The Warlock Enraged-Warlock 4 (35 page)

"Why, thank you," Rod said, amused. "Nice to know I have some rank around here."

"I shall have the other." Cordelia reached for the other drumstick.

"Nay; thou hast never favored the legs of the fowl!" Geoffrey's hand darted out, and grabbed the bone before hers.

"Loose that!" Cordelia cried. " 'Twas my claim was first!"

"As 'twas my hand!"

"Yet I came to the bird before either of thee!" Magnus laid a hand on the bone of contention. "My remembrance of our father, doth not bar me from this choice!"

"Uh, children," Rod said mildly, "quiet down, please."

"'Tis mine!"

"Nay! 'Tis mine!"

"I am eldest! My claim is first!"

"Children!" Rod hiked his volume a bit. "Cut it out!" Gwen laid a restraining hand on his arm. That did it; his temper leaped.

Cordelia turned on her brothers. "Now, beshrew me an thou art not the most arrogant, ungentlemanly boys the world hath ever..."

"Wherefore beshrew thee? Thou art a shrew already!" And the discussion disintegrated into wild shouts of accusation and counter-accusation. Rod stood rigid, trying to contain his soaring anger. Then Simon caught his eye. Rod stared at the older man's calm, level gaze, and felt a measure of strength that he hadn't known he had. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that their bickering might make them look childish (as it should), but not him—if he didn't start shouting with them. The thought checked his anger and held it. He was himself, Rod Gallowglass—and he wasn't any the less himself, nor any less important, nor any less in any way, just because his children didn't heed him.

But he did know how to get their attention. He reached out, grasped the last drumstick, and twisted it loose. The children whirled, appalled. "Papa!" "Nay! Thou hast no need!" "Thou already hast one. Papa!"

" 'Tis not justice," little Gregory piped, chin tucked in truculently over folded arms.

"But it does settle the argument," Rod pointed out. He turned to Gwen, presenting the drumstick with a flourish and a bow. "My dear, you saved the day. Your glory is as great as mine."

"But, Papa!" Cordelia jammed her fists on her hips, glowering up at him. "Thou'rt supposed to be a nice daddy now!"

"Why," Rod murmured, "wherever did you get an idea like that?"