Ralph and the Pixie

‘And?’ asked Pran.

Turning to face the Elf, Doc said, ‘Either your friend has the strangest anatomy I’ve ever seen, or he’s not who or what he claims to be.’

Pran pondered this a moment in silence. However, instead of responding to Doc’s observations, he said, ‘My friends, I owe you an apology! I did not anticipate this turn of events; I will endeavour to make amends as soon as may be. Yet, in truth, I did make every attempt to avoid such an occurrence; as a soldier in the King’s armed forces, a service that by its nature carries certain attendant risks, I have ever been fearful for those close to me. I have, from time to time, speculated that my premises may have been watched, but I did not realize the extent to which I was being spied upon. It was my assumption that upon relinquishing my captaincy, any competitive interest in my person, or personal enmities incurred when executing my duties, would over the last year have waned and been quite forgotten. However,’ he added, ‘as Prince Cir has reminded me, such was not the case. I am sorry. I have erred.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Doc muttered, gruffly. ‘Your Prince Cir is a dangerous and unpredictable lunatic. You’re not responsible for his actions.’