The Clerk and the Chamberlain

"Don't you ever sleep?" Chamberlain Jay Melicter stood in the doorway to his office, stroking his immaculate goatee with a knowing smirk. The darkness obscured the orderliness of the the Chamberlain’s office, leaving the impression that the entire office operated under the same scattered chaos as the one lamp-lit desk.

The single lamp’s soft glow reminded him of the shadowy chamber he had left just moments ago. He could still smell her perfume. Lady Anne Melicter, his sister-in-law, had summoned him in the late hours of the evening. That was not unusual in and of itself, but the discussion had been about everything but the usual. The time is now, my dear, with or without Edward’s goblin mercenaries. Our hand has been forced. If they have not yet seen the girl, they will soon. So many secrets, and now so little time… Even in her panic, she had been stunning. He sighed softly at the thought of her soft touch.

Jay's eyes passed over the books on the clerk's small oaken shelf. Two stood out. "How to Spot a Doppleganger" and "The Secrets of the Stars and Sands: a Diviner's Tale". So his young clerk was taken with the arcane, divinations in particular. That was slightly disturbing, but ultimately, the chamberlain thought, of little consequence on a night like tonight.

The pale Courbon clerk looked up from a stack of loan notes, his bleary eyes peaking out from behind a lock of auburn hair. "Sleep? He stretched, looking vaguely annoyed by the interruption. He gave the chamberlain a dark look, "My dreams are too dark. I hate sleep."

He did indeed. Philippe de Molliens was frequently at his desk well into the morning hours. It occurred to him that perhaps Philippe might have heard something the night Sir Victor died. He decided not to mention that, though.

"And the girl? Does she hate sleep as well?"

The clerk stared back, his eyes saying nothing. "Girl?"

"The mousy one I saw rushing down the hall just now with a smile on her face. Lady Melodia Gryne." The clerk stayed quiet. "Philippe, are you a complete fool? I say this to you as a friend and mentor, be careful with that one. She is a noble, and a daughter of an important duke. Do you think he will allow her to marry a commoner? It doesn't matter who your father is. That simply does not happen in Prendor."

The chamberlain sighed at his clerk's stony stare. "That was not why I came here tonight. Philippe, you know I have been pleasantly surprised by your aptitude in the time you have been my clerk. Your skill at finding coin where none exists is unmatched in Larrae. And there will always be a place for such a person in the King's Court if... if... you can keep your head low and out of sight. Especially in the next few days."

"The next few days? What..." Philippe began carefully.

"What did I just say. Is asking questions keeping your head low? No. As I have said, I am fond of you, and find you quite useful... to the realm. When the time comes to choose sides, and it will come, I would suggest you be nowhere to be found. For a clerk of such skill, your stupidity astounds me! I would hate to lose an asset such as you because you rushed headlong into politics." The chamberlain turned to leave, "Stay out of sight, Philippe. There are dark times ahead in Larrae."

As he walked away, the chamberlain thought to himself that Philippe was far too intelligent and competent to be as naive as he seemed. Perhaps the Queen had already gotten to him. Or perhaps Prince Edward. He dismissed the notion, and his mind moved on to other, more pressing matters.

As soon as the chamberlain was gone, Philippe darted from the room, voices shouting at him in his mind. His friends… his sword… his money… Melodia…