I watched the knights fill pots with water, and as they started bubbling, the vegetables Isaac and I were cutting were tossed in. As we were working, another young squire had joined us and was cubing the vegetables Isaac and I peeled.

He seemed very restless and fidgety after he greeted us and sat down, constantly looking over at me, then Isaac, then the cauldron of apple cider.

Finally, after an eternity of awkward silence, he cleared his throat and asked, "Forgive me if this is out of place, but may I know what you're making in the cauldron?"

I looked at him, responding, "I thought I told Commander Landon. Did he not tell the knights I was going to make something?"

"No he did, but he kept what you were making a surprise," the squire responded.

I was about to tell him, but Isaac shushed me and said, "If Commander Landon wants it to be kept secret, then we shouldn't tell him."

"Oh, yeah," I nodded in agreement, "Sorry, but I guess you'll just have to wait and see," I apologized to the boy.

He slumped over in a dramatic fashion and sighed loudly. I was almost impressed with how exaggerated his behavior was.

"What's your name?" I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Me?" He asked, looking up. "My name is Samuel, Lady Corvalia!"

"Samuel, if I made something else for the knights to eat, what would you want the most?"

"Anything with meat!" He immediately replied, then his face turned red in embarrassment. "O-of course I'd enjoy anything you want to make, Lady Corvalia! The flavored ice you made before was amazing too!"

"I'll keep that in mind," I responded, then started thinking about different types of meat.

"Corvalia, you could make something with the chili oil you showed us," Isaac suggested.

"Chili oil? But I don't want the knights to think I'm poisoning them..."

"Poison?" Samuel asked. "You can eat poison?"

"It's not actual poison, but it makes your mouth feel like it's been set on fire," Isaac explained, quieting his voice in a dramatic fashion.

Samuel made an "O" with his mouth, and his eyes widened in fear.

"I'll let Commander Landon try it first, later. If he thinks it's okay, then I'll make some for all the knights," I decided, not wanting to risk any accidents.