“I have always wanted to go on a quest,” she began, “as I told Madeline before, late-hatchers such as myself are generally expected to stay in the caves, caring for the young and sickly dragons. We generally never leave the caves beyond a short flight for amusement here and there. The other late-hatchers don't seem to mind. They seem to enjoy living a life of service. I never did. I always took the jobs for the older dragons. I would lay against their sides, healing them as they told stories of their adventures. I would dream of being able to go questing. Honestly, I dreamed of being able to hunt for myself. Other than the one rabbit I caught before I met Madeline, I've never even done that. This is going to be so exciting!”
Madeline figured a reminder that the bulk of the time would be spent with Gilda in the cart wouldn't be appreciated. So she politely agreed.
Archer was more willing to chat now that Gilda had warmed him up a bit. “I never thought too much about a quest. I've always been expected to do the next thing on my father's life plan for me. Page, squire, knight. I guess I expected to go on a quest eventually. I was surprised when Baron Humphrey called for me. I never thought anyone noticed me.”
“Oh, they noticed!” Madeline exclaimed, “both Baron Humphrey and my dad praised you highly. My dad says you are very reliable. I think it is pretty amazing that both of them thought so well of you. My dad is really honest. If he doesn't like someone, he will let him know. There is no way he would have agreed to let me go on this quest with a squire he didn't trust fully!”
Archer looked uncomfortable and changed the subject. “So what do you eat Gilda?” he asked.
Chitter Page 4
