My days are long. Gradually there seems to be developing some order among the chaos. I even found the time to interview a charming lady yestereve with regards to taking on some of my burden. Playing catch up as I am with the company accounts.
The mountain of paperwork is diminishing, I do not know what to make of the Gondorian exile completely whom I found in my midst. For the most part her manner was quite impeccable. I can have no complaints there. Her appearance was tidy, she was confident. And indeed surprisingly honest with regards to the fact her previous employer was not exactly an honest man. Presumably the man did not pay his taxes as she mentioned no buying or selling of contraband. I will wait to see if there are any other applicants for the position before ultimately making my decision. I could not completely put my finger on anything wrong with the woman's intentions but my experience has taught me to be cautious in my dealings. Here is a woman of clear intellect. Her rich attire, her grooming, her cleanliness. Her eye for detail mirrors my own. Certainly this woman would be a useful addition to my company if her intent is indeed genuine. She certainly knew how to impress.
Call me an old cynic in a young man's body as you will. But I am wary of the fact that she has just arrived in town, no clear answers as to whom she traveled with along the road. Perhaps I am simply wary for the sake of wariness I do not know. But her admission to having performed creative calculus as she called it in the past, and the fact that she is an unknown quantity with no character references to speak of beyond being a new arrival and her father a merchant of dubious means.. Bothers me somewhat. For all of her seeming perfection, she refused my offer of drink during the interview itself, a good thing. For though I can hardly complain about the consumption of strong drink in another. You will not see me inebriated on the job. I manage my intake. Spread it out more. And presuming as I may that not all can handle it I was most reassured by this.
In truth I am reluctant to share my burden, I have built my business from the ground up and trust does not exactly come easily. Certainly not when it comes to the handling of sensitive accounts. Mayhaps if there are no other satisfactory applicants I will arrange a second interview, see if I can feel this woman out. I noticed a brief flicker of sadness in her eyes that could be genuine when I mentioned the dark times we live in. She did say she was fleeing the war. She might be genuinely a decent woman, simply binding her innermost thoughts in fetters as I have these long years. Not wishing to divulge personal tragedy to a complete stranger. I can understand that.
I also greatly respected her professional manner, and that she did not try her luck given the subtle glances I was giving her. A striking beauty indeed. I will not entertain relations with someone in such a manner directly under my employ mind. First and foremost, I am to be her boss not a friend. Blurring the lines with too much intimacy can be disastrous in that regard. Though I see no reason why I cannot be relatively amicable and make conversation when the situation demands it. She passed that test. I have no need of a flirtatious bookkeeper.
Yet I would much prefer to hire someone with ties to the land. A family, perhaps. Friends that are local. She mentioned my advertisement being simply the first offer that she saw that was not an offer of employment wanting swords for hire or tenure in a brothel. Understandable that she would desire work she already has experience in. For all she impressed me upon the day. This is not a position I want to dole out upon face-value or good impressions alone.
Perhaps my suspicions of her potential for deceit are wrong. But I must make a decision in the coming weeks whether or not I am to take her on, or let her down gently. For now, it seems. I should likely turn my attentions to arranging the celebration of my dear friend and her husband. I will take a stroll up to the hall on the highest hill as they were not home when I called. With any luck I'll not see that Ranger, or his lover.
A messenger came to my door earlier, bearing coin from my childhood friend for the window. And curiously, the bars too. Given that she had supposedly cursed my name. I am a little surprised but perhaps she feels remorse. Might the man have simply misinformed me of her words. I do not know. I accepted part of the repayment and sent him back with word to her that I have dismissed that guardsman who had wronged her nursemaid to another assignment. I have bid her a response that I wil visit her when I am more caught up with my business affairs. I am not lying, I have been busy. Still, I cannot put it off forever. The thought of going there gives me butterflies in my stomach for a reason. Can I truly admit that in part I went to those southern seas to run away from whatever it was that was developing between us? Not to put a name on it.
No, clear your thoughts. You must ascend that hill. Difficult to prepare a celebration when you do not know a date for it. That will be the order of business tonight. This nonsense can wait.
