6 — Surrounded
A large, ancient building on the perimeter of the city center was being renovated into the museum which Daelus had been delegated to curate. It was a fascinating building, and
what was more, Daelus felt certain that it had already been old during the early years of his lifetime. Its weathered stonework and spartan details stood in stark contrast to the clean, orderly, and uniform construction in the central district behind it.
The work to modernize it and fit it as a museum was being conducted rapidly by what he assumed was a mix of entourage and citizens. It wasn't clear how that was actually being managed, but it wasn't currently his problem.
His problem was two men standing watch over the installation of an ornate sign which read,
Museum of Fine Art, Antiquities, and Anthropological Curiosities.
They had regretfully already noticed Daelus’ approach.
“There you are,
Thresh
,” said the one dressed as if all centuries had been mashed together, and aesthetics were something one could simply purchase with everyone else forced to go along with it. He was tall, built of tremendous bulk, and most of the hair on his head was centralized into a medium length white beard that went only halfway up his cheeks.
“Mister
Mayor
,” Daelus replied, mustering the most deferential tone he could manage. He then waited. The delegate would state his intentions as soon as he decided he wished to, and no sooner.
The man was Charles Phaeros, who was not only the mayor, but a man of great status and importance within the delegation. As mayor, had both legal responsibility and authority over the museum, which was technically classified as a public work.
One of the Mayor's many entourage was standing close by, manifesting as an older teenage boy who was diligently taking notes.
The other completely ignored Daelus. It was Markander, the
Cardinal
. Daelus had been attending religious service since his arrival, but it was the first time he had been this close to the delegate. The sermons were conducted by
entourage
.
Much like everything else Daelus had discovered in the last month, both from exploration and digesting the encyclopedic set in steady doses, the state religion and services that invited the faithful to worship were remarkably similar to the ones he had attended as a child with his family. The words were different — the
language
was different — but the ceremony and ritual had remained largely unchanged.
One key difference, he had noticed, was there was never talk of anything outside of the country which the city was capital of. Both the books and the religious services presented this land as the
entire
known world.
Daelus seemed to recall that there was a global religion, one that the church within this city and nation were merely part of. The sermons had made it sound like this had never been the case.
This detail in itself was confusing, but betrayed a greater concern; Daelus was finding it harder and harder to remember anything about his old life and the old world he once called home. It had been steadily leaking away, day by day. Daelus tried to have faith that this was important, and necessary. It was the Will of the Benefactors. It would aid him in his delegated duties.
Phaeros acted as if he had completely forgotten Daelus' presence. “Did you know,” he said directly to Markander, “that this structure used to be a perimeter fort? Where we're standing was once the edge of the city. Can you imagine it
this
small? Incredible how much it's grown over the many long centuries.”
He then turned to his entourage. “Have Delphiné elaborate and embellish on that, secretary. Imagine some sort of
invasion
that this fort was instrumental in protecting the city from. That will make an exciting addition to the article announcing the grand opening.”
Daelus thought it curious that Phaeros spoke to his entourage. It was unnecessary, but some people did enjoy expressing themselves aloud. He watched the secretary, and found it curious that the entourage was not merely taking dictation, but paraphrasing, writing apparently original sentences and paragraphs. The level of autonomy they could be invested with was continuing to surprise him.
The reason for the mayor’s visit was now clear — an announcement was being drafted. The grand opening would be soon, and Daelus felt far from ready to assume his delegated duties.
As time ticked by and the mayor continued to speak only to his entourage, Daelus felt his presence growing increasingly superfluous. However, he knew it would be considered tremendously rude to depart, so he stayed put.
“Add that it was also once a church,” said the Cardinal. It was the first time he had spoken. The way he said it betrayed that he was seemingly unconcerned with whether or not it had actually been the case.
Cardinal Markander had thus far remained a mystery. The man seemed to object to Daelus being a delegate at all, and Daelus was terrified of discovering why. Was he truly that flawed and incompetent?
Then, suddenly, one of the cardinal's entourage appeared besides Daelus, dressed as a humble deacon. “We noticed your tithe was reduced last week. We expect the customary
ten percent
of your holdings.”
Daelus felt a cold pit grow in his stomach as the reason for the Cardinal’s visit was now made clear. “It
was
ten percent,” Daelus replied, first to the entourage, but then turned his eyes to Markander.
“Already throwing your earnings to the whores and taverns with abandon, I see,” Phaeros cut in, clearly aiming to offend both Daelus
and
the Cardinal. Daelus found his
breath
to be almost as offensive as his statement.
“
No
,” Daelus said slowly, feeling the cold pit growing, and his shoulders tightening. He measured his tone as if a knife was to his throat. “
Payroll
. I've been hiring staff for the museum.”
The mayor scoffed. “Whatever
bloody
for? We have entourage for that. Or are you
paying
the things? He really would be that stupid,” he finished, looking to Markander for reaction.
“I've decided
against
using entourage in the museum,” Daelus added, eyes flicking back and forth between the two men.
“You are expected to tithe equal to or
more
than your previous week,” continued the entourage wearing the deacon’s frock. “Never
less
. The church is not to suffer due to your financial incompetency.”
“He's decided against their use altogether.” A third man approached. It was Jossimer. Daelus was surrounded. “He doesn't even use them in the estate I am renting out to him, at great financial drain to myself, I might add. Truly, his ability to imagine the utility of the ability is a failure on
all
counts.” Unlike the other two, his tone wasn’t scolding or belittling. He voiced his thoughts as simple statements of fact.
Jossimer was somehow the one of the group of three which Daelus had the
least
issues dealing with. The man was straightforward, made his expectations clear with great specificity, and never moved the goalposts. He expected nothing short of perfection, but was always aware when something falling short of his expectations could be linked to a lack of clarity in his commands.
In a way, Daelus had the sensation that Jossimer treated him as one of his entourages, but he also knew better. Jossimer was a general, and his armed forces were, as Daelus understood, flesh and blood humans.
As unpleasant as that could feel, the approach was refreshing in comparison to Phaeros’ vague demands that he always seemed to misremember later. When he was disappointed, often for someone’s failure to deliver something he had never asked for, he expected groveling and prostration.
Daelus and Jossimer’s respectful working relationship was fortunate, given that the work of museum curation forced them into direct partnership.
“I have my ways and preferences,” Daelus said, and braced himself for insult from
at least
one of them.
Instead Jossimer changed the subject entirely. “Don’t you two have
better
things to be doing? Isn’t this work for our propagandist? Or has she vanished yet again?” Daelus watched patiently as the three began to argue, and banter.
The discussion was sharply concluded, and Jossimer once again turned his attention to Daelus. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I'll try to whip some value into the lad.
Come
, Daelus. I have spoils from abroad to prepare for display. I intend to please our Benefactors and I won't have you as the weakest link in that.”
Daelus was led away, rescued — for the time being — from further beration.