Lucas-the-Persistent appeared at my lunch break while I was on my way to the barracks.
"Where are you heading, Miss Strobelt?"
"I'm delivering food to my apprentice," I said airily.
"I do believe they serve good meals at the barracks as well."
"I don't doubt it. But my apprentice has some health needs I am concerned about, and nutrition is the best medicine."
Aka, I'd stuffed it full of extra calcium, protein, and all the good stuff. The kid did have a lot of catching up to do.
"Ah. That's very thoughtful of you. I wish I had such a master."
He continued trying to make conversation with me, which my blunt answers I hoped made it a little more difficult for him. But it only seemed to amuse him even more, which irritated me. I was already on the cusp of being rude to him, even by my
