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"I am Grimm Afelnor, Sir Erek, Grimm said carefully, and I would really like
to help you any way I can. The Students had been told to speak respectfully
to their elders, and this was also firmly ensconced in the Rules.
"'Erek will be fine, Grimm. I'm no Mage or Adept. Until recently, in fact, I
was a Student just like you. I'm a Neophyte, halfway between a cur and a Sir.
Like a stray dog, I am more used to being addressed as Hey, you'."
Grimm smiled broadly at Erek's cheery demeanour. Even without access to his
Mage Sight, which he now knew would be considered impolite, he could tell this
was an intelligent, good-humoured person who was slow to anger.
"Erek, I'd really like to sing with you, if I can, Grimm said, pleased that
this lofty Neophyte had chosen to approach a lowly Student. I have a friend
called Madar who's a very good singer, and another friend called Argand who
can't sing at all, but I know he likes to dance. They're rich boys, but not at
all snobby. Can they come, too?"
At that moment, as if they had been summoned, Madar and Argand burst into the
room, dishevelled and muddy. Grimm, Madar cried, You'll never guess what
that idiot ... oh, sorry, Sir. He broke off, noticing the presence of Erek.
"Breaches of Rules 1.7.1, 1.7.3 and 2.2.6, unless I am sorely mistaken,
intoned Erek, in a fair imitation of the glacial Crohn, as Madar, Grimm and
Argand looked aghast, but, maybe, if you don't say anything, I won't, either.
I would, however, point out that some of the older Adepts take their afternoon
naps in here, and they're not as forgiving as I am. Best to keep it quiet next
time."
Grimm, remembering his manners, introduced Erek to his friends.
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Madar, Argand, Erek said, smiling. I hear
great things about you from young Grimm, here. Young talent should be
encouraged. Will you accompany me to the assembly hall? I'm sure I can find
you all something to do in the entertainment that I'm planning. Are you
interested?"
With fervid nods of assent, the three friends followed Erek down the stairs
and through the corridors to the assembly hall. On Grimm's first true day as a
Student, his impression had been that the hall was small and cramped, due to
the mass of people crammed into the room. Now, it seemed cavernous.
Numerous Students of varying ages milled about. Some of them sawed wood;
others laid flat on the floor, painting huge canvases, and others practiced
singing, dancing or speaking parts with companions in small groups around the
hall. Grimm had never seen anything like it. It looked to be an exciting and
fulfilling activity, and the sheer glamour of the enterprise held him
spellbound.
Erek walked over to another boy of about the same age. Grimm could not hear
what the two lads said, but he saw Erek gesticulate toward him and his
friends.
The two youths moved towards the young Students.
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"Gentlemen, Erek intoned, as if addressing a gathering of grandees, This is
Akral Sharetz, the stage manager and talent scout for the extravaganza we hope
to stage here. If you can impress him, he has agreed to find you parts for the
entertainment. We don't have as many youngsters as we had hoped for, so you
have a good chance if you are talented."
A loud crash sounded from the back of the hall. Hey, Farral! Erek shouted,
Be careful there, those props cost money! He dashed off, leaving Grimm and
his friends with Akral, an old hand of fifteen or so, with sandy-coloured hair
and a restless, adventurous air.
Akral folded his arms across his chest. Well, boys, let's see what you can
do, shall we? Let's have your party pieces."
Confidently, Madar assumed the pose of a Shalian Bard, his left leg crooked at
the knee, his right arm resting at a jaunty angle on his hip and his left arm
curved above his head.
"This is a charming old melody called I Met a Young Maiden at Buxom Fair',
he declared, for all the world like a worldly troubadour, winking at his small
audience and starting to sing in a sweet treble that was at odds with the
bawdy lyrics of the song. Grimm did not understand many of the words that flew
so fluently from Madar's mouth, but he understood enough to know that the song
was no genteel ballad.
Akral roared with laughter, and then clapped with enthusiasm as Madar finished
the last stanza with a perfectly executed bow, sweeping an imaginary feathered
cap from his head in a graceful arc.
"Well sung, Madar, said the fair youth, his face pink from his laughter. I
would wager you never learned that ditty at your mother's knee!"
Madar shrugged. My Uncle Tomas was a merchant sailor, he said. He picked up
a lot of different songs from his travels."
Akral stood for a few moments, his eyes closed and his right index finger
pressed over his lips.
"I am sure I have just the part for you, he said, his face clearing. I
would, however, advise you to restrain yourself from such ... pungent lyrics
in the presence of the Magemasters! I do trust you have some more decorous
songs in your repertoire?"
"A few, Madar conceded.
"That's excellent, Akral replied. Now ... Gramm, is it? Ah, yes, Grimm. What
do you have for our regalement; perhaps something a little more acceptable to
delicate ears?"
Grimm racked his brain for songs. Clearing his throat, he said nervously, I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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"I am Grimm Afelnor, Sir Erek, Grimm said carefully, and I would really like
to help you any way I can. The Students had been told to speak respectfully
to their elders, and this was also firmly ensconced in the Rules.
"'Erek will be fine, Grimm. I'm no Mage or Adept. Until recently, in fact, I
was a Student just like you. I'm a Neophyte, halfway between a cur and a Sir.
Like a stray dog, I am more used to being addressed as Hey, you'."
Grimm smiled broadly at Erek's cheery demeanour. Even without access to his
Mage Sight, which he now knew would be considered impolite, he could tell this
was an intelligent, good-humoured person who was slow to anger.
"Erek, I'd really like to sing with you, if I can, Grimm said, pleased that
this lofty Neophyte had chosen to approach a lowly Student. I have a friend
called Madar who's a very good singer, and another friend called Argand who
can't sing at all, but I know he likes to dance. They're rich boys, but not at
all snobby. Can they come, too?"
At that moment, as if they had been summoned, Madar and Argand burst into the
room, dishevelled and muddy. Grimm, Madar cried, You'll never guess what
that idiot ... oh, sorry, Sir. He broke off, noticing the presence of Erek.
"Breaches of Rules 1.7.1, 1.7.3 and 2.2.6, unless I am sorely mistaken,
intoned Erek, in a fair imitation of the glacial Crohn, as Madar, Grimm and
Argand looked aghast, but, maybe, if you don't say anything, I won't, either.
I would, however, point out that some of the older Adepts take their afternoon
naps in here, and they're not as forgiving as I am. Best to keep it quiet next
time."
Grimm, remembering his manners, introduced Erek to his friends.
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Madar, Argand, Erek said, smiling. I hear
great things about you from young Grimm, here. Young talent should be
encouraged. Will you accompany me to the assembly hall? I'm sure I can find
you all something to do in the entertainment that I'm planning. Are you
interested?"
With fervid nods of assent, the three friends followed Erek down the stairs
and through the corridors to the assembly hall. On Grimm's first true day as a
Student, his impression had been that the hall was small and cramped, due to
the mass of people crammed into the room. Now, it seemed cavernous.
Numerous Students of varying ages milled about. Some of them sawed wood;
others laid flat on the floor, painting huge canvases, and others practiced
singing, dancing or speaking parts with companions in small groups around the
hall. Grimm had never seen anything like it. It looked to be an exciting and
fulfilling activity, and the sheer glamour of the enterprise held him
spellbound.
Erek walked over to another boy of about the same age. Grimm could not hear
what the two lads said, but he saw Erek gesticulate toward him and his
friends.
The two youths moved towards the young Students.
Page 55
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"Gentlemen, Erek intoned, as if addressing a gathering of grandees, This is
Akral Sharetz, the stage manager and talent scout for the extravaganza we hope
to stage here. If you can impress him, he has agreed to find you parts for the
entertainment. We don't have as many youngsters as we had hoped for, so you
have a good chance if you are talented."
A loud crash sounded from the back of the hall. Hey, Farral! Erek shouted,
Be careful there, those props cost money! He dashed off, leaving Grimm and
his friends with Akral, an old hand of fifteen or so, with sandy-coloured hair
and a restless, adventurous air.
Akral folded his arms across his chest. Well, boys, let's see what you can
do, shall we? Let's have your party pieces."
Confidently, Madar assumed the pose of a Shalian Bard, his left leg crooked at
the knee, his right arm resting at a jaunty angle on his hip and his left arm
curved above his head.
"This is a charming old melody called I Met a Young Maiden at Buxom Fair',
he declared, for all the world like a worldly troubadour, winking at his small
audience and starting to sing in a sweet treble that was at odds with the
bawdy lyrics of the song. Grimm did not understand many of the words that flew
so fluently from Madar's mouth, but he understood enough to know that the song
was no genteel ballad.
Akral roared with laughter, and then clapped with enthusiasm as Madar finished
the last stanza with a perfectly executed bow, sweeping an imaginary feathered
cap from his head in a graceful arc.
"Well sung, Madar, said the fair youth, his face pink from his laughter. I
would wager you never learned that ditty at your mother's knee!"
Madar shrugged. My Uncle Tomas was a merchant sailor, he said. He picked up
a lot of different songs from his travels."
Akral stood for a few moments, his eyes closed and his right index finger
pressed over his lips.
"I am sure I have just the part for you, he said, his face clearing. I
would, however, advise you to restrain yourself from such ... pungent lyrics
in the presence of the Magemasters! I do trust you have some more decorous
songs in your repertoire?"
"A few, Madar conceded.
"That's excellent, Akral replied. Now ... Gramm, is it? Ah, yes, Grimm. What
do you have for our regalement; perhaps something a little more acceptable to
delicate ears?"
Grimm racked his brain for songs. Clearing his throat, he said nervously, I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]