The Bounty of Love

Chapter 8

She didn’t have to go far. She almost ran right into him as she busted back through the tavern door.

He stood in front of her, his gear slung over his shoulder. “Looking for someone little Fox?” he smiled at her.

She rushed to hug him but stopped short remembering the 2 cheap shots he took.
 “I’m fine. Could use a drink though.” He chuckled as he put an arm over her shoulder and walked with her back inside.
He made his way up the stairs as she stopped and grabbed a couple of beers from the bar before following him up. He tossed his gear in a chair as he stepped out of his boots before he plopped on the bed. She did the same as she handed him his drink before she sat opposite him.

“Are you sure your ok?” she queried.
“A bit sore but nothing a good nights sleep won’t fix. Besides how did you do on the games my little Fox,” he replied, smiled when she perked up.

“I matched your prize money for sure! So we are two-thousand gold extra.” She beamed.

He pointed to the clear bowl sitting on the table, “And you won a bowl?”

 She shook her head. “Um no. It was a goldfish. I um got hungry watching the fights and I um ate it.” She blushed.
He laughed loudly, his hand shot to his stomach as his laugh turned into a winced chuckle.

She moved up the bed next to him, panic on her face.

He took her face in his hand and kissed her sweetly, “I’m ok I promise. Just need some sleep.”

She licked his nose. “You need to eat first. You go get cleaned up I’ll run down and get it,” she said as she stood up. “And don’t forget the herbs. They work wonders.” She kissed his forehead and doddled off downstairs.

She wasn’t entirely prepared for what she walked into. Thorn had the guard and barkeep up by the throat. She went for a throwing knife realizing all her gear is up stairs. She grinned and lunged at him. Her claws catching him square in the back. He dropped them both with a loud crash. She skidded to a stop on her heals and licked her claws.

“You taste as bad as you look.” She smirked as she leapt again aiming for his neck.
Thorn was still coming off the sleeping herbs, she could taste that, but he was still fast as he caught her by the shoulder mid air, and she snapped at his neck. She caught a glance behind him and stopped struggling; at the top of the stairs she caught the glint of an arrow. She kicked her feet up and into his jaw as Love let the arrow fly hitting Thorn right in the temple. Fox skirted to the side as he fell with a loud thud. She was licking her claws as Love jogged to her.

“You shouldn’t eat that it’s bad for you.” He said as he stooped down to look at her shoulder. It was bruised for sure. “I think it might be dislocated dear.” He remarked.
She tilted her head to see her shoulder, nodded before gripping her bicep and forced it back into place with an audible grunt.

“No problem. However we now have a dead Bounty and they wanted him alive.” She said as she walked over to Thorn, spat upon and kicked his corpse.

 The guard stood up. “Look miss I came to collect with live Bounty payment.  Take it for the trouble I won’t say a word.” He placed a leather sack in her palm.

She smiled at Love as he was helping the barkeep.

He dusted themselves off, “Yes a thank you is due. Take whatever bottle you want I’ll have someone bring food up to you.”
Love grabbed a couple of whatever was close to him as he caught up to her, she gave thanks and headed upstairs.