Ch 8 Trapped in a Nightmare
Over the next few weeks Van was so busy he didn't have time to brood about his new station in life. Regrettably he had no time for his art either, it would have helped to get time on his own, but he couldn't see it happening any time soon.
He ambled around the room only sipping at his wine glass. He waited for people to approach him, it was one of the earliest lessons he had learned of power. It put them into the position of supplication. Those games had always disgusted him to some degree but he had learned the game anyway, his father expected nothing less.
This party seemed to go on forever, though he knew it was far too early to leave without offense. The thin line of the dance was another of the lessons he had learned.
He heard a commotion at the door, he shook his head as the party crashers were led away. They must be crazy he thought.
The Jkathan man Lady Herent had told him about, had advised him to accept this invitation, the host was one of the councilmen, one that could grant them very good trading rights here in Valdemar. He sighed the man may be important, but he gave the dullest party Van had ever been to.
"So, I hear you're descended from Vanyel" a man slurred, obviously he had been enjoying the wine a little too much.
He nodded warily.
"You much like him" the man leered.
"Not that much" he said hastily.
"Pity" the man said, weaving slightly.
Van shook his head, he was pretty sure even if he had been, this man wouldn't have attracted him anyway.
An arm came around his shoulder, he stiffened until he recognized Lady Herent "Van there's someone I want to introduce you to, sorry Lord Gadrell I need to steal Van for awhile" she steered him away, laughing at his sigh of relief.
"Thanks for saving me" he looked sideways at her and asked "What kind of a reputation did my ancestor have anyway, that's the third proposition I've had this evening. Though I will say at least the other two were women".
"I don't think it's really any reputation of his that's causing that. It's your face and now the power you're position brings" she said thoughtfully.
He shook his head "As if I'd let something like that influence me anyway" he said in a disgusted tone.
"It's been known to happen" Lady Herent said.
"Not with my training" he said.
She looked at him thoughtfully from time to time as they wove their way through the crowd. He fielded requests and well wishes with the ease of long practice, making mental notes as he found things that he would need to deal with later.
"I can see why your father wanted you here" she said.
"Yes, but then he's trained all of us. My sister Detherine is stationed in Kata'shin'a'in" he said absently.
"Here we are" Lady Herent said bringing them before their host. "Garven, this is the young man I wanted you to meet, he's the Ambassador you'll have to deal with for your special project" she said giving Van a clue that he had some bargaining power with the man. He knew he would need all the help he could get.
The next morning Van groaned and covered his eyes with his arm. He had been up too late at the party and he knew that his first appointment was coming too soon, he needed to get up.
He rolled out of bed and sat up. "Your tea, my Lord" the servant said bringing in the tray with his morning meal, he would rather have eaten with the trainees, but there was no time if he wanted to make his first appointment.
"You don't have to be so formal" he said to the man.
The other man grinned "I know, but it's good to keep in practice".
Van nodded absently taking a sip of the strong tea "Thanks" he told the man, it was just what he needed this morning.
Most of his morning was taken up with appointments, he realized that once he found a building that suited he wouldn't be the one running, he just wished his father would send the funds soon.
He was able to eat in the trainees dining room, but it was in between meals so he was one of very few there, he looked for the friends he had made, for one friend in particular but saw no one he knew. He sighed then walked out to his next appointment.
