Scout Stories: Bruised Beginnings

Old Friends

The town was full of houses with low windows and curved thatched roofs. Some people grew vegetables in their gardens, some grew flowers. Other gardens just grew wild. It was like a dozen other villages Cuno had been in. There was nothing out-of-sorts that Cuno could detect while walking through. He was sent there for a reason though. It was best to keep an eye out.

Cuno didn't know he was looking for, but kept walking. He had gotten nothing out of his boss. She had laughed at him. She was always laughing about him, but there had been something more. She always unsettled him, but the way she had smirked had sent shivers down his spine. She told him that he would know the guy when he saw him. That wasn't unusual. Cuno had gotten good at reading people. He needed to learn that skill early on. His job wasn't the only thing at risk if he trusted the wrong person. It was a good thing he had gotten a head start on dealing with despicable people in his youth.

He shook his head at the thought. That girl had gotten under his skin. He was still living out his damn youth. He was still in his twenties-technically-and no one with any sense could call that old. Maybe he should have taken her brother's side in that argument. Okay so that would be a bit too childish.

He came to the shops after a few minutes walking. They were only distinguishable from the houses by the signs hanging above the doors. Most of the doors were shut, the window shutters closed. Which meant that he was probably too late getting there to talk to the guy. Unless he somehow found out where he lived. Could he convince the guards to tell him that? Not likely. He was a stranger in town, and giving out home addresses wasn't something most people would do anyway. There had to be some place he could stay though. The town was small but not too small for an inn. Although he might not have enough money for an inn. Still, if worst came to worst, he could sleep in the main hall under a table or something. It wouldn't be comfortable but his muck up early meant that he didn't deserve comfort. That's what his boss would tell him.

As he walked, he saw a couple walk out of one of the shops and close the door.

The woman was quite pretty so ,naturally, she drew Cuno's attention first. She had a nice laugh. It wasn't a silly giggle but a rich sound that made him smile. It was a nice thing to stumble upon. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't jealous. Things like this always made him feel that envious twinge in his gut. He noticed the way she held onto the man's hand and smiled at him. She was younger than he was, but they were clearly a couple.

Cuno turned his gaze to the man and froze.

That couldn't be right. That twinge Cuno felt turned to burning and his eyes started to sting. He needed to blink. He closed his eyes and shook his head, taking in a deep breath. That couldn't be right. He looked up again and stared at the man. His heart sank. The man wasn't similar, he was the same.

He understood why the boss had laughed when he had asked for more details. Cuno clenched his fists and rubbed his thumb along the outside of his fingers. He felt the fabric and tried to take comfort in it. This sick trick fit well with her type of humour.

Cuno knew what the job was now. He knew why he was there. He took another deep breath. The man was fiddling with keys. Soon he would lock the door and leave with the girl. Cuno couldn't let that happen.

The man hadn't spotted him yet. He was too taken up with the girl. Not that Cuno could blame him.

Not for that, at least.

Cuno sighed, his heart tearing in his chest. It was the first time in a long time that he hated his job more than anything. Still, it had to be done. Someone had to do it. He rushed forward.

"Hey! Wait!" he called out. "Don't close the shop."

The couple turned as one. The girl was too busy looking at Cuno to notice how the man's face paled. Cuno noticed how the man's fist clenched and stopped just out of reach. The girl smiled at him with a bemused expression. She was completely unaware of the tension. Her being there was the sole reason that there wasn't some kind of disaster.

"Is something the matter?" asked the girl. She had kind eyes. Thankfully, she had no idea that it felt like those eyes were stabbing into his heart. Cuno smiled back at her.

"What do you want?" snapped the man.

His tone made her look at him, concern etched on her face.

"Joe?" she asked.

Cuno ignored this and kept smiling at both of them.

"Sorry about this," he said. "The guards at the gate sent me this way. I wanted some information before I packed up my life for a job."

"Are you looking for your fortune told?" asked the girl.

Cuno shook his head, keeping the fixed smile. This had to go right. He couldn't muck it up and let her get caught in the middle of it.

"No, nothing like that," he said. "I want to know about the man I'm going to work for. My dad always said that 'You can do any job so long as you like the people'."

"Your dad did?" asked the man.

The man knew well who had said that to Cuno. He said that line to everyone.

"Yup," said Cuno. Part of him was baiting the man. Part of him wanted to see what would happen. "Smart man, my dad. Anyway, the guards told me that you were the guy to talk to."

"They did?" asked the man. The girl was looking at him again. She was starting to get worried. Cuno didn't want that. Everyone had to stay calm for this to work.

"Plus, you sell supplies, right?" he said. "Like protected tents and stuff? I could use some of those."

The man digested this for a moment.

"Alright. So the guards told you come this way," said the man. "But who told you to come to this village?"

"Joe, you're being rude."

The girl took a step away from him. Cuno didn't know whether this was a good or bad thing. He knew what he hoped, though.

Cuno waved the girl off.

"Don't worry about it. I would be wary of a stranger asking about me as well. There was an apple-seller up the road. She told me where I could find you."

"Una?" asked the girl.

"I think that was her name," said Cuno, scratching behind his ear. None of this was lies. The apple-seller had told given him directions and her name might have been Una. It also might have been The Great Killer Of Wasps, for all he knew.

"Well that explains it." The girl clapped her hand together. "She's my aunt. She always sends people Joe's way. Mind you, it's not nepotism-he's the best at what he does."

"I don't doubt it." Cuno smiled at the man. "It's nice to meet you."

Cuno held out his hand, and the man froze. The girl didn't. She placed the back of her hand against his palm. Cuno concentrated until she slid it away. The man stepped forward, eyes wide, but stopped when he saw the gloves Cuno was wearing. As soon as she released him, Cuno relaxed.

Then the man shook Cuno's hand like they did across the sea. He grip was so tight that Cuno's knuckles ground together. Cuno kept his easy smile and didn't let his discomfort show.

"We were about to head home," said the man.

The girl rounded on him.

"You aren't going to turn him away after he's come all this way?"

"We have plans...Your parents-"

"-Will understand," she said, opening the door to the shop. "Now, you go help this man. I'll explain it to them. Go on."

She ushered both men, ignoring both Cuno's thanks and the man's complaints. She gave her partner a kiss before leaving and closing the door behind her. The man groaned and stared after her.

Cuno leaned against a wall until the man turned to him. They stared at each other in silence for a couple of seconds.

"You could have thought up a better name than that, Thom," asked Cuno. "I mean. Honestly. What kind of name is Joe?"

Note: Anyone guess what Cuno's job might be yet?

Anyone guess how he knows this guy?

Anyone guess how much I love votes and comment?