#The Story of Burnt Njall | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

asheespiquantpeculiarities · 7 years

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Assault On Various Fronts Pt 7

This night also... nothing happened.

At least there was no sign on my body. And I still had pillows, so there was that.

… maybe my throat was a bit sore. Which was a whole different story.

I simply retreated into the carriage again, and we set off again.

The day before the food came to me at a later time, maybe this time it was the case as well. No real hope, but maybe I got lucky.

So... sure enough, after about an hour of carriage riding and staring out the window into an unimpressive landscape, there was another commotion outside. A gruff, but very fluent voice spoke in this 'wonderful' language I did not understand... and someone else was complaining. And whatever they were saying, I was almost certain no noble daughter should ever hear it.

And then the door was wrenched open. And a man was shoved inside.

“Njoll, what the FUCK! Bloody damn hell, you bastard! 'handle me like a little bitch, will ya?! 'm not gonna help y' out 'gain!,” this one's accent was a bloody mess.

Seriously. It didn't sound like Samil or Njoll or any of the diplomats I'd spoken to in our castle. He sounded like he came right out of the slums of my own city. And it was weird.

He looked like a wirey bag of limbs in an... admittedly somewhat flattering coat. He also wore a hat. With pockets.

… well, he at least fit into the carriage properly. Even knelt down on the bench to lean out the window and throw something.

A hollow metallic 'claaaang' resounded and a slightly pained groan followed up.

“TOLD YA MORE VOLUME'S RIDICULOUSLY STUPID!”

“Hrm. Tru. Stay there. No out!,” said I voice I knew from yesterday. Most likely this guy had just thrown a stone at Njall's helmet. And got shut down.

What in the world was wrong with this cussing person, that seemed to come from my own country, at least language wise?!

He looked put out when he reeled himself back in and laid down on the bench on his side, with a huff.

It looked cramped and he had to bend himself a little, but his feet seemed rather comfortable at the side of the carriage... I pulled my dress tighter around my legs. No man should lay on eye level with a lady's legs!

I frowned down at him and he raised a brow at me: “So you're the bird that made the bastard fly straight, huh?”

I straightened my posture, not exactly sure if I heard that right?!

“Well, hotness sure isn't the problem. Damn fine lil' dame,” he snickered. Snickered.

“May I ask what an ill-mannered man such as yourself is doing in my carriage?,” because he certainly wasn't behaving.

There was a smirk, when he took an arm from behind his head and held his hand out to me. With a bowl of rice. With meat. Did... did I even want to know where that came from?

It was still steaming.

“Tadaaa~”

I looked at the damn thing in front of me. It was weird.

“Take it or drop it. A mess in the carriage might be avoided if you do the former,” now he sounded annoyed. And actually tilted the food.

What the HELL! We were travelling, food was valuable!

I snatched it away, still glaring at him, while he said: “'s what I was here for. I suppose Njoll wants me to introduce myself. Mazin. 'Nother blood brother. The 'honest one'. At least with people I like. Also the 'smart one'. To stick with honesty, though: All four of us are smart, I'm just a dick about it. About most things, really,” he shrugged. While laying down.

… and bit into an apple. Like an asshole.

I had a feeling his coat had a lot of pockets.

And I grabbed the bloody fork that was in the bowl and... dug in.

Looked and smelled edible enou: “UGH!”

Colour raised to my cheeks. This... this was spicy. HOLY spirit!

And he snickered again: “Awww, too hot for you, your hotness? You better get used to it. This is still tame compared to actual food”

“... I'd prefer it if you called me lady or at least 'Gabrielle', Sir Mazin. And. I was merely surprised,” this stuff was actually quite delicious. But I might have burnt my tongue.

He nearly fell off the bench laughing. Even wiped a tear away: “Aww, honey, that... was a good one. 'Sir'? Are you fucking serious? And, as you probably figured, you'll either earn a proper name or delight in an assortment of more or less creative petnames. The choice is yours!”

I looked at him in disdain. This was a brother of Samil's? Great. It couldn't get any better, can it?

Well, it couldn't be helped. I was still free to ignore him. After a huff, I continued to eat and look out the window. For now, I chose to not be bothered.

That he simply watched me was not reassuring. Especially from his laying position on the opposite bench. He was behaving utterly despicable and I could do nothing about it.

I was almost done with the spicy concoction when he shook his head and sat up a bit straighter... so his shoulders were leaned against the wall, not only his head... and spun hit hat around with a finger.

This guy actually had a devil's beard. Just... ugh.

He also said: “I can't believe he actually chose you of all people. I mean, sure, you're hella pretty. But otherwise,” he tilted his head, “... well, I suppose he must see something in you... care to enlighten me what?”

… I rather cared to enlighten him where the exit was, but... I looked at him with a kind smile and said: “Well, Sir Mazin, maybe he is fond of polite company,” and finished my bowl.

“Heh. So 'polite' insults when the other is clearly able to make your life a lot harder. A gambler, are you now?,” he looked way too happy for my tastes. Also: I was not. Not really.

I sneered. It was not behaviour fit for a lady.

“Sooo~ I'll bother you for the rest of the day. Njall won't let me out of here and I have a 'mission' to complete. Unfortunately, you sitting in a corner and being all prissy isn't going to do anyone a favour,” and of course this kind of speech is going to get you some, right?

I put the bowl to the side and tried to ignore him some more.

And he... got a deck of cards out of his... hat. And started shuffling.

“How about an unconventional game of 'bullshit', babe?,” he raised a brow at me.

I frowned. That... certainly was a very good name for a card game...

“... maybe you've never heard of it like that... Cheat... Doubt It... Beschiss,” I showed no sign of recognition, so he continued: “You've never heard of it? Seriously? What did you do to Samil? Poison his drink or something?,” he got increasingly more creative with shuffling the cards, launching them in the air to catch them again and continue shuffling with one hand... what 'valuable skills'. Hmph.

I inwardly rolled my eyes, but still showed an impeccable smile: “... 'Liar Liar' is a common game, do not worry, Sir. Apart from house rules it surely is well known,” weird names notwithstanding.

“Good. Then how about that: We'll play a few hands... and whenever one of us is called red handed... the 'liar' has to answer a question. How's that sound? It's certainly more entertaining that staring disdainfully for the next ten hours. It's bad for the skin, you know? Early wrinkles, beauty queen” he pointed at his own forehead. And well... he did somewhat speak from experience. Not too bad, but... ugh.

“... if I choose to entertain you, I buy my right to be properly addressed. Correct, Sir?,” he smirked at that.

“I don't see why not, Gabrielle, I suppose that can be arranged,” I didn't like how he said it – he somehow made it sound infamous, but better than before, “... for the duration of the game, of course!”

… beggars can't be choosers.

“... then let us begin, please,” it couldn't be much worse than letting him lay there and stare. Like this, he at least sat up to deal the cards on the table. He almost sat there like a normal person! Even though his spine still looked somewhat bendy. It was just weird looking at him.

#SamilnGabe #GabenMazin #1453 words #assaultsonvariousfronts

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