Zeth’s eyes lit up with that mischievous gleam that could only mean he had stumbled across something which was probably not meant for him to know. Leaning in conspiratorially, he whispered, “He gave Cyla a bouquet of flowers. And he offered to walk her to the market tomorrow.”
Spencer wiped his dirt-covered hands on his work trousers. “You spied on them, didn’t you?”
Zeth let out an exasperated breath and rolled his eyes. “How else is one supposed to know what goes on, eh?” A grin split his narrow face. “You have to admit you’re amused to hear it!”
As much as he had tried, Spencer couldn’t help but smile a bit. “I suppose I am.” Then he became stern again. “But you can’t keep following people and poking that pointy nose of yours into their business. It isn’t proper.”
“Since when are you concerned with what’s proper and what isn’t?” Zeth asked peevishly, following Spencer into the tack room. “Besides, Brand wouldn’t care. He’ll probably be asking for her hand tomorrow anyway at the rate he’s moving in on her.”
Spencer rolled his eyes. “So are you a matchmaker now as well?”
Zeth grinned devilishly. “I have to admit the notion doesn’t seem altogether unpleasant. But, then again, if I match everyone else up, I may end my days completely unattached. Now that would be a tragedy, my dear friend.” He hopped up onto the table used for polishing tack and swung his short slender legs back and forth. “Personally, I plan on marrying the beauty of this world to beat all beauties.”
As he hung up saddles and bridles, Spencer smiled quizzically. “You just want her to be beautiful? What if she’s as stupid as one of the donkeys out there?” he asked, motioning to the barn where the livestock such as sheep, donkeys and pigs were kept.
“Well…I suppose it would be good to have a smart one. Yes, she must be smart! I’d go mad with a brainless girl nagging at me all day. She’d probably put me in my grave early. There you are then…she must be beautiful and smart.”
“And what about goodhearted? She could be beautiful and smart in a devilish sort of way.”
Zeth laughed. “You are intent on making me choose the perfect woman! Hmmm…yes, she must be kind too.” He slid off the table and placed his hands on his narrow hips, chuckling. “I believe you have just led me to making the goal of finding none other than a goddess!”
Spencer grinned. “Why settle for less, eh?”
Zeth clapped him on the back. “You’re smarter than I thought, my dear boy. Hey…what do you say to having a ride today, eh? Sable’s all nice and prettied up and groomed, thanks to you, and it really is a glorious day.” He leaned in with a grin. “And perhaps we can ride far enough away to avoid some of the chores Rindor has in store for us.”

~~~~~

Spencer stood with his hands clasped behind his back, taking a keen interest in the muddy toes of his boots and he seemed to find chewing on his bottom lip a most pleasant pastime. Zeth fidgeted like a thief caught with his pockets full of gems and Spencer suddenly felt the urge to yell at his friend to stand still. It was his fault, after all. He was the one who had suggested going for a ride, and now they would end up with even more chores.
Rindor sighed and plunged his bear-like hands into his pockets. “Boys…I’m very disappointed. You are now of an age where responsibility should mean something to you, and yet you shirk your chores as if you were two young princelings and can simply do whatever so pleases you. I took you in as toddlers and I’ve raised you…I hope I have raised you well. Please prove to me that I have by doing what is expected of you.”
“Zeth was the one who suggested going for a ride in the first place,” Spencer muttered defensively.
Zeth shot a glare over at his companion and shot back acidly, “Oh, so you didn’t agree to going along? It’s not as if I forced you to go.”
A stern gaze from Rindor silenced them immediately and they went back to their nervous postures; Spencer gazing at the floor and Zeth fidgeting. “I don’t care whose idea it was. You both shirked your duties and therefore you are both equally guilty. You will take on working in the smithy for the next week. Perhaps that will teach you that some people do harder work than yourselves,” Rindor said firmly, but not angrily. Spencer thought he actually sounded tired and sad and he suddenly felt a wave of guilt for what he had done and said. Pride alone kept him from apologizing. “Alright…you may go now, boys.”