Raising Evzen - 8. The Visit

The car light turned on as Sasha opened the back seat. Reaching in gently, the Faro scooped Evžen up, closing the door quietly as he tried to juggle the sheathed knife resting on the Lidikrys’ chest. A souvenir of the arena bought by Honza, Sasha wasn’t sure Bohdan would be happy with his son’s gift. But that was a problem to save for when Sasha didn’t have his arms full of sleeping Lidikrys.

Radek hurried toward them from the house, the Daknar hissing quietly so he didn’t wake Evžen.

“Get him to bed quickly! Paní Adéla will be home soon!”

Sasha gave no argument, stepping around the Daknar silently. He made his way into the house, turning left just beyond the foyer. A minute later, the Faro pushed the door to Evžen’s room open, and carried his master to his bed.

Setting the dagger in front of Evžen’s nightlight, Sasha tucked the Lidikrys into bed, and flipped the nightlight on. The bed was going to be warm, and the Faro knew he should have asked Radek to set up the bed cooler beforehand, but Evžen wasn’t awake to complain. Besides, it seemed the Daknar had his own worries to deal with.

A flash of light passed through the window, car beams shining briefly before shutting off. Sasha hurried out of the room, closing the door softly behind him before searching for Radek. He found the Daknar adjusting a pair of robots near a servants’ entrance.

“Pan’s asleep right now. The robots will get Paní Adéla’s bags taken care of; but she’ll want a warm bath and dinner before bed. Her room is next to Pan’s room. I want you to get a bath going at 43 degrees exactly, with vanilla shampoo mixed in the water and the dryer prewarmed,” the Daknar said. “When you are finished, get your rest in; Zelenka can handle Paní Adéla just fine on her own.”

“Radek, I need to speak with Pan about-”

“Tomorrow,” the Daknar scowled, pointing toward the back of the house.

Sighing, Sasha headed through the house as the front door closed loudly. He found Adéla’s room easily, and began working on her bath. His fur spiked out in alarm as a door opened, and the Faro straightened quickly, facing the bathroom door as the mistress of Novák House stepped into her bathroom.

Paní Adéla carried herself with a grace that belied her station. This was no middle class housewife, she was an empress in her domain. Everything would be done to her satisfaction, or there would be the goddess to pay. Her clothes held the promise of untold fortunes, every seam designed to hide her new clan’s destitution.

The Lidikrys’ ruby eyes glanced over the Faro before she stepped out of the doorway. Her lilac fur bristled with annoyance, and Sasha immediately dropped into a submissive bow.

“Leave.”

Wordlessly, Sasha dipped his head before scurrying from the room. The bath was exactly as Radek had requested, but the drying room would be cold unless Adéla warmed it herself.

A golden Daknar passed through the door with a plate of food, Sasha flattening himself against the wall so she could pass. The Faro bit back a yelp as his tailbone was squashed behind him. Better he be in a bit of pain than disturb Paní Adéla’s meal.

He did pause before leaving though.

“Paní Adéla will need her drying room heated if she wishes for warm air.”

Zelenka nodded, before shooing the Faro out of the bedroom. The door closed with a near silent click, and Sasha made his way back through the manor, heading downstairs to get some sleep.

The first bells of the new storm were spent on research. By the time Sasha headed upstairs to assist Evžen with his new breakfast routine, the Faro was tired, but ready to greet his master with a plan on escaping the deal with Honza Ambroz. Should he decide he still wanted to.

It was little surprise when Bohdan reached the breakfast table first. Evžen had been through a busy storm, and he was likely still sleeping it off. Sasha hadn’t been given permission to wake his master, so he let the Lidikrys sleep, knowing Bohdan wouldn’t like it. That was okay with him; he was just following his orders. But he still needed to discuss Honza’s attitude with Evžen the day before.

“I have some questions about how best to do my job, Pane,” Sasha said quietly as his master sat down.

“Slaves don’t question, they do,” the Lidikrys snapped.

“It is regarding Pan Ambroz and Pan Evžen, Pane.”

He was going to be beaten for pushing the subject, and Sasha knew it. But he couldn’t let this go without at least trying to help his master.

“Where is Evžen?” the agouti demanded.

“Sleeping, Pane.”

Behind the Faro, Adéla swept into the breakfast nook with all the grace of a ballroom dancer, a grace belying the simple dress she wore to breakfast. Her eyes scanned Sasha briefly, a soft frown on her face as she caught up with the conversation.

“Wake him up. He has responsibilities now, and I will not have him slacking. From now on, I want him awake by six bells,” Bohdan said sternly.

“Yes Pane,” Sasha said, bowing slightly before stepping from the room.

The way Bohdan was bluntly avoiding his concerns made the Faro wonder. Did Evžen’s father actually know what Honza had in mind? Was he trying to keep Evžen from the noblerat? Clan Novák would be blessed to have such a connection with Clan Ambroz, regardless of Evžen’s treatment. They were long past the point of gainful associations, at least from Sasha’s viewpoint.

It left a rather sour possibility in the Faro’s mind. Bohdan knew Honza wanted Evžen to be his ward, not his lover, and he was trying to keep Evžen from pursuing something that would make him happy. Sasha was not willing to act decisively; there were far too many unknowns. But someday, he would have to tell his master. Evžen had a choice to make, and whatever he decided, Sasha would help him. At that point, Bohdan would be registered in the Faro’s plans as either an ally or an enemy.

Sasha tucked his concerns away. There was little he could do without upsetting both Evžen and Bohdan at the moment. He gave it two storms, though. If Bohdan had not given him an answer as to what would be in Evžen’s best interests, Sasha would bring the matter to his master.

Opening the door to Evžen’s room quietly, the Faro raised the light, letting the cold glare break through the warm glow of the nightlight. Evžen was curled up in his bed, the sheets knocked all over the floor, and Sasha made a mental note to have them laundered before the storm was out.

“Pane, it is time to wake up,” the Faro said quietly, gently rousing his master.

“No. Give me another bell,” the Lidikrys grumbled, rolling over.

“Your father wishes for you to be awake,” Sasha denied, opening the closet door.

The Faro set about collecting Evžen’s clothes for the day, starting with a plain outfit for breakfast. Carrying it into the bedroom, he found the bed empty and the bathroom door shut.

Patiently, Sasha waited for his master to emerge, busying himself with the collection of various clothes and bedding. After nearly a third of a bell had passed though, the Faro got a little concerned.

Another 200 breaths passed, and Sasha opened the door to the bathroom, biting back a sigh as he found Evžen curled up in the bathtub and snoring once again.

“Pane, if you wish to take a bath, it would be better to have the water on,” the Faro said.

The Lidikrys startled at Sasha’s voice, nearly knocking his head against the wall of the tub. Grumbling loudly, Evžen stood up, scowling at Sasha as he stepped out of the tub.

“Fine. I’m awake.”

Breakfast was eaten quickly. Evžen remained hunched under the stares of his parents, their eyes picking apart the simple outfit he wore. Standing to the side of the breakfast nook, Sasha remained out of the way, waiting for his master to finish eating.

“Does the Faro have no standing orders?” Adéla demanded, her eyes flashing at Bohdan.

“If he does, they are orders handed to him by Evžen. It is up to Evžen to punish his idleness,” the agouti brushed off as he buttered a roll.

“Go do… something,” Evžen scowled at Sasha, waving his hand at the Faro.

“Yes Pane Evžen,” Sasha said with a slight bow.

“Evžen, you need to give more precise orders to your slaves. What if he decides driving the car into the river is the something you want him to do?” Adéla chided her son.

Sasha was already halfway out of the nook, but he could just imagine the light bulbs going off in the young Lidikrys’ head. He’d have to come up with reasons why driving the clan car into the Elbe was a horrible idea.

A chime rang through the house, startling the Faro. He glanced at Radek and Zelenka in the kitchen, both scrubbing down pots and pans furiously. An instant later, Sasha was moving through the house. He stepped into the foyer, lifting the empty silver salver off a wood-stained metal desk. The Faro carried it to the door, opening the heavy wooden barrier with a bit of effort.

Čestmír stood on the other side, his eyes staring straight ahead. The Egaro glanced down, just barely concealing his surprise at the stature of the person greeting him.

“Pan Ambroz desires an audience with Mistr Bohdan and Mistryne Adéla,” the Egaro said, setting a pair of small cards on the tray.

Sasha glanced subtly at a clock by the door, holding back a frown. The Faro wasn’t sure when the Nováks held their visiting period, but he highly doubted it was any time before the middle of the storm. Certainly not ten bells into the storm. Such a visit ran the risk of disrupting breakfast.

“I will return shortly,” he said, before heaving the door closed.

Sasha hurried through the house, the tray held carefully in one hand as he returned to the breakfast nook. Evžen was pushing the last of his food around as Bohdan read the news.

“Evžen, stop playing with your food,” Adéla snapped as Sasha set the tray gently beside Bohdan.

“Mistr Ambroz requests a meeting, Pane.”

Instantly, the room went dead. Eyes bored into Sasha from around the table.

“This early in the storm?” Bohdan demanded, grabbing one of the cards.

He scanned the ornate card, Sasha’s eyes just picking out an “At your earliest convenience” on the other side. The Faro’s gut twisted at the letters; this was more than just a social pleasantry.

“Sasha, you will be taking Evžen to the Imperial Office today, to sign up for academy learning.”

Adéla’s eyes widened slightly at her husband’s order, the smallest gasp escaping her.

“Bohdan, he’s nearly three draks early! There’s no way they’ll-”

“Silence!” Bohdan snapped. “Radek!”

The Daknar appeared a moment later, standing calmly beside Sasha.

“Return my card to Honza. I want him in the library in no more than 300 breaths. Zelenka will have breakfast cleared before he enters and we will have peach dowels waiting for us in the library. Sasha, why are you still standing there?!”

Sasha’s ears flicked at the reprimand, the Faro ducking his head.

“Forgive me Pane, but I need to speak with you about the nature of Mistr Ambroz’s visit. In private, if possible.”

There was no waiting two storms, not now. Honza’s visit forced his hand, and he needed to have this conversation now. If he didn’t, Sasha would have to voice his concerns to Evžen on the way to the office. It would put far too much pressure on his master.

“You need to do as you’re told. Radek, see to it Sasha does not eat during this storm,” Bohdan said sharply.

“Yes Pane.”

The room exploded in a rush of activity. The Daknar scurried around preparing as best as they could for the unexpected visit while Sasha followed his master back to Evžen’s room.

“Why is Father sending me to the Imperial Office?” Evžen demanded. “He was happy to have me learning at home.”

“I can only guess at the reason he has for sending you to the academy,” Sasha replied quietly. “I believe Pan Novák is trying to back out of paying Mistr Ambroz for a plot of land. You were intended as the payment; it is why Mistr Ambroz has been watching you. But I believe Mistr Ambroz intended for either you or Pan Jindřich to be his ward, to carry on the Ambroz fortune.”

Evžen frowned, sitting on his bed. Sasha paused beside his master’s closet.

“But… that would be good, right? Father wanted me to have the Ambroz fortune either way.”

“Your father’s desires are still a mystery to me Pane. But what do you want? Do you want to work with Mistr Ambroz, or do you want to go to the office and sign up for the Junior Naval Program? We could easily sign you up for the academy from your tablet, but if you want to join the navy, we need to go to the office to have you examined.”

“Does it matter what I want? You’ll just do what Father wants you to do,” Evžen scowled at the Faro.

“I will attempt to do what Pan Novák wants. There is a difference, Pane. If I cannot convince you to go to the office, then we can’t go to the office.”

“You’re not being very convincing now,” Evžen pointed out.

“Should I be?”

The Lidikrys shrugged.

“Pane, you are a drak early for the JNP, and three draks early for the Naval Officer School. There is a chance they won’t accept you yet. If you enter the navy right now, you could become the youngest admiral in the history of the Empire. More immediately, entering the navy will put distance between you and your father. It is also a given; if you sign up for the navy, you’ll be in the navy. If you wait on Mistr Ambroz, you might become his ward, or his lover, unless Pan Jindřich catches his interest more. And I believe Pan Jindřich has the advantage of academy learning to make him look more attractive, if Mistr Ambroz desires a ward.”

“It is uncertain…” Evžen muttered. “But even if Mistr Ambroz doesn’t choose me, I can still enter the navy.”

“The navy takes anyone with intelligence,” Sasha replied. “If you don’t go to the office today, Pan Novák will be angry at you. He will likely try to punish you by either taking the piano away or taking me away from you, if not both. If you wait, you’ll be sending a message to Pan Novák that you won’t do what he wants. It would be open, and would invite his wrath. If you join the navy, you get away from Pan Novák, but you will be telling Mistr Ambroz that you don’t care for him, and you will likely destroy any gainful relationship with the Ambroz clan in the future. There is also a middle ground. You could sign up for the academy as a student without touching the JNP. It would allow you to save your reputation with Mistr Ambroz, maybe even improve his opinion, but you would eventually have to return home and face Pan Novák.”

Evžen’s eyes closed as he tried to take in the information. Sasha’s heart nearly broke for his master; he was being forced to grow up in the matter of minutes, and the Faro could see everything quickly overwhelming the Lidikrys.

“Whatever you choose to do, I promise you now, I will do everything in my power to help you succeed,” Sasha said quietly.

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” Evžen demanded suddenly.

“I only realized it last night, Pane. I have no excuse for not telling you immediately.”

The Lidikrys got a strange look on his face, as though he’d bit into something tart. Evžen looked down at his feet for a moment, before returning a calculating look to Sasha.

“Thank you for telling me.”

Of all the things his master could have said, this was by far the most startling. And by the sudden smirk on the Lidikrys’ face, Evžen could tell Sasha was caught off guard.

The Faro stared at his own feet, trying to figure out how he was supposed to handle his master thanking him for anything. A laugh broke from Evžen’s mouth.

“Look at you. You can handle getting the shit beat out of you, but a simple thank you has you twitching!” the Lidikrys cackled.

There was no hiding his discomfort, not now. Still, Sasha tried to pull himself together as his master taunted him. It was just a simple thank you, just like Master said. But it was so… wrong. Masters weren’t supposed to thank their slaves. Worse, the more he struggled with this, the more power he was giving Evžen. Maybe it was a good thing for his master to have that control.

“Have you decided what to do, Pane? Your father will expect the car to be gone within a few breaths now.”

That brought Evžen up short, and the Lidikrys’ laughter cut off. Sasha could feel the tension enter the room again, and he was almost surprised when his master finally replied.

“I want to join the navy.”