Medievalstuck

II

The feast table was laid out grandly. The content that lined it still had steam rising from its previous being cooked. Mountains upon mountains of meat laid across the long table, birds such as geese and ducks surrounded the larger animals, goat and wild boar.

At one end the heir to the thrown sat, his seer on his left. The two were in deep conversation, the many servants busying around them and cleaning away and laying other foods down. That is when the knight walked in.

He was out of his armour and in more casual clothes, though still dressed smartly. John looked up and noticed him.

'Ah, Dave, please, come and sit' he patter the seat on his right, the knight walked over and took it.

'Thank you'

'We were just talking about your brother and father' John started,

'Yes, how have they been?' the woman asked curiously, wanting to know about her older brother.

'They are both doing well, father has been working hard training Dirk, I think he is ready for him to take the throne'

The heir passed Dave a goblet filled with wine,

'And your thoughts on him becoming king?'

'When he is ready I know he will be a good king, and I'll willingly serve him, but now it is clear he is to distracted with his own thoughts to run a kingdom.'

'Still to busy chasing horses around the courtyard?' Rose smirked, watching her brothers eyes.

'It has been a long time since you've been home' Dave pointed out, 'he spends all his time walking the streets, and you know how the women fall at his heels'

'Oh I remember' Rose chuckled,

'Now he's taken to enjoying that attention a little to much.'

'Your father has not betrothed him?' John questioned, slightly shocked at the idea.

'No, I think father wishes for him to make his own decision when the time is ready, besides, let him have his fun before his duties set in, correct?'

'I understand completely' John nodded, 'however, being betrothed before ruling has no faults either' the king to be looked at the woman, who blushed slightly.

'I suppose' the knight nodded simply, not looking at either of the two people with him.

'Is there a woman in your life? Such a brave, noble knight must have such a love interest'

That comment made the knight smirk, shaking his head,

'No' his simple reply came 'no, I am to busy right now, the amount of running around I do for my father I don't think I ever will.'

There was a moment of silence from the group, the servants, maids and butlers moved around them and the soothing sound of flickering flames crackled along the table.

'Talk of fathers, where is the king? Is he away?'

The heir looked down sadly, Rose laying a gentle hand on his shoulder.

'My father is ill, very ill, that is why he is not with us'

'I am sorry to hear, do the doctors know what it is?'

'Witchcraft' a dark look crossed the heirs face. The knight watched as his hands curled into fists, and eyes closed in anger. The room seemed to grow colder at the mention of a witch, even the maids and butlers seemed to disperse quickly at the thought of such a creature.

'It is what I said earlier Dave' Rose straightened up, crossing her hands on the wooden table, 'The things my mind has been preoccupied by, we have a witch Dave, a horrible one, that is why John called for you.'

The knight seemed horror struck for a moment before regaining his stable demeanour, though his body still remained tense.

'You want me to get rid of a witch?'