KINGDOM OF THE STONE -- a Wattpad featured novel

Chapter Twenty Six

He had confronted Troekis about the stolen gold drinking bowl a fortnight ago. Amantis hadn't actually found the bowl or seen Troekis take it; the stone had just shown it to him and told him what to say. Troekis had confessed in a sputtering flood of misery and guilt.

"I'm not really a thief," he bawled. "I've never taken anything that's not mine."

"Except the bowl," Amantis said.

"I didn't really take it. Not to keep," he sniffed a long wet sniff. "He never uses it. He never liked it. Ever since he got it back from the engraver, he's just left it in the cupboard."

"Well, If you're willing to give it back should he need it, then you've done no real harm." Amantis put a concerned arm around his shoulders. "Even so, it would still be very bad for you if he found out you've taken it. Just knowing you thought about taking it... well, he'd never be able to trust you again."

Troekis jerked back, alarmed. "No! He must never find out."

"Don't worry," Amantis smiled. "I'm sure there's no need for him to find out. I do, however, need you to do me a favor."

Troekis looked up, hope and caution warring on his face. "What?"

"As you know, Corago likes to eat large rich meals but his indigestion sometimes bothers him."

"Sometimes..."

"Yes. And with this feast he has planned for his birthday, I'm very concerned for his health."

"You are?"

"However, I've got some medicine that will help him, but there's just one problem."

"What?"

"Corago hates medicine and doesn't trust yotari."

Troekis wiped his nose on his arm. "He does?

"He does, so we have to find a way to give it to him without him knowing it at the end of the meal."

"We could put it in his drink at the end of the meal," Troekis suggested.

Amantis pretended to consider it. "If he's drunk enough beer, he shouldn't notice. That might work, but who could do it?"

Troekis smiled. "You know I'm his drink bearer, it would be no challenge for me."

"You would have to do it in secret so he can say nothing."

"It would be no problem for me," Troekis assured him.

"Very well. I shall bring you the medicine the evening of his feast. You must put it in his drinking bowl at the end, just before the farewell toast." Amantis struggled not to giggle at the words "farewell toast".

"I will be happy to do this for him," Troekis assured him.

-=====|==

Corago's birthday feast was a bigger affair than Amantis had realized. In fact it was biggest feast that Nur had ever seen. Course after course of food of every type was brought in and piled up groaning on the tables. Musicians played and the beer flowed as servants stood nearby with pitchers to fill any drinking bowl that might threaten to go dry.

All Corago's friends, the leaders of the town and the town's richest men lay on the couches taking turns telling stories of Corago's generous nature, his amazing luck and his shrewd business sense. Quite a few of the stories included Amantis, though not always in a favorable light. Though their tone was light and humorous, Amantis got the distinct impression his sharp dealings had stung a few of Nur's rich and powerful.