The Sorcerer's Legacy by Brock Deskins Page B

work more than I miss the coin to be honest. I’ve talked to many of my old friends and all they say is how glad they are that they are retired or can’t wait until they are retired. I don’t see the appeal, myself.”
    “Would you like to train Ellyssa and maybe Peck how to use weapons?” Azerick offered.
    Ewen scratched at the grey stubble on his chin. “I might be able to get myself up here a couple times a week, but I gotta warn you, I don’t work cheap. You get what you pay for.”
    Azerick laughed at the old sailor-turned-weapons master. “I am not sure I could even pay you what you are worth! Will you stay for dinner, Ewen? It will be ready shortly.”
    “Now I’ve never turned down a free meal, don’t reckon I’ll start now,” Ewen chuckled.
    Azerick led his old weapons master back downstairs to dining hall. More tapestries and large drapes covered the walls, concealing the weathered grey stone. The dining table was a simple rectangle that comfortably seated twelve guests. Azerick ducked into the kitchen to let Agnes, the head cook, know that there would be four for dinner tonight. Grick was uncomfortable around humans so he usually chose to eat in his room.
    “Could you call Ellyssa and Peck in for dinner please, Agnes? Peck is our stableboy now and is likely with the horses.”
    Agnes ducked out of the keep through the kitchen entrance and Azerick could hear her shouting for Peck and Ellyssa as he returned to the dining hall. A few minutes later, the cook escorted Peck through the kitchen entrance into the dining hall. His bangs were wet where Agnes must have made him wash up in the kitchen before sitting down to eat. Peck took a seat on the opposite side of the table from Ewen and two seats to Azerick’s right.
    “Ewen, this is Peck,” Azerick introduced.
    “Azerick tells me you’re the head stableman here,” Ewen said to Peck.
    Peck sat up straighter in his chair with pride. “Aye, milord, I got eighteen horses all brushed and fed today, and it was already late when I started,” Peck replied enthusiastically.
    “That sounds like quite a bit of work for a young lad.”
    “Aye, but I can handle it. I may be small but I have lots of energy and I work real hard. Course I haven’t had to shovel out the stalls yet on account the horses were just brought in today, but I can do it, you’ll see.”
    Agnes came in with a large tray bearing a sizeable roast, boiled potatoes, and a bowl of brown gravy. Once she set the food on the table, she disappeared back into the kitchen and returned with the tray reloaded with baked green beans in a hollandaise sauce with bits of bacon mixed in, sweet peas, and candied yams. Agnes then pulled a bottle of wine out of her large apron pocket and filled Azerick and Ewen’s glasses before leaving the bottle on the table and ducking back into the kitchen. When she returned, she brought a pitcher of fresh milk for Ellyssa and Peck.
    “Agnes, were you able to find Ellyssa?” Azerick asked the cook.
    Agnes shook her head. “I called for her, Master Azerick, but I didn’t see her. Would you like me to carve the roast now or wait for her to come?” Agnes asked, holding a large fork and a carving knife.
    Before Azerick could answer, the dining hall door flew open and banged loudly into the wall.
    “Die rat!” Ellyssa shouted as she charged into the room.
    She whipped her arm forward and an object flew down the length of the table in a blur, embedding itself in the roast.
    “Nice shot, little missy!” Ewen shouted and began laughing.
    Azerick looked at the steel dart protruding from the roast. “Ellyssa, I believe that roast is about as dead as it is going to get, and we do not throw things in the dining hall, particularly at our food. Now what is this?” Azerick asked as he looked at the projectile sticking out of the roast.
    “It’s a dart! Ken the blacksmith made it for me and Wolf put the feathers on it so it will fly straight. He used hawk feathers that he