#anywhere

"Necessary ones I hear, but I'd as soon have a clean house and a warm cup of coco" A nod "You seem curious about saining, do you have someonei n your family who has one coming up?"

"No." a wistful sigh "No family left. But, I enjoy hearing about Sainings; reminds me of my youth. And, of course, I'm guilty of loving gossip as much as the next man."

"inded, one of life's joys that" meaning the gossip

He chuckles, a thin and reedy sound. "Did Master Jeomry Sain you? It must have been yesterday, last week at the latest."

"Two monthss" she laughs "Do I seem that green? I suppose I might. And he did. His office is in the far Northwest tower. oH.. I need to clean it soon, not IT but the steps"

"Oh, allow me to help you? It would be a blessing if you would; help an old man learn a new place, mmm?"

"No, not green at all. Just terribly, terribly young to this old eye."

"Oh sir, but the steps would be so hard on your news..."

"I won't slow you down!" he protests "I can do it! Please.....?"

"Well, if you insist, elder" She smiles "But if it starts to hurt you tell me okay?"

((Lord?))

"You are such a sweet thing." he offers his arm and she might realize she is supporting him as much as he support her. Off to the tower they totter.

And up they go, it takes a bit to get to the base of the tower, but she grabs more cleaning suppliies, and then starts to work on the steps. As they are both boggans, they make their way up the stair levels in a third of the time

He can sweep while she tackles the details! That would put him at the chamber door before her, of course.....

And so it does.

He glances; she's far enough away he can at least be curious?

She is! It isn't hard to arrange for her to focus on the railings with a kind of 'oh is that a spot?' look

He uses his eye first; elf might have put a ward on the door....

Kenning indicates there is a ward, but currently off. He hears voices

Oh, he LISTENS.

"If you're going to learn what I have to teach, you need to bone up on your languages..."

"But naming lets me handle languages" a younger voice

"The more you know outside of magic, the less you need rely on it" The older voice, the sainer he must assume

"Yes, Master, I'll keep up iwth the Latin"

He rolls his eye.

It would appear to be the Master (the very namer he wants) is lecturing his apprenntice about hard work and so on. No secrets of naming are revealed

Does it seem this is a work chamber, or a rest chamber?

Perhaps both, office bedroom? harrd to say from here

William steams quietly, but knows to take the utmost care around damn-elf-Namers. He cleans the landing.

"Oh nice work" Alexi compliments him

"Oh, thank you." he puffs, sitting back on his heels from his crouch on the floor. "The grit really gets into the cracks, doesn't it?

"Surely does" Alexi nods and offers an arm, why don't get on down the steps and get you to a comfortable seat

"Oh I'm fine, I'm fine....."

But she can help him down the stairs.

And she does.

is that the jingle of keys in her pocket?

More than one to be sure. Ah, Keys to the rooms to clean?

"Oh, I shouldn't keep you." He mumbles as he pauses on the stairs "You have other work to do."

"You have a position of trust!"

"OH yes, I do but.. well ,if you're sure. I hope to see you around again soon mister.. oh sirr, I am not sure I remembered to ask for your name"

"Gowan Forthright." with a smile.

"You don't need more help?" he asks a little pathetically.

"Oh I'm sure, Mr. Forthright, but thank you ever so much"

A sigh. "I understand." says the used-up old man "Thank you for helping me, Miss Alexi."

"Oh sir I... look if ... "A pause "If it helps.. Mr. Gowan, you can join me tomorrow for more help with sweeping?"

"Really?"

"Sure" Sympathetic smile

"Alexis, thank you." his gratitude is... sad. "Tell me, my dear, what is your favorite treat?"

"Oh, Chocolate and truffles is a rare treat but maybe they'll serve it at Pennons ? Oh one hopes"

"Mmm...." he blinks. Or winks. Hard to tell.