The Goodhost Dilemma
(This is a fan fiction story set in the worlds created by Diana Wynne Jones. )
As their grandfather taught them, Keith and Kathy dutifully, yet silently, went about their chores in the brewing room. Grandfather had always been particular about the cleaning up and the setting of the spells that surrounded the big barrels and had cautioned them, as often as they helped, that there was to be no unwarranted talking or chattering. The beer never set right if someone was carrying on a conversation over the spells. The rule went double for arguing, so Keith and Kathy swept the floor, cleaned the spigots, and stirred the pot, all the while staring daggers at each other.
As only members of the Goodhost family were allowed in the brewing rooms, Keith and Kathy each took a side of the day’s cask and slowly carried it up the stairs, hoisting and yanking the heavy thing, so that even when they were out of earshot of the cellar below, they were too out of breath to continue their argument.
Depositing their burden in the tap room upstairs, the pair finished their afternoon chores under the merry eye of Fancie, the inn’s cook. Glares were still tossed between the brother and sister, but neither wanted to share the details of the fight with Fancie. Though they suspected she knew they were arguing. Chores done, and a fresh tea cake in hand, Kathy and Keith went upstairs to Grandfather’s room. Half way up the stairs to the next floor, their fight resumed in earnest.
“We’ve got to do something,” Kathy whined.
“I know that, dummy,” Keith said churlishly. “I know as well as you do that Uncle Rummy is no good, but I think we should call . . . that one.”
“How can you know he would even come? At least a Royal Wizard lives in the same country and world as we do.”
“I know he would come. That’s his job,” Keith hissed. Their voices naturally lowering as they reached the landing. “He must come if you call him.”
Kathy rounded on her brother, fisted hands on her hips, “Then call to him. Do it right now.”
To continue reading online, click here.
To download the whole story as a PDF, click on the link below.
(This is a fan fiction story set in the worlds created by Diana Wynne Jones. )
As their grandfather taught them, Keith and Kathy dutifully, yet silently, went about their chores in the brewing room. Grandfather had always been particular about the cleaning up and the setting of the spells that surrounded the big barrels and had cautioned them, as often as they helped, that there was to be no unwarranted talking or chattering. The beer never set right if someone was carrying on a conversation over the spells. The rule went double for arguing, so Keith and Kathy swept the floor, cleaned the spigots, and stirred the pot, all the while staring daggers at each other.
As only members of the Goodhost family were allowed in the brewing rooms, Keith and Kathy each took a side of the day’s cask and slowly carried it up the stairs, hoisting and yanking the heavy thing, so that even when they were out of earshot of the cellar below, they were too out of breath to continue their argument.
Depositing their burden in the tap room upstairs, the pair finished their afternoon chores under the merry eye of Fancie, the inn’s cook. Glares were still tossed between the brother and sister, but neither wanted to share the details of the fight with Fancie. Though they suspected she knew they were arguing. Chores done, and a fresh tea cake in hand, Kathy and Keith went upstairs to Grandfather’s room. Half way up the stairs to the next floor, their fight resumed in earnest.
“We’ve got to do something,” Kathy whined.
“I know that, dummy,” Keith said churlishly. “I know as well as you do that Uncle Rummy is no good, but I think we should call . . . that one.”
“How can you know he would even come? At least a Royal Wizard lives in the same country and world as we do.”
“I know he would come. That’s his job,” Keith hissed. Their voices naturally lowering as they reached the landing. “He must come if you call him.”
Kathy rounded on her brother, fisted hands on her hips, “Then call to him. Do it right now.”
To continue reading online, click here.
To download the whole story as a PDF, click on the link below.
the_goodhost_dilemma.pdf | |
File Size: | 310 kb |
File Type: |