Runecarver Volume One

Chapter Seven

 Although it had not been my idea or desire, my apparent willingness to lower myself to the same level as the commoners here had earned me a great deal of admiration from most of them. They referred to me with the utmost respect, and they gave me the nicest amenities they could. I had a shelter to myself, I would not be asked to keep watch at night, and the young carpenter even used his skills to carve me a bowl and utensils so that I would not have to eat with my hands.

Cayde seemed amused by this development, but he took no issue with it. I was holding up my end of the bargain, and he seemed to understand that him staying on my good side from this point was in everyone's best interest. There was still the unresolved issue with Griffith, and if I were to support one over the other, it was very possible that that would be enough to sway the people in the camp towards whichever I picked. Perhaps that as well had something to do with the 'price' that Cayde had mentioned. For mercenaries, loyalty was something that could be purchased, after all.

Shortly after sunset, the walls were completed. There was no gate, but one of the men who had volunteered for combat — armed with a rudimentary spear — stood guard at the entrance. Then Griffith returned. His hunt had apparently been quite successful. Two adult deer, as well as a half-dozen rabbits. Coupled with the fruits, nuts, and mushrooms that had been scavenged, it was possible that this would be enough to last us the entire week. A fire pit had been dug, and one of the men began butchering the animals. For my part, I was tasked with washing some of the fruit.

The people of the camp were ecstatic with this development. We'd already secured water and shelter, and so food had been the biggest obstacle for our survival. Cayde and I, however, were concerned. Already Griffith and his group (who had seemed to take quite a liking to him) were boasting of their prowess. Cayde had formed his own posse, and the two groups watched each other warily even as they ate.

I ate by the fire, a lean cut of venison and some berries serving as my dinner. I was trying to avoid the conflict for now, preparing myself to swoop in when necessary to secure Cayde's position if the situation called for it. I expected Griffith to go after him once the meal was finished, but he surprised everyone by taking action during the meal, and we were surprised again by his target.

He approached me once he'd gotten his food — the entire upper leg of one of the deer, which he was eating off the bone. He sat down beside me on the log I was using for a seat without asking permission, something which even the most backward farmer would know was extremely rude. The buzz of conversation in the camp died down immediately as everyone nearby watched this development. For a few moments, the only sounds the crackling fire and chewing mouths.

I did not even turn to look at him. If he was not going to address me, then I had no reason to acknowledge his presence. I continued to eat, using the spoon the young carpenter had carved for me to scoop up some of the berries. Even in this situation, I exhibited the manners instilled in me since birth. Every motion, from the way I held the cutlery to the manner in which I chewed, had an unmistakable refinement.

He looked down at me with narrowed eyes, chewing loudly with his mouth open. Some of his spittle even made its way onto my shoulder, but I endured. No matter how rude he was, he would be speaking first, not me. I suppressed every physical reaction, not even shaking with the anger I was feeling at this commoner who didn't know his place.

Eventually, he lost his patience. Through a mouthful of venison, he said, "You're a real haughty bitch, eh? We've all been thrown into the middle of the woods but here you are with a bowl and spoon while the rest of us are eating with our hands. Where'd you even get that shit?"

I finished chewing and swallowed, then turned to look at him, meeting his fierce gaze. Rather than replying, however, I turned away to look through the crowd. I quickly spotted the young carpenter, who was among the spectators. I nodded at him.