Dinner: Interrupted

"Well, if its cool this evening, maybe they'll light the firepit," Marcus said. "That's always a nice way to end the day."


"Someone will need to mention it to Angus before hand, and if we do, he'll make spiced cider to stay warm with," Khaat said.  


"Now, that, I could like," Marcus said, remembering last fall, sitting out by the fire, with one of Kate's large handmade stoneware mug filled with hot spiced cider. He glanced out towards the corral and saw the hippogryff was sort of pacing and pawing at the ground. "Something the matter with him?"

"Nah," Khaat said. "Evidently no one has flown him for awhile. Hopefully Daddy can get to it before the hippogryff gets cranky. Its hard to keep him in the barn if he's irked."


"Maybe you'd like to take him out, Li, if you know how to handle a testy hippogryff, that is," Marcus said. "Khaat knows how, but its hard for her to fly him with one hand."

Li chuckled and looked at the creature and smiled "He,s a magnificent creature and should be flown as you say" he said and nodded at Bellamy but looked to Khaat " if it is okay with you I would love to fly him for you while you recover, I might be able to persuade him to wear a saddle so you could ride him. “ He said then turned to face the Hippogriff “ has any one spoken to him and asked?” he asked glancing at Steven who walked not far from them as he spoke to a rabbit who hopped away and back under the fence.

“It would make a change from Rabbits” He said softly and smiled “ forgive me I read reports he could talk to animals yet have not seen him do so until now.”

"My mother has talked to him," Khaat said.  "But he's always had a bit of a short temper, and a testy personality.  He's got entirely too much energy for his own good, and when he doesn't get to fly regularly, he simply gets irked about it. My father lets my mother deal with the hippogryff until he gets too ticky. If my father thinks there's a chance the hippogryff will get violent, he deals with him himself instead. This would not be a day he'd let my mother into the corral, I'm afraid."


"I'm sure Li or Steven will either know how to deal with a hippogryff in a bad mood, or they'll know to go find your father, one or the other," Marcus said.  "I'm not saying I wouldn't risk it but I don't generally guard hippogryffs."

Li nodded as he listened to her talk “ Hippogriffs can be fiercely loyal and protective of those who have earned their trust, a proper etiquette must be maintained to avoid danger. they're intensely proud creatures, and an individual must show proper respect by bowing to them and waiting for them to bow in return, such like my own up bringing in Japan to show loyalty to those older or who have earned respect..” He said  softly as he took a step closer “ with your permission I would like to try and fly him.”He asked Khaat, as he would not ever do anything to one of her creatures with out her permission.

“ Then I will tend the pymypuffs in the barn there feeling a bit testy “ he said with a chuckle as he'd heard them moving about inside the barn.

"That's fine," Marcus said. "I'd really rather her not be on the thing right now. Right now, I'm trying to get her from slacking on her physical conditioning just because her arm doesn't work. And Brian's been letting her get away with it.  So, we're starting with a walk. Maybe a long walk."


"Or maybe not," she scowled at Marcus. She glanced at Li and Steven. "He forgets he's my bodyguard, not my keeper."


"One and the same, my dear, one and the same," he laughed, taking her good hand to keep her from dawdling. "She's not always as dedicated as you are, Li.  She's a bit more introverted sometimes these days, and I'm about to turn that around."


"Yeah, good luck with that," she sighed. "I guess we're going, though. Watch the hippogryff. He kicks."  Marcus tugged on her hand, taking her towards the trails.

Li bowed to her and then chuckled “ it is to my fault I am afraid” he said as he glanced back at the hippogriff heading Marcus words as he turned back to listen again and he nodded “ I will be careful” he said and slowly walked over to the paddock , opening the gate he stayed stood still as he watched the elegant creature start to walk over to him slowly he bowed at his waist and waited he saw the hoof paw at the ground but he stayed bowed. Soon it too lowered its head and he slow rose “ I thank you for allowing me this moment” he spoke softly “ you mistress has asked that I fly you , will you allow this action” He asked his voice was low and calm.

Walking over he slowly mounted him holding on to his main as he felt the creature spread out his wings , turn and take of up into the air. He clung on tight as he saw the whole of the encampment spread out under him. After an hour he landed and slipped from his back moving away he bowed again. “ I shall return in the morning , I thank you again.” he said softly then moved to the gate as he did he felt a hoof hit his butt sending him sprawling to the ground “ ah I deserved that as I forgot.” He said as he stood up and reached into his pocket. “ this is for you” he held out a treat and smiled his left hand rubbed the mark on his trousers.

"That'll keep him busy for awhile," Marcus said.  


"I'm glad he's going to enjoy it," she said. They went for a long walk, and by the time they got back she was tired.


"I've been looking for you," her father said. "Come with me."


"Me?"


"Was I looking at someone else?" he laughed.


"No, I guess not," she said. 


"We'll not be needing you, Belby," Robert said.


"Yes, you will," Marcus said firmly. "I have standing orders."


"Were you this stubborn when I hired you?" Robert narrowed his eyes at him.


"Most likely," Marcus shrugged.

"Jack!" Robert called, "Just a heads up. Khaat and I will be gone for a few hours. We should be back by breakfast. Don't let anyone panic, would you?"

Li looked over and smiled as he saw Jack look to Robert and nod then call back “ oh don't worry I won't “ he called back. Li went to the barn and sat down in the pymypuff stall he waited until they had all come out and tended to each one individually. Once done he noted the sun was setting and walked back to the house and into the kitchen. “ its growing cold “ He said to Angus in the kitchen “ is there anything I might help with?” he asked as he hung up his coat “ maybe some cinnamon cider would chase away the night's chill, I heard from several men you make the best around, may I be so bold to ask to try some?” He asked.

Jack walked in as he had asked and chuckled “ oh your taking your life in your hands there once you get a taste you won't want any other cider.” he said and smiled “ that right Angus” he said chuckling as he took a soda from the fridge and opened it to drink in one sitting.

"Good idea," Angus said. "I bought some fresh cider just this morning, and I was thinking of making some apple butter, but cider sounds better. Give me a bit, and I'll make make some hot cider.  Suki was making some donut batter for morning, but there's no reason why we can't have some donuts with the cider. After all, it is sort of a tradition.  You lot going to make a fire in the firepit outside?


Brian came downstairs looking a bit perplexed.  He found Kate in the living room.


"Where the devil are they?" He asked.


"Who, Dear?" Kate asked, looking up from some crocheting.


"Robert.  Belby. My wife. They're all gone."


"Oh, that." She smiled, waving him to relax. "It's fine. Robert made a couple promises to her a couple of years ago, and he's feeling very guilty about being more than overdue to pay up.  Frankly, I've been on him for at least a year and a half to make it right. Relax, Dear. They'll be back in the morning. Be a good lad and start a fire outside, would you?"

"Is it that cold out already?" Brian sighed. "I haven't had a chance to bring up any firewood from down behind the barn."


"You'll just get a work out, then," she smiled, going back to her crocheting.

Li smiled at Angus's response to the suggestion of the cider. He had hoped to try some while he was there. He noticed Jack move out side and start to set the fire pit a light then he sat down to warm up beside it. " fire pit is going" he told Angus. " is there anything I can help with?" he asked looking around the kitchen.

" I can cook also " He told him " I would help the monks cook every evening meal" He hoped to not make them feel he was trespassing on the guy who he had been sent to stand in for who was taking time off.