My Royal Pain Quest (The Lakeland Knight series, #2) by Laura Lond Page B

short… get some kind of a hat… Triar, do you have unused clothes I can look through?”
    The hermit looked like he didn’t approve.
    “Are you sure you want to do this?”
    “Of course I am! Would I miss so much fun? The valley, the monster, and getting to see how Lord Arkus will handle that haughty prince!”
    “And if he still recognizes you?”
    “He won’t, if you help me with the disguise. So what about the clothes? Have you got anything suitable?”
    “I might. But I’d like to have a word with you first. In private.”
    I did not know what secret discussion Triar wanted to have with Cassandra, but I was more than happy to leave them to it. Today’s adventure was taking its toll; I needed some rest. So, having finished my cup of bilberry tea, I went outside, took care of Onyx and retired for the night.

     
    ***

     
    In the morning I was greeted by a swarthy young fellow with whitish, sun-bleached hair, dressed not without elegance in a beige jerkin, brown knee breeches, and tall boots. Overgrown bangs were almost reaching his eyes; a scar on the chin indicated having more life experience than his youthful appearance might lead one to think.
    “Good morning, my lord! Breakfast is served, your horse is fed, watered, and brushed.”
    It took me a moment to realize who I was looking at. She was unrecognizable.
    “Wow! Cassandra?!”
    She smiled. “Not exactly a good name for a manservant. How about Archibald? After our four-armed friend.”
    “Very well, Archie it is.” I looked her over once more. “Amazing! What did you dye your hair with?”
    “Whitegrass decoction. The best thing.”
    “And the scar? How did you do that?”
    “Some tree sap Triar gave me. If you leave it on the skin, it sticks to it and dries into a scar-like tissue.”
    “How long will it last?”
    “About a week. Then I’ll have to reapply it.”
    “Hmm… Sounds like a nuisance, if you ask me. But it’s a smart idea. It draws attention, making one wonder about the scar rather than focus on your face.”
    “That’s what I hoped it would do. I’ve also got some stuff that makes bruises, very real looking. I can make myself a black eye, and tell everyone what a cruel master you are.”
    She positively knew how to brighten my mood.
    “It’s very nice of you, but I’m afraid it would be a bit too much.” I was getting hungry. “Were you just practicing your lines talking about breakfast or did you actually cook one?”
    “I sure did!”
    Cassandra stepped to the table and removed a towel that was covering a frying pan with an omelet, keeping it warm.
    “It’s a little on the burnt side, cooking isn’t my specialty. But it’s edible. I’ve just had some myself.”
    I sat down to eat. She wasn’t being overly modest, the omelet was burned. I picked out several pieces of egg shell, too. My new attendant saw it, but wasn’t one bit embarrassed.
    “Since I am now officially in your service, shall we discuss the pay?”
    “Now I know that it is indeed you. I wondered why you haven’t billed me for a while.”
    “Well, that gemstone I picked in the caves is worth a lot, so I’m happy.”
    “Perhaps it covers my debt to you?”
    She grinned. “Nice try. The gem has nothing to do with your debt. You still owe me fifty coins.”
    “Darn.”
    “So what about my salary?”
    I knew she had some exorbitant sum in mind, and I’d probably end up paying it, but I had to bargain, at least for appearances sake.
    “Half a golden coin per week. Does that sound fair?”
    “No, it doesn’t! Half a coin for a clever, trustworthy, strong and brave fellow who knows horses and is also skilled with the blade! No, Archie’s worth at least two.”
    “Perhaps he would be if he was a good cook, but he isn’t.”
    I expected more arguments, but she took a second to think and lowered the price.
    “Fine, one golden coin.”
    “Deal.”
    Triar entered when I was finishing my breakfast. He carried a large leather bag.
    “I’ve