Switched ~ a Fractured Fairytale

Chapter Seventeen ~ Heroic Deeds and Dire Warnings

'Killian?' I said, my jaw dropping. 'What on earth are you doing here?'

'Elia...' Killian looked lost for words. His eyes travelled over my dusty travelling cloak and mud-stained dress. 'You... your...'

I sat down beside him, stunned. He was wearing the same old leather boots and dusty overcoat as when he had first arrived at the palace. He looked a little travel-worn, but otherwise he was exactly the same. Bear poked his nose out from under the table and licked my hand, his tail wagging happily.

'I thought you were at the palace,' he said.

'I'm going to rescue Alastair,' I said.

'You can't be...' he said, staring, open-mouthed, at me. 'I am!'

I stared at him in surprise and couldn't help the bubble of laughter that erupted. I began laughing uncontrollably and soon, Killian joined in, both stunned at the absurdity of the situation.

'When did you leave?' I asked.

'That afternoon,' he said. 'After we returned from the council meeting.'

I remembered Killian striding purposefully towards the stables as King Percival sent me to check on Olive.

'I left that night,' I said.

'Well, great minds obviously think alike,' Killian chuckled. He smiled at the barmaid and ordered another plate of roast lamb and potatoes. 'I'm surprised we didn't meet on the road.'

'You had a head start,' I said. 'I've been keeping to the back roads, mostly.'

'Smart thinking,' he said.

The barmaid returned with Killian's food, and as she set the food between us and turned back to the bar, the large man sitting at the table beside me reached out and groped her, his hand slipping down the back of her dress. She tried to dodge it, but his other arm pulled her tight against him.

'Sir, please let me go,' she said in a soft but firm voice. I had the feeling this was not an unusual occurrence.

'Aw, what's the matter, pretty?' the man said, leering at her.

'I have to return to my work,' she said, trying to extricate herself from his grip.

'You can work for me, sunshine!' one of the men sitting opposite jeered. 'Have some fun with us!'

'Excuse me,' Killian said loudly. 'I believe she said no.'

'What's it to you?' the man said, turning his drunken gaze upon Killian. 'You want some of her, do ya?'

'No, I do not,' Killian said.

The man stood, swaying slightly, and shoved the barmaid away. Killian stood too, freeing his arms from his cloak and glaring down at the man. Bear growled, his hackles raised.

'Killian,' I said cautiously, but he ignored me, continuing to glare at the man.

'Apologise to her,' Killian said.

'Oh, sod off back to whatever hole you crawled out of,' the man said.

He took a wild swing at Killian, who ducked and shoved him in the chest, sending him sprawling backwards, his arms flailing as he crashed to the floor. The tavern fell silent as everyone turned to stare at Killian. The man slowly got to his feet and glared at Killian. With a roar like a bull, he charged at Killian and they both crashed into a wall, overturning a chair and spilling beer across the floor. The man keeled over, unconscious, and Killian slumped against the floor, his gaze cross-eyed. The two men who had been sitting with the first took advantage of Killian's disorientation to charge at him. Killian shook his head, his gaze refocusing on the two men. He crouched into a fighter's stance and raised his fists.