Severance: Sword and Fang

Sword and Fang {P.III}

Having spoken with the woman for as briefly as he had, Saaryn concluded immediately that a badger would submit before she ever did. He expected her to disregard his instructions to return to Glesh and follow him regardless of the dangers the forest presented. He even expected her to try and banter with him along the way. What he did not expect, however, was for her to blather nearly as much as she did. The mercenary's ears could have detached and she'd have notice.

The moment the woman caught up to his horse, however, the mount experienced a very sudden and violent panic attack and began snorting and bucking wildly. Saaryn was nearly thrown from the saddle, and the bay only calmed down once the woman backed away a considerable distance, much to her disliking. Even then the horse refused to walk too close to the stranger.

They finally decided to walk on opposite sides of the road, and Saaryn found himself often reigning his mount back in after it tried several times to slink even further away. It clearly did not like the presence of this woman. Saaryn had hoped the distance between them would deter the redhead from prattling anymore.

He was wrong.

"...anyways, you never asked my name."
"I know."
It was first thing he had said in some time.
"Well since you are so obviously dying to know, it is Cerysipha. Though if it pleases you, you may refer to me simply as 'Cerys'. My given name is rather a mouth full, I'm aware, but blame befalls my pretentious mother. What is your name, then?"

Saaryn did not answer, but he did repeat Cerysipha's name several times in his head. It was an oddly comely name. A noble one.

"I suppose I will have to guess for myself, right? Very well, I will play your game, mercenary. But only this once, to pass the time. Damarus."
"No."
"Edward."
"No."
"Alecius."
"No."
"Hmm. What about a menacing name, then? You have a menacing demeanor, high up there on that horse with that sword. Raider."
"What? That's not even a name. Besides, what is it you think I do, raid things?"
"I suppose you're right. You are a mercenary, you collect money by completing contracts for your employers. But mercenary is a ridiculous name. What about Azro? An ominous name, if not menacing. I'm sure others of a more gullible nature may find you ominous."

"That name is equally ridiculous."

Cerysipha smiled and giggled childishly to herself. The horse flinched at the sound.

"If you do not tell me your name, then I shall have no other option than to refer to you as Azro. For 'mercenary' is a ridiculous name, remember?"

Saaryn sighed heavily and finally yielded.
"Saaryn. 'Unburned', if it pleases you.  That is the name those of a more gullible nature call me."

Cerysipha's grin widened with contemptment, obviously pleased in her moment of triumph.

"I like Azro better. Unburned you say? How 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. I'm not of a gullible nature, however, so Saaryn will suffice. I would say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I think you'll agree this wasn't the most delightful of introductions."

"Agreed."

"So, Saaryn. May I inquire about your nationality? If you're not to make me guess again, that is."
"I hail from Laventha, in Vyrnevan."
"The great port city Laventha? My my, prestigious. I never took you for a nobleman."
"Because I'm not. My home resided outside the city, in a small town. No lords and ladies there."
"Ah, that's more sensible. I've heard that only nobles and the wealthy lived in the port city, and you appear to not fit either of those descriptions."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. That doesn't explain your name, however. In Vyrnevan is it not customarily exclusive to patricians to possess a 'Y' in their name?"
"My mother had high hopes for me." 
"So did mine. Pray tell, what was your vocation before becoming a mercenary?" 
"I was a soldier."
"You served in the army? You fought in the war, then. Does Vyrnevan's defeat and Queen Jacquelyn's surrender perturb you?"
"I didn't care. Don't care."
"Is that why you left, because you didn't care?"
"No. I was discharged."
"I see. That is unfortunate. Why?"