Daydreams And Nightshade (DaN #1)

Chapter 22: Paddle drum

Another rock was forcefully pushed under the cart's wheel with little result. The wheel was still firmly stuck in thick mud and the soldiers soon gave up on trying to pull the cart up once again. Deshayes stood on the side, partly calming and partly enticing the horse attached to the carriage with some grass. They wouldn't unfasten it from the cart just yet. A horse was supposed to be strong enough to help pull it out of the mud after all.

A lot of swearing and orders about more rocks or twigs were shouted and men quickly scattered around the camp. The prisoner trio followed them with their gazes and Noah licked his swollen lips before continuing his story.

"And that's why Luna had stormed out that morning and I woke up to a mess of Father pacing around, having sent Vincent and a servant to look for Luna while trying to figure out what to do."

"But you're telling us your sister got engaged to Finn? Not you?" Cassius interrupted.

"I never said I got engaged to Finn, we just..." Noah trailed off, his brow furrowing. "I'll... get to that."

"You went behind your sister's back and did stuff anyway," Winton concluded with a huff, and Noah rapidly shook his head.

"No, Luna knew what was going on with me and Finn. She just didn't care much. Finn wasn't her type to begin with and the arrangement didn't exactly make him seem prettier in her eyes. Besides, after what—" He stopped, clearing his throat. "Now anyway, if I may continue, after I got downstairs—"

"I have a question," Winton interrupted, and Noah exhaled through his nose.

"What?"

"What was Finn's reaction to your ghost stories?"

Noah's eye only twitched briefly before attempting a frustrated smile.

"Not you too, Winton. Enough with Finn."

Cassius couldn't help but laugh at this, and Calvez suddenly turned around where he stood.

"Oh, funny, huh?" He began stomping over and Cassius bit his lip.

"No, that wasn't what I was—"

Calvez slapped him across the face.

"I cannot understand when you talk like that! Why not talk normally, you toothless slut? You think cart being stuck is funny? Well I hope you had a good laugh!"

Calvez readied his fist again and Cassius raised his shoulders to prepare for the next impact. Noah wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to explain the situation but he doubted it would matter at this point.

Another hit landed against Cassius' jaw and he released a sharp gasp. Winton turned his head away and Noah considered doing the same. They couldn't make the situation better; only let it blow over as smoothly as a beating could. Cassius glanced over at him, eyes full of fear and dread and Noah gritted his teeth.

He wanted to support him somehow, but how? Smile? Smile while he took another punch to his face? Would a sympathetic expression be any better though? Calvez placed his boot against Cassius' face and pushed, smearing mud over his cheek and nose. Then he looked over at Noah.

"You into this or something? The way you keep staring. Maybe you want a taste?"

Noah didn't reply as Calvez stepped away from Cassius and grabbed his shirt.

"Always the fancy ones. The most fucked up of them." He grinned widely, showing gums and yellowed teeth. Noah finally averted his gaze but Calvez wouldn't let him off that easy. "Hey! Answer me!"

"Get back here and help out, Calvez! We deal with them later!" Marteau called from the stuck cart and Calvez turned back briefly to spit in Noah's face.