The Doormaster's Apprentice
Page 31
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It was dinnertime when they got home. They followed the spicy aroma of shepherd stew to the kitchen where Ogden sat reading at the table. Hodekin stood on a wooden stool next to a large copper kettle, the small knife in his hand flashing as thin carrot slices arced into the bubbling stew.
“Didn't take long for the trolls to chase you back home,” Hodekin said, reaching for another carrot.
Mica leaned over the kettle and inhaled deeply. His eyes closed and a smile crossed his face. “The aroma of your stew called me back.” He hooked the ladle up to steal a sample.
Hodekin stared Mica down with a frown. “Unless you want your fingers to flavor my stew, you'll keep them away from the kettle.”
Mica watched the kobold's flashing knife make short work of the carrot. “Waiting will make it taste even better.” He set the ladle down.
Liam set the cakes on the table. “Drindle sends his best. The cherry one is for you, Hodekin.”
The little kobold peered past Willow's shoulder at the tray and a big smile spread across his face.
Ogden marked the place in his book. “So what did bring you back so soon?”
“Someone moved the lake door,” Willow said. “There's nothing there but an empty spot.”
Ogden frowned and stroked his beard. “Now why would anyone want to do that?”
“An excellent question,” Willow said. “Perhaps I will learn the answer when I travel to the lake.”
“What about the king's ball?” Ogden asked.
The only sound was the soft scraping of the wooden ladle against the copper pot as Hodekin stirred.
“You know, my dear lass,” Ogden said, “it will take you several days to travel to the lake. The royal ball is in two days. If you were to wait and attend the ball with us, perhaps during the festivities we could discover where they have moved the door.”
Willow grinned and turned to Mica. “It would be a shame to disappoint my companion. I did promise him the first dance.”
Mica blushed.
Ogden clapped his hands together. “It's settled then.”