“I guess that’s that then.” I sighed. “I had hoped to get him to eat something before he left even if it was only broth.”
“He hates being confined, but I wish we could do more.” Oss plopped down on the chair beside the bed.
“Me too.” You couldn’t help someone who didn’t want it. Affie had a lot of issues and twice the amount of pride. He hated taking handouts even if he badly needed them.
Oss turned his attention back to Buster. “If you need to go back home, Marbrey, I can send a messenger for you when he awakens.”
“I can wait for a little while longer. I’m curious about how he got this way.” I didn’t want to admit my need for companionship. My place had a sad echo without the presence of my duke. I missed him even if I wasn’t willing to take him back yet.
Oss lifted a small bell from the bedside table and gave it a shake, releasing a pretty chime. A few minutes later, a slim woman appeared in a faded blue dress and a dusty apron wrapped around her middle.
“How can I help you, Master Stalk?”
“Could you bring up the tea tray from the parlor? We’re going to be here for a while.”
“Of course, sir.” After a quick curtsey, she rushed out of the room to do his bidding.
“You are far more comfortable with servants than I would’ve expected.” I couldn’t hold back my surprise.
Oss shrugged. “I’ve always liked bossing people around.”
“That’s true.” A fond smile curved my lips. My prickly friend was a contradiction.
The girl returned and set the tray on a small side table. “Can I freshen up the tea tray?”
I surveyed the selection remaining. “Maybe more water for the tea?”
Oss nodded. “More tea and scones if we have them.”
“I’ll be back in a minute.” She gave another curtsey, then left.
“I like her.” Efficiency should always be appreciated.
“Me too. At least more than Brenson.”
“That’s a rather low bar.” He detested Brenson.
“True.”
I stepped closer to the bed to get a better look at Buster. Only part of his face had transformed. I lifted his shirtsleeve. An odd melding of flesh and metal circled his right arm, alternating gears, then flesh as far as I could see, which was admittedly only to his elbow.
“Do you think you can help him?” Oss asked.
“Help him?” I didn’t try to keep the incredulity out of my tone. “I don’t even know what’s happening to him. This is far outside my specialty.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Oss said with the false confidence of someone with limitless faith in his friends and no practical knowledge of mechanics. “When’s the last time you saw Buster?”
“Not since we opened the gate,” I admitted. After the influx of magic, I went home and all but forgot about the intriguing metal man. I had too many other things on my mind, not the least was my attraction to a certain duke. “I wonder what caused this?” I pointed at the spot where flesh met mechanical.
“We can ask him when he wakes. The big question is why he came here? He would likely get better help in the City of Magic where they are used to him.”
“Maybe he came to you because you’re his liege and he’s one of your subjects?”
“You think?”
I shrugged. “Like you said we won’t really know until he wakes, but don’t be surprised if he expects his king to care about him.”
The maid returned, bringing with her a plate of pastries and another teapot. She swapped out the identical pots. I resisted the urge to steal one.
