Thank-you for all your wonderful reviews! I hope you all had a great Christmas :)
Happy new year to all!
-Pip
Note: I am trying to return to my initial preference of shorter chapters, in order to post more often with less pressure. School is starting up again, and I can already see that it will take it's toll on fanfiction time.
-The Rising Sun-
Word of the King's collapse spread like wildfire. It wasn't long before Prince Arthur assumed command in the wake of his father's mental and physical deterioration.
"Somethin' like this has been expected, ya know," Evoric said one evening. "No one expected the King to survive Morgana's attack, an' when he did, it was clear that it had taken a toll on 'im."
"I wonder how the Prince is doing, that cannot be easy," I mused.
"Maybe some apple pie will make 'im feel better," Evoric said, with a polite cough.
"No!" I squeaked. "Oh dear."
"I found the sorry burnt thing by the back door."
"It's horrid, isn't it?" I said drearily.
"You spent most of yer wages, didn't ya?"
"I did," I said, guiltily.
Evoric laughed. "I guess you'll be eating supper with me till next week then."
I frowned. "Or not."
He raised his feathery eyebrows at me. "Why not?"
"You mean," I stuttered, "You aren't joking?"
"Not at all! Why would I joke 'bout that? Can't 'ave my barmaid starvin' for a week, now, can I?"
"You're actually inviting me to eat with you till my next pay?"
"'Course I am! I'd jus' pay ya early, if this wasn't a customer-based income! Since I can't, I'll jus' have ya over for dinner, you can meet my wife. She's a cook o'er in the palace, ya know."
"I don't know what to say," I stuttered.
"Say yes!"
"Yes?"
"That's the spirit!" Evoric smiled.
Coming next: stew and an interesting metaphor.
