Doctor Abbott

Doctor Abbott Part 9

Chapter 9

Mâvis's shift came to an end, he thought it was early enough in the day to get some training in before the village woke. Not more than an hour into his training, he noticed from the corner of his eye, the glow of an approaching lantern. Using his axe, he took aim at who ever it was, and on seeing the king round the corner of the building he relaxed his stance and quietly waited for whatever orders would drag the lazy ruler from his bed at such an early hour. The guard had half hoped that Freyr was finally willing to take action against Ormr.

With his son still healing from a fresh wound surely the old warrior would now have some motivation to retaliate, since defending the village was clearly not motivation enough. Instead the king was restless over another issue. "There you are. Are you not on shift? It took forever to find you." The king's condescending tone was already cutting into Mâvis's patience.

"My shift is over, sir. Is there something I may help you with?"

Freyr hung the lantern on a post by the gate of the courtyard so he could address the warrior. "I cannot seem to sleep. It appears I have some treachery in my guard. One of the warrior's is stealing from me." Mâvis had a knack for pulling information out of people. Even the most skilled warriors feared him, and when fear was not the motivating factor, he had another talent that was useful. The ability to read their minds, or so it appeared.

It was not their minds that gave the secrets away, it was his victims body language. Their fear, coupled with their desperation often led to involuntary flinches, eyes rolls and panicked reactions they had no control over. "Who is it?"

"Pierce." Freyr's answer was not well received. Mâvis liked this warrior. He was young, and fierce. A good fighter with an eye for detail and he was far more loyal to the king than anyone else at his service. If Pierce betrayed the king, it was not something significant. Possibly some petty thievery at best.

"What is your source for this information?" Perhaps the investigation should start there.

Fearing that the servant would not survive an interrogation by the general, Freyr felt it better to keep that information quiet. "I have my own suspicions, is my word not good enough?" He cleared his throat and turned to leave. "I expect an answer before next shift." Mâvis only answered in a low growl and resumed his training.

The next day he found Pierce by the village gates. Not his usual post. Normally his job was to tend to the prince, and since the prince was laid up on injury his position was escorting the island's latest nuisance; the king's new slave. Mâvis leaned quietly on the tall wooden wall watching the dark mist roll through the ancient trees. He was not one for small talk. If Mâvis was there it was for something serious and he was not one to test. "What is this?" Pierce asked.

Mâvis's eyes shot right to the Pierce whose spear was being used for nothing more than to prop up his own hand right now. Pierce was good with a spear and Mâvis kept a watch on his stance as he said, "I find it odd that you are on watch at the gates. We have plenty of warriors better suited for this."

Pierce thought to deflect the conversation, "I find it odd that Freyr seems to trust no one as of late."

The warrior was all too aware of what was going on. There was no doubt in Mâvis's mind that he had something to hide. Despite his casual appearance, Pierce was anything but relaxed. With the guard's focus on the general, Mâvis set his watch on the woods again, keeping a steady eye out for intruders or predators. "His son was ambushed on a hunt. Of course he would be far more aware of who tends his family. I would be. No one knew we were on that hunt."

"This is something you already took care of. Is it not? Why do you waste my time with this sort of an inquiry?" His reply was a tad too brazen and the moment Mâvis's blue eyes whipped back into view, Pierce dialed back his temper he may be brave but he was far from stupid.

Mâvis had no intention in this interrogation ending in bloodshed, but this warrior was about to receive a lesson in manners. "Pierce you are good warrior. I do not understand what brings someone of your privilege to steal from your employer, but it will be the last time I address it." His warning rumble was well received.

"I did no such thing. I took from the slave's cut. He has no clue what he is doing here. If he reported to Freyr that I stole something then he will be dealt with." There it was, the admission of a crime, if it was that at all. Stealing from slaves was common. No one had respect for them. The only reason the healer was even able to collect the wage was because he had a palace guard to assist him. Pierce knew Mâvis had no quarrel with this news.

Still it had to be answered. "You will not do it again. His wage is the king's to collect, and it is not your place to discipline him. That is for his master alone."

"Very well, Mâvis." Seeing Pierce return his gaze to the darkness of the forest Mâvis knew he had what he wanted and turned to leave. Knowing Mâvis was a little hard of hearing he did mutter something under his breath. Mâvis was hard of hearing, but Pierce had no clue it was only on his left side. The wind carried the words to the general's good ear with ease, "No need to discipline him if I challenge for his wife."

Mâvis whipped around and closed the distance with little more than a spin, nailing Pierce in the chest with the butt of his axe in the same seamless motion. The wind was knocked out of him and before he could gain his wits his spear was gone from his grip and his throat was pinned between an elbow and the handle of the axe. Despite Pierce being so tall Mâvis had him clean off the ground and clinging to the axe handle for fear of his own neck snapping from his weight. "I warn you once. That human lives and dies by my hand only, anyone who challenges him had better be prepared to take on me."

Pierce struggled to answer but found he had no way to reply. The sound of him choking on his own words brought Mâvis that welcoming feeling of yet another life at his mercy. If only he did not like Pierce so much it would be preferable to let him hit the ground as a corps. This was a fine warrior though. He feared nothing and even now with his own demise seemingly inevitable, Mâvis found no fear in his eyes.

He let the guard drop to the ground and with his feet of no use from the lack of air he went straight to his knees, spitting a little blood from the blow to his chest. He sat back on his haunches watching Mâvis take leave as he growled out, "Why do you care? You hate humans!"

Mâvis's pale form nearly faded into the grey of night. He stopped only to toss back. "I am loyal to my king. My loyalty buys the slave an existence free from challengers. Perhaps when the slave serves under your roof you can decide his fate." His warning was enough. Pierce would leave the human alone, for now.