Luck Of The Claw Read online

anything through but the last light of day was quickly fading so arguing seemed pointless. They needed a place to sleep and here was a place, regardless of what it might mean for them come morning. With a sigh she motioned for Camden to lead the way.

  "Let's get some rest then," she admitted. "And I hope that for once your right." "Trust me," Camden replied as they slipped inside. "What could possibly happen? It'll be fine." Trinity hated it when he said that.

  - Episode 10 -

  Old Mal never had been one to wait for the rooster to inform him it was time to start the day. In a way he figured anyone who used to know him wouldn't be surprised, he had always had a knack for getting things done even before it was readily known they needed to be. But back in those days he had been a bit of a legend, everyone knew the name Malthurion Abardeen. Or, rather Sir Malthurion Abardeen, if your inclined to be formal.

  Mal had served the kingdom honorably for many years and championed many great causes. He had never truly been bested in battle nor had his courage ever really been questioned. As far as any knew he had been one of the greatest knights ever to serve the kingdom. But as he had seen the years pass by Mal had found less and less that he looked for glory or renown. In truth he had never accomplished anything while seeking such fame or reward. Yet by doing all he had it had came pouring in. It wasn't something that had ever truly set well with him and as his legend grew he came to be burdened by it more and more.

  Eventually, Mal decided to turn his back on his life of service and seek a quieter life. He took up some old farm land offered to him for his years of dedicated duty and set his days to working it. The truth of it all though was that still, deep down, Mal had never changed. If ever he saw a good hearted person in need his old fiery dedication would roar back to life and drive him to do whatever he could to help. You might say compassion had always been a weakness that drove his courage.

  One welcome reward Mal was grateful for was that with the slow passing of the years his name had slipped from everyone's memory. At least in his retirement he could rest without hearing everyone recount his various exploits. Every time he used to hear the tales of his deeds retold they always managed to sound bigger and bigger than the reality of the matter. It was the kind of thing that made him feel like he never could have lived up to the image everyone had of him. So, instead of letting everyone down he just quietly stepped aside. He had done his duty, and more than a few good deeds. But in a way he had always felt that he owed the kingdom more.

  As he walked towards the granary however his thoughts shifted slightly as a grin threatened to show on his face. Someone had left the door cracked open, just a hair. Any other farmer might not have even noticed or bothered to care. But old Mal was never short on caring, and if someone had been desperate enough to sneak into his granary for the night then he figured the least he could do was show them some hospitality. Even if it wouldn't exactly be free.

  He firmly tapped the tip of his thick oaken cane on the old granary door allowing the sound to echo up and around inside the aged building like a bell. "Rise, now," Mal snapped the order like he was commanding young recruits once again. "You can shovel out the stalls in the barn and feed the animals, and then meet me at the house for a meal." After a short pause he slammed his cane to the door once more. "Hop to, and don't bother trying to sneak off. I have the eyes of a hawk, ears of a wolf, and know every member of the watch from here to the ends of the kingdom."

  Mal had to fight doubly hard not to giggle aloud as he walked back to the house. At least he was going to have a little break from some of the chores this morning but more importantly he felt good about helping whoever was hiding in his granary. It wasn't the best of places to spend the night and he figured at the very least they might be hungry.

  Camden refused to even look over at his sister, he was already certain she was leveling her best 'I told you so' stare at him. And, to be fair, she was.

  - Episode 11 -

  Old Mal was already busying himself fixing breakfast for his guests. He hoped some of his livestock wasn't in a particularly grumpy mood today, especially his cantankerous old steed; Percival. That irritable old horse was often ill tempered and prone to never behaving himself for anyone except Mal. As he lit the stove, Mal made a gesture in the air and wished his visitors luck.

  "So what is your glorious plan for today, oh wise and magnificent Camden?" Trinity mocked her brother while she picked something out of her hair. She would love to know what he figured on doing about this new turn of events. Especially considering it was his idea to stay here for the night when he refused to listen to her.

  "As much as I can't stand doing actual work," Camden began to speak as he watched the sun rising in the sky. "I hate hearing your I told you so's as much as your offers to solve the problem for me. So, I reckon we'll just bite the bolt and do a few silly chores for this old coot. He did offer a meal and then we'll be on our way."

  Trinity had to blink for a second as it all sank in. Did Camden just seriously agree not only to actually doing real work, but also just think it over? Oh, wait, it quickly occurred to her that he had also pointed out that he despised hearing her say I told you so. With a sigh of relief Trinity realized her brother hadn't changed overnight on her - he just wasn't about to admit she had been right.

  "I'll start with the feeding Trin, you see if you can find a shovel," Camden told her with a laugh. He was already out the door and heading towards what had to serve as the barn. Trinity groaned with frustration, she wasn't about to let him get off with the easy work. She had to sprint to catch up with him and managed only just to do as the both of them reached the barn door.

  This shouldn't be too difficult they both thought as they looked around them. Most of the stalls were empty, save for a handful of chickens, a tired cow that almost looked ancient, and a massive horse. Camden had never seen such a strong looking horse before, at least not up this close. He was sure it had to be able to easily carry at least two maybe even three knights in full armor and then some. But as he reached up to touch the majestic creature it stomped it hooves and jerked its head angrily.

  "On second thought, you can feed them Trin," Camden said shakily. Let her deal with the temperamental thing, he certainly wasn't about to get himself kicked by anything with legs that huge. He didn't wait for his sister to agree before he started looking around for the shovel.

  Trinity was about to say something to pick on her brother but instead found she was curious at what had changed his mind. She looked up and into the horse's big dark eyes and felt a strange tickle from where her pendant now hung. Something strange and far away seemed to be trying to tell her something and for a second she thought she could hear the rustle of pages.

  But when she opened her mouth to speak it wasn't words that came out. Instead, Trinity found herself still gazing up at the creature as a soothing song flowed out of her and washed over the animal. Where moments before the temperamental titan had been agitated and reluctant to allow anyone to touch him, now it seemed calm and friendly. How had she done that? She had sung many a song over the years but never anything that caused any manner of reaction like this.

  "Hurry up Trin," Camden called to her. "How long does it take to toss some food in there anyways?" The question made her wonder just how long she had been standing there as well. Trinity quickly shook it from her mind and tried to finish up. The thought of a good meal sounded wonderful to her, which meant Camden was probably starving too. And he was never known to be the most patient person in the world. If she wanted to make sure that he didn't try to eat both their food then she best finish.

  Once they were both done the two raced straight for the house. But for Trinity something else was weighing on her mind other than just a fresh meal.

  - Episode 12 -

  "Well I can see the two of you are both in one piece," Mal pointed out as they approached the door. "Either you haven't met Percival, or you know some secret trick nobody else ever has. I don't think I have eve
r seen anyone other than me that he would tolerate, quite frankly - period." Curious, Mal arched one eyebrow up and narrowed his gaze right at the children. "Mind sharing with me just how you managed it?"

  Camden had no clue how his sister had pulled that little miracle off. Actually, he had been betting his sister would have been limping her way out of the barn. He was sure there had been zero chance of him not getting mangled by that muscled monster of a horse. "Yeah, how did you manage that Trin?" Camden decided to ask as well. Now even he was getting curious.

  Trinity opened her mouth to answer them but something in her face must have given her away. Mal seemed to be able to read the doubt written on her, the very fact she herself wasn't even sure was somehow obvious. "I am not really sure," Trinity stumbled to explain. "I think I might have sung him a little song."

  Apparently Camden thought the answer was hilarious, but then again he had often made fun of her singing. Mal though, he just nodded and told them to hurry in and eat before the food was cold. It was her turn to notice the