And put it back together.

There had been an incident, months ago, involving several of Larkin’s personal servants. They had become nosey, and the ruler’s late night adventures had suddenly become part of their business. Having access to most of the man’s belongings, they snooped. They didn’t ever find anything of interest, until one of them had come across a leather-bound book, thick and dusty and very suspicious. Upon opening and reading the pages, they’d seen that this was Larkin’s private log. Trouble they caused. Rumors and the like and had gone through the castle and everyone wanted a peak of this book. Pages were taken and passed from servant to servant. As dangerous as it had turned out to be, everyone agreed to continue this fun.

But Larkin was not a stupid man, although it was quite awhile after it all began that he had found out. When he did, he let it continue; slowly allowing the culprits to reveal themselves. When he was satisfied that he knew all who were involved, he took action against them. And, as he does when someone has displeased him, he made them an example. The simple words he gave to those who witnessed were, “Speak ill of me and I will make ill of you.” His point was obvious: curiosity kills the cat.

He threw the maid to the floor, once well away from Tic’s room. She tried to push herself from the cold stone floor, but something sharp snapped against her back, and down again she went, with a scream, followed by loud pleading cries. Larkin curled the whip around his fingers, pulling it tight, testing and enjoying its strength. He stepped on the hem of the maid’s dress as she tried to crawl away from him. He said, “Where I am is none of your concern, much less anyone else’s. You embarrass me in front of my guest.” This would be another servant lost to stupidity. Very well. He loosened the whip, lifted his arm and let it fly.

Three meals were served each day, and breakfast was usually the least important. When Larkin planned to eat breakfast with everyone else - being those who were allowed to eat with him - it was a big deal. The long table seated everyone from the advisors and the counsel members to the Captain of the Guards and anyone who held position above guard or servant. The only person who did not, and was allowed not to, attend breakfast was Grub. So, everyone was in a rush to be seated before Larkin arrived. The table was set and bare plates awaited to be filled with food.

Making his entrance, Larkin demanded that the curtains be open. The hall was on the east side of the castle, just where the moons of morning happened to rise. Immediately, they were pulled back and the beautiful sky blue bathed the table and occupants. The governor handed a bloody whip to one of the servants and had one remove his cape. The chair at the head of the table was pulled out and Larkin took a seat, shifting to make himself comfortable. He glanced to his right, where the nervous Tic had been directed to sit. He seemed to be over-interested in the designs on his plate.

As soon as Larkin had sat down, the servers came with the food. They set covered platters down, filling every bare spot atop the table. Delicious smells trailed behind them from the kitchen, and the sounds of rumbling stomachs were heard. All at once, the lids were lifted and steam arose from the hot, boiled fruits and freshly baked breads and cakes. No matter how tempting the food was, no one forgot their manners. After the servants left, Larkin filled his plate with hefty amounts of all he liked. Looking up, he raised his brows at the patient men and nodded once. Greedily, they emptied the rest of the platters and bowls. But Tic found that certain bowls in his reach were left untouched.

With his first bite, Larkin sighed with satisfaction, much to the relief of the servants that stood waiting by the doors. He smiled and watched the blushing boy at his right, who could not help - despite embarrassment and shyness - but to eat all his shrunken stomach could hold.