FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
MARDICHI - Elsabet Tends A Barbarian

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

MARDICHI

“I bloody well ‘ate all of ye! Where is me alehorn? An’ some ale!”

Isn’t me suffering enough for ye?

“I only have sherry and wine in this castle.” Sebastian yelled from several chambers over.

Why?

“Wine?” Mardichi’s voice was shrill. Something clattered. “Tha’s a gel’s drink!”

“Would you like some?” Bast materialized, to offer from the doorway.

Implying I’m a lass. Clever bastard. Mardichi lay under the coverlet like someone blanketed a toppled tree trunk. He’d bled through fabric bandages on his arms and legs and well-through the linens.

“Oh, look!” Bast pointed. “You’ve bled through my bedding.”

I’m so sorry, ye spoiled devil!

“I apologize me gapin’ wounds bled through yer precious satin bed cover.” Mardichi said waspishly.

“My, you are unpleasant when you’ve not had ale a few days.”

No! I’m bloody well unpleasant always-

“Days!” Mardichi cried. “It’s been days! Me big body may shu’ down! I may lose manly functions if I dunno’ ’ave sustenance soon!”

“I’ve brought you food.”

Not good enough!

“I need sustenance.”

“You have eaten.”

Not what I mean and ye know it!

“I need sustenance.” Mardichi insisted with a meaningful glower.

“If you’re implying that ale is your sustenance, I’m going to continue to ignore you.”

I should choke your narrow neck!

“I need sustenance!”

“You need to heal.” Bast countered. Walking over to lift the coverlet and peer under it. Assessing the state of the wounds.

Screw bloody healing.

If I cannot do it drunk, I don’t want to do it atall!

What’s he peering at? Get yer own!

Mardichi slapped his hands on the blanket roughly. “Stop tryin’ ta peer at me. Sate yer curiosity elsewhere!” He roared.

Bast looked disgusted. Brows furrowed. “You do know you are wearing clothes?”

I am?

They burnt off.

“No. I lit ’em on fire. Burned ‘em off. I’m fair certain ye carried me up ta the castle with me manhood wobblin’ near yer thin neck.”

“That would be accurate.” Bast enunciated, paling at the traumatic memory of Deragan handing him over and telling him to take him to WaterRose to heal. They’d met up at Rosewynn where Deragan had hauled the man. Knowing Bast would be too worn out to do the entire trek carrying the massive weight.

Thankfully.

Bast cleared his throat as he tried to suppress his horror at the experience of being entirely too close to Mardichi. “But you’ve clothes on now.” He squeaked.

How? What man dared put his hands on me? He felt minutely violated.

“Who dressed me?” Mardichi nearly whimpered.

I’m no child needing robed by another man!

“My valkyrie Elsabet.”

She what?

“You let her touch me? What if she’d have taken a chunk out of me?” Betrayal was written over Mardichi’s face. “I’ve heard the men speak of your wench.”

“I’m no wench. And I’ve no taste for barbarian. Too chewy.” Elsabet murmured from the doorway. Both men stared at her. She looked serene in a shimmering silk dress. A matching silver circlet drawing her long braid from her forehead to expose large deep blue eyes. Tiny metal flowers dangled from her ears. And a silver vine wound her arm to encircle her wrist.

A fine figure and face!

“That’s your valkyrie?” Mardichi looked at Bast wide eyed in shock. “She does no’ look the evil skin eater they say. She may tend me wounds.”

“I already did.” She said softly.

“You may again.” He tossed the blanket aside to reveal his soaked shirt and breeches.

“I see you’ve soiled your clothes.” She commented drawing closer.

“Tha’s blood. No’ shit.” Mardichi corrected.

She sent him a sideways glance but didn’t bother to correct his assumption soiled meant feces.

“Oh, now you’ll let one tend you?” Bast asked dryly.

“Just this one.” Mardichi pointed.

“Mardichi…”

“I think it’d be fair if fer once, one o’ us stole a bit from ye?” Mardichi looked passed Elsabet’s arm, as she peeled off the bandages, to give Bast a meaningful look.

Bast’s chin hitched. He pulled out his dagger and gestured to his nether loins where he mimicked a cutting motion. Giving Mardichi a purposeful look.

Mardichi lifted a brow and mouthed. You’re too tiny. Like a wee gel.

“What did you say?” Elsabet asked, seeing his mouth moving.

“Nothing, Sweet Thing. It’s quite good of you to tend me so.”

“Oh, you can suddenly enunciate and speak properly!” Bast tossed his arms in disgust and stalked from the room in aggravation.

“What’s wrong with him?” Elsabet frowned after him.

“Bah! He’s moody like a wench.” Mardichi confided.