Do I tell them what Keane and Alanna have alluded to? Even Hirovale made some comments about the need to travel to the Court.
I decide against it, for now, not wanting to ruin the good morning we’ve already had.
“The Prince just wrote,” Margaret smiles as she places large platters of food in the middle of our table, “your full group will take breakfast here tomorrow before you head out.”
We all grin at the news.
“Will you share breakfast with us as well,Duhni?” Cal asks.
Margaret laughs at the thought, “absolutely not. I could not attend the kitchen and a group as big as yours.”
“And now?” Cal replies kindly, pulling out the chair next to him.
Holis and Mana swiftly stand from their chairs, nodding to the woman in agreement. Margaret eyes the chair at Cal’s side before she looks at the twins standing in respect. I smile at her in genuine friendship, grateful for her treatment of us during our time here.
“It would be an honor,” she bows her head.
“Willem!” I wave to the boy on the side of the road.
His head darts up from his crouch, a grin spreading across his face when he spots me.
“Hi Lady Alexis!” he stands up, “and Lady Alexis’ funny looking friend.”
He eyes Golem in hesitation, “mother told me that I should bow the
next time I see you.”
The young boy promptly dips his head and shoulders into a lopsided
bow. I smile at his cuteness while Golem returns the greeting from my side.
“Are you okay, Lady Alexis?” Willem frowns, eyes darting to the bruises on my face.
I give him an affectionate smile, “just took a bad fall a few days ago. These will clear up, nothing to worry about.”
“It looks like it hurts.”
“A bit,” I nod, rummaging around in my travel bag, “but that’s how we get stronger.”
“I once broke my foot,” Willem takes my hand and pulls me into a crouch with him, pointing at his boot, “and mommy said the same thing. That it would only make me stronger.”
“She’s right,” I grin, “I’m sorry I didn’t pull you aside yesterday when we got in. Everyone was so busy. But I haven’t forgotten about you.”
“Nor I you, tricky Lady,” he reaches his hand down to his marbles in thought, “I still can’t think of what I want.”
“Well how about you take this as a temporary gift for now and I’ll still owe you a favor.”
I pull the small velvet sack from my bag and hold it out to him. Willem quickly grabs it with a grin, already guessing what’s inside. He hastily leans towards the road and pushes all of his green and black marbles to the side, tipping the new sack upside down.
“They’re beautiful, Lady!” he exclaims, eyes wide in shock at the new colors. He picks up the silver playing ball, smiling at the sparkling swirls that are now reflecting against the late morning sun.
“That’s called crystal,” I explain, “it comes from the mountains of a faraway land. None of your friends will have a set like this.”
“No, none of them will. They will all be properly jealous,” the boy grins, flinging the silver ball at the red ones, “will you play with me?”
“You’ll have to teach me how,” I admit as I sit down on the road.
“Oh its simple, Lady Alexis,” Willem pulls out a piece of charcoal from his pants, drawing a new circle in the road, “if you hit a marble out of the circle then you get to keep it and try again. Whoever has the most marbles at the end wins!”
