The Rubbish Realm

Chapter 11

Melton awoke to find himself on a table, his ankle notably bound heavily. The arrow was no longer there, but as he rolled his ankle around in the air, a sharp pain stabbed through it. He yelped slightly before lowering it back onto the table. "It was that deep?"
Evander nodded, sipping his coffee and looking distinctly uncomfortable.
"We're lucky nothing else went wrong. Are the soldiers still outside the gate?" Melton attempted to sit up, then thought better of it.
Evander nodded again, attention averted by a map on the wall.
"So, we're stuck?"
Evander nodded a third time.
Melton sighed. "Not very talkative today, are you?"
Evander nodded, a faint grin crossing his face.
"Have you learned how to make a portal yet?"
Evander paused, as if conflicted between nodding, even if not the truth, and breaking the sequence.
Melton attempted to lean back, but realized he was lying on a table. He was already leaning back as far as it'd go. "Evander?"
Evander shook his head.
"Did you try asking Amberly?" Melton's exasperation was palpable.
Evander's eyes widened as he shook his head vigorously. Then, as if its shaking had jolted the world lose, he exclaimed "No no no no no no no!"
Melton's brow furrowed as he went through the possible reasons, then, figuring it'd be easier, asked "Why not?"
Evander chuckled weakly. "Clearly, you have not met Amberly Leverence."
As if on cue, Amberly entered, singing a shrill "Hello!"
"B flat," Evander provided blandly.
"Hello," Melton replied. "Thank you for taking care of my ankle, Ms. Leverence."
"No problem!" she shouted, dropping a couple of keys.
"G flat." Evander looked back down into his coffee.
"Would you like some coffee as well, Mr... uh... what was your name?" The end rose to a painfully high pitch. For a moment, Melton looked as if he'd prefer having the arrow in his ankle to listening to it.
"Yes, yes, I would." Anything to get her out of the room. He turned to Evander. "I see what you mean."
Evander nodded knowingly, placing his empty mug on the table. "I hope she brings the whole jug of it."
"But if you need a refill too, wouldn't that get her out of the room for longer?"
Evander nodded repeatedly. "You're not wrong."