Raising her gaze to Bard in a skeptical manner, Lizzy quietly watched him, her reaction barely there as he spoke. Whatever he tried next would suck the remaining energy that trickled through her. His next comment seemed to help jumpstart it a bit, though. Mutt, had he really just given her a nickname? It wasn't as if he actually cared enough to call her by her name, not that he even knew it, or did he? By now her head was in such a terrible, throbbing state that the events that not much made sense or was given an incredible amount of thought. Her body was in survival mode.
"What did you just call me?" she asked, the words barely audible in her cracked tone as they sent pain shooting through her lips. From the cold sea air and her lack of water the once sensitive, smooth skin help deep cracks which were painted crimson from the slightest movement, In truth she was just trying to buy time to figure out her reaction. One wrong move and she doubted that it would make him loose sleep at breaking his hand against her face; jus like the man in the village. But, at the same time she couldn't just give in, right? This man had taken everything from her; family, home, friends and her freedom. She didn't owe him anything, including her respect.
"Unless I stuttered, which I don't do, I believe I called you 'mutt'," Bard answered, a small, amused smirk crossing his lips. It was as if he knew her game. He was the cat in this game and she the mouse. Her next move determined everything.
"At least that's better than a cold, heartless brute such as yourself," Lizzy muttered, faking a calm, uncaring tone, a slight rise raising her right shoulder in complete ease. He wasn't the only one that could use a casual smirk as an advantage.
"Brute?!" Bard's voice rang out, a crack snapping through his cold facade for a coupe brief moments a sure footed, menacing step closing the distance between them; probably hoping that it might trigger a fear filled domino effect from her. It would be so much easier and would probably score him a much larger pay off, if he decided to sell her if she just gave in. The game could be just as much fun as the reward though. As if on cue she simply leaned forward, meeting his advance with one of her own. "I guess a 'cold, heartless brute such as myself needs someone to warm him at night, don't you think, sweetheart?" He asked, the calm smirk returning as a plan formed. He would take a special interest in this one. If being close to him was what she hated most she was in for a rude awakening.
As much as Lizzy tried to push down the feeling of repulsion that radiated through her from Bard's comment, she couldn't hide the small signs that filtered through. A small shudder ran through her body as a half-terrified half-disgusted look settled into her tired gaze.
"Is a mutt good enough for such a mighty man as yourself?" she finally managed to get out, hoping he hadn't noticed her small slip up. The slight puff to his chest and the sparkling look in his eyes told a different story.
"Why don't we find out, what do you say?" he asked, although she honestly didn't have a choice in the matter. Everyone knew that.
Without another word he reached into the cage, ignoring the other subdued prisoners as he latched onto her. She would learn.
"Hey!" Lizzy snapped, too tired to have seen his hand coming. As she came flying from the cage her hands scraped against the deck as she fought to get a grip, some leverage, anything. With only scrapes against her hands to show, though, she was out of the deck and at his feet, her chest heaving from the effort an adrenaline.
Before she could even stand he was off and pulling her across the deck, seeming to be completely immune to her struggles, insults and several kicks against his shins. Maybe she should have just kept her mouth shut.
~Short chapter once again. Sorry guys, I just wanted to get an update out. The next one will be longer. I promise =) What should happen next? Please vote and comment!~
