When the meal was over, the guests indicated they were ready to leave. Talon hurried to a place behind the first chair as he saw Kendrick and Lars do so, and was only a half beat behind in gently pulling out the chairs so the guests could rise gracefully.
When the last guest was through the door, Kendrick followed, and as the door into the common room swung shut, the door from the serving room swung open and Leo strode through, shouting, “All right then! What are you about! Get this mess cleaned up!’’
Suddenly Meggie, Lela, and Lars were grabbing platters and dishes off the tables, and Talon did likewise. They hurried back and forth between the dining room and kitchen and the task of cleaning began.
Talon quickly sensed a rhythm in this business, a matching of task to person, and he found it easy to anticipate what to do next. By the end of the night’s work, he felt comfortable in the tasks asked of him, and knew that he would be even better able to execute them the next time he was asked.
As the kitchen staff prepared for the morning meal, several staying to prepare the morning’s bread, Lela came to him, and said, “Before you sleep, Kendrick wants to see you.’’
He looked around and quietly asked, “Where?’’
“In the common room,” she replied.
He made his way there and found Kendrick sitting at one of the long tables before the bar with Robert de Lyis on the other side, both enjoying a mug of ale.
Kendrick said, “Boy, you are called ‘Talon’?”
“Sir,” said Talon in agreement.
“Talon of the Silver Hawk,” supplied Robert.
“That is an Orosini name,” said Kendrick.
“Yes, sir.’’
“We have seen a few of your people by here from time to time over the years, but you tend to stay up in your mountains.”
Talon nodded, uncertain if an answer was required.
Kendrick studied him a moment in silence, then said, “You hold your tongue. That is a good quality.” He rose and came to stand before Talon as if seeking to see something in his face up close he could not see from a distance. After a brief inspection, he asked, “What did Leo say you were to do?’’
“I was to pour wine into wine goblets and ale into ale goblets.’’
“That was all?’’
“Yes, sir.’’
Kendrick smiled. “Leo thinks it amusing to toss a boy into service without mentioning all the duties. I shall again have to have words with him. You did well enough, and none of the guests realized you were not experienced.” He turned to Robert, and said, “I will leave him to you. Good night.’’
Robert rose and nodded in farewell, then motioned for Talon to come sit.
Talon did so, and Robert studied him.
Finally, Robert said, “Do you know the name of the man who sat at the head of the table?’’
Talon said, “Yes.’’
“Who is he?’’
“Count Ramon DeBarges.”
“How do you know that?’’
“I saw him before, the last time he visited the inn. Lela told me his name.’’
“How many rings did he wear on his left hand?’’
Talon was surprised by the question, but said nothing as he tried to remember. After calling up an image of the count holding his wine goblet for more wine, he answered, “Three. A large red stone in a silver setting upon his smallest finger. A carved gold ring upon his next finger, and a gold ring with two green stones upon his pointing finger.’’
“Good,” said Robert. “The green stones are emeralds. The red stone is a ruby.’’
Talon wondered what the purpose of these questions was, but kept silent.
“How many emeralds in the necklace worn by the Lady to the Count’s left?’’
Talon paused, then said, “Seven, I think.’’
“You think or you know?’’
Talon hesitated, then said, “I think.’’
“Nine.” Robert studied the young man’s face, as if expecting him to say something, but Talon remained silent. After a long pause, he asked, “Do you remember what the Count and the man two places down, on his right, were speaking of when you were serving ale to the lady between them?’’
Talon remained quiet a minute as he searched his memory. “Something about dogs, I think.’’
“Think or know?’’
“Know,” said Talon. “They were speaking of dogs.’’
“What about dogs?’’
“Something about hunting dogs.” He paused, then added, “I still do not speak the Roldemish tongue well, Robert.’’
De Lyis was motionless for a few seconds, then nodded. “Fair enough.” He then launched into a serious of questions, ranging from who ate what, what was discussed at various times, what manner of clothing and accessories the ladies wore, how many drinks each man consumed, until it seemed to Talon he would be there all night.
Suddenly, Robert said, “We are done. Return to the barn and sleep there until you are called. Then you will be moving into the servants’ quarters here; you will share a room with Gibbs and Lars.’’
“Am I then to be a servant in Kendrick’s household?”