Aelfryd Hall: Opening Soon

You awaken to a loud, firm banging on the heavy, wooden door of your bedroom. Your eyes open and adjust to the dim illumination of dawn's first light filtering through your window, creeping boldly through the sheer curtains. Your first thought is that dawn is far too early to wake up, and far too early to be woken up. You roll over and pull soft, comfortable blanket over your head and try to get back to sleep. The interloper at the door has other ideas, though, and the insistent banging continues.

"Sir, it's dawn," a voice calls from beyond the door as the banging intensifies.

Even through the lingering haze of sleep and a rude awakening, you recognize the smooth, confident voice of Aeola, your assistant. With a groan you roll over again and start to get out of bed. If she's come to wake you herself, you know you may as well resign yourself to it. She can be very persistent, and while this is one of her better traits as a member of your staff, in circumstances like the present you might have a different outlook.

"Sir, you had asked to be awoken," she calls again, her voice loud enough to reach you through the door, yet somehow also maintaining its usual flat, impassive tone. "You had wanted to address the staff before the start of the day's activities."

"Yeah, I'm coming," you reply, hoping that the groggy, frustrated sigh wasn't loud enough for her to hear through the door. "Just give me a minute."

"Very well, sir, but you should be aware that we are on a schedule," she answers, lowering her voice a little and ceasing to knock, now that she knows you're awake. "If you would like to meet with the staff before the day begins, there is a relatively short time in which to do so. Before too long the kitchen staff will need to begin prepping meals, for example, and the groundskeepers will..."

Your assistant's voice trails off as she lists early-morning responsibilities of various members of the team. Or, at least it seems to as your attention wanes. She's right, though: you did want to speak with the team this morning. Big changes, and big opportunities lay ahead over the next few days, and you need to make sure that everyone involved is ready, willing and able to make the most of them. Great things could be in the future for yourself, for all of the staff here, and for all of Aelfryd Hall, if you all play your cards right. At the moment, though, as important as this meeting may be, you find yourself wishing it wasn't so early.

You scratch yourself through your thin shorts as you stretch and rise to your feet. Taking a moment to collect yourself, you consider the morning's activities.