As Dodson and Cedric rounded began to her the clatter of silverware and chatter of the pages and squires eating dinner, they both ducked behind a statue of King Roald to don their new tunics. Cedric then opened the large oak double-door and he and Dodson sauntered into the mess hall.
"Hey Dod, Ced!" Yule called from his table of year-mates. The Royal Squires smiled and waved before sitting down at their designated table. Soon after they were joined (much to their displeasure) by Foster of Roledge and his second-year squire friend, Markus of Vester.
"So I heard that the almighty duo snagged themselves royal knight masters," sneered Markus. His shoulder-length, light brown hair fell into his dark green eyes. He tossed it back with a flick of his head.
"Go away, Markus," Dodson said impatiently.
"We've no quarrel with you," Cedric informed him
Foster stood up, making the legs of the bench scrape on the floor, and shoved the long table. It swayed in Dodson and Cedric's direction before it settled onto the floor again.
"We just thought we'd come wish you goodbye before you two get chopped up by spidrens tomorrow," said Foster. Considering the fact that he was standing, Dodson expected him to walk away. Instead, he walked around the table to stand behind Cedric. The blond boy purposely fixed his eyes onto his tray and paid no heed to the boy behind him. Dodson watched the redhead out of the corner of his eye.
"Come on, Foster. These two aren't worth our time," Markus said finally.
Foster shook his head vigorously.
"No, Mark, I just can't stand these two," he growled. "Every since we were pages, they always thought they were the best. They were the favorites. Well it's time to prove that they can be beaten. Dodson, Cedric, Markus and I challenge you to an event of any kind in the tournament in three days."
"Very well, we accept," said Cedric quietly, staring straight ahead. Foster still stood behind him.
"And as the challenged we get to choose the events," added Dodson.
Cedric turned around. "I pick jousting and Dodson chooses fencing. You two can decide who fights who."
"Problem, boys?" Yule had come up unnoticed behind them.
"None at all," Foster muttered darkly, and stalked off. Markus followed him.
Yule watched them go and waited a moment before slapping Dodson and Cedric on the shoulders in a friendly manner. "Don't bother hating them," he said cheerfully. "They're just jealous of you two. I mean, they have a reason to, I guess. You two are the best-liked, most talented boys in training."
Dodson shook his head as they stood.
"We're off to bed," Dodson told his older friend. "We have that hunt tomorrow."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dodson and Cedric both woke early, before the bell rang. This time, Cedric didn't need Dodson pounding on his door to wake him. He had been so excited that he had barely slept anyway. They got dressed in their new tunics, then went to the kitchens with their saddlebags and oiled food-packs and stocked up on apples, jerky, bread, and soup-balls. After that they went to the stables and gathered all the supplies needed for the hunt that day. Sadly, Cedric put aside his lance. He couldn't maneuver in the dense trees with it. After Dodson and Cedric had polished their saddles, cleaned their swords, and groomed their horses, the morning bell rang. Its six almighty tolls beckoned the Palace residents from their beds to start the new day. By the time the Royal Squires had fastened-on their saddlebags and led their mounts outside, the King and his counsel were starting to arrive.
Jonathan nodded to his squires when he saw them. "Dodson. Cedric. All set?"
"Yes, my Lord," Cedric said.
"Hello, boys!" Raoul of Goldenlake called from the fence. He waved at them with a bog hand.
"Hello, Sir!" shouted Dodson. The light wind ruffled up his fair brown hair, and he couldn't help but think: it's a gorgeous day for a spidren hunt.
(A/n: I know…I just cant seem to get to the spidren hunt! Ah well, by the looks of my reviews, none of you are reading it anyway!)
