Tansy of the Wilds

Chapter Four

"I'm sorry about that, Xer'tal. Sometimes I tend to get on a tangent and I ramble a lot. But it's interesting because that's why the kobolds want to trade with my family. Well specifically because of me but mainly my habit of rambling on and on and on." Tansy took a deep breath in. "But I'm sorry for being so chatty. It's been three days since I really talked to anyone outside of the trees and small animals." She knew what her family would say about her rambling but they weren't there and it was nice to be herself for once and let the words flow out of her like the want to.

Tansy yelped as that large man knocked into her from behind and she went sprawling against her new orc bodyguard. The man didn't even seem to notice he had knocked her over as he got up and launched at the man he had been arguing with. The orc let out a grunt as she collided into him, his large hands automatically reaching out to steady her against his firm chest. She watched, her palms against his wide chest, as his gaze darkened and his brows furrowed before he glared at the drunken men causing the chaos.

"Why you good-for-nothing, pimple-faced, waste of space...!" He growled, his hand tightening around her waist as he raised his large frame from the chair. Her legs dangled over open air for a heart stopping moment before he set her down. Not soon after her feet touched the floor, he was striding towards the two fighters just as they were about to exchange drunken blows.

With one swift move, he seized the one who'd knocked into her by his scruff and flung him across the room. Tansy gasped at the blatant display of strength. It was one thing for him to stand up holding her because she knew she was small enough. But to see him do it to the large drunkard. She watched as the drunk man flew into a pile of crates, creating a loud crash and a chorus of gasps from the other tavern goers, suddenly bringing the raucous noise down to an uneasy murmur.

He tossed the man like he was nothing. Tansy knew strong, she was around lumberjacks day in and day out but no one ever had that type of raw strength. It was the type of strength that she rarely ever saw, throwing logs was one thing, throwing burly men one handed was another.

Her heart fluttered in her chest as Xer'tal turned back to look at her, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Find a room upstairs, Wilde." He instructed her, his voice was a low growl as he shifted his gaze from her to the would-be brawl. "I'll deal with these piss-drunk mice."

Tansy covered her mouth slightly as she watched him stalk back towards the rowdy group. She stared at him with wide eyes. He was so strong. Her belly gave an odd sort of flip that she didn't know if she should even look at. Even in his armour, the breadth of his shoulders was enough to make her breath catch in her chest.

"A'ight, little lady. Let's let Xer'tal the Bloodthirsty sort this out." The barkeep came over and grasped her arm, pulling her back away from where the brawl was starting. Tansy couldn't take her eyes off of Xer'tal, her new personal guard, as he moved with a grace that was surprising given his size as one large fist collided with a man's face with a meaty smack. "I'll give you our nicest room for the night. Two beds so he can bunk down with you."

At his words Tansy turned to look at him. "I can't pay you. I gave everything to Xer'tal as payment." She felt a little perturbed by the realization but she knew it was unavoidable. She needed protection and he was the best she could buy but the barkeep just shook his head.

"It's on us. The tavern will be quiet when he's done. We will need that." He led her to the stairs and then to a far room at the back of the second floor. It was indeed big and there were two beds and Tansy saw a problem right away.

"He won't fit on one bed." She said it softly as she turned to the barkeep and he just shrugged before he left. Tansy huffed out an irritated breath and set out pushing the two smaller beds together to make a larger bed for Xer'tal before she gathered one of the blankets and a pillow before she made herself a bed on the floor.

She smiled as she surveyed her hard work before she crawled into her makeshift bed, curling up for sleep.