Within The Keep
Prompt 000: *Blows raspberry*
Y así las imágenes de ti que conservo en mi mirada me revelan la verdad: Nada soy y nada fui, fue nada la vida mía.
El silencio de la Espera, Andrea Bocelli
It was early morning when Maxim returned form his biannual visit home. The sun was barely up in the sky, but there was already movement in the Keep ahead. He smiled, eager to see his fellow apprentices and shower them with the gifts he'd brought them, and hurried the pace of his horse. Merlin welcomed him to the Keep, as he usually did, but looking more tired than usual. Maxim paid no mind to that and gave Merlin the gifts his parents had sent (several bottles of wine and other edible things) then gave him his gift; a hand carved pipe. The master seemed please with the little things, and padded Maxim's back as they walked to the main hall, where they would have lunch.
They ate alone, Maxim wondering where the others were, and frowning when Merlin just waved his hand to keep him calm.
"Did something happen Master? Where are Balthazar and Veronica?"
"Those two were up all night; they are training in thunder and lighting and to make sure they get it right I am taking them to the forest during the night." Maxim nodded, "But they must do their daily chores as well, so they must be working around here somewhere." They continued their meal, Maxim not understanding the silence in the Keep, but shared with his master little anecdotes from the things he'd done home.
After lunch his master excused himself to rest for a while, and Maxim said he'd go and fetch some items his horse as carrying. He walked to the stables, greeting the maids and stable boys as he walked (he'd been missed apparently) and looking around to see if he catch Balthazar or Veronica working.
And sure enough he did find Veronica, but she wasn't exactly working. She was walking like a ghost towards the stables, her hair messy and her dress askew. As if she just trashed around the ground. "Veronica!" He called, making her turn slowly, Maxim jogged and smiling catch up with her. "Hello, Veronica. I'm back."
"Oh, Maxim. Hello." She looked pale, tired, and confused. "How was your trip?"
"Fine, just fine. How were things around here while I was gone?" she huffed, literally huffed, and looked around groggily.
"Busy. Master is teaching us thunder and lighting."
"So I heard. How is it going?"
"Slow." She uttered, sleepy, and turned to walk into the nearest stable. Maxim following.
"Have you seen Balthazar?"
"He said he'll be catching up… I haven't seen him since this morning."
"Are you ok? Do you need anything?"
"Sleep." She said softly, picking up one of the buckets over the line of wooden doors checking to see if there was oatmeal in it. It was full. Tired she lifted the bucket and put it in place. She moved to the second bucket and checked, finding it full as well. "I'm almost done, so I'll probably go to sleep soon."
Maxim found his horse standing in the third cubicle and checked to see if the bucket was full. "I think Balthazar already checked these, Veronica." He commented, noticing all the buckets were full. He opened the door and Veronica leaned against the wall, yawning. He found the bag he forgot and lifting it hurried out and smiled at her… before he noticed a boot sticking out the first door. Frowning he walked towards it, and once recognizing its owner, kicked it. From inside a yelp was heard and the two of them saw Balthazar sitting up, hair with hay sticking in all directions and eyes closed.
"What?"
"Balthazar?"
The boy sniffled; his eyes opening to small slits. "What?" Veronica looked at the little nest Balthazar had created and looked envious.
"Hey, man, how are you doing?" Balthazar sniffled at Maxim's question, not really awake, and snorted.
"I've been better." And he dropped back to the hay, where he'd laid one of the bags of his horse's saddle, then he'd used Veronica's and his horse's wool pads as sheets and since they were such big warm covers he was warm and toasty under them. Veronica walked to the small cubicle, kneeling beside Balthazar, looking sleepy.
"Hey, move over."
"No there's only one pillow."
"I deserve the pillow!"
"Why? "
"I'm a girl!"
"I don't' care!"
"It's my saddle's bag."
"No its not!" They had a few moments of struggle in which Veronica crawled under the wood and then literally kicked Balthazar to the side and then they both went quiet. "You are a bed hugged, Veronica." Whined Balthazar, his hand making sure he was snuggled between hay and wool. They struggled some more and Balthazar was able to keep his saddles bag but loosing the warmth of Veronica's wool.
"Guys come on, let's get you to bed."
But Veronica let out a little sigh, asleep, while Balthazar's hands shot up and blindly searched about the rock wall, found the wool that was used to cover Merlin's horse and pulled it hard, hiding it below the wool. "Go away Maxim; you had your night's sleep."
"Master's going to be furious when he finds out you've been sleeping during chore hours."
"No if you don't' tell." Said Veronica suddenly, still curled.
"Maybe I should."
"You wouldn't'!" Murmured Balthazar, apparently fixing the wool around his body.
"Maybe I would."
There was a moment of silence in which the other two apprentice were still, breaths even. For a second Maxim thought they've fallen asleep.
"Ok, maxim, just crawl in." Said Veronica, inviting the oldest of the apprentices to sleep.
"But don't complain when she kicks you." Said Balthazar as the other boy lifted the wool and made space for himself. He had a heavy lunch and was a little tired from the traveling… He covered himself with his traveling hood and snuggled to Veronica's side, while Balthazar turned to share the large blue wool of Merlin's with the other two, also snuggling to Veronica's other side. The girl linked her arms with each of the boy's arms and smiling closed her eyes.
"Ok guys, happy dreams." Said Maxim softly, eyes closing.
"Happy dreams Maxim." Said Veronica, after a long yawn.
Balthazar was already asleep.
Things were not funny when Merlin found them slacking on the job.