|
Owen and Seamus had relaxed considerably after finding their little charge in the hands of Seamus’ young acquaintances. Of course it was only to be expected of the spider monkey that in such boisterous company, and given the fine music and food, the poor soul was bound to become a bit lively and hard to manage. It must be forgiven him, really…not held against him by any means. Otherwise, they’d not be any better than that loutish man, Shimshin’s former master, who had kept him imprisoned in a stout birdcage stationed in the most remote corner of a dark and uninteresting cobbler’s shop, now would they? It had seemed at the time rather providential that they should be thrown into the company of this rather disagreeable man, given that not only Owen’s boots developed a hole in while he and Seamus had been in that particular town, but Seamus’ footwear also required immediate professional attention. Yes, they had been right in to freeing the little captive.
“This has gone off far better than I had hoped,” Owen whispered to Seamus, as band paused in their playing to watch the couple slice a beautiful and quite bountiful cake. “No incident to speak of. It seems our little Shimshin is learning how to behave like a proper guest after all!”
Seamus tucked his rebec under his arm “Not quite,” the tall man said patting his pocket and pulling out a beautifully crafted brooch. As he rolled the ornament face up in his palm, both his and Owen’s eyes widened considerably. “The scamp dropped this in my pocket earlier, and I had not the heart to see what was until now. I suppose I was hoping it might be something a little less valuable, like a piece of toffee. It is heavy though!” he said putting it in Owen’s open palm.
“The little imp’s got first rate taste, doesn’t he?” Owen said shaking his head sadly. “What are we to do Seamus? We can simply pretend this hasn’t happened.” He handed the brooch back to his fellow musician.
“Of course not,” Seamus said. “It’s elven, by the look of it. But elven made doesn’t mean elven owned, does it?”
“It would narrow the crowd down a bit if it did.” Owen said looking around. “Do you think we should give it to the proprietor of the place, or just pin it on and wait for someone to claim it? And how do we explain with out getting ourselves or Shimshin in trouble. It’s all very well to say we found it, but what if he turns up with another?”
|