Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 85

The Parchment Maker's Watermark

(Roleplay from Salerim Mourmain)

"Right, who have we got offering themselves as second-in-command of the army, scribe? Read them out to me."

The scribe picked up the roll of parchment, unfurled it carefully at eye level and with a ceremonious cough started reading the list.

"No-one, sire."

"...Right. Is that... all of them?"

The scribe's eyebrows perked up at the question, as if to gaze over the parchment at Salerim. He scanned the list again, buying time to come up with a suitable answer.

"Erm, yes, Sire, there are no candid... Oh wait!"

"Have we got someone?! Are they qualified?" Salerim burst out hopefully.

"Yes, there seems to be..." The scribe squinted heavily at a certain spot on the list. "Wait... no... It was just the parchment-maker's watermark," he finally declared, with a forlorned droop of the shoulders.

"I don't suppose he wants to be second-in command?" mused Salerim bitterly. "Alright, well, put me down as interim second-in-command for now, and send out a nicely-worded request for candidates to the army."

"Yes, m'lord..." said the scribe with complete lack of enthusiasm.

"Don't look so down man. Come now, the investment ceremony will cheer you up."