The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [53]
Olive's burro eyes squinted suspiciously. That woman is up to no good, she insisted to herself, and, while Giogi is a nice boy, he's no match for the machinations of a mage. What's a burro to do?
Keep up my strength for one thing, the halfling thought, sniffing daintily at her bucket of sweetened oats.
*****
"Why don't you make yourself comfortable by the fire while I go see about lunch," Giogi suggested as he ushered Cat into the townhouse parlor.
Cat sat on a satin-covered chair, carefully keeping the muddy hem of her robes from the expensive fabric, and kicked off her dirty slippers. She curled her feet beneath her and closed her eyes to slits. The noble scurried out with the picnic basket and headed back for Servant Land.
Thomas looked up from his lunch with astonishment. Giogi, as wet as a river rat, stood in the door, looking very apologetic.
"Sorry to disturb you, Thomas," his master said, setting the picnic basket down on the table, "but the catacombs jaunt didn't quite go over as expected. Do you think you could manage lunch for myself and a guest-just a little nourishment, preferably something warm?"
"Of course, sir," the servant replied, rising from the table. "Um, sir. You have heard the news about your Uncle Drone?"
"Yes," Giogi said. "Lord Frefford told me."
"My condolences, sir."
His voice cracking with emotion, Giogi replied, "Thank you, Thomas." Giogi turned, about to leave, then, remembering that his lunch guest's stay was to be more permanent, turned again. "One more thing, Thomas. When you've finished your lunch, could you spark up the lilac room fire and turn down the bed?"
"The lilac room, sir?" Thomas replied with confusion.
"Yes. My lunch guest will be slaying with us for a while, and will need to rest immediately after lunch."
"You wouldn't want to offer anyone the lilac room, sir," Thomas replied. The servant actually looked a little alarmed, though Giogi could hardly tell why, it wasn't as if Thomas didn't keep the lilac room in pristine condition. "The red room would be far superior," Thomas said.
"I thought the lilac room would be-well, it's more suitable for a lady, don't you think?"
"A lady, sir?" Thomas asked, his eyebrows disappearing into his bangs.
"Um, yes, a lady." Giogi's voice quavered slightly and he felt a trace of alarm. He had forgotten how provincial people were in Immersea, especially the servants. "I know it's irregular, but it's an irregular situation-not one we need mention, though, to Aunt Dorath."
"I would imagine not, sir," Thomas agreed. "Still, the linen in the red room is in better condition. Your guest would be much more comfortable there."
"Very well," Giogi agreed, dissatisfied but not wanting to antagonize the man on whose discretion he must depend. "The red room. The lady's name, by the way, is Cat. She's a magic-user. She may be able to help me find the wyvern's spur."
"Ah, I see." Thomas nodded. "Oh, sir. About two hours ago, a servant from Redstone delivered a package for you. I left it on your writing table in the parlor."
"A package? Hmm," Giogi mused, wondering what sort of package would be sent down from Redstone. "Well, thank you, Thomas. We'll be in the parlor until you announce lunch."
"Very good, sir."
Giogi turned about again and nearly ran over a large, fat black-and-white tomcat, which meowed up at him with annoyance.
"Thomas, is that Spot?" Giogi asked.
"Yes, sir," Thomas said. "He appeared on the doorstep about an hour ago. I didn't have the heart to turn him away."
"No. You were quite right," Giogi said. "He'll need looking after now that Uncle Drone is gone. Aunt Dorath always threatened to turn him into a muff someday. Can't have that, can we, boy?" Giogi bent over and picked up the heavy feline.
Cradling Spot in his arms, Giogi returned to the parlor and his guest. Spot leaped from the noble's arms, sat by the fireplace, and began washing himself.
Giogi looked