The Quest (The Sons of Camelot Book 2) by Kim Dragoner Page A

Sir Thomas of Manchester, Lady Alpina of Auchavan and…” He waved a hand toward each of them in turn as he made the introductions, but was cut off when he got to Alpina.
    “Auchavan,” Tiki Tok responded. “It’s certain that none of my kin have fattened the bellies of those at Auchavan.”
    “I’ve no interest in dining upon your flesh today,” Alpina responded with a wicked smile. She was enjoying the moment a little too much.
    The statement satisfied Tiki Tok, but he still kept one eye upon her as Merlin continued with the introductions.
    “We also have Chatburn, the squire of Sir John and Dufton, the squire of Sir Thomas,” Merlin finished. “And I am the wizard known as Merlin.”
    “Merlin?” he gasped. “Your power is unknown in these parts and untried, but it would be an honor to have you do me harm.”
    “I’ve done all the harm I intend to do by preventing you from taking wing,” Merlin answered. “If you will lie to us honestly, then no further harm will come.”
    John was a little bit confused about Merlin’s last statement. He wasn’t sure how one lied honestly.
    “So, Tim Tam,” Merlin began.
    “I believe that he said his name is Tiki Tok,” John said, interrupting the wizard.
    “Of course he did,” Merlin responded. “It was an honest lie. His real name is Tim Tam.”
    John shrugged and decided to stay out of the way.
    “What do you think of this day?” Merlin asked.
    “It was a miserable day up until the likes of you came along, but it’s gotten brighter,” Tim Tam responded. “It would be a delight to be eaten.”
    “Very good,” Merlin responded. “Have you any news from the north, near Inverness and the like?”
    “I never have news from the north,” Tim Tam answered. “South, east and west, but never from the north.”
    “No doubt that news was happy news to the likes of you,” Merlin continued.
    “It was the gravest news,” Tim Tam smiled.
    “Was it of Sir Jofrit of Camelot?”
    “Never heard of Sir Jofrit nor of Camelot, but it was the gravest news, indeed.” Tim Tam held back a laugh that threatened to burst from him.
    John wrinkled his brow as he tried to understand the conversation that was taking place between the imp and Merlin. None of it made sense to him.
    “Did he enter into the Cairngorms?” Merlin asked.
    “He never entered the Cairngorms and was never frozen in a block of ice,” the imp responded, still smiling, though better able to control himself.
    “It is a friend of yours who has him, then?”
    “Nimueh is no friend of mine,” Tim Tam replied.
    “It is Nimueh who has sealed Sir Jofrit in a block of ice, then?” Merlin asked.
    “I know nothing of this Nimueh, nor of your Sir Jofrit. She would never have put him in a block of ice,” the imp answered.
    “Do you know where Nimueh is keeping Sir Jofrit in his frozen state?” Merlin asked.
    “I know exactly the place,” the imp answered, scratching his sparsely haired head.
    “You will report none of this to Tiki Tok,” Merlin warned. “If you do, I’ll make certain to send Alpina’s family here to find their next Sunday’s dinner.”
    “I’ll tell Tiki Tok every word of our conversation. It would be an honor to be dinner for such a fine family.”
    “Shouldn’t we press him further?” John asked. “He says that he knows the exact location.”
    “It would do no good,” Merlin answered. “He doesn’t know where your father is being held.”
    “But he just…” John stopped when Merlin raised his hand to stop him.
    “Very well, then,” Merlin said. “You have use of your wings, if you wish to fly away.”
    “I’ve no wish to fly away. I’d rather be eaten,” Tim Tam responded before flapping his wings frantically and disappearing into a treetop nearby. From above, he called out to them. “It was certainly a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
    “We’ll be on our way, then,” Merlin said, turning his horse to follow the trench back to the road they’d