The tray was covered of course, but judging by the weight of it it was obvious to Lodan that there had to be more than chicken soup and crakets on it. Odd that, either the cook had clearly over done it, or they had decided to get the flesh back into his Master’s bones all at once. Definitely there was a sub-realistic content in this day. Oh well, at least the smell was great.

Lost in his musings the Key made his way back into the bedroom. Nightshade was still sat on the bed, gazing so intensely at him that made Lodan think of a little owl. The thought made him smile warmly.

“Do you wish me to bring your meal to the bed Master? Or, perhaps if you fell stronger you might want me to help you sit in front of the table…”

“You have runes in your back,” now, that was unexpected. Still holding the tray Lodan looked puzzle at the other boy for a second, forgetting even to smile. Not the answer he had waited to hear, but the curiosity that danced in the boy´s eyes was also something new. The gaze was strangely penetrating. He blinked a couple of times before nodding, “yes Master, I do.”

“The first on your right cheek, the last on your left, and, in the middle, written right on your spine, the others lay in order, from top to bottom.”

“I know Master,” This was getting unnervingly, for once he did not know what a Master was getting at.

“Chosen or given?”

“Chosen, Master.”

“Stop”

“Wha…? ... hemm… Excuse me Master?”

“Stop it, quit it. Do not say Master all the time. I hate to hear it.” For a second there was a shadow of fear in the dark eyes, but soon enough another question was coming up.

“Vitki?” the tray was getting heavier in Lodan´s arms and he cursed his uncooperative feet that had decided to plant their roots right there and then.

“Excuse me?”

“Vitki, Runic mage, Are you one?”

“Me? Not really Master,” he almost sighed in relief, finally realising what was behind his Master´s curiosity and storing in his mind the contents of the conversation. He was sure, there had to be a few pieces in there that would clear a little more of the puzzle this boy was. The smile got back to his face as he went on pleasantly, “I was taught as a kid and it´s true that I do use them to help me clear my mind, but I´m as far as a mage as I can be.”

“Are you?” for a second the boy looked on the verge of adding something but, apparently decided against it and settled for keep staring at him.

“Perhaps I could read the future for you someday Sir, I was taught how to do that” Not the best offering he could make, but he just had to add something to distract that fixed stare. Otherwise he would probably stand there all night long, and his arms already protested at the weight of the tray.

“I…” big mistake, the lost look was coming back. Paling again the boy looked down, his hands beginning to tremble. In a second the tray was resting on the table and Lodan was sat on the bed, holding the smaller hands in his.

“Nightshade,” said firmly, frowning at the lack of reaction he got from the boy. Worry mingled in his tone as he tried again, “look at me, little one.”

Slowly, glassy eyes were lifted to meet his, the Key held the gaze, trying to understand what was happening inside his Master´s gaze. He had not time, suddenly the smallest man seemed to wake up, as if pushing himself out of a dream. The cheeks coloured in embarrassment. “Lodan, I… I´m sorry, I… spaced out I guess. Sorry for been so rude, I…”

“You are babbling again Nightshade” interrupted said man, smiling cheerfully, “must be the hunger.” Giving the boy no time to protest the Runic Key stood and lifted the boy in his arms, smiling amused at the surprised yelp that escaped his Master´s lips. He had turned an interesting shade of crimson.

“I can walk you know,” protested weakly.

“Not with a broken ankle Sir, and please try not to move so much because you´ll get hurt if you fall.”

“Oh,” the boy stopped moving and looked at the firm bandages in his left ankle, accusingly.

Lodan couldn´t help but tease, “you know, actually you are much lighter than the tray.”

“Got thin bones,” The childish pout of the boy´s face made the Key want to grin.

“Thin indeed,” said amused even more by the sharp gaze the Master dedicated him.

The table wasn´t far from the bed so, sadly for Lodan he had to deposit his cargo rather soon. He placed the boy in one of the comfortable wooden chairs, and got a cushion from the other room for him to rest the hurt foot on. Then, sitting in the chair across him, smiled confidently, taking the cover off the tray.

The stomach of his Master produced such a large growl that said grin escaped Lodan´s lips. Nightshade did not hear tough, his senses were overwhelmed by the smell and look of the meal in front of him. There were plenty of different plates, all full of deliciously cooked food he had not tasted in literally decades. The insides of his body twisted in hunger at the sight. Instincts screaming at him to take as much as he could in case such a chance would never present itself again.

And yet, he could not help the trembling of his hand as it moved to grab a knife. He could not help to stop the first bite of food, inches away from his lips, to gaze at the man in front of him. The man that simply smiled and bit a piece of bread. Only then the desired food got inside his mouth.