Doctor Abbott

Doctor Abbott Part 10

Chapter 10

Ben and Lúta took their meals in their room for the most part, so it was a bit of a surprise when they were summoned to meet in the greatroom for breakfast one day. Olsen was already sitting at the table when the two of them arrived.

Ben smiled upon seeing him, "My goodness this really is a treat. It appears my patient is looking well." The tall beast was thin in comparison to his parents and counterparts. "Tell me, how did you find yourself shot alongside your warrior friends?"

The kid smiled and reached for his tea, "We were on a late night hunt and got ambushed. I did well until I was shot. I killed the first warrior myself."

Olsen was incredibly friendly, and a tad naive. Ben had not been afforded time to discuss where he was in the God forsaken world up until now. This presented a unique opportunity to learn more about his location. "So who want to take on a hunting party of warriors like yourself? Sure it was someone incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."

The young man was happy to answer his questions, "Those men are from Ormr's village, they reach us by boat. We have been at war with them for a couple of years."

King Freyr entered the room half way through the discussion. He walked over to the buffet and poured himself a mug of tea before taking his seat at the head of the table. "Most of the islands here are at war, there are four islands all together but our kingdoms are mostly based on three. There are a few smaller villages as well as loaners and hermits spread out in between our kingdoms. But these islands are very dangerous without warriors to worry about. The wolves and bears that inhabit these woods are the largest in the world and where we are in winter the majority of the year their hunger is often unquenchable."

Something he said caught Ben's attention right away, "You've been off these islands?"

The king scoffed, "Of course I have. A lot of men journey as youths to mountains and villages across the world in search of others like us." He tore into some bread from his plate. "Conditions you human's find unfavorable are perfect for our people."

Having been over most of the world himself Ben found it interesting that there were still places humans found unfavorable enough to avoid. He started to ponder if these people have written themselves into history books as folklore; possibly even as Bigfoot or Abominable Snowmen. He told himself if he ever made it out of here, it would be his mission to find out what documentation is out there showing encounters with them.

Olsen finished his food and excused himself, he turned to Ben on his way out, "My breathing has been getting stronger. Your advice did well for me." He finished by thumping on his chest to display the strength he was gaining.

As soon as the young man left, Mâvis entered the room and moseyed over to the buffet pulling a plate for himself and loading it up with some meat, eggs and bread. He shoved one apple in the side of his teeth and snatched a second off the table before sitting beside the king. Ben put his fork down and stood up to leave.

"Stay, human." A growl rolled off the guard's tongue along with the order and it brought Ben back to his seat immediately, "We have business to discuss." Mâvis never bothered looking at him as he spoke.

Ben couldn't help but notice that the apple that was clenched in his teeth a moment ago was bit completely in half and the second half followed the first in a single bite as well. The beast sat there chewing briefly before he realized Ben was still staring at him, dumbstruck. Mâvis narrowed his eyes in reaction and Ben nervously returned his attention back to his own plate.

Erica excused herself now and ushered Lúta to join her. Ben's wife appeared nervous about leaving her husband alone in the room with Mâvis and the king, but she put her napkin on her plate and obediently followed the queen. As they left another guard entered and pulled up a plate. He slapped Mâvis on the back and sat across from Ben. Within a few minutes there were seven more men at the table, and the door closed.

The king leaned forward addressing the men in what appeared to be a conversation that had started before breakfast had even begun. "The merchants will be ready for the trade run in the morning. With Ormr looking for trouble we will need guards on this run."

Mâvis reached for a mug of tea, "This is foolish right now."

Freyr replied, "But we have a commitment and need to keep our ties strong if we mean to prove ourselves trustworthy." He turned his focus to Ben now. "There is more. I offered your services to King William. I do not know the situation as of yet but it appears his wife may have taken ill. Our villages are in the middle of trying to mend some old wounds and if there is anything you can do it will be appreciated and your efforts will be rewarded."

Mâvis cut back into the conversation, "I only need three guards, I will not leave the village unprotected to make friends, Freyr." He chewed slowly as he waited for a reply.

"Well Ormr's tactics for now are to try and pick us off as we venture out. A merchant caravan will be easy picking with much reward."

"Which is why this is foolish right now. We can send a raid in and keep him busy cleaning up carcasses. Then do as we wish, but going about business as usual until then is foolish."

Freyr shook his head, "We are not strong enough for a raid just yet, I want to petition William for assistance."

"If you want me on the merchant caravan you will give me no more than three. I will not leave my wife in a village unprotected. Too many of your guards are still healing from the attack." He sat waiting for his reply but it was clear he was agitated and ready to leave the discussion.

"Very well, Mâvis, you know your limits better than I." The king turned to Ben. "You must be ready for your journey in the morning, your wife will stay here for her...protection."

The thought of leaving Lúta to fend for herself was unsettling at best. Then to be at the mercy of the giant white bastard across the table was unthinkable. "With all due respect, sir, I would rather make the trip with the island's wolves escorting me." He swallowed hard seeing all the eyes now on him.

"Do you seriously refuse me?" Freyr put his fork down and glared at Ben.

"No, I just think my chances of survival would increase dramatically with those odds, that is all."

The king scoffed, "Nonsense, Mâvis is the most powerful warrior I have and loyal to no end. There is not a warrior alive that could take him on."

"And he has tried to kill me three times already."

"I can finish if you like." Mâvis sat back in his chair sucking on one of his fangs as he delighted himself on Ben drop his gaze again.

Freyr snapped at the guard, "Is that really helping?" Then he turned back to Ben, "Now I do not know what you did to anger him, but if Mâvis wanted you dead there is no one alive that could save you, myself included. That being said here you are eating breakfast with him. You will accompany him and try not to test his patience with your reluctance." Freyr shoved his plate off in frustration and left.

Mâvis stood to leave as well, shooting Ben a sideways glance and a smug grin, "Pack lightly, human. You will not last the first day."