S
SaejiFine
Guest
Original poster
The breeze smoothly brushed his blonde hair around his face as the figure directed his horse down the path. He'd seen the town earlier that day and didn't feel it was necessary to drive his horse any longer than he needed to. He was tall, just reaching the age of 18 the month before and qualifying himself to leave the servants academy to begin his service. He was tall for his age and well defined athletically, he didn't talk much with the others at the Academy unless he needed to. It was something that Raphael Broux would have to fix when he got to his new home. Or perhaps they would prefer if he was more quiet.
Either way Raphael had come highly recommended, top of his class in all of his subjects, his passion was in the sword though. It was his one release in life. One that had he been under different circumstances might have earned him a title. But the life of a butler seemed to suit Raphael just fine. The academy had told him that a specific family had directly requested him. Something that was not unheard of at the academy but what was strange was that the headmaster had told him that his swordsmanship would be tested like it never had before. While they were trained in combat it was more for show than anything else, a way for the nobleman to test their mettle in mock combat and get better.
Sighing he took a small paper heart from his pocket, his sisters scrawled handwriting practically bursting with excitement at the news. She had been accepted at the academy as well. Raphael knew that because of his success they would hold her to a high set of honor but his sister seemed so excited. Smiling sadly he realized that after this assignment, unless his new masters deemed it in their best interest he wouldn't be able to see his family for quite some time.
Checking his pack once more and putting the paper heart away he checked his sword and straightened his black string tie around his neck. It matched his suit exactly. Black, with the traditional white shirt underneath. French cuffs with simple silver cuff-links. Around his belt was his sword, an ornate and beautifully crafted silver and steel rapier. It's basket twirled around the hilt of the blade like falling stars. He pressed his horse onwards as he entered the gates of the city.
The villagers had not seen any young man so sharply dressed, his green eyes peering forward with focus as if he could not see the rest of them. Raphael was a bit nervous at the sight of so many eyes upon him. Shaking his head he quickly made it to the center of town where the giant mansion of the Prenauveault family.
Knocking upon the door once the door began to creak open to reveal a young maid, "We have been expecting you... come in." She stood to one side as she held the door open, once inside he bowed kindly to her.
"Thank you." He told her with a smile, she nodded and motioned for him to lead the way into the study. Taking a brisk pace towards the room he could feel someone's presence within. It was a kind respect and when he turned into the room he saw why. A large man, easily a half a foot taller then the already tall Raphael, though when he turned to face Raphael there was a gentle respect that both demanded his attention while helping him feel instantly at ease.
"You must be Raphael," the door shut behind Raphael and he stood alone in the room with the man. The master of the house motioned for him to come closer. Raphael kept the brisk pace he had walking into the room and approached the man. "you came highly recommended from the academy. Not just for your knowledge but for your skill." Reaching out quickly the master's hand came to Raphael's blade. Just as quickly however Raphael's hand was already upon the hilt preventing access. It was simply a reaction which received a nod and a smile. "I can see why, thank you for coming."
"It is my pleasure sir," Raphael bowed before his new employer and took his hand from his blade. "I take it from your interest in my skills you are in need of a guard?"
A knowing smile came across the man's face, "Something like that... for now you will simply be among the servants. But please, let me get to know you a little..." He motioned for Raphael to take a seat on one of the couches.
Either way Raphael had come highly recommended, top of his class in all of his subjects, his passion was in the sword though. It was his one release in life. One that had he been under different circumstances might have earned him a title. But the life of a butler seemed to suit Raphael just fine. The academy had told him that a specific family had directly requested him. Something that was not unheard of at the academy but what was strange was that the headmaster had told him that his swordsmanship would be tested like it never had before. While they were trained in combat it was more for show than anything else, a way for the nobleman to test their mettle in mock combat and get better.
Sighing he took a small paper heart from his pocket, his sisters scrawled handwriting practically bursting with excitement at the news. She had been accepted at the academy as well. Raphael knew that because of his success they would hold her to a high set of honor but his sister seemed so excited. Smiling sadly he realized that after this assignment, unless his new masters deemed it in their best interest he wouldn't be able to see his family for quite some time.
Checking his pack once more and putting the paper heart away he checked his sword and straightened his black string tie around his neck. It matched his suit exactly. Black, with the traditional white shirt underneath. French cuffs with simple silver cuff-links. Around his belt was his sword, an ornate and beautifully crafted silver and steel rapier. It's basket twirled around the hilt of the blade like falling stars. He pressed his horse onwards as he entered the gates of the city.
The villagers had not seen any young man so sharply dressed, his green eyes peering forward with focus as if he could not see the rest of them. Raphael was a bit nervous at the sight of so many eyes upon him. Shaking his head he quickly made it to the center of town where the giant mansion of the Prenauveault family.
Knocking upon the door once the door began to creak open to reveal a young maid, "We have been expecting you... come in." She stood to one side as she held the door open, once inside he bowed kindly to her.
"Thank you." He told her with a smile, she nodded and motioned for him to lead the way into the study. Taking a brisk pace towards the room he could feel someone's presence within. It was a kind respect and when he turned into the room he saw why. A large man, easily a half a foot taller then the already tall Raphael, though when he turned to face Raphael there was a gentle respect that both demanded his attention while helping him feel instantly at ease.
"You must be Raphael," the door shut behind Raphael and he stood alone in the room with the man. The master of the house motioned for him to come closer. Raphael kept the brisk pace he had walking into the room and approached the man. "you came highly recommended from the academy. Not just for your knowledge but for your skill." Reaching out quickly the master's hand came to Raphael's blade. Just as quickly however Raphael's hand was already upon the hilt preventing access. It was simply a reaction which received a nod and a smile. "I can see why, thank you for coming."
"It is my pleasure sir," Raphael bowed before his new employer and took his hand from his blade. "I take it from your interest in my skills you are in need of a guard?"
A knowing smile came across the man's face, "Something like that... for now you will simply be among the servants. But please, let me get to know you a little..." He motioned for Raphael to take a seat on one of the couches.