"Hmm. You can show how sorry you are by doing a few chores for me." As Kelton speaks, Fizza seems to glow with smugness. She's loving this.
"First, I need you to groom Roja," he continues, patting the chestnut horse fondly, "and see to her foot. I think she got a rock wedged in her shoe, and I fear she might be lame for the tournament in two weeks' time. This tournament is important, Kirk, so please see to her carefully. She needs to be ready to compete in front of the royal family." He looks quite concerned about her, his grey-brown eyebrows furrowing as he talks. "Next, you'll need to shovel-"
You can't help it. A groan slips out of your mouth.
"Yes, shovel the stables," he says over you. "Do you need a lesson in loyalty?"
Here it comes. Another lecture about knightly duties.
"Loyalty means following your knight's orders without question," Sir Kelton begins. "The only voice that should supersede mine is the Queen's, and even then she speaks through me. Any order she gives, I follow, and any order I give, you follow. There is no room to moan about it or to question it, and certainly no room for disobedience."
"What if it's for the good of-?" you begin, but he cuts you off.
"For the good of the kingdom? That's for the Queen to decide; it's not left up to your own ambitious interpretations. All I want to hear from you is 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir,' not questions that put you or your dreams or your ideas of what's right at the center. So, you will shovel the stables, and don't put it off this time. Finally, we'll need dinner tonight. Chicken should do nicely."