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Ma Fisco brought out a sort of ginger and potato soup, ladling out bowls for everyone. Out of the corner of his eye, Roger saw two men hurrying towards them, presumably drawn by the spicy smell of the gingery concoction. One was around Ma Fisco's age and the other looked to be older than Roger but younger than Terrence. The boat woman turned around to glare at them.
"Ben Fisco, you're late for your supper. And as for you, our Bill, you'll feel the back of my hand if you are late to this table again." She waved the ladle threateningly and the two younger children giggled at the sight of Bill Fisco's red ears. His father simply laughed and kissed his wife's cheek before turning to Roger.
"And what's your name, my lad? For I've never seen you at this table before." His eyes twinkled at Roger who felt a little more at ease than he had previously.
"Roger. I'm Lyra Silvertongue's son." He bowed his head slightly to the Gyptian man, and Praskovia scuttled on to the table. She was in the form of a ferret, and Ben Fisco nodded.
"I see. So are you going to chatter or eat your supper?" he asked. Roger didn't reply, already eating the warming gingery soup. It was delicious, although obviously meant as something to be had after a day's work, which was something Roger wasn't much accustomed to. He eagerly ate more and more of his helping while Ma Fisco chuckled.
"That's what I like to see. A lad eating properly." She grinned at Cathy and Theo who were eating in the same manner as Roger.
"So, Roger, have you heard?" Theo whispered in what he thought was a secretive manner. Roger tipped his head to one side, obviously clueless as to whatever it was. Theo pointed surreptitiously to Terrence.
"Terry's going to help lead an expedition to another country, with some of the professors." Theo's eyes shone with excitement. "They're going to go and find this witch clan that no one really knows about, and do a report."
Roger realised he had heard of it. "My father is on that expedition, actually. I forgot… He wants me to go along too, but my mother won't. She says she's too involved with other witch clans." He frowned. "I don't really want to go, but it would help my application to the Glastonbury College. They study plants there and the witch clan would know all about plants."
Cathy made a scary face. "I hear that witches eat kids' demons. Just eat them clean up." Roger felt a chill of horror at this and grasped Praskovia, before the reassuring laughter of Terrence Montfisco filled the air.
"Nonsense. Witches aren't monsters at all." He clapped a hand on Roger's shoulder. "And you should know that most of Cathy's tales are just plain fantasy."
Cathy stuck her tongue out. "No, Peter Costa told me that's what witches do. He said that they keep you alive afterwards, too."
Praskovia mewled in fear and scuttled up Roger's sleeve to wrap herself around his neck. Ma Fisco arched an eyebrow.
"Peter Costa tells more stories than you do, Cathy, and the pair of you are little devils, both of you worse than the other." She smiled at Roger, who nodded back at her. It might have scared him, but at least the story was no truer than that of the lady in the mirror. He petted Praskovia and grinned as Cathy began to sulk. A hand clapped on his shoulders, and he turned to face Terrence.
"If you are coming with me on this trip, what will you do?" asked the friendly man, and Roger considered telling him before deciding it was best kept a secret.
"Helping my father research the origin of this new clan." Terrence raised an eyebrow but said no more, turning back to his soup. Bill leant over to Roger.
"I'll be coming too, so you won't be stuck with Terry for the whole trip. I'm there to protect the professors along with a couple of other lads. Everyone is restless at the moment due to this trip; we think the professors are taking too long preparing for this. We could be off within a couple of days but they just want to do their paperwork." He grinned conspiringly at Roger, who smiled back, although his pride as a college child was a little bruised. The professors were admittedly taking a long time to prepare for this trip, but they would be ready for every eventuality if they did as they would.
Bill seemed an alright person, though. He was closer to Roger in age than Terrence certainly; he might be a good companion to have on his side during the trip. Roger concentrated on finishing his soup.
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