Gideon's Spear by Darby Karchut Page A

into their driveway drew their attention. Doors slammed shut, followed a moment later by a knock on the front screen. Gideon walked out of the room. Finn hesitated, then trailed behind. Reaching the foot of the stairs, he broke into a grateful smile at the figure speaking with his master in the entryway.
    â€œAh, good,” Mac Roth boomed. “I am glad ye two are home.” He held up several pizza boxes. The not-unpleasant aroma of hot pepperoni mixed with steaming cardboard wafted through the air. Behind him, Lochlan stood with a bulging plastic bag dangling from one hand. “When I asked the boyo what he would like for supper to celebrate his first day, he asked for pizza. Now, can ye believe that?”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with pizza? It’s got all four food groups.” Lochlan peered around the Knights. Spotting Finn by the steps, he gave a grin and a nod.
    â€œ Fáilte ,” Finn replied, without thinking, then winced. Oh, real smooth . He mentally slapped himself upside the head. Like anyone younger than three hundred years old even says that anymore . His eyes widened when Lochlan began jabbering away in Gaelic.
    With a look of delight, Gideon responded. “And where did you learn to speak so fine?” he asked, switching to English.
    â€œMom. She wanted all of us kids to learn ‘the auld tongue,’” Lochlan said in a passable accent.
    â€œWould ye look at the young braggart.” Mac Roth shook his head, then hefted the boxes in his hands. “Since the pizza restaurant was offering a two-for-one special, we decided to come share our bounty with ye.” He grinned when Finn moaned in anticipation.
    â€œSodas, too,” Lochlan held up the bag with a rustle.
    They made their way to the kitchen. Pausing to let the Knights go first, Finn fell in beside Lochlan. They studied each other out of the corners of their eyes. When they passed the fireplace, Lochlan paused.
    â€œInsane,” he breathed, looking up at the row upon row of weapons. “My dad said there’s a rumor Gideon Lir might have the Spear in his collection, but nobody really knows which one it is.”
    â€œWell, it’s not any of those , I can tell you that.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œPretty sure.”
    With Lochlan on his heels, Finn led the way to the kitchen. Taking the bag from the other boy, he placed it on the counter and pulled glasses out of the cupboard. As Lochlan went over to the table to help his master with the pizza, Gideon joined Finn.
    â€œLook, I know I was rude earlier, and I’m sorry,” Finn said in an undertone before the Knight could speak. “But could you wait and yell at me after they leave? Please?” He held his breath as he waited for the verdict, then let it out in relief when Gideon gave a brief nod. They turned around at an angry bark from Mac Roth.
    â€œAnd just what do ye think ye’re doing, Lochlan O’Neill? Helping yerself so freely?” He glared at his apprentice, who stood by the table already chowing down, one hand holding half a slice.
    â€œEating,” Lochlan mumbled around a mouthful of cheese and pepperoni. He swallowed. “That’s kind of the whole purpose of buying a pizza, Big Mac.” He took another bite.
    Finn’s jaw dropped. Next to him, Gideon coughed, trying to smother his laughter.
    The redheaded Knight blinked. “ Big Mac ?”
    Lochlan grinned. “I thought it up this morning. Pretty good, uh?” His smile dimmed as his master’s face grew as fiery as his beard. “What?”
    Finn jumped when Gideon snagged his elbow and tugged him toward the back door. Ushering the boy ahead of him, he closed it hastily. “We best give them a moment alone.” A roar of indignation from Mac Roth, followed by Lochlan protesting that he wasn’t being disrespectful, just funny, escaped through the kitchen window.
    Laughing, Finn and Gideon headed to the back wall.