Raw Winter

Chapter 43: Loyalty

The old man walked amiably beside Rawintr, saying as they walked, "I don't get many visitors so this is kinda nice. Most of the time I just hang out in the garden. The plants are the all the company I need, but it's nice talking to a person sometimes, right?"

"Yes," Rawintr answered, her eyes flickering between where they were heading and him.

"Nothing to worry about," he told her, patting her shoulder roughly. She felt agitated, but only for a second. He was fine. She had considered starting a garden on the ship and contemplated if he would be interested in that.

"Well, anyway, I know all sorts of side passages. Don't want to track dirt everywhere, you know. The boss doesn't like that. And you're going to kill him, you say?" He asked.

It felt like he was talking too loud, and so she made her voice quieter in response. "I suppose I am. It's something he's due. He ruined my life and more importantly, my mother's life. He's likely done that to many people. I don't believe he deserves to live."

"How old were you when this happened?" He said, and she felt her face heating. He added, "I'm not judging or anything. I just want to know."

"I'm not sure how old I currently am. I think I might have been eight or nine. It could have been ten," she said, shrugging. "I'm aware this is personal. I don't expect you to involve yourself with it if you have a problem with it, but I'll pay you as promised." She knew she had told him she would kill him if he didn't help her, but she was regretting it. She wasn't interested in getting servants involved in her revenge.

"And what about your dad? Where was he during this?" He asked.

"You don't have to answer none of this, captain," Whistle cut in, moving closer, but Rawintr held up her hand.

"It's fine," She muttered. "He's harmless. Does the name Wlyfric mean anything to you?" She felt awkward.

"Oh, are you one of them? It's been said they're a long line of women whose husbands die quick. Aint that it?" He asked, his eyes gleaming.

She nodded, her nose wrinkling. It was strange to hear it from someone else. "I'm sure that can't be true, or at least it's an exaggeration, but yes." She could feel Kircan's eyes on her and she didn't look back.

"But you remembered it, didn't you?" He laughed, "So there's got to be something in it."

She didn't know what to say, so she just gave a soft laugh, unsure if he was joking with her.

"There's someone we've got to be careful about," he said, his bushy eyebrows raising. He held his arm in their way and pointed out a door with light coming from under it. "We've got to go through there, but the guy there practically never sleeps."

"Then why did you bring us this way?" Rawintr grumbled.

Mesmar seemed far off, and Chresher was obediently holding Varnett. Varnett had been quiet, and she glanced at him before looking back at the old man.

"It's not a problem. He's usually lounging around. He's like a tiger or something," the old man said, and Rawintr almost expected there to be an actual tiger behind that door. She didn't know how to feel. People were one thing, but tigers were another. He said, "All we have to do is stay behind the pillars and he won't notice we're there."

"Alright," Rawintr answered, frowning and looking at the others to make sure they agreed. They looked dubious, and Kircan appeared uncomfortable, but also appeared lost in his own thoughts. They nodded, but Whistle stepped forward and took her arm.

She didn't like the way he approached her, but trusted him enough not to flinch. She leaned in as he asked, "Do you think we can trust this man?"

"I don't know," Rawintr admitted, "but he's probably just enjoying having company."