Fin sat outside the open garden door atop a grain barrel that happened to be holding said door wide open. The cook rested with his eyes closed while holding a cup of water, and relished the breeze that began to dry the sweat on his face. The cold front the Kingdom had been experiencing through the first weeks of May had finally broken, but in its stead came a wrathful heat that was the bane of the cook’s existence in front of the hearth.

He had plenty on his plate as it was with the Beltane festival taking place on the final day of the month, and preparations had already begun for the large celebration on top of the cook's daily duties. The added threat of constantly having to avoid heat stroke however, was making Fin begin to feel weak with weariness.

It was especially frustrating with the constant flow of people parading in and out of the kitchens for the food and ale deliveries. The steady stream of people meant any magical aid Fin could conjure to combat the high temperatures was limited.

Despite the aggravations, the redhead had managed to avoid anyone discovering his abilities thus far, and was pleased that Ruby had grown to begrudgingly accept his ruling of the kitchen. Both accomplishments were deserving of a relaxing evening with a pint of ale, and solitude- save for Kraken. Alas, despite all this the Royal Cook would not be able to self-congratulate himself until after the festival.

The hooded figure had not reappeared, and Lady Jenoure had only popped in a to see him a couple of times. Both visits she had been surprised to see the kitchen full of merchants angrily bartering with the new cook about their wares and prices.

That particular day however, during his rest, the sound of rapidly approaching feet forced Fin to crack open an eye. He could see the pretty blonde locks belonging to Hannah barreling around the gardens that were showing plenty of green promises of delicious vegetables and herbs to come.

The girl was red in the face, and had her beige skirts and blue apron hiked up in her hands as she rounded the main garden path. She didn’t slow down until she was mere feet from the doorway, and noticed Fin.

“Is something wrong?” He asked bringing her to a halt beside him as she avoided his gaze.

“N-No. I’m just going to count… count potato bags behind the door.” She stammered and tried to rush over the threshold.

Fin’s arm shot out, and gently pressed her back a step so that he could study her.“Hannah you’re shaking.” He observed the trembling hands, and was about to ask another question, when he heard a loud boisterous laugh nearing the gardens.

The cook glanced towards the nearest turret of the castle on his right hand side where Hannah had come from, and saw Sirs Taylor, Andrews, and Lewis drawing closer.

Standing straighter, he looked down at Hannah while blocking her from their view, and noted a few tears had begun to fall down her face.

It took a great deal of control for Fin to keep his voice gentle as a black rage pulsed through him.

“Hannah, please crouch under the ledge behind the doorway. I’ll let you know when it’s safe.”

She nodded wordlessly, and darted inside.

Fin finished his cup of water, placed it down atop the barrel, and casually stood in front of the open door as the Knights set foot on the path before him.

“Youareincontrolyouareincontrolyoucannotletthemfindout,” Fin thought to himself over and over as he fought the swelling magic in his being that wanted to protect Hannah at all costs.

“Ohh, the cook’s slackin’ off!” Sir Andrew slurred as he looked up at Sir Taylor with a grin.

“No wonder we haven’t seen Hannah around- she hasta pickup his slack!” Sir Lewis mocked, his brown eyes trying to stare down the cook who, while not nearly as bulky or muscular as the knights, towered over nearly all three of them.

“Sirs, I was just opening the kitchen door.” Fin’s voice was hard as he negated any bowing from his addressing of the men.

“We don’t wanna be in your stupid kitchen anyway,” Sir Lewis snarled while trying to peer around the cook.

Fin wasn’t budging, nor was he bothering to look at the Knights that flanked Sir Taylor. He knew who the real threat was.

The largest of everyone present flashed his perfectly white teeth, and leaned forward, the smell of ale evident on his breath despite it not being long past the lunch hour.

“Move aside beanpole,” he teased as the other Knights burst out in enthusiastic laughs.

“I don’t allow non-personnel in my kitchen.”

“You see… it’s funny how I don’t recall anyone giving you the authority to ban me from the kitchen.”

The plates and cutlery had begun rattling, and a certain iron pan’s handle whipped around as though standing at attention. The Knights failed to notice the lively dishware behind the cook, but Hannah sure did, and she wondered if there was an earthquake, or a great beast storming towards the castle as she tried to make herself even smaller in her hiding place.

“Then you may ask the King for confirmation.” Fin had not once spoken to the King, but he hoped it would be enough to reroute the louse.

“The King granted you that kinda say? I don’t think so.” Sir Taylor grabbed the front of the cook’s sweaty tunic, and yanked him a few inches closer to his face.

“You know what kinda trouble you can get for lyin’ to me?”

“Less trouble than you defying the King’s order,” Fin countered his hands curled into fists at his sides.

The Knights had to leave.

Immediately.

There was a distinct possibility he was about to blast them straight into the Alcide Sea several leagues away at the rate they were infuriating him.

Sir Taylor glared at the cook in silence, his clear blue eyes searching the lanky man’s expression for any sign of a bluff.

Fin knew he would never see any.

He had learned from a young age how to betray nothing of the rage he held inside of him when faced with men like this.

“Guess I’ll go ask right now. Anyone ever tell you that you look like a fairy bitch?” The lackeys were beside themselves with laughter as Sir Taylor released Fin.

The men turned around, and promptly fell over a wide array of rakes, hoes, and shovels, that had until moments before, been propped against the garden fences.

In their inebriated stupors, they had failed to notice the tools gathering in a pile (seemingly on their own) at their heels.

Sir Lewis received the worst injury of the trio with a rake having scraped his forehead and cheek on his face plant. Sir Andrews received a badly bruised right temple with a shovel, and sadly, Sir Taylor had had his fall broken by his two friends.

All was not lost however; as Fin noticed that the man winced and had to shift his weight off of his right knee once he had managed to stand back up with a grunt.

“When the hell did those get here?” Sir Taylor barked glaring openly at the cook.

“You lot knocked them over. You should pick them up before the gardener comes back from tending the flower beds by the entrance.” Fin turned his back on the Knights, pushed his hands into his pockets, and stepped into the kitchen. He could hear the men curse and swear at him as they made their way back down the path.

He knew it was far from over, but he was prepared for that.

Once he was certain they had disappeared from view, he ensured the tools danced back from where they had originated.

“Hannah, it’s safe to come out,” he called out quietly.

Fin strolled further into the kitchen, and was beginning to round his cooking table, when he realized the girl hadn’t moved from under the ledge. The soft gasps of her crying were easy to hear in the renewed silence.

Walking over slowly to her hiding spot, he moved the bag of potatoes obscuring her petite form, and seated himself down on the ground so that he was facing her.

“I’ve been thinking, and I want you working at the end of the garden path peeling vegetables from now on.”

The woman who couldn’t have been older than nineteen years, gave a small nod into her lap.

His heart ached in his chest, and so Fin added to his statement.

“If you are ever in trouble, come see me. I want you to think of this kitchen as safe as your own room or home, alright?”

Hannah slowly raised her teary face, and quickly wiped away the various fluids she was leaking with the back of her hand.

“Wash up, and grab a stump to sit on. I’ll bring out the vegetables. If you need a cup of water or tea first, just let me know.” Awkwardly, the redhead stood back up, grabbed a large wooden bowl, and began filling it with potatoes and carrots.

Hannah sniffed a few more times, and slowly shifted out from under the ledge. With her shoulders hunched and her hands still trembling in front of her, she neared the kitchen table warily.

“They…” her voice rasped, and Fin without looking up from his work, poured a cup of water, and handed it to her. She drank thankfully, and took another few deep gulps of air before attempting to speak again.

“They will come back after they find out you lied.”

“Not today.”

Hannah looked at him worriedly.

“I happen to know excessive day drinking is frowned upon amongst the Knights. If they are dumb enough to try approaching the Captain about this right now, they will be punished.”

“They won’t just let this go though,” the blonde maid noted anxiously.

“No they won’t. That isn’t for you to worry about though.” At long last, Fin raised his gold-flecked blue eyes to hers.

“Why aren’t you scared of them? I mean, you don’t seem scared of anyone!” Hannah obseved with obvious awe.

Fin did his best to appear nonchalant. “I was scared of them- I’m pretty sure Sir Taylor’s body odor could count as a weapon.”

The adrenaline filled laugh that erupted out of Hannah startled the cook, but also made him grow a small half smile of his own.mWhen she had settled down again, and finished wiping her face with the back of her hand, she let out a long shaky breath.

“Hannah, everyone gets frightened at times. I just hide it better because I have known worse men than those three in my life.”

The maid's look of sad anxiety on his behalf made Fin begin to blush.

“I had an… unpleasant father. He’s gone now, and we will leave it at that. Now,” the redhead handed the nearly overflowing bowl of vegetables to Hannah who gripped it firmly while giving him a firm nod to show her resolve and compliance.

As she made her way back down the garden path, she couldn’t help but notice that whatever had made all three the Knights fall over, had already been completely eradicated. However, she was feeling far too grateful, and perhaps a little in awe of the cook, to ponder it much further.

*

The evening brought with it a blissfully merciful breeze that cooled the Earth greatly, and Fin was finally able to close the garden door as he bid the last of his aide’s farewell for the night. It had been another productive day, despite the run-in with the three pricks.

The cook eyed one of the ale barrels wistfully, and wondered if he would be able to keep himself awake long enough to enjoy a pint. Kraken poked his head out from the potatoes as if on cue, and mewed while staring up at him encouragingly.

Fin bad that he had been too busy to give the kitten much attention, but at the very least the prince had come by every morning to play with him for nearly an hour before having to disappear for his lessons.

Theredueadnhad just bent down and picked up the rapidly growing ball of fluff, when the door handle that lead to the castle corridor turned, and the door wedged itself open slowly.

Fin was hasty and silent in stowing Kraken back behind the potatoes, as the new intruder finished opening the door, and laid eyes on the young man who stood expectantly.

A man in his late fifties stepped into the room slowly, leaning heavily on a staff made of oak, with a clear crystal at its top.

The Royal Mage.

“Good evening.” The mage smiled softly, his already gray hair fell in waves down to his shoulders, and matched his beard which remained trimmed neatly close to his face.

“Er… hi.” Fin had no idea if he had to bow to the man or not.

The Mage finished entering the kitchen staring around at the surroundings with a bit of surprise.

“This isn’t the same kitchen I last saw here in the castle,” he announced pleasantly.

Fin cleared his throat awkwardly, and stepped further away from the man as though he were a leper.

The last thing he needed was a mage figuring him out.

The witch barely resisted the urge to cringe.

“My name is Lee. I am pleased to make the acquaintance of the one responsible for my delicious meals,” the mage smiled, and bobbed his head.

“I’m Fin. Did you need something?” He knew that the mage only had to stand a few feet from him to discern he had magic, and he also knew he would never live it down if the fraud ousted him.

The mage chuckled, which interrupted his spiraling thoughts.

“I see Lady Jenoure wasn’t jesting about your straightforward attitude.”

“Does Lady Jenoure often jest?”

The mage’s eyes actually twinkled, and the cook's gaze grew even more wary. Kindly old mages were good at getting people’s defenses down.

“Witch wannabes the lot of ‘em, he thought to himself accusatorily.

“Lady Jenoure has remarkable intelligence and wit. You are lucky indeed that she has developed such a unique opinion of you.”

“Lucky. Cursed. Same thing depending on the person.”

Lee laughed.

“I see. While I do not recommend wagging that tongue of yours to everyone here in the castle, I can humbly request to see you and the Lady banter sometime. I can foresee it being quite entertaining.”

The mage had just taken a step closer to Fin, and he responded by moving back another pace.

“I don’t bite lad," the man stopped and leaned on his staff as though tired.

“Attempting to convince me you are weak? Not bloody likely!”

“I am particular about who is in my kitchen. If there is nothing else for this evening, sir, I would like to go to sleep.”

The mage squinted at him, not even bothering to hide what he was obviously doing as a faint white glow came from his powder blue eyes.

“Is something in your eyes, sir?” Fin snipped while accidentally making a cup topple off the ledge behind the elder.

The mage blinked, and the light disappeared as he shook his head.

“Ahh cataracts. Getting old is a thankless task, I wouldn’t recommend it to you,” he gave another warm smile.

“Is this sod with a stick telling me to kill myself?!”

The witch decided to respond appropriately to disperse any tetnsions. “I prefer aging to the alternative, thanks.”

Lee chuckled again, and turned towards the door.

“Well, I will leave you to sleep,” he slowly moved away, and the cook took tentative steps in his wake, while being sure to maintain the distance, when the old man abruptly whirled around, and took a step closer.

Fin leapt back as far as he could and instinctively leaned back as well.

“Exactly what one should expect from a friggin’ mage.” Fin snapped internally while his heart pounded in his chest.

“Sorry to startle you, I just wanted to let you know that your secret is safe with me.”

The younger man’s poker face appeared so promptly, that Lee retreated a step in surprise.

“I am not sure I know what you mean. You also haven’t mentioned what brought you down to my kitchen.”

The mage nodded while the tiniest of frowns formed between his eyebrows.

“Ah yes. One reason was that I was hoping you might spare me the recipe for those tiny flat cakes you made earlier with the unforgettable spice. My son and sister I’m certain would adore them as much as I did.”

“Oh, you mean cinnamon sugar cookies? I can give it to you, but the spice is expensive. It’s shipped from the Kingdom of Zinfera from their islands in the South.”

“You don’t say? Too bad…”

Lee turned to leave again, only this time, Fin folded his arms stubbornly across his chest. He wouldn’t move anywhere near the nincompoop until his shuffling footsteps were long gone.

“The actual reason I came was the King wondered why you did not utilize the cottage assigned to you for your position. It’s only a five or ten minute walk from the castle.”

“Liar. Something or someone tipped him off that I might have magic.”

“I start earlier, and finish later than everyone. I’d rather get the few extra minutes of sleep. My own personal time is quite sparse as is.”

Fin didn’t even try to mask the hint.

The mage’s eyebrows shot up at the cook’s tone, but as a result became fully committed to finding his way out the kitchen. When both feet were beyond the threshold, he turned far more slowly than the first time back to the redheaded man.

“Oh, and I meant I wouldn’t tell Ruby about your secret pet. Good evening, Finlay Ashowan.”

Fin glared as the man closed the door, and remained rooted to the spot for several more minutes until he was certain the minion of Satan’s anus wouldn’t return.

At long last, he blinked and relished the sound of the door bolting itself, and shielding the room from any further attack.

This time, he also double checked that he had done the same with the garden door and window before once again picking up Kraken, who seemed slightly ruffled by being blown off earlier.

“I’m sorry, blame the mage.” Kraken mewed, and Fin took that to mean the kitten not only forgave him, but full-heartedly agreed.

“One day Kraken, you are going to help me ward off unwanted guests, and I will pay you with the finest cooked fish in the Kingdom.”

Kraken mewed twice in a row.

“Glad you agree. Now, let’s get some sleep. The festival is nearly a week away, and I have a strange feeling things are only going to get more chaotic around here.”