Lineage of Zeal, Book One: Rosemary

Chapter Eleven: Cubi

In the flickering light produced by a single candle set on a stool by the wall, two figures eased a door open. The hinges squeaked into the darkness beyond the doorframe, but there was no movement from the other side. All five lumpy figures remained silent and motionless, save for a lazy stretch here or a dreamy mumble there.

Pleased with what they saw, the two figures shut the door, and the shorter one retrieved the candle from the stool.

"Whew. All sound asleep, as usual," whispered Leviticus, cupping his hand around the candle flame as he walked pass Rosemary. "They usually are after playing all day, but I'm always worried that squeaky door is going to wake them."

"Mm," remarked Rosemary, following behind him.

The two made their way back to the main room. Leviticus lit a few candles around the room before setting his on the table in the center of the room and pulling out a chair.

"Here, have a seat."

Rosemary nodded and did so. Leviticus took the seat next to her and smiled. She rolled her eyes and put an elbow on the table, propping her head up with that arm.

"Impatient, huh?" said Leviticus. "I'm sure they'll be done soon. In the meantime, you can talk to me if you like."

Rosemary shrugged her free shoulder.

"Not much of a talker, are you?"

"No."

Leviticus put his hands on the table. And then in his lap. Then in his pockets. Then back on the table. And then he looked about the room, studying the dark places that the candlelight didn't quite reach.

"So, um, how long have you known Sir Demitri?"

Rosemary picked her chin up off her fist and looked in Leviticus's direction. "I could ask the same."

Leviticus nodded. "You're right. You could. I'll answer, if it'll get you talking. Will you answer if I do?"

Rosemary sighed. "Sure."

"Right then." Leviticus sat up straight and his amber eyes brightened, reflecting the candlelight. "I've known him almost a week now. He's a very nice old man. Strong, too. You wouldn't think someone of his age and condition could handle five kids on his own, but somehow he manages. I'm not even needed, really. So how about you? How long have you known Sir Demitri?"

Rosemary frowned the tiniest bit. She would rather not talk if she could help it, not until she could speak with Demitri once more, but entertaining this youthful, spirited man just might distract her from having to wait. To that end, she would converse.

"I've known him long enough."

Leviticus smiled again. "Long enough, you say? Yeah, I guess eighty years would be long enough to one of us. But to a human, that's their whole life. So I guess that really is long enough to know him. It's his entire life."

Rosemary's head slipped off the hand that was supporting it. Her other hand shot up to catch herself, but the reaction didn't take into account that the rescuing hand was still under the table. So, in a sad display of clumsiness, Rosemary knocked the table into her own jaw, causing her to bite her tongue and send the one candle flying.

In an instant where he was little more than a blur in the dim light, Leviticus had caught the candle, righted the table, replaced the candle on said table, and was back at Rosemary's side, holding the hand that caused the mayhem and shushing the swearing woman it belonged to, lest she wake the children.

"Leb go ob me!" Rosemary managed in between cursing herself and the table. With a jerk, she freed herself from Leviticus's hands and turned away from him, still cursing, but much quieter now. Leviticus tried to explain that he was trying to help her, but she heard none of it. While she held her mouth, ignoring the pain she had caused herself, she thought through the last few words this Leviticus character had said, the words that had caused her to lose focus in the first place.