself as he made his way down to the library.

Being two stories high, there was an entrance on both the first and second floors of the three floor mansion. The first floor was more sitting area than books with couches and armchairs scattered around and a fire crackling behind a metal grate in the far wall. The second floor held most of the books on shelves almost the same height as the ceiling. He passed the many shelves as he made his way down the spiral staircase attached to the balcony. Klara sat on one of the couches near the fireplace, Marylyn sitting next to her. They were reading a book together.

"Good morning, you two," August said, patting Klara on the head.

"Where's Haren?" Marylyn asked, looking up at him.

"Sleeping. Have either of you seen Thomas this morning?"

"Sir Thomas is in the dining room," Klara said, putting a marker in the book she had open on her lap." Shall I fetch him for you?"

"Nah, I'll go find him. Thank you."

He waved as he passed the maids cleaning the windows and dusting as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Master August. Here for breakfast?" Elizabeth, the head chef, walked over, drying her hands on her apron.

"Actually I was looking for Thomas, but Haren should be down soon and I bet he'll be hungry."

"I'll start cooking now, then. Sir Thomas is in the dining room," she replied with a bow.

"Thanks Lizzy," August siad, running back down the hall.

"It's Elizabeth!" she called after him.

He laughed as he made his way to the dining room where Thomas was just finishing eating.

"Morning, Thomas. Heading back to Mydra today?" August asked.

"Yeah."

"Don't go too far Thomas, I want to discuss something with you," Haren said appearing in the doorway," Can you find your way back to the sitting room?"

"I'll take him," August said, pulling Thomas out to the hall," Miss Marylyn is in the library. Go through the back door of the sitting room when we're done. It's down the hall and the third door on the left." He whispered to him.

He nodded and obediently followed as August lead him to the second floor.

Once in the sitting room, he sat down in one of the dark armchairs with his hands clasped together in his lap. After about ten minutes, Haren arrived with Christoffer, who carried a tray of teacups. Haren sat down on the couch next to August and accepted the cup of black tea that was handed to him. Taking a small sip, he shifted slightly to address Thomas.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that you're leaving for Mydra today." He began. Thomas nodded," before you leave, we have the matter of your fee to discuss. We did promise to pay you for guiding us through the mountains."

"Ten."

"Just ten?"

Thomas nodded again.

"Then ten gold coins and six days rations. Does that sound fair?"

"Yes."

"I think Christopher can get everything ready. He will have a carriage take you to town where you can get a ride to the mountain. While he's doing that, I think you have something to take care of," Haren said with a small smirk.

"R-right." Thomas stood and left quickly.

When he was gone, Haren sighed and leaned back on the couch. Setting his empty cup on the end table.

"How was that?" He asked.

"Not bad," August replied," Though you were slouching a bit."

"Was I? Sorry, I'll work on that for next time."

"Don't stress over it too much. You'll get better with practice." August smiled." More importantly, are you really going to wear that to your meeting with the princess?" he asked, gesturing to Harens outfit. He was still wearing his sleep wear and wasn't wearing any shoes.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Haren answered.

"Nothing. It's just not very professional looking."

"No one said I had to look professional," Haren said." Anyway, is there anyone I can spar with?"

"If you would have me as your partner, we can use the garden outside the tea room," Christopher said.

"Really? I mean...that would be great, thank you."