Rebirth (Trinity Blood Fanfic)

Chapter 10: Cam

Hugue and Leon were seated at a table in a dark corner of the inn. Leon ravaged his face with a large steak and with all the sauce around his mouth, it looked as though he had hunted for the meat himself. Hugue, on the other hand, was recapping the notes he had made about the village of Chamberlain. Things like the current population, the estimated number of potential soldiers and the like. However, he still could not shake the feeling that there was something strange happening.

Leon sliced himself another chunk of red meat and was just about to place it in his mouth when he noticed Hugue's expression. Concerned, he held out the fork to his friend but it was unfortunately declined. Being as stubborn as he was, Leon could not take no as an answer and slowly moved the piece of meat towards him. Despite Hugue's persistent rejection, Leon kept moving forward until the meat hit Hugue's cheek, leaving remnants of red sauce on his face. Hugue looked up in annoyance and quickly wiped off the sauce with a napkin.

"Suit yourself. What's eating at your brain anyway?" Leon asked as he popped the meat in his mouth, chewing incessantly with his mouth open.

Hugue decided to ignore his friend's irritating behaviour. "I don't know. This place just seems strange to me. I mean, I understand that it's a small village but for everything to be so scarce here, it just seems strange. It also doesn't seem like Esther to give up on something like this. Just... Something feels wrong," Hugue explained. He looked at the statistics and supposedly they would be able to gather at least 300 hundred soldiers to add to 1800 men that were already gathered in Grantham, plus the Royal army that numbered 4000. It wasn't much but every able body counted.

Leon was still chewing loudly when the barmaid approached them. She looked to be about Hugue's age, if not younger, with tanned skin and wavy dark brown hair. She was wearing a white shirt underneath a green pinafore that ended just above her knees. Her hair was in a messy bun and her smile shone brighter than the glowing candles in the inn. Needless to say, she was captivating but Hugue was unsure whether it was only because of the fact that she was the only woman in the room.

"Enjoying your meal sir?" The young lady asked cheerfully. Leon nodded with his mouth still full of meat and Hugue shook his head in shame. The young lady just laughed before turning to Hugue. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to order something for yourself sir?" She asked as she flirtatiously batted her eyelashes at him.

Hugue politely declined and the young girl simply nodded. "Alright, well I'm just at the bar if you need anything else." She said joyfully and moved away. Hugue felt refreshed for she seemed to be the only cheerful being in the whole village and he couldn't help but smile slightly.

Leon noticed the change in his friend and he chuckled. "Ah, so that's your type is it? Hey, if you want I'll pay for half," Leon said shamelessly and Hugue glared at him. As the young girl made her way back to the bar, Hugue saw a drunkard give her a hard slap on the buttocks. In return, the girl quickly turned around and punched him square in the nose. Infuriated, he stood over her, staring her down like she was his prey.

Hugue and Leon immediately stood from their seats, ready to step in if needed. Fortunately, it seemed the girl had everything under control for before the predator could lunge at her, she grabbed his wrist and twisted it, throwing him hard onto the table and knocking the patron straight out. The men cheered just for the sake of seeing wreckage and she curtseyed in a most lady-like manner as though the whole spectacle had been some sort of performance.

"Never mind, I don't think she's the prostitute type," Leon said in a low voice as he clapped for her, joining in on the cheering. Hugue, however, was more focused on another figure across the room. He couldn't see much for the figure was hooded, but Hugue had noticed that it had stood with the same urgency they had done, as though in a need to protect the girl. He watched as the figure took its seat again, seemingly keeping a close watch on her as she made her way back to the bar with a smile as though nothing had happened.

A few hours later, the tavern was no longer so crowded and Hugue had his chance to speak to the bartender. Bartenders were excellent sources of information for they would eavesdrop on their customers and learn of rumors and hearsays around their area. This also made them quite good for recruiting soldiers discretely however their help never came without a price. Bartenders were either expensive or they were irrational but they would never turn down an opportunity to gain some extra funds. Unfortunately, it seemed that this could not be said about the bartender of Chamberlain.

Before Hugue could speak, the bartender immediately cut him off. "Whatever business you city fiends have here, I want nothing to do with it. See, I know city dwellers when I see them and whenever you choose to come all the way out here, it only means that there's trouble a'brewing over there. Now we got no help from you so I sure as hell aren't going to put my hand up," the bartender grumbled.

Hugue was taken aback. No help? But Seth said Esther had sent help. Strange... Hugue was lost in thought when the young bar maid from before appeared. She was drying her hands after washing the dirty glasses and she recognized Hugue immediately.

"I knew you'd get hungry eventually. Now, it's a bit late but I wouldn't mind cooking something simple if..." she began cheerfully but she could sense the tension between her boss and this mysterious stranger.

"Cam, if you could escort this gentleman to one of the rooms upstairs. He'll be staying tonight... but only for tonight," the bartender said in a low voice before leaving to clean up the rest of the place. The young girl simply beamed at Hugue before taking a set of keys out from one of the front pockets in her pinafore.

"Follow me Sir. And if you still want something to eat, I'd be more than happy to bring it up to you," she chirped and began leading him up the wooden stairs. Leon was still seated at one of the dirty tables when he looked over excitedly and saw Hugue being led to the stairs by the young girl, Cam.

Leon winked at his friend but Hugue jerked his head in a gesture to follow. Leon still had a cheeky smirk on his face as he rushed over.

"Are you sure you want me joining you?" Leon teased but Hugue hit him in the stomach. Cam had vaguely heard the comment and she couldn't help but giggle.

The stairs led to a candlelit hallway where everything seemed to be made of wood, even the walls. Cam approached the first door and fumbled with the set of keys, analyzing each one carefully.

"So, you're from the city are you? What brings you all the way out here?" Cam asked excitedly. She tried one of the keys on the lock but it didn't fit, causing her to begin fumbling again.

"We're on a romantic getaway. My partner and I just needed to be away from the city," Leon said jokingly and Cam giggled in amusement. Hugue glared at his companion once again.

"Sounds lovely. Forgive me for being so bold but I didn't think those were your preferences. You're both fine young men who, I'm sure, would be able to attract any woman they please," Cam said flirtatiously as she finally found the correct key. Leon chuckled and she swore she could see Hugue going red in the dark.

"Even a woman like you, do you think?" Leon asked jokingly, nudging Hugue slightly. His companion only grunted before entering the now unlocked room.

Cam laughed heartily but her voice became something different. It seemed to become more of a growl. "And what kind of woman do you think I am?"

At such an interesting remark, Hugue squinted his eyes slightly at her. It seemed that her cheery and joyful persona was now replaced with something else, something fierce.

Hugue felt that Leon had noticed this too, but he was able to hide it more easily. "I never meant to offend you young one, nor did I offer any unwanted invitations. I apologize if my remark has made you uncomfortable," Leon said politely with a bow.

Cam's face became bright again, just as it did in the inn beforehand, as though nothing had happened. "Oh no, that's not what I meant Sir. Do not be concerned, I am not offended nor am I uncomfortable. I simply meant that sometimes, things are not as they seem," she chirped. "Have a nice night dear Sirs and may you enjoy your stay."

Cam turned to leave and was just about to close the door behind her but Leon called after her. "What is your name young one?" he asked.

  

Leon and Hugue looked at each other, eyes wide with astonishment at her response. "My name is Cam Blanchett, Sir. Have a nice night."