บท 72: It's a Trap!

Roger stroked his beard and sat down heavily on the good chair. "Make us a cup of tea Smith, there's a good fella,'" he said to the newest recruit in the palace guards. "I'm knackered with all this running round." He loosened the belt around his plentiful midriff and slid his sword off.

"Why should I always be the one to make the tea?" complained Cedric, a tall skinny youth who seemed to be all arms and legs.

"Because you're the newest," said Sergeant Brown from his seat near the fire. "It's the way of the world lad. Three sugars in mine please."

The two older troopers chuckled to themselves, as did the other members of Squad C in the rest room. Cedric scowled, but set about putting some water into the giant metal kettle. He was just about finished when a ragged figure burst into the room, throwing the door open with a crash and making Roger jump.