Chapter 11: "Delivery"

A knock sounded from the front door. Theodore lifted his head from his sketch of a sword. He waited for Master to answer the summons but heard no movement. A second rattle of knocks echoed through the stone house and Theodore got to his feet. He peeked his head around the corner of the door and down the hallway. The sound of the water faucet filled the kitchen at the end of the hall. Theodore shook his head and strolled to the front door just as another series of knocks started.

The knocks died as he swung the door open revealing a petite looking boy with short brown hair and a freckled nose.

The boy cleared his throat. “Delivery for Mr. Gratner.” His voice sounded forced as if he was trying to make it lower so he would sound older.

Theodore quirked an eyebrow at him and tried to decide his age. He guessed about thirteen, maybe. He held out his hand to accept the delivery. The boy’s eyes flickered across Theodore’s face leaving him with a strange feeling. Theodore cleared his own throat and the boy quickly pushed the package wrapped in brown paper into his hands. The boy left his hand out with a questioning look.

Theodore’s brows knitted together for a moment, then he realized he was waiting for payment. “Oh, umm… Here, come in and sit for a minute. I will get your coins from my master.”

The boy’s eyes went wide. Theodore held up his hand in the direction of the living room, “Please?”

The boy ducked his head and shuffled into the room.

Theodore jogged towards the kitchen. He arrived to complete chaos. Master had made a mess of things as usual. Herbs littered the huge square kitchen table and every counter. A large cauldron bubbled behind the grate to the large stone oven. The master himself was bent over something on the floor while a hammer lay next to the remnant of something that may have once been a melon.

“Master?” Theodore asked tentatively.

Master’s eyes didn’t move from the floor. “Hmm…?”

“Package for you.”

Master’s eyes darted up. “Package?” His eyes flickered to the paper wrapped bundle in Theodore’s hand. “Oh, a package from Mrs. Lam?”

Theodore shrugged his shoulders.

Master limped forward and Theodore handed it over. Master pushed aside some plants on the counter to make room before he carefully untied the string and let the paper fall away. Neat bundles of green and purple stems rolled across the paper as it opened. Master hemmed and hawed over them.

“Master?”

A questioning noise left the master's throat in response.

“The delivery boy is waiting for payment.”

Master's eyebrows quirked upward. “Delivery boy… delivery boy,” he muttered. “Oh.” He smiled. “From Mrs. Lam. Delivery...” He chuckled. “Why don't we bring him some tea then?”

Theodore nodded. This was master's usual self, but he got the feeling Master was laughing at him for some reason. He shook it off and poured a pot of tea. He followed Master as he lumbered down the hall towards the living room while he played with the two coins in his hand. When the living room came in view, Theo could see the boy standing in the middle of it. He was bent in a deep bow.

“Ah, here we are,” Master said. “Please do sit, join us for a bit of tea. You've had a long ride.”

The boy shook his head. “I'm sorry, sir. If I don't hurry home, Mother will be furious.”

“Nonsense. I will send you with a note. I insist.”

The boy rose his head and looked from Master to the door and back before sitting very carefully in the armchair. He sat at the edge of the seat, looking rather tense.

“Theodore?” Master cooed.

Theodore lurched forward at the sound of his name. He ducked his head and poured tea for the three of them.

“Did you have a good ride a...” Master paused. "I'm sorry, your name seems to have slipped my mind.”

“Ky, sir.”

A smile quirked at the corner of Master's mouth “Right, Ky. Not Edwin?”

“No, sir, Edwin is my brother.”

“Ah, yes, and you have two sisters, right?”

The boy fidgeted on the chair, staring down his tea. “Yes, sir.”

“And their names?”

“Lucia...” The boy said.

“And the other?”

The boy stared hard at his tea. Theodore was fascinated by this interrogation. He didn't quite get the point but the boy's reactions definitely betrayed he was hiding something.

“Wasn't it Kali or something?”

“Karina,” Ky whispered.

“Oh, right, Karina. The oldest. Did she find a good husband yet?”

“No, sir,” Ky said in a small voice. His eyes rose to look at Master and something passed between them.

Master gave a deep joy-filled laugh and smiled. “Relax, my dear Ky, you are safe here. Finish your tea and I will write you that note. Theodore, keep him company.”

Theodore ducked his head in a nod while Master lumbered out of the room.

A stiff silence filled the room. Ky stared at his tea and Theo stared at Ky. After a few moments, Theodore couldn't stand it any longer.

“Why was Master so interested in your family?”

Ky continued to stare down at his tea. He gave the slightest shrug of one shoulder.

“Well, don't worry. Master may be a bit eccentric, but he is kind-hearted. He would never hurt you.”

Ky's mouth drew down in a frown but straightened as soon as Master returned from the hall. He held two sticks in one hand and a paper in the other.

“I have your note, but first I require your services.”

Ky stood abruptly, hands at attention.

“Relax, my dear boy." He passed a stick to Ky and another to Theodore.

Both Ky and Theodore looked questioningly at the stick.

“I need you to help me train my young apprentice here. I am too old and injured to teach him such things. Will you help me?”

Ky looked between Master and the stick. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Spar with him of course. Theodore, move the table.”

Theodore arranged the room while Master positioned Ky with the stick.

“Here is how you hold it. Now, shoulders back. Yes, there you go. Now, Theodore, attack with a right swing and you, my dear, will block like so.” Master demonstrated by moving Ky’s arm up. “Got it?”

Ky nodded, still tight-lipped and tense.

Theodore positioned himself in front of him and swung as instructed.

“Position. Form, remember your form, Theodore,” Master instructed as the sticks clacked together.

Theodore nodded.

“Again.”

Ky’s face got even tighter as Theodore swung again. He hit it with gentle force this time, keeping his position in mind but not wanting to scare the boy.

“Now, Ky, do you think you can manage to look a little less afraid?” Master asked.

Ky grimaced and the sparring continued. After twenty minutes, Master clapped his hands together. “Alright, thank you, Ky. And thank your mother for me. There is your note and your payment. And a little extra for your help.” He dropped two coins in the waiting hand with a wink. “Next time, plan to stay a little longer.”

Ky smiled tightly and practically leapt out the door when Theodore opened it for him. Once the door was closed, Theodore turned to Master. “What was that all about?”

Master turned away, but not before Theodore caught his sly smile. “Never you mind, my boy.”

Copyright Ava Altair 2019

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