Working as a hostler

Evans pov

"So, you are the new pet of the mistress?" a lady dressed in the uniform of a maid yet with a proud face looking at me with no emotions on his face.

"I.."

"Yes, he will replace Stefan. Show him his room and give him Stefan's clothes for the meantime." came the sharp and quick reply of the devil who had brought me.

"Yes, my lady. Should the man be tested first before serving you?" asked the lady with the same black face and my face turned red. Did it mean that I was assuming my mind was overworking today with the events that have passed.

"It will not be needed. For now, all you need to do is find a job for him in the kitchen or stable.`` Only God knew how much relief i felt listening to her words. My tensed body loosen in a second.

"Yes, my lady." she bowed without a further question and the devil passed her the veil she was wearing.

"I am going to rest for a while then I will work in the office. Do not disturb me until needed."

"Yes, my lady." she nodded and climbed the stairs leaving me behind. She looked at me from top to bottom again as if I was a new animal that had barged into her territory.

"Follow me." was all she said as she took me away. I looked around at the size of the palace. More than 10 of their houses can assimilate in it. But the place was deserted except for a few maids who were working like ghosts without even creating a single sound. There was no one to be seen.

She brought me back to the entrance and then took left where there was a huge open ground and a big stable with more than a dozen horses in it.

"You are going to work here. You need to wash all these horses and take care of their food. This is another hostler who will work with you. If you have any questions, ask him."

"I have to take care of all of them?" I was dumbfounded, they were too many for a single person.

"You are lucky that you are given a job even when you are her pet. Or would you like to go and serve her?" she asked in annoyance as she looked at me shaking her head.

I did not like the way she was talking to me with disdain or the way she was addressing me but I was in no position to speak against her. I have to bear it until I find a better solution. There is no way I am going to spend my whole life here like an animal on display. I could feel the draining of my energy already with the run when the lady passed me all the necessary things.

"The meals are served at a fixed time. You will hear a bell that is pressed three times a day. If you do not reach the servant's kitchen within half an hour after the bell, you will miss your meal. The servant quarter has a common bath area which you will use and you will share the room there. There is a man named Sebestian. Ask him and he will allot you uniform and room.

Is there anything else you need to know?" Though she was asking me, it was sure that she did not want to be disturbed further so I shook my head. She nodded and then pointed at a man who came out of the stable.

"You are going to work with him, ask him for guidance if you have any doubt." With that she turned and left the area and I sighed.

"At least you have a place to stay tonight." I told myself as I walked towards the man.

"Oh, you are the replacement of the old hostler, Murid?" I just nodded, though I wasn't sure what he was talking aboutIt was the fact that I was going to work with him.

"Thank goodness, I have thought that I have to take care of everything alone now. Now, help me in washing them, then I will teach you other things.`` I nodded and mimicked the way he was washing the horse. The skin was soft and shiny and the mane was furry and soft yet the muscles were strong and taut. There was no doubt that the horses were of the best breed and were well taken care of.

"Good, you learnt fast. Where have you worked before?" asked the man with relief.

"I have never worked for horses. I worked in a medbay." he frowned upon hearing my words.

"Then you should not have taken this job. There is an infirmary too. They have less work and they pay better.``He tried to give me advice to earn better and I did not know how to reply to his goodwill.

"I am bought by the d.. Mistress. I do not have the right to decide where I will work.`` His expressions changed the moment he heard the word brought.

I was not surprised by the change as servants were already at the bottom of the pyramid of power while slaves did not even get that place. They were more like things that were brought for entertainment and can be disposed of at any moment. Like a toy or furniture, if broken will be thrown out or sold further at low price.

"You manage the rest, I am tired from working since morning. So I am taking a break.`` The behavior of the man instantly turned bossy as he passed the brush to me and walked leisurely and sat on the nearby bench enjoying the sunlight over his body. I sighed and started working when i heard the sound of clapping and then the sound of heels that hit the strong ground used for racing.

"Never knew that the servants can also instruct each other and pass over their work so simply."