Of Blood and Duty

Chapter Six • The Newest Addition

-A Stranger- 

Days went by and he saw nothing but the four walls of his quarters. Mae and Hagan took turns bringing him food but no one invited him to leave his abode. Neither did he hear the two, or Evor, argue outside of his door anymore. Having learned that he was listening and could probably use whatever he heard against them. 

Ever so slowly did he get better by each day that dragged itself past. From one morning to the next, his healing body made unhurried progress that nearly had him lose his mind. Being stuck to the confinements of a dark room, mostly lying down in a bed and with nothing else to do than listen to his own breathing or stare out into nothing, was enough for him to long for whoever would walk through the door. Just to see someone could sometimes be the highlight of his day. Although, he was always happier to see Mae than he was to see Hagan. 

Hagan never lingered. He walked straight in with the food, dropped it and left. The man avoided him like the plague. 

Mae lingered at times, but it grossly depended on which mood she was in, or if she had a motive for staying longer than necessary. Sometimes she followed Hagan's plague-avoiding pattern, other times she asked one or two questions. Sneakingly trying to pry information from him that she clearly seemed to think he was withholding from her, or Evor might think he was and got his daughter to do all the work for him. 

Despite the interrogations and crude words Mae threw his way during her visits, he always felt more alone after she had left than he had before she'd entered. Deep inside, he had reluctantly admitted to himself that he was always sad to see her leave... but never made any efforts to make her stay. He wanted to, but knew better than to trust someone just because one were feeling lonely. After all, he knew nothing about her, or this Guild she was a part of. For all he knew, she was repeating everything word he spoke back to someone else. So he let her leave without the slightest objection. Not even if she had forgotten to bring him water did he call her back into his room. 

Each night he was forced to listen to his queen's screams but could never quite hear what she was screaming. Sometimes he thought it might be his name, but he could never remember whatever she was screaming because of how exhausted and haunted the dreams left him. Causing him to forget every last detail other than the excruciating feeling of watching her ride off and knowing that she was on her own and unprotected. Wherever she was off to... Wherever he had sent her. 

It was not until six days after he had been presented to The Guild that the door opened during a time of the day he knew was not part of his regular feedings. Something new was stirring his mundane and bleak life and he was thankful for every part it. Regardless of the fact that he had no idea of what would happen to him next. 

He lifted his gaze toward the door, instantly having to put on a mask of nothing and indifference as soon he noticed the that the tip of the boot which was the first thing crossing the threshold,  belonged to Mae. His heart made a strange thing at the notion that it was her and not Hagan who was entering. It... started beating faster and felt almost lighter. He swallowed, feeling awkwarda and nervous from what was happening to his heart. Not really knowing the sensation or its origin.  

The door swung completely open, she was now completely visible for him from where he sat in his bed. His seemingly unconcerned eyes rose higher, venturing over the trousers she wore, each peace of leather gear hugging her body tightly, like the straps over her thighs which were connected to the belt adorned with knives around her hips. His greedy but discreet eyes went higher, following the front lacing of her leather vest that started just below where he thought her belly button would be, up over her stomach and chest until it ended at her clavicles. It was dyed black just as the long sleeved shirt she wore underneath. Its collar peaking out where the vest ended. The raven black hair was partially done, the front part of it pulled back and secured with a string, to keep her face free from it. Giving her a soft and clean appearance.