“I thank you for letting me earn my meal this time,” I said.

“Well, lad, I’m glad you’re here to do a few of the chores that are too difficult for a man of my age.”

“Difficult? Puh!” remarked Leofwine’s wife, Aemilia. “Pay no mind to his excuses, young Drefan. He’s not old and frail, just lazy.”



I smiled to myself as I turned back to my chores. Leofwine and Aemilia taunted one another the whole time I was there, but it seemed to me that they cared for each other.

Still, my mind did not focus on such things, nor did it really dwell on the chores laid before me. I was more concerned about my plans for the night.