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 Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 1:44 am
 The goblin sighed quietly to himself as he pinched at the bridge of his nose, leaning all the more against the wall of the gatehouse. It was midday and to top that it was also his day off, as sad as it sounded he wasn't usually awake at this time, let alone dressed and waiting to receive a guest. At least it was good weather, me mused to himself, enjoying the almost balmy weather. Not too hot and not too cold, just how he liked it! That did make up to some degree the injustice of rising before the afternoon rolled around, though he did wish whimsically that he had been assigned this task when he was on duty.. Preferably when we was supposed to be sitting down with the Mayor to go over paperwork, new recruits and the budget.. That was definitely something that he would have loved to use this to get out of.. He grinned just a little to himslef as he folded his arms across the broad, flat expanse of his chest. Winding the Mayor up was always a fun task and a half..
Though, back to the matter at hand.. Claymore cast a coppery coloured eye over the few people traveling into the inner areas of the palace in the main city. Despite the time and the pleasant weather, there weren't too many people who had business at court today, something that made his current assignment a whole lot easier.
He had received a letter only the other morning, the messenger running late as usual. An old friend of his, an elf in fact whom he had worked closely with for a long while at the palace. They still kept in touch, even with Clays great hatred of writing, and it seemed that his old friend was asking for a favour, or pulling one in that the goblin owed him, a favour that they had probably both long forgotten either way.. Not that it had mattered much to Claymore, he had thought as he read the elagantly penned note in the chaos of a mess hall, he would have done anything that his friend had asked of him, and knew either way that his friend would do the same.
Which brought him to where he still was, and had been for the last few hours. Waiting for his friends nephew.. Or it was the nephew of a cousin of his.. He couldn't recall the family ties, just that the young elf that was coming to the city could desperately use some protection and guidance.. Apparently, he gave a tired sort of sigh, he was a horribly sheltered boy, raised with the old and ancient notions of the world.. He hoped that this visit wouldn't bee too much of a culture shock for the kid. The melting pot of the palace and the more rural, quiet up-bringing his soon to be charge had were really worlds apart..
Again he cast his eyes over the crowd as another small group of people bustled their way into the gate-house archway.. Was that..?
Clay stood a little straighter as he thought he caught a glimpse of purple, a colour he had definitely remembered being in the young elfs description.
When he got just a little closer, he'd know for sure..
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:19 am
 The journey had been utterly horrible. Lennox had disliked it greatly. But he had made it. By himself. All by himself. The young elf was incredibly proud of himself for this small accomplishment. His feet were sore, the bottoms of his white robes were blackened, but he was in good health and was arriving safe and whole. Still...as he entered the city and followed the directions written elegantly upon a scrap of parchment, Lennox found himself distracted. There were a lot of small houses so close together. Hundreds of them actually. To the young elf, whose village incorporated no more then a hundred elves total, the light bustle of the city seemed like a bee hive's worth of activity.
Lennox cast his eyes back down upon the parchment in his hand as he approched a archway. It said for him to go there and wait. That someone would come to collect him. Someone named Clay. Well... Lennox lifted his head and began to scan the individuals nearby. He discounded the ones that were walking in the same direction as he was...but... He did not see any elves waiting by the gate. Perhaps Clay was late? Clay sounded like a boy's name. A pity, if it had been a girl that would have been super nice. Still, he was supposed to be here to learn about the court and differet cultures. Not to write poems and hold hands. Well...maybe he could do that as well. he was sure there had to be some pretty elf maids here somewhere...
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:35 am
Yep.. He'd been right!
There he was, the mysterious Lennox that he had been told about.. Consulting a strip of parchment and looking completely lost, though he would not say out of place, though no doubt the young elf felt that way. No one was really too out of place in the main city, there were too many walks of life here to say that one was odd.
The goblin gave himself a push away from the wall and made his approach, past the other travelers to the loitering elf. He wasn't sure if he was pleased or a little nervous being out without his usual 'equipment'. His sizable warhammer left tucked away in his own quarters, replaced by a simple sword at his hip, his shoulder guard also missing this time to allow his shoulder frills a little more freedom. It felt good!
"Lennox..?" He queried, halting at a comfortable distance, extending a clawed but not webbed hand, "I'm Claymore.. You're uncle asked for me to meet you here. It's a pleasure to meet you." He offered sincerely, taking in the elfs somewhat worn appearance.
"I've been asked to help you settle in and make sure you're completely comfortable." He gave him a friendly little grin.
Like he'd been told.. Lennox was.. Slighter than usual for one of his kind.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:50 am
A cloud passed the sun...no...it was just a shadow. Lennox lifted his purple eyes from the parchment to look up at a monster of a goblin. He couldn't help but take a few step's back as his eyes widened a little. Goblins were supposed to be short and small weren't they? This one was like...a mutant or something! He was huge! Lennox had not seen muscles of that sort on anything other then a ox!
It occured to him then, that this huge goblin hac called him by name. "Claymore?" He echoed at first, then he glanced down at the parchement he had been holding. "Clay...?" His surprise was easily transferred to his voice as he looked back up and exclaimed. "Your not a elf at all. Your supposed to be a elf. Preferrably a nice girl elf but...still and elf...But your not. Are you sure this isn't a mistake?" This had to me a mistake. It really had to be. Still, the goblin hardly seemed to be surprised. Lennox's eveybrows knit together as he carefully folded the parchment and slipped it into the pouch hanging at his side.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:05 am
The goblin really did try his best not to look amused.. But it really was quite a hard task when he was met with such shock. He seemed to have this effect on people..
Clay..? Yes, Claymore is my name but I think almost everyone calls me Clay. Yes, that would be me, goblin through and through!" He continued giving the small elf that same friendly smile, his hand still held out in greeting.
"As far as I am aware, there is no mistake.. I do hope your uncle did not tell you that I was a woman? You may want to advise him to have his eyes checked, if that is the case!" He gave Lennox a little wink.
"If there is anything you would like me to carry for you? I guess it would be best to settle you into your rooms before we have more of a tour?" He pressed on, there was no real point dawdling in the gateway for longer than was necessary, surely? He didn;t want them to attract unwanted attention so soon.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:43 am
Lennox looked to the hand that was extended towards him. It didn't look slimey or filthy, as he expected a goblins to be. Then again...it lacked the webbing and seemed to have claws. He didn't know goblins could have such hands. Cautiously Lennox placed his hand into Clay's own. His grip was as light as a strip of silk across the goblins palm and about as strong really when he went to shake Clay's hand. "I didn't know they made Goblins that looked like you. I thought they were all small and dirty and creepy bug eyed things. Your nothing like that at all." Lennox honestly spoke.
He tilted his head a moment later, as mention would be made of his uncle possibly confusing Clay for being a female. "I am...sure his eyes are not bad. I wonder why he didn't warn me though. It wouldn't have been that hard to note that in his letter." The small wink he had recieved made Lennox blush very faintly out of embaressment. Clay seemed hardly the cantankerouse sort of goblin he had come to expect to see or deal with.
"Oh no. No no." His head tilted to nod down at his bag. "Everything I own is in this bag actually. I did not want to travel with a heavy load. I thought I would just pick up what I needed along the way. I would like to see my room though. It's been a while since I've slept in a real bed, and I'd like to freshen up a bit. I'm sure my hair is messy and there is dirt under my fingernails." Lennox lifted a hand to inspect the white nails for a moment before he glanced back up at Clay.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:25 am
Clay rolled his shoulders in something of a little shrug, gripping the slender hand placed in his firmly in greeting, "Small and dirty..? Well I suppose that a lot of my species are, but there are always exceptions to the rule, are there not?" He gave a rumble of a chuckle, as he released Lennox's hand and motioned for him to walk beside him.
"And I would imagine.. That perhaps your uncle did not wish to alarm you by mentioning me in more detail..? We were close friends while he stayed here, we looked out for each other a lot.. And I suppose though he trusts me, there is obviously still a lot of misconceptions about goblins?" He offered, setting an amicable pace for the elf. He entertained the notion of offering the slight young thing his arm, but thought twice, as tempting as it was.. He wasn't sure he should play with him in such a teasing manner so quickly after meeting him. He stuck his elbow out fractionally none the less..
"A light traveler? Hey, I can totally see things your way on that aspect. The less to drag around, the faster you can travel and the quicker you can escape or defend yourself should something happen." He raised his eyebrows down at the elf for a moment with another little chuckle, "Not that you need worry about that here! I'll be right beside you to make sure you're a-okay, should you ever need me, you need only call." He smiled kindly, heading towards some even more elaborate gates.
"Your rooms are fairly comfortable.. I believe they are the ones your uncle used when he stayed here for a times, within the palace grounds but not particularly central.. A great view of the eastern gardens and.. Well, beyond." He explained with a smile, wondering if the elf had even seen the vast labyrith before.. He seemed.. Like quite a sheltered individual indeed. Would he find it mind boggling? Scary?
"I can assure you that the finest bed shall be waiting for you.. And quite the impressive bathroom!"
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 2:10 pm
"I suppose there are." Lennox would agree after Clay released his hand. His grip was so strong! Lennox wiggled his fingers a little before he dropped them down to his side. "Looked out for each other?" Lennox could not help but question curiously as the goblin began to lead him towards the castle. Lennox's eyes lifted, and he glanced over the massive stone building. "It's so...big...You could fit everyone from my town in there...with their animals!" He breathed in small wonder while drawing closer to the building itself. Unconsciously he was aware of the elbow edgedout towards him. Lennox lifted his hand and lightly placed his fingertips onto the top of Clay's arm, though he did not link or gasp hold securely.
"Defend? Escape?" Lennox echoed after a moment and he turned to look up at Clay with surprise. "Oh no. I just get tired carrying so much heavy stuff about. I've no skill riding a horse so I had to make certain I could carry everything I had over a long distance. But there is no worries." Lennox's eyes squinched upwards a little at the sudden bright smile from the elf. "I stayed on the main road the entier way so I was quite safe. I am sure I'll be very safe here too."
Lennox turned his purple gaze forwards again, and his bright smile continues to adorn his lips. "It sounds very lovely. I am sure the view will give me much to consider for sketching purposes. And a garden! I'm sure to see many people wandering them yes? That will give me more chances to observe. But first..I would love to wash the travel dirt off and change into my clean robes....I think I'm a bit hungry too. When are meals served?"
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:42 pm
Clay smiled a little more, resisting the sudden urge to reach up and cover the back of the hand that had snaked out to rest on his arm. He wasn't a woman who required a gentle escort.. Despite the fact he had.. Preceded the description in the letter..
That wasn;t the time or place for this!
"Indeed, Lennox. Your uncle was here a good many years ago now.. He was well traveled but he had not spent much time here, and as I'm sure he said, the main city, the palace, is really like no other place in the land. No where else is so full of interesting stories, people and different races. If I recall.. I had been appointed head of the Royal Guard only a year or two before he was here.. And I found one of my.. Well, one of the foot soldiers making a foolish attempt to lead him astray. Your uncle, of course, is a wise man, he wasn't buying it, though the soldier didn;t seem to understand that it is very rude indeed to try to force another to go where they do not wish. We were close friends since then." He rambled a little, gesturing rather vaguely with his other hand, occasionally greeting another individual standing to the side of the street.
"Indeed, I looked out for him a lot.. He returned the favour in his own ways.. He had a brilliant mind and an eagle's eyes. He could spot if someone was trying to trick me out of something or lying. He was a very good elf to work with." He gave Lennox a warm smile as he started them up a rather.. Large flight of steps. It wasn;t often he got to come in this way, he mused absently.
"Wait.. No skill riding a horse..?" The eyebrows traveled north slowly.. "Then I think your uncle was wise indeed to have me look out for you! That should definitely be another experience you must partake in! t opens up a whole world of opportunities for you.. Traveling becomes a lot faster as well." His hair.. It was really distracting too.. Such a vibrant colour when one was used to the usual earthy tones of the other guards.. One did not mingle too much with the residents of the palace.
"And your rooms? Heh.. Oh just you wait until you see the view.. Really, it is like nothing you will have seen before! I promise you." He chuckled as he led the elf onwards, turning off the stairs to a platform to the side, ushering him through a doorway, "Not too much further.. I should have thought ahead and have a bath waiting for you.. I wasn't sure if you would be late for your arrival, however."
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 1:04 pm
Clay was now directing his path, so Lennox was able to resume his visitors aura and returned to looking around him with rapt attention. He kept his fingertips upon Clay's arm so that he could use that as a good guide. He heard the goblin speaking, and he tilted one of his pointed ears so he could listen well while walking.
"My Uncle did tell me that the castle was a good place for me to start. He said I could learn some very important things here, but he would not go into greater detail." Lennox pried his eyes from the scenery to look uncertainly up at Clay as he spoke of a foot solider and his attempts to convince his uncle to go...somewhere. "Well.. I am glad you were able to help my Uncle then." Good friends? Lennox was finding it terribly hard to imagin what a goblin and elf could have in common.
"I am afraid I was unaware of my uncles talents." Lennox would slowly reply as he began to walk up the flight of stoney steps. He heard the soft little pat of his soles accompanying the rather more firm tread of the goblin. He seemed to have surprised Clay though, with his admission over the lack of riding skills.
"Ah...Horses are just such big beasts though. I spent all my time in the library. Reading new books and studying different languages. I didn't have time to learn to ride." Lennox tilted his head and lifted his free hand to rub through his hair uncertainly. "Walking suits me fine. I am in no hurry to get anywhere. And horses require so much attention. I simply wouldn't have the strength for it all."
The scenery changed as they entered through a doorway, and Lenn's purple eyes turned away from the goblin and back to his surroundings with a curious glow. "I am looking forwards to seeing these rooms. And the bath. It is fine that it is not prepared. I can take care of that myself. Though... I am quite hungry. I've only had bread and seeds to eat the last two days. Do you suppose I could have a a meal brought to the room?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:06 pm
Clay chuckled again, it was still something of a rumble though it was lighter than before, "It was never a bother helping your uncle out.. Well, maybe it was a couple of times, but.. Well, maybe I'll tell you about it one day.." He mused, continuing to lead Lennox down the wide passages, past doors to personal chambers and large graceful windows revealing teasing glimpses of the lush strips of gardens below. "He always did, in fairness, make it up to me if he did put me out of my way. Like I said, he is a very intelligent elf as well as patient." He grinned, leaving the statement slightly ambigous and not elaborating further.
"Despite his awesome talent, I have to say I think he's missed a trick with not insisting that you learn to ride!" He cast his eyes down to the purple elf at his side, musing at the gentle touch that still lingered on his arm, "Very therapeutic beasts, as he learned after some firm encouragement. It wasn't one of his favourite tasks but I think, despite his screaming, he really did enjoy it!" He teased a little.. He hadn't screamed THAT much when Clay had all but thrown the older elf onto the horse.. "But we'll leave that to another day, regardless.. Maybe in the future I can escort you to the markets and you can at least look at them.. Failing that I'm certain at the very least you'll find the dealers interesting.." He couldn't help but pull a bit of a face, "They tend to smell pretty foul though.. Something that really should go down on the record there."
The goblin almost startled a little, mid-step when he realised he had been overlooking a hint that Lennox had been at.. He hadn't even hinted, he had asked and he had managed to gloss over it, "Food! Oh, yes! I apologise.. I've been far too wrapped up with talking and dusty old tales from another time." He shot an apologetic look down at the elf, rounding another sweeping corner with the elf, drawing closer to their goal.
"I would advise settling in this afternoon, and I'll have a meal sent for while you bathe, if that would be to your liking. There is a dining hall, though there isn't usually much concern at to whether you eat communally or fend for yourself.." He gave another rolling shrug as he brought the pair of them to a halt outside of a dark-stained oak door edged in silvers.
"It's pretty easy going really.. Now uh.. Here are your rooms.. Did.. Did your uncle give you a key for them?" He gave the young elf another quizzical look, "If he didn't.. Well, I have ways.." His lips quirked into a fractionally lopsided smile.
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:46 pm
Lennox's eyes continually were drawn away as Clay escorted him. The castle was a great difference to the simple home he was used to. Even with how prestigeouse his uncle was, Lennox's own upbringing was terribly simple. The wannabe scribe attempted to peer through each window and door to catch those glimpses in passing. His purple hued head nodded.
"Uncle never really visited me." Lennox admitted with a sheepish blush coloring his cheeks. "He most likely was unaware that I was not taught to ride. I mean, father had some horses, but he used them for field work. The closest I came to riding them was being pulled in a carrige." Lennox found himself looking up at Claymore as he spoke. Firm encouragement? Oh! He really hoped Clay wasn't going to insist on this. The prospect of rideing lessons was not something he would look forwards to. "I would like to see the market." He eagerly grasped hold of that particular topic so as to redirect the conversation.
"I stayed away from it while making my way to the castle. I was worried I'd get turned around and hoplessly lost. The buildings here are far too close together." He felt the complaint was reasonable really. Who wanted to live so close to their neighbor that you could look reach out and knock on their wall? When Clay returned to the topic of food, Lennox's features broke out into a relieved smile. He hadn't wanted to bring it up again and make it seem like he was harping on the subject.
"I think for now I should eat alone. At least until I'm more familar with this place. Uncle warned me that there would be much to learn and he cautioned that my surprise could be seen as..ah..rude." Lennox paused then. His purple eyes blinked in the moment that followed. it was a little awkward as Lennox cast about in his memory. Key...key...had his uncle given him a key? "No...No I do not believe he did. He was only a guest after all, it would have been proper for him to return the key when he left." Way's? What sort of ways could the goblin mean?
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