Brothers.

17

"Thank you so much, but it is unnecessary. I cannot accept your wife's torque, " Josh handed the chain of gold back to the man.

He shook his head and thrust it back in Josh's hands. The grey man said in a shaky voice to Josh, "No, you saved us. This is the least I can give you," he closed Josh's fingers over the torque, "Please take it."

Josh smiled and tucked the necklace into a pocket on his pants. Margeau would look beautiful in it. He picked up the axe at his feet and collected the assortment of utensils from hammers to small goblets, into his arms and quickly walked back to the hut.

He slammed the door shut behind him with his foot and released everything in his arms. Josh followed the tumbling objects to the floor as he slid down the door. He drew his fingers through his hair, "I think I'm going to suffocate. I cannot go anywhere without someone praising or showering me with gifts!" he buried his face in his hands and sighed deeply, "I've never received so much appreciation for killing people."

"I bet you've never saved an entire village before, Josh. We're only grateful, " Vlad said above him.

Josh raised his head. Vlad, Dimka and Margeau sat at the small table enjoying a plate of unknown food. Nikita's white furs lied on the chair facing the window.

Josh relaxed his legs and rested his head against the door, "Excuse me if I'm rude, but Vlad, what are you doing here again?"

"I'm checking up on the Mage of Rusk and maybe to enjoy Margeau's deer, " Vlad answered him.

Josh sighed and rose to his feet. He walked over to the table, kicking a bronze pot out of his way, and fell down on the empty chair. His finger poked into Dimka's meal and Josh smiled at the great taste, "Hmmmmm, this is good, Margeau. Be a doll and give me a plate as well?"

Margeau smiled and handed him a plate. Josh nodded his thanks, "I almost forgot!" Josh dug the torque out of his pocket and tossed it on the table. It made a loud clustering sound as it slid over the table.

Margeau picked it up with big eyes. She marvelled at its gleam and stared at Josh, "Where did you find this? I must be worth four or five deer!"

Josh waved it off and skimmed down to his seventh verta brae, "Some villager gave it to me. It used to be his wife's."

Margeau raised her eyebrows and placed her present back on the table. She didn't look at it again, but Josh did not care. For what it's worth, she could throw it away and he wouldn't blink an eye.

"HELP!" A cry rose up outside the hut.
"Please help this woman!"

Josh glanced at Dimka and as if by a telepathic signal, the two of them stormed out of their house.

A crowd stood near the hut. Whispers were exchanged and Josh heard talk about wonder at the woman being alive. Some said she should have died already while others sneered at her nudity.

Josh slowly made his wat through the people to see what all of this commition was about. What could stir such an uproar in a short time?

But he received the answer soon enough.

Blood stained the snow. Blood that ran from the woman's nose, ears and it seemed, her entire body. Her nakedness was barely covered by the shift she wore. The hem had pulled up along her tights, almost exposing what was never to be seen. Brown eyes stared at him. Pain the only emotion.

Luciana was in a terrible condition.

Her chest was heaving as she drew quick, anxious breaths. Coughs attacked her randomly accompanied with blood-filled spittle.

"J-J-sssssshh, " Luciana croaked. She held out a pale hand to Josh that was trembling horribly.

Josh fell down on his knees beside her. He took her hand in his asked, "Is it you, Luciana?"

She looked at him, her brown eyes bewildered. Luciana squeezed his hand and said something in gibberish. Tears made marks on her red cheeks.

Josh looked around him at the crowd. They stood there in astonishment, watching him and the woman.

He wormed his arms under Luciana's frail form and lifted her into the air. She was as light as a feather. Luciana buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her breath shallow, but warm against his skin.

"What are you doing, Josh?!" Dimka cried when he pushed through the open door into the hut.
Margeau and Vlad jumped to their feet at the sight of him. Josh carried Luciana to his bedroom where he laid her on his bed. She was already unconscious and didn't budge when Josh moved her. He went to his knees beside her and wiped a long strand of black hair out of her dirty face. Josh stroked her cheek, he whispered, "Luciana, my dear, what have they done to you?"

But she did not answer him nor would she for a long time. It was Margeau who spoke instead behind him, "What is going on, Josh? Who is this lady and what happened to her?"

Josh closed his eyes and rested his face near Luciana's face for a moment. Then he stood up and returned to the main room.

"She's from the same place as me," Josh said.

He fell down on the chair where Nikita's furs were draped around. He frowned at them and threw them on the ground, "What is this? Did you not bury Nikita with his clothes?!"

"No, we took them to gave to you. It is customary for the winner of a fight to take the other's warrior's furs," said Vlad from behind Josh.

Josh nodded.

"How can she be from where ever you are?" Margeau's sharp voice cut through the air and Josh's ears. Josh heard her walk over to him, he looked up at her with tired eyes, "What?"

"I think you have some explaining to do, Josh. It is not a  common thing, people showing up from the same place both half dead. What are you?"

"I... I just can't tell you, it would ruin everything." Josh lowered his head. He wanted to tell them the truth and under different circumstances he may have done it now, but with Luciana here he couldn't risk being thrown out for being a murderer.

And he didn't want to confront it out loud that he was what he was. It was self-centered, but Josh didn't care, he should start putting himself first.

"I don't know what you are hiding, Josh, but your secrecy won't win you loyalty, " Margeau said and Josh believed her.

Ever since his fight with Nikita, Margeau had acted differently around him and now he knew why, she didn't trust him.

Josh stood up, "Well, Margeau, I do not hold it against you, " he walked to the door that faced the woods, "If anyone need me, I will be washing the blood off Luciana."

He left to go fetch water outside.