For what it was worth the plan was once again recited.

And when all was in order executed:

Hand in hand I strolled through the hall doors with Annabel at her side both taking a seat beside each other not sparing their host a passing glance.

"Annabel darling ! I see that you are well now " Lord Fersugil said in a voice that suggested anything but happiness and his ailing wife's recovery.

" Yes, I am sweetheart, it was so very nice of the Queen to pay me a visit, and it simply would not have done if I left you to host them all alone would it now. " Annabel snarkly replied.

"Now that's settled" Zoricus interrupted before they could start a longer verbal battle. " Do tell us what's been happening around here its been a while since the crown visited and its obvious we've missed a great deal. "

Nervous laughter burst from Lord Fersugil eliciting a cruel smirk from Annabel.

"Well, nothing much but a few improvements and adaptations especially because of our unpredictable weather."

" Hmm, well if you say so. But I wouldn't personally say that's all.
You have a lot of young children here Lord Fersugil are they apprentices that have come to help or are they all part of your house ?"

" If they are of your house you have surely developed more since the last time we met. " Zoricus' voice portrayed mock fascination and awe that went unnoticed.

"Yes !! I have done quite well for myself I must agree and they are of my house. " He vigorously announce pride and arrogance dominating.

"Yes, and where do all of them stay ? Your keep although big is not nearly as big as it should be to house so many" Fravien spoke up, for the first time through out the evening his voice resonating through the hall as young warriors lent closer to hear what he said eyes alight with eager wonder and old looked on with silent observation.

"Oh! Lord Fravien you jest ! Of course they are not housed under the same roof as I. The unnecessary servants sleep in the separate buildings behind the kitchens beside the hound kennels. "

"The unnecessary servants !"

" If they are unnecessary I do not understand why you would need a mini army to serve under your house. If they are not needed why not free them from their duties to pursue an apprenticeship or another line of work." Fravien asked incredulously.

Promoting a uproar from Lord Fersugil as he laughed at the silent joke that he had been presented and the village people and warriors turned away from his gleeful smile and cold eyes.

" It is clear that you do not understand Lord Fravien. The unnecessary servants are usually the children who I have very graciously kept from harm although they are orphans who have nothing to offer me but their future loyalty. You would not want me to cast out those poor souls would you! "

"Well who ever they are I have grown quite fond of the young boy that lead me to Annabel's chambers in this short time so I can only imagine what you must feel for them after being with them for so long, I presume they have been in your care for long ? Could I request he be my personal servant for my stay. He was very helpful " I strategically intervened "and quite " I added.

"Very long? Oh yes indeed, they are my pride and joy. Especially with the savage war starting to heat up they've been flooding through like the rivers water down the hills." Lord fersugil proclaimed his left eye twitching furiously striving to out his lies." and of course, you can keep him for the time being."

Disgust and contempt stirred within the gathered at his dismissal and rude behavior towards the fallen and those who ought to be honored.

"The savage war has been raging from before my time Lord Fersugil and yet I see a better future, and I dare say we all do. We must have hope" Zoricus replied the last parts addressing the crowd.

"Boy ! Where is my glass !!" Lord Fersugil suddenly shouted to far gone to realise it was he that had nocked it down before in his haste to speak of the preceding war.

The little boy who had brought me to Annabel's chambers cringed in mute fright his hands trembling in tight interwoven fingers behind him. A good inch taller than the rest of the younger children and only a shoulder short of the oldest he seemed to be the most resigned one of the lot. As if his sorrows were insignificant.

And while the others shied away from their Lords rage scampering of to shadowed corners like rats that had been found the gold eyed boy raised his chin in a small act of bravery. His mouth opened once, twice no sound escaped. He cleared his throat in a feeble attempt to speak.

"Out with it ! Quickly now ! Stop your blabbering and spit it out boy ! "

" we're sorry " softly his voice swept the hall. Quite yet loud enough bordering on fear his voice portrayed a sence of balance contrary to his expression.

"Your sorry, sorry is not good enough !"

"No I mean - it's just that- you knocked over -"

Why you little -"

"Enough ! " Zoricus intervened.

** **** **

The boy's eyes flared in masked horror. It was well known how much he despised to put to work his vocal chords and maybe that was why he couldn't frame his sentences right. Always stumbling and muttering, 'practice' the stable master would chide laying a protective hand over the boys shoulder allowing his rocketing feelings to subside.

It was a common practice and one that would dissipate once he was gown was what the old women of the keep would say. Although, there was many and so few precious moments to spare Lady Annabel would always make time for children they were the true jewels of the keep she would proclaim much to her husbands displeasure. Such behavior and good will had earned her a sacred place in the hearts of many alike.

Yet even with so little practice the young lad's voice chimed in the foreboding silence swinging to accommodate the large area. This served to only anger the lord as he struggled to form his anger to words, his face grew alarmingly red, eyes bulging from their sockets as they strove to convey their hate. Large hands griped the table edge in a relentless grip as his gaze swung to the king then to the child.

The children were often taken little notice of and rarely spoken to other than to demand assistance or to chide, as well as other anomalies. The children mixed with other children, while the adults stuck to their own kind. Birds of a feather or so. But they were always looked after. never would a adult raise fist in anger without cause to a young soul, they were precious and nurtured, the future.

"My lord you cannot possibly ask me to pardon the insolent youth. It is in his best interests to learn his place young or they will wish to climb a ladder to a future not meant for them." He rebuked with a snarl. Lips pulled to reveal white dazzling teeth that glinted dangerously in the flickering candle light. It was plane to see that his true form seemed to writhe beneath his façade of simmering rage.

"I do not ask you 'Pardon' him Lord Fersugil "

"Hmm" Lord Fersugil nodded in satisfaction

"Because there is nothing to pardon !" Lord Zoricus rolled his eyes in annoyance. leaving Lord fersugil sputtering, gaping as the king dismissed him.

The boy crept closer slowly approaching the table that seemed to loom infront of him. Pale fingers moving to clutch the fallen goblet that reeked of wealth. Carefully lowering it to the side and placing it on the tray to be carted of while simultaneously replacing it with another filling it to the inner golden border with scarlet liquid that swayed in joy. These actions were done so fast that they were taken little notice of excluding the royal soldiers who's keen eyes missed almost nothing.

Soon after starters were replaced with the main courses as the young children watched with hungry eyes their shrunken stomachs protesting at the onslaught of such mouth watering flavors. Garnished with delicate crisp mint leaves and herbs the servants rolled in on white embroidered cloth, their hard work. All sorts of partridge ranging from pheasants to pigeons splayed over the table.

The keep had never seen this amount of food as most was horded for the Lord of the keep himself and his selected few. Therefore it was only reasonable they took their fill - eyes devouring what they could only dream of in their impoverished homes.

The harps and string instruments began their melody enticing a serine calm to wash over the gathered as they savoured their blessings. All the while Lord Fersugil looked around with arrogance and contentment.

The children's fists clenched in want as they yearned to experience what they were never given yet if they were lucky they would eventually receive the left overs and for this their faces produced beaming smiles of their very own.

"Enjoy " Lord Fersugil commented as his shrewd eyes swept cruely - tauntingly- over his charges mocking them for what little they would get.

****