Within The Keep

Prompt 014: Stew

…Antes de perder de vista mi camino quiero mirarte un poco y sonar que el destino es junto a ti mi amor…

Abrazame, Camila

They've been fighting over this and that when Balthazar heard them. Maxim was walking quickly towards the study hall, Veronica close behind; still fighting. He'd gotten angry at her because she'd decided how the three of them were going to work for now on: during morning their usual sword and defense classes, then individual studies or lessons with Merlin, practice and at the very end of the day they were suppose to take care of the chores they had around the Keep. Balthazar had agreed, seeing how he could skip sword lessons to do his daily chores and then get in time for the defense classes, while Maxim had been angry at the girl. He wasn't going to do his chores during the late nights, he might go blind! Maxim's delicate handwriting was chosen by their Master to keep papers tidy and records updated. So he'd struggled to keep the chores at the time Veronica had proposed their individual studies, but Master had refused telling him how he would finally learn to make some sacrifices.

"I will not loose my sight because you've got this bizarre notion that Mastre must rest! Have you seen him rest in all the years you've lived here, Veronica?" He said on his way to the room, Veronica following, and Balthazar watching them go from the branch of the huge apple tree. He had a green apple in his hand, and before he could take a bite he heard the battle and was now watching.

"Master is resting more than he used to, Maxim! And I thought you would understand this better than anyone!"

"You should have conferred with us! We could have help you create a better itinerary!"

"When? Both of you are always too busy!" She cried, as they entered the room, Balthazar shaking his head as they did. Several maids were passing by, already murmuring between each other, as to how long it would take for one of them to attack and break something. Which was his signal to stop the bickering. Balthazar sighed, and apple in hand, started walking towards the study hall, passing by several servants who cheered him on silently. Knowing he would probably make them stop the servants all started to pull back.

Before Balthazar could reach the building a loud explosion sent him flying backwards.

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"Yes, very scary. What was that suppose to achieve?" Asked Veronica having heard and seen Maxim cast the spell, not caring to stop him blow half the wall out to the gardens. Maxim lifted is finger, about to answer with a probably nasty reply when Merlin himself made an appearance and stared at them both.

"I have already told you to stop this senseless fighting!" He scolded, making the other two shrink where they stood, and Maxim flush in embarrassment. Their master scanned the damage done to the castle, still talking. "Thing have already been settled and the sword masters that a- Balthazar!" He cried, hurrying towards the gardens, while both Maxim and Veronica panicked and hurried after him. Indeed Balthazar was there, among the rubble, kneeling on the ground. He seemed to be holding his chest and shaking. When Merlin pulled him to see what was wrong he started screaming in pain, falling to his side and curling onto himself. Both Maxim and Veronica only saw the pool of blood on which he knelt. Merlin started screaming orders, the maids appearing form the alley that was broken down and some stable men running towards them.

It took two men to carry Balthazar up to his room, where Merlin and some of the other maids, who were very skilled healers, locked themselves up with the boy. Both Veronica and Maxim hovered over the door's room, both pacing and from time to time murmuring to each other.

Maxim struggled with himself to know why he had done such strong spell in the first place, while Veronica asked herself why she hadn't stop him. Several times they heard Balthazar scream, followed by Merlin's muffled words, and for a while no sound. It took three hours for the maids to start walking out of the room, some carrying baskets and big bowls of dirty, bloody water, and finally Merlin himself walked slowly out the room. When he realized the other two apprentices were there he grew stern, and stopped moving. Behind was Greta, helping Balthazar by covering him up and then covering his body with a warm pair of thick wool sheets. Balthazar seemed sleepy and as soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep. But that was all the other two saw, Merlin closed the door and gave them disapproving stares.

"He barely survived. I hope you two are glad he did, because if he had…. I shall send you both to a very important errant while he heals, so no more damage is done." He then turned to Maxim. "I hope you are glad of your eruptive temper, look what good it can do you or anyone around you." Then he looked at Veronica. "I can hardly believe you were part of this, if I had not seen it with my own two eyes I would not have believe it."

Then he sent them in their errands. Maxim was to go clean the stables, all seventeen cubicles. Veronica was sent down to the kitchens, to scrub the floors on her own. To assure they spend their time there thinking and working he took their rings and gave orders to the servants not to help them. If any should feel the need to help them, then they should go upstairs and help Balthazar with something.

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When Balthazar woke up the next day he was surprised to see the entire crew of house servants working about him. They were cleaning, fixing, and reading to him. One of the girls was even standing over the table he used as desk, cleaning the chandelier. HE would have gladly casted disperse on them, but they just kept coming back. When he found out what was going on with the other apprentices he told Merlin that he was fine, that he didn't have to punish them so severly. But Merlin just lifted his hand and shook his head.

"They need to learn their own lessons."

"Can't I…?"

"No! You are to rest and nothing else." Balthazar sank in his bed, not allowed to be leave his room (or even the bed) for the next two days. His injury wasn't too serious now, because the whole household had help heal him, and now he had to rest to keep the injury from opening. Balthazar had thought it was a bad injury but not that bad, after all he had started casting healing over his own open stomach, he had been too muddled to keep it up, but he tried. Merlin sat to have lunch with the boy, chatting with him about the day's happenings in the Keep and after the small cold meal, Balthazar started dozing off. Soon Merlin was leaving the room, smiling at the kindness Balthazar was capable of showing.

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"What are you doing?" Asked Maxim entering the now totally scrubbed kitchen, and watching Veronica, peeking into a large steaming pot. The girl turned to him, embarrassed, and tried to hide her work so far. But it was an impossible task. There were chopped vegetables everywhere, and not very well done, there were pieces of the day's meat also sliced and diced, some chunks of potatoes, carrots, the herbs and the knives she'd used…

"Nothing!"

"Are you cooking?"

It was unheard of! Veronica had never shown good graces for cooking, the mere thought of boiling water for tea was something dangerous on its own. The last time she'd tried she nearly burned half the kitchen down. But there she was, hair pulled back, skin flushed with the heat of the fire and steam, and embarrassment. Maxim walked closer and looked into the pot. Veronica tried to stop him, taking the lid from his hands and snapping over the escaping mist. "What are you cooking?" He said, feeling sorry for the boiling vegetables and herbs and meat, all together, in the clear waters.

"Nothing of importance." She said, trying to pick up after herself, while Maxim grinned. "Shouldn't you be cleaning the stables?"

"I'm already done. Is it for Balthazar?"

"What?"

"Is this sorry broth for Balthazar?"

"Maybe." She said, turning away. Maxim felt jealousy flare up, and then guilt. He had been the one, thanks to Veronica, to injury Balthazar. So he took a deep breath and smiled.

"Are you trying to really kill him now?"

"What?" She turned to him, looking as if he had insulted her. Maxim turned to the broth then to her. "Of course not! I'm just… I… Stew is good to heal fast, that's all!" Maxim nodded and then turned to see the burning pot. Literally; it had lighted up and was burning beside Maxim who tried to put it out with a wind spell. Veronica groaned and slammed her hands on the large table. "I give up! This cooking thing is just not for me!"

Maxim had placed the pot over the large sink, wrapping it quickly with the water underneath. The fire died, Veronica watching as he did it, and then both sighed. "You are not only trying to kill Balthazar but all of us as well."

"It was the second time that has happened."

Veronica had wicked potion making skills, but cooking… not so good. Maxim stared at her, a bit surprised but not because the pot had began burning, but because she seemed genuinely interested in making Balthazar stew. He then lowered his eyes and stared at the cut up vegetables, the meat and spices. "I helped Greta make stew a few times; I think I can help you with this." Veronica turned to him, eyes pleading for help.

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Balthazar woke up with the smell of something good. His eyes open, and looked around; he was alone, but there were several knocks on the door. "Enter." He said, hoping it was Greta or Merlin with something to eat, and to his surprise it was Veronica carrying a tray, followed by Maxim.

They were smiling, yet looking guilty for Balthazar's current condition. The man on the bed smiled at them and asked them to come closer. Veronica did, smile brightening, and slowly set the tray over Balthazar's lap. It was a big bowl of thick stew, with loads of bread, a fresh apple and a tall goblet of water. Balthazar's mouth watered, as he stared at the concoction, and was egged into starting his meal.

"Balthazar, we are so sorry."

"Yes we are."

Balthazar sipped the stew, listening as they both apologized.

"It's alright; I'm all better, see?" He pounded his chest, and regret it soon, he felt pain crawling up his neck and his eyes closed. He sipped the stew again. "Did you guys made this?"

"Yes, we both did. But it was my idea."

"Hey I thought about the bread."

"But I cut it up and served the bowl and everything else. You just sat there and ordered me around."

"You have to learn to cook, so I just told you how to do it!"

"And you couldn't even help?"

"You have to learn to do things on your own…."

"Enough!" Called their master from the door, making all three apprentices lower their faces. "I seen your work and I am pleased, and with this small token you've both created for an apology I think you did learn your lessons. So can we please stop the arguing."

"Sorry master." Said the two apprentices, as Balthazar smiled. He knew the feeling.

"Then run along, I'll make sure Balthazar eats and then take the tray downstairs." Maxim waved goodbye and get well soon to Balthazar, who nodded at the man, and Veronica stood from the chair beside, Balthazar, fixing the pillows behind her fellow apprentice and leaned to kiss his cheek.

"I'm sorry." She whispered softly, right before asking him to please get well soon and hurrying out. Balthazar watched her go, touching his cheek, and his master smiled at the little interaction.

"Well, at least they apologized." Murmured Merlin, sitting beside Balthazar, who nodded and smiled at his master. "Stew, huh? Bread and water and a big juicy apple." Balthazar nodded again, looking at the tray over his lap. "Is it any good?"

"Very salty." He said, picking the apple to finally take a juicy bite and wash away the awfully salty taste.