Fourth Tale

Chapter 6

6

Amani watched him go in silence and frowned darkly, feeling that spike of jealousy again (she knew what it was this time). Even at night, Lizzie haunted him. Was there no chance for Amani then?

She was extremely unfamiliar with the ways and customs of free men and women. She had been sure at one point that he was interested in her but now...? Now she was unsure and confused.

He'd just left her. Her eyes dropped to his armaments. He'd been in such a hurry that he'd left everything behind. Amani sighed heavily and got to her feet, she picked up her shield and leaned it against his.

Maybe a more direct approach next time. He'd been easily embarrassed by almost everything they'd discussed. A direct approach would leave no questions about her intentions. Would Lizzie still have a hold on him once Amani took him?

***********

He was doomed .

Barristan snarled as he smashed his mace into another dummy. He'd barely slept, and what little shuteye he got, Amani had invaded. He'd been mortified at first when he'd awaken and then, as he recalled the vividness of the dream, he'd gotten so hard it had hurt .

It still hurt.

Even now, as he raised his mace over and over again, he could feel her against his skin. His body was soaked from the effort (and his thoughts). She'd been hot to the touch, her core warm like the sands she called home. She was small compared to his bulk, and in his dream she'd had fit nicely beneath him. Very nicely .

She'd spoken into his ear, with that heavy accent and...

He roared as the dummy exploded beneath his mace. He cursed inwardly and lowered his weapon. He was glaring at the broken dummy (this was the third one), his fist tightening on the hilt, when he heard titter he had not expected or wanted to hear ever again.

"Barristan!" Paracelsus (the Plague Doctor from before) squeaked excitedly as she came running towards him.

He gritted his teeth and waited until she was almost beside him before acknowledging her with a nod of his head.

"I wish to go and kill that Siren!" she spoke hurriedly, practically panting, "and I'd like you to come!"

"No." He didn't hesitate. He was not going back there.

She stopped moving completely and peered at him through her goggles. "Why not?" she actually sounded confused and surprised.

"I am not going back there," he said simply. He was not going to be a liability and he didn't want to hear her voice again.

"I could have sworn you would have wanted revenge," she spoke thoughtfully as though he wasn't there almost, "I hadn't calculated the odds of your refusal because of it."

"Calculate it now then," he muttered grimly, "cause I ain't going."

Her shoulders visibly slumped and Barristan snorted when she slowly turned on her heels and kicked a pebble. "I needed you," she actually sounded as though she were pouting.

"Un-need me."

She squared her shoulders and straightened as she walked out of the training ring with dignity. She didn't glance back in his direction (he knew cause he glared at her back until she was out of sight).

He returned to glaring at the broken target when William (a lawman) came to stand beside him with his mutt.

"I'd like to thank ye on behalf of the law for accosting the criminal," the Houndmaster smiled openly as he clapped Barristan on the shoulder, "this dummy had been evading capture for weeks."

"Is there a penalty for assaulting lawmen?" the Man-at-Arms asked, his voice neutral as his mustache twitched. He didn't even look at the Houndmaster. He was in no mood for merrymaking.

William looked thoughtful and was scratching at his red beard, giving the inquiry serious consideration. "Stockades for a week," he nodded in satisfaction.

Barristan snorted and dropped both his shield and weapon on the ground beside his anvil. He sat down and glared at the grinning William.

"You know," William cleared his throat, "the brothel is that way."

"If you don't shut yer trap, assault will be the least of your worries," he snapped and then felt his ire bubble when William chuckled.

He was one snide remark away from eating a shield or taking a fist to the face (shield would be more satisfying and stress relieving).

William was smart enough to walk away though (in blessed silence), leaving Barristan to simmer by himself, and simmer he did. His mood was beyond foul, to the point that others probably preferred the company of the Eldritch (they sure avoided him like he was one).

Sundown was fast approaching when Barristan finally decided he'd had enough of his own miserable company. He growled to himself as he gathered his gear and was about to make his way towards the barracks when Amani stepped directly into his path (her shield was not with her).

He straightened, he wasn't in the mood for this. "Lass."

Her midnight eyes narrowed on him and she reached up to remove her veil, uncovering her face. He frowned as she then removed her helmet, uncovering her black tresses. What...?

"Lass?" he repeated, a question now as she dropped her helmet to the ground, unheeded.

"So there is no mistake," she spoke deliberately, "I wish to lay with you."

Silence reigned supreme .

He was sure he heard crickets chirping. He'd misheard. There was no way... she... he...

He was frozen in place and watched in morbid fascination as she slowly approached him, her steps deliberate. His eyes dropped to her hips that she swayed mesmerizingly in his direction and he found the air knocked out of him.

"Lass..." he trailed off.

"Amani," she corrected, a small smile on her lush mouth. His blue eye fixated on her tongue as it came out to lick at her lips.

"Amani," his voice was hoarse and she smiled shyly in his direction, "we... I... you..."

"Shhh," she reached up and placed a finger to his bushy lips. "Follow me," she walked past him, her hands gliding across his arm gently.

He fully turned on his heels and stared at her retreating back for a full moment before he took a deep breath and followed after her like... he didn't bother finishing the thought.

He kept his eye on Amani as she led them towards the brothel. He tried to keep calm, but his body knew something was going to happen and he found his clothing and armours tightening almost unbearingly around him.

They were silent in the tavern, and even more so as Amani moved to the stairs leading to the second floor. He said nothing until she stopped in front of a door, her back to him.

"Amani," he whispered his voice a tad harsh.

She opened the door and glanced over her shoulder to look at him teasingly. She smiled and her entire face transformed with it, he took a step deeper into the room almost against his will.

"Come," she crook her finger at him, enticing him further into the room.

He dropped his weapon and shield on the ground unceremoniously.

"Yer going to be the death of me," he groused, closing the door, his blue gaze turning predatory.

Doomed.