Chapter 5
827 Words
Astron and Rob made it to the Dining Hall before everything was gone, and were able to have two platefuls each. Rob was only and average-sized Alvarosaur, but he had always had an unusually large appetite. If anyone had leftovers, they always passed them to Rob. It was partly due to this that he and the cook were such good friends. As he came to his dessert plate, however, he found young Arnor eying his blackberry tart. Arnor had already finished his, but still desired more. Rob did his best to ignore the young one’s stare, but his discomfort and love for children forced him to give in. With a sigh, he passed his plate to Arnor.
“Here you go, lad,” he said, standing up. “A growing boy like yourself needs it more than I, I suppose.”
“Thank you, Uncle Rob!”
He watched Arnor dig into the tart gleefully, then walked over to join Astron, who had just finished.
“Very generous of you, Rob,” he observed with a shake of the head. “But you mustn’t be so soft with Arnor. He does the same with his mother and me.”
“It’s all right. I probably don’t need any more anyway,” spoke the Guard Captain. “How’s the weather?”
“Still pretty bad. It’s practically impossible to see a thing out there now.”
“But how will they all get home?” Rob gestured toward the gathered Saurahallers. “It’s getting late, and some of the little ones are looking rather tired.”
“They probably won’t go, most of them. Those who want to try can, but I’ll have arrangements made to house the rest in here for tonight.”
“Leave it to me, old lad. You’ve done plenty already. You need your rest.”
“Thanks, Rob,” said Astron, patting the captain on the shoulder. “That’s very kind of you.”
“What are friends for, eh?”
“Well, I’d say my own little ones are looking pretty tired as well,” observed Astron. “I think I’ll take them and the king up to bed, then see if Alyssa needs anything more. You’re sure you won’t need any help arranging things?”
“I’m Captain of the Guard, mate. If I can organize a lot of rowdy youths, I can surely sort this lot out. Just you go on, and if I don’t see you before tomorrow, then good night as well.”
“Good night, Captain.”
Alyssa sighed as she leaned against the nursery wall and wiped sweat from her brow with a lace kerchief. It was outright hot in this room between her exertions and the fire going full blaze, but better that than the freezing cold outside. At least all that unpleasant business with the stranger was done. Now she could wash her claws, change into her nightgown, and go to bed. Though, she thought perhaps she ought to go downstairs to check on her father and children first. Astron walked into the room and came up beside her.
“How’s our guest?” he asked.
“He’ll definitely live. But it will take a good long time for him to fully recover. Martha and I moved him into one of the open bedrooms. He’s sleeping quite soundly with the fire going.”
“He didn’t say anything, did he?”
She shook her head. “He’s too exhausted to wake just now, but he will eventually.” She paused. “What are the young ones doing?”
“They’re sleeping like the tired little dinos they are. I just put them to bed myself.”
“Good. I won’t disturb them, then. And what about the king? And the guests?”
“I just helped him into his room. I imagine he’ll be asleep, too, before much longer. As for the rest, the weather’s too bad and everyone too tired to try and make it home. I’ve had Rob make arrangements in the Great Hall for tonight.”
“Thank you, Astron,” said Alyssa, kissing him softly. “You’ve been such a great help to everyone tonight.”
“Well, I’m afraid I won’t be for too much longer,” said Astron humbly. “I was just about to go to bed myself. It’s been a long day. Will you be coming?”
“You go on, dear. I’ll just douse this fire and wash up, then I’ll be along. All right?”
“All right.” Astron nodded, then kissed her again. “Good night, Alyssa.”
“Good night, Astron.”
Alyssa stifled a yawn as Astron left the room. She had had a long day too, and bed was sounding better by the minute. So, after washing her claws and checking once more on the stranger, she doused the fire and joined her husband in the realm of dreams.
- Writer
