Eskil sat at the dining table eating the hot porridge Libelle had made, savoring the sweet taste of honey she had drizzled on top. She was standing beside the fire, dishing out another bowl for Gaalin who sat across from him. Gaalin had been glaring at him since the drow first walked out of his living quarters. Libelle set the bowl down in front of the manservant and handed him a small container filled with ground cinnamon.
She poured herself a bowl but then placed a cover over the top of it. "I'll be back by this evening," she said.
Gaalin swallowed a mouthful of porridge, then he stood and picked up a heavy sack from the table for her. "I don't see why they're calling you back so soon. The king could have spoken to you while you were there yesterday."
She stretched her neck, shrugging the sack over her shoulder. "The king wasn't aware of Ingrid's murder until we found her. He probably just has some questions about it, and it's my duty to answer them."
Gaalin crossed his arms as he escorted her to the doorway. "You weren't involved in it though, so why would he need to question you?"
"I'm not sure, but I'll do as the king asked and visit him at his manor," she grumbled, wrapping a loaf of bread and slices of cheese in a cloth. "Will you open the door please?"
Gaalin pulled the double doors open, following her out into the yard where a wagon was readied for her departure. Two Edinburgh guards sat in the front holding the reins of the exhausted horses. Her stallion was tied to the rear of the cart, snorting, stomping, and pacing side to side while his heavy blanket fluttered around his body.
"Lady Libelle," one of the guards called. "We should depart soon or we may be caught in the rain." He pointed towards the rolling clouds that were drifting off the mountain peaks.
"I know, I'm coming." She turned back towards Gaalin. "I asked Eskil to do some chores for me today. Please keep an eye on him, and keep him out of trouble."
He rolled his eyes, his sarcastic comment instantly silenced by her stare. "I'll keep my eye on the beast."
"Thank you."
Libelle climbed into the back of the wagon, sitting down and crossing her legs while setting her steaming porridge in her lap. "I'll see you this evening." She opened her porridge and spooned a large amount into her mouth. She then broke her bread into quarters and offered her stallion a chunk of the wheat loaf.
Gaalin stood and watched the wagon depart, Libelle drowsily swaying in the cart as she ate her breakfast. The morning sun was already high in the sky, beaming down with its radiance and warmth. He scowled at it as he turned and walked back towards the house.
He returned to the table and his bowl of porridge, enjoying each bite of it while staring at the stack of crates in the entry way. All of the supplies from the day before had been placed there, and they all needed to be put away. He looked at Eskil who was reading another book of Libelle's. The devil was becoming far too comfortable in his living situation.
"Libelle said she asked you to do some chores. What were they?" he asked.
Eskil didn't look up at him, instead, his gaze continued to scan the pages while he pointed at the stack of crates. Gaalin stood up and walked towards the fire, helping himself to another serving of porridge.
"You should get started then, you may be finished by late afternoon."
Eskil shrugged, turning another page. "When I am done with this book, I will."
"Libelle asked you to do something, that means you must do it," Gaalin said, returning to his chair.
"Yes, Libelle asked me to put those crates away. However, she did not say it needed to be completed this exact moment." He licked his finger, turning the page again.
"That's Lady Libelle to you, scum."
Eskil sighed, closed his book and stood up from the table. He walked towards the entry hall, but instead of picking up a crate, he exited the house. Grey skin was frustrating him already and it was not even past noon. With his incessant glaring, his rudeness, and his over-fondness of Libelle, Eskil was not impressed.
He set his book down on the steps to the manor, stretched his arms and walked towards the stables. His gelding nickered at him, and he smiled gently as he plucked some clover from a small patch and handed it to the beast. Gently, he pet its muzzle. "You're not an annoying creature like grey skin back there. You just want to be pet and fed, don't you?"
The gelding snorted, nipping at his fingers for more treats.
"I suppose I should get started though, huh? That is a massive amount of boxes and all of them need to be gone through," he sighed, stepping away from the stall door. "I'll keep my eye out for a ripe apple, maybe give you one."
The gelding snorted and lifted his head up and down while pawing at the ground. He chuckled, stretched his arms across his chest and groaned. He was tired, the lack of sleep having drained his energy after a long night of lovemaking. The images of her against his skin teased at his groin and he shook his head, clearing the scenes from his mind. The gelding extended its neck over the stall door and Eskil scratched its chin.
"I may wait a while before going back in there. Don't want grey skin thinking he can order me around now, do we?"