Worth Is Measured In Love

Chapter 19

Natsu was left feeling very disturbed by today's events, he just couldn't believe the horror that he had just witnessed. Not only did an innocent man suffer a most cruel punishment, but so many people found amusement in watching him suffer. How could anyone laugh at such a horrid display? Where was their humanity? Their compassion? Their knowing of right and wrong? It was times like these where he felt sick to his stomach over how far the human race could fall.

Unable to get the awful image out of his mind, he decided to seek out something to replace it. An image that was much more pleasing to the eye. So he joined up with some of his fellow soldiers at the local tavern to drink and fool around with the serving wenches. Unfortunately though, even with all the beer he could drink and all the willing ladies he could bed, he still couldn't forget Gray's suffering. Nor could he forget the indifference Mard had showed to the victim. What kind of man in his position would just ignore the obvious display of injustice?

"Hey soldier boy, what's bothering you?"

His troubled thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of a tavern maid pouring him a re-fill. A rather fetching young brunette with a figure that could tempt even a holy man.

"Cana?" He asked, recognizing her despite how many years had passed since he last saw her.

"Who were you expecting? Anne Boleyn?"

Natsu smiled at her warmly and they shared a long awaited embrace, his earlier melancholy briefly forgotten and replaced by joy.

"Gee, it's great to see you."

"Likewise. You know everyone told me that you wouldn't come back but I knew you would. You're not that easy to get rid of."

"Ha-ha, very funny." He laughed dryly. "So what are you doing here?"

"Well as you know, since my old man's employer passed, the servitude business has been slow and Father has never been much of a farmer. I needed to look for new work or we'd starve."

"And you want to work here?" He gestured toward the group of drunk men, cat calling toward her.

Cana rolled her eyes.

"It's a living."

"Well if any of them ever get fresh, you just let me know and I'll give em a good thrashing."

"Oh that's funny coming from you, why you're probably the biggest flirt in all of London."

"Hey nothing wrong in noticing a pretty face."

"Hmmph! That's what they all say. Speaking of which, I'm surprised you haven't tried to seduce any of my fellow serving wenches yet. Something bothering you?"

"I'm just recovering from a very disturbing scene I saw."

"You're talking about that beat down at the square today?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Word travels fast, and events like that are very common around here."

"They are?"

"Yes. Just last week, one man was hanged for supposedly trying to steal the crown jewels."

"You say supposedly, you believe that he was innocent?"

"Well I don't know if he was or not, he wasn't given a trial."

"What?! But according to the law, all accused are entitled to a fair trial before the judge and the royal court to plead his or her case, before any and all sentencing."

"That maybe the law but the judge is not following it. So far he's locked up or executed anyone who's accused of something and he never gives any of the accused a chance to defend themselves."