The diary of a servant to a Great Family
By Cos Cylonol
I just hired a new Siklish kid, Sam, to train into becoming a Great Servant to the Quartanos. Sam is very lucky that he chose our dumpster to look for food in, as Ceil Quartano1 is unusually generous, given that he is the head of a Great House2. He expects the standard respect, but will actually listen to another’s point of view, when asked. Over my own three decades of working for him, Ceil3 actually seeks my council on important matters, such as land usage, and food allocation.
Yellow and green, colors of nutrition, contentment, and energy, are plentiful in the Linarian wheat and grass fields. Between the wheat, and the grazing Zergs, Linarian bread and cheese are both plentiful exports, and extremely effective ways to keep peasants of the land fed, and dependent. Ceil even divulged to me that cheese from the Zerg4 had just enough yellow to reduce the powers of any color-adepts that happen to be in the population.
While I strongly disagree with the weakening of the population, I am okay with a fed and happy people. Out of all of the Great Families5, the Quartanos6 will always provide food and shelter to those in need. Even crimes punishable by death closer to the city TriAngles7, such as stealing food, were just seen as signs of need, and met with mercy, by Ceil. I can never forget that I am a recipient of the Quartano kindness. Ceil appointed me as his Head Servant8 after I wrote his thesis essay. I did this at my own expense. Helping Ceil meant that I had to throw away my full scholarship to a prestigious private school9. However I would never change this choice…..
If only things were different, and our laws were different….
I am starting to see a friendship bloom between the youngest child and Sam. Sam, is Siklish, and from what I can tell, he is a fairly powerful [[color magic-adept10]]. He must be Siklish from all three of his parental lines, given that the Linarian food does not seem to reduce his abilities. I am curious about how his senses will change, with time.
More evidence of Sam’s abilities, is that he seems to be able to notice11 the way to New-Color Spots12 innately. Yesterday, after clearing out a trail in the back-woods, and saw that he was sitting cross-legged under an ancient willow tree. I’ve come across this tree before, but I only recognized its significance, after looking at it closely, and comparing the color of one of leaves, to my known color database13. Luckily, due to my relationship with Ceil, I got the region around this tree to be as “recreational nature”. Because of this, I can reasonably check on the tree without drawing too much attention to myself. I can also ensure that no trails actually lead to the tree14, reducing the likelihood of accidental discovery.
It is worrying that Sam found the tree on his own, seemingly intentionally. I need to schedule some time to have a careful conversation with Sam about how dangerous the Siklish religion is. Here, serving The Quartanos, he’ll be relatively safe. However, I want him to know how to be careful in the event that youngest decides to bring him on a trip across the river15.
While it is encouraging that Sam seems to get along with at least one of the Quartano kids, I fear that he will develop too close of a bond. I got lucky with Ceil. I doubt that he will have the same luck. Plus a child of such opulent wealth is unlikely to understand that anything is truly precious, even a sacred place16. I wish I knew how to teach him not to trust, before it is too late. However, I also know, that such a self-dependent, and curious child, will never take a verbal lesson from an elder. Even now, I can see that adults have hurt him. However, it seems that Sam has rarely come in contact with another of his own age.
The best I can do is be there for Sam, training him in the ways of being a Great Servant17, ensuring that he will have safety and security forever. I then will do my best to research Siklandish stories, to ensure that he keeps a connection to his heritage, and I must not forget, my heritage.
There is nothing more to do now, except wait and see what happens.