Today was going to be great. The sun had not yet risen. Douxie woke up early to get all his chores done for the day. Archie slept through most of the house chores. The living quarters had been swept and tidied up. A merry fire was lit. Now he was off to do his outside chores with Archie in tow. Milking the Slorr was by far the most disgusting task. The milk was sticky and tasted awful before it was made into something useable. The smell clung to his clothing for days at a time. Merlin never did have the time to show him how to do the job without getting covered in milk. the creature did not even like him. She glared ever time he would come in the pen. Today she was extra cranky with the early milking. No matter how sweet he spoke, she always kicked at him and flailed. Determined that today would still be the day, Douxie finished the job as best he could.
When finished with the horrid task. He decided to pick some magical herbs for Merlin. He was still very new in training so he did not know much yet but he figured the walk would air out his clothes. One did not simply ask THE Merlin about training while smelling like Slorr Milk. Douxie and Archie chatted pleasantly as he picked only what he saw as the best for Merlin. He tried to pick plants that looked familiar with no brown spots. Neither him or Archie knew what was wrong with spots but Merlin would frown when he saw them on the plants. So they assumed they were bad spots. After the walk and collection, there was absolutely nothing on his list that was left undone.
Finally today, he could talk Merlin into teaching him some new spells. Maybe Douxie could learn a little bit more about magic. Sure he could do some tricks but this was THE Merlin, most powerful warlock ever born. Sure they had not exactly talked in length since Douxie was brought to Merlin's tower, but geniuses hardly ever had to explain themselves. Douxie was humming to himself as he was walking back to the castle with Archie stretched out on his shoulders thinking of all the things he could with Merlin. It was almost lunch, so he figured after a good meal, they could work on magic all afternoon. It was a long walk to go all the way back to the tower.
"hello, I'm back and I brought some more worm root" he called as he opened the door. His words echoed back to him in the empty tower. "Maybe he has gone out for a meeting and will be back soon" stated Archie unsure.
The fire had long since gone out. The wood was long cold from the warm fire he had built just this morning. "Yeah that's it, he'll be back any minute and then we can get started. Still optimistic he began to make a stew for lunch for three. He set three places at a modest table and served two serving of the stew for himself and his familiar.
After a while the silence became oppressive and Douxie began to get discouraged. "None of that now" exclaimed Archie. "why don't you start drying the herbs we picked today. I'm sure Merlin will appreciate it".
Now Douxie and Archie were not exactly trained on drying herbs but it couldn't be that hard. Merlin does it every day almost. "All right then, lets give it a go" Douxie forced a happy laugh." I think I saw Merlin use this metal tray last time he dried herbs." Archie explained. Between the two of them, they separated each plant and laid them out on the metal tray. "Well what next" Douxie looked to Archie for advice after the tray was loaded, "well I think he put them over here on this windowsill last time". Both familiar and wizard looked at the large tray on the table.
Douxie was small and not very strong but he was confident he could pick up one measly tray. He grabbed both ends and gave a mighty heave. Overbalanced he spun around and stumbled but was able to avoid falling. Huffing with a smile he stated "it's a little heavy but I can do this". He slowly walked over to the windowsill and put the tray on the stone sill. The sun was barely hitting the outside part of the tray. "Maybe you should push it out a little further" Archie suggested. Douxie began pushing the tray inch by inch into the sun. He was so focused on the tray that he did not hear the door opening behind him or the steps coming toward the window.
"What on earth are you doing boy!" Merlin had shouted right behind Douxie. Startled he pushed the tray too hard and both wizards and cat watched it tumble down the tower into the courtyard below. All the plants that he had worked hard on collected were blowing away in the afternoon breeze. After a short pause, Douxie turned to face his recent mentor.
Merlin did not look happy. "I wake up this morning to find my apprentice gone and come back to find him destroying my property!" Merlin glared at Douxie, expecting an explanation. Ashamed of dropping the tray he stuttered while looking at the floor "I was just...it just...". "just what boy, spit it out" Merlin sighed. When Douxie looked up, Merlin no longer looked angry but resigned. Eager to fix his mistake and learn he stated. "It was nothing, Merlin, sir. Let me go and get the tray and then maybe we can talk about some magic for a while. I finished all my chores".
Douxie was beginning to return to his good mood with his master back, even if he just witnessed him mess up. Merlin was rubbing his temples and turning toward the fired where the stew was still warm by the fire. "Maybe we can speak after you clean up the mess you made of my tower" he demanded. The room that Douxie had spent the morning cleaning was to say the least, a mess.
The bowls from his and Archie's lunches were still by the sink. The supplies for cutting and drying the herbs, except the tray, were strew across the room, and pieces of the plants that Archie and Douxie had cut to be perfect were scattered on the table and floor. When Douxie had realized the mess he made in his excitement to please Merlin, he looked back down at the plant covered floor. His good mood long forgotten. "Yes sir" he replied meekly and made his way back down the long stairwell to fetch the tray that had fallen out the window.
Archie followed his master on foot down the stairs. "Better luck tomorrow, Douxie" comforted his partner. Douxie did not respond for the remaining trip down and back up the stairs. When he returned to the top of the tower. Merlin was nowhere in sight. "Better get started" he muttered. Douxie cleaned in silence while Archie lay on the windowsill soaking up the last of the afternoon sun's rays. After the silent cleaning. Douxie headed to bed early. He curled under the blanket that Merlin had provided in the little backroom he now called his. Archie climbed into bed and lay at his partners back. After such a long day both drifted off into sleep.