The manor has more than twice as many residents as it did when Thierry was last there; all of them servants. The lord of the manor is rarely in residence it seems, he having visited the estate only twice since the purchase. Renovations are underway on the roof of the east wing when Sir Thierry arrives. He also notes that the horse paddock is now home to a half-dozen milk cows. It's an odd feeling seeing the place with so many unfamiliar faces. Mr Aldo, when he comes out to greet Thierry, seems as stiff as ever in his new livery, though perhaps tired and a little more stooped. He greets his former master warmly. Walking together to the cemetery behind the house, he informs Thierry that their lord saw fit to appoint his own man as seneschal of the manor and that he himself has been kept rather busy with cleaning the house's decorative woodwork. He voices no complaints however. The cemetary is immaculate.
Thierry will thank Mr. Aldo for his loyalty and doubly so when he sees the cemetary. After enquiring about his health, he will tell hi he might be making a home for himself soon in the Stolen Lands and would be honored if he came to live with him and the other Rostlandir, probably in late summer or fall.
"It's kind of you to inquire about my health Sire. Naturally I'm not immune to the advancement of years or the toll they may take on a man's body, but I'm managing well enough I dare say. It gladdens my heart to hear that the ladies and yourself are getting along so well out on the frontier. With all due respect to the departed, and if you'll forgive my impudence Sire, I'd say that your father and grandfather would be bursting with pride at your successes. You honor me with an offer of renewed employment; thank you Sire. I'd be loathe to leave my lifelong home to start over elsewhere but, if I'm to be honest Sire, I fear that I sometimes don't recognize it any longer; devoid as it is of the familiar faces of people and animals that I can't help but expect to see in and around it. I can't believe how anyone saw fit to house cattle in stables fit for Mareschals. Cows of all things… P- please excuse me Sire; it's unbecoming of me to speak poorly of my new employers. I must, in all honesty however, make you properly aware of my lack of familiarity with this frontier region in which you propose to employ me. I'm not certain how well I might perform my duties in such a… lively area…"
"I won't lie to you that frontier life can be difficult, but we would want you for the same tasks you performed before, to help put our new home in order. But take your time to think about it. The ladies and I would like to have you at our side again, but we want you to be happy. If you'd rather stay here, then by all means I'll ensure that you miss nothing"
Mr. Aldo, if at all possible, straitens even more formally than usual. "I would be honored to serve the proud house of Mareschal once more if you would but have me Sire. Of course I'd have to give proper notice of my impending leave to my current employer when the time comes. I must admit however that I feel somewhat uncomfortable discussing a change of employment while still in service Sire."
Putting on an official air but with a slight smile, Thierry ends their conversation. "Quite right. When a position opens up, I will approach your current employer and discuss terms with him." Puting his hand on the frail man's shoulder, he softly adds "Be well my friend."
"Thank you Sire. And Erastil's blessing to you and the ladies. Please give them my best. And, if you could Sire, might you pass this along to Ms. Kaylee?" The old man pulls out a folded letter and hands it to Thierry.
"Of course. And my best to her parents, and Xene's mother as well. Fare well." The baronet then takes his leave, not looking back as he rides way. Look to the future my father would, not the past.
