In that a moment, everyone was silent and expectant. They were waiting for the reaction of the king.
Gaffer still stood there, the spoon in his hand, his silence louder than any reaction he could have given. That alone was enough to break the tension.
Scliff was worried for his master.
He stepped forward immediately.
There was hesitation in his steps though. He was not afraid exactly, but he said was cautious in his steps.
He had been the one to bring the so-called "poisons," and even he had not fully trusted what would come of it.
He stopped beside the pot, glanced once at Linda, then at Gaffer.
If anything were to happen to his master, if this little woman was going to harm his master, he too would die with his master.
"Me too," he muttered.
Gaffer didn't argue or stop him.
Linda passed him a customized spoon, which Scliff took, dipped it into the simmering dish, and lifted it carefully. The aroma hit him stronger this time, closer, richer.
He tasted it.
