Episode 10:The Gambler
2012 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
Tyrion lifted a bottle that was colored green.
"This is what we call our 'thundergod potion'," he handed it to me.
I reluctantly took it and studied it carefully.
He then sighed, "If it was lupus, he would've been a perfect specimen for the study."
"My father is not some lab rat!" I hissed.
"Well you're the one who gave him poppy seeds, that didn't heal nothing, just prolonged his suffering," he countered back.
It hurt so much. Why was he so cruel? And I was supposed to be under his watch while Dom was gone? I was already crying, and he brought the tears right back!
"It isn't entirely your fault," he sighed, scratching the back of his head, "You weren't a doctor nor had the resources, so I don't blame ya."
"You seem to know a lot about medicinal herbs," I sobbed, trying to pull myself together.
I was pissed that I couldn't stop crying! I was hurt and frustrated that this man could just say words like that effortlessly. But I did have to be strong, a weak woman could never make it out here in the southern borders.
"I am more than the right hand of Lord Dom, I am the medicinal alchemist of the southern borders. Tyrion, pleased to meet your acquaintance," he bowed.
"Ry-"
He interuppted me, "Ryanna, yes I know."
So much for introductions.
"Thundergod potions consist of triptery- gium wilfordii, a vine that grew within the southeast Chinese Dynasty territory. It was a hard voyage to get these and the warriors were not fond of us harvesting their medicinal crops." Tyrion let out his palm asking for it back, "Before you drop it like the seeds."
I could feel my tears getting hot, and the steaming sound out of my ears was not coming from the boiling cauldron.
"Well, we are to be with one another for a week. If you survive me, then you can survive the borders," he about faced and walked back to put the potion in its place.
"Lucky me..." I mumbled.
"Is that sarcasm I hear?" he sounded amused, "I see why Lord Dom might take a liking to you."
He looked back at me, "I mean not like it renders to my dark humor, but a little is better than none, I suppose."
I felt like I should just stay mute until Dom came back. As a matter of fact, I think I'll just walk on home and sleep the whole damn week.
Caw! The crow barked.
"Oh is that so?" Tyrion chimed, "That would be interesting."
The crow flew over and perched on his shoulder, "Karma here says that your hunting skills suck and you need training. How's the leg of yours?" he then smirked, "Or shall I say legs?"
I was far redder than the poppy flowers.
I squeezed my arms into my hips with balled fists, "I'd appreciate it if you stop the voyeuring tactics."
"My crows have eyes," he said, like it was no big deal, "I have assigned this one in particular to keep an eye on you, just in case our lust-struck leader gets hurt."
Tyrion began to chuckle, "But seeing as to how clumsy and rash you are, I think a crow should look out for you, for you!" he laughed.
"Well, I had better head on home," I slowly turned towards the entrance I had just been into.
"Nonsense!" he insisted, "Why, the fun has just begun!" he grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me outside. He walked me down the road, and although I told him to let go of me, he tightened his grip with impatience. He still wore that smile, and we ended up at what looked like a barracks. I could hear laughter and jokes spewing inside.
The soldiers and craftsmen were having their beers and suddenly stopped as we walked in. They automatically stood up and bowed at Tyrion.
"What brings you here Sir Tyrion?" the lead blacksmith inquired.
"I want you all to train this novice. If she fails to lay a scratch on me by the end of the week, she will be thrown back to the northern borders. And you all know what Lord Dom will do if his treasure goes missing."
The soldiers began to sweat and feel nervous.
"But you're our best s-"
"Ah, ah, ah," Tyrion hushed him, "I don't accept excuses, you have 5 days."
He then shoved me forward and I almost lost my balance. Before he left, he looked over his shoulder, "Let that hatred towards me fuel you to become a better warrior. After all..." he looked forward, "We aren't too fond with baggage," and he left.
Uhhhh....
::Dom's POV::
I really hope that Tyrion wasn't too hard on her. I tied Merwin to the log post just outside the village.
This is where a Viking spy was seen I hope I am not too late.
I approached the bar and didn't see anything suspicious. There were a couple of local drunks getting a little too aggressive with the waitress and she slammed a bottle of wine over him. He fell straight to the floor, half choking on booze. The waitress hmph-ed and continued on her rounds. The rest of his buddies were laughing and falling to the ground as well.
Then I saw her, a woman with pale skin and braided locks. She wore the typical female armor, not that the men wore armor anyway, but she was far more sober than those around her. Her hair was red, that was unusual as they usually came with blonde hair.
I walked over and quietly sat next to her, I pulled out my dagger and pinned it to the side of her ribs, barely touching, "We are having a conversation and nothing more, resist and I'll kill you." I whispered.
"Well, if it isn't Lord Dom himself," she deviously answered, "It's a shame that they sent you over to kill a poor small woman like me."
"If you don't tell me what I want to hear then I'll slit you," I warned.
"Go ahead," she draped a leg over my thigh, "I am all yours for tonight."
"I can see past your promiscuous facade, why are you here?" I asked.
"Well," she signaled the waitress for a round for me, "I'm here to report that the Viking Fleet will be here in about 3 months."
"And why are you telling me this?" I scorned. "Wouldn't make great results giving this false information to your enemy."
She sighed, "Bold of you to assume I was your enemy," she looked at me, "Ever heard of keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?"
"I have, and I don't discriminate," I gripped the dagger, "I'll kill allies who turn against me."
"Rumor has it you always had a temper, didn't think it would be this true," she rolled her eyes.
"I also am running out of patience," I smirked hungrily to kill.
She removed her leg over my thigh and sipped her beer, the waitress plopped mine, and she waved and gave her a smile. She then rifled through her bra and pulled out a gold coin.
"Let's make a deal," she toyed with the coin in her fingers, "If it is heads I will tell you why I am here, and if it is tails I don't and you let me go."
"I could care less about your game, I just came here to kill you." I answered.
She flipped the coin and it landed back in her palm, she uncovered it and it was tails, "Whoops. I guess you gotta let me go," she began to laugh.
I looked at the coin, grabbed it and flipped it to be heads, "Or you can tell me, and then I kill you."
"You don't play fair, do you?" she yawned.
"I remember playing fair, it got me no-f*****g-where."
"You and I share a lot more in common than you think," she focused on me, "But I can tell you one thing..."
I scoffed, "And what would that be?"
"I will tell you why I am here, and I will escape," she promised.
"Don't count your eggs before they hatch," I warned.
Around us the bar was lively, chatter and bards playing their tunes. But there was a deadly quiet area between the two of us. She then took another sip of her beer and began, "The Vikings are going to win the Spartans. They have outnumbered those brawn with no brains. The mission completion will happen in about 2 months. And you have heard that us vikings scour for blood, even if we still have remains on us."
She continued, "But just like you, I lead a rebellion of my own. I don't want things to get out of hand, unfortunately, like the many men around us... My leader is a drunk that wants all the booze and women in the world," she paused, "Even if it meant sacrificing his own."
"Let's get one thing straight," I slammed the dagger onto the table, "You and I have nothing in common, and your problems are none of my business. But if he threatens and steps on my land," I glared at her, "I will return the heads of your rebellion and yours right back to him and get him next."
"Then we might be at stale mate, you aren't negotiable at the moment, so I will take my leave," she tried to stand up but I grabbed her wrist.
She twirled and I realized my grip was loosened by oil on her skin. I looked up at her, she smirked, "I will be back, you will need me soon."
She began to dance and twirl into the crowd. I tried to grip onto the dagger, but my palms were too slippery. I grabbed it with my clothing and inserted it back into its holster.
"Get back here!" I growled.
"Oh no," she mocked while maneuvering through the drunken crowd, "A man persuing a woman in a bar, whatever shall I do?"
She was getting on my damn nerves and I should've just shanked her in the beginning!
I felt a couple of men bumping into me, making it near impossible to catch up to her. I was losing sight of the Viking woman and I pushed through everyone, not caring who was in the way. I was outside, but I couldn't see her!
"Yoo-hoo," she called, on top of the bar.
How did she-
"You can't decide my fate, this coin does. And it was tails," she twirled the coin once again.
"I'll shove it down you-"
"You can call my Freya," she then looked away, "We will meet again. After all..." she paused, "This may involve the safety of your woman."
What?!
Freya then leaped into the darkness. I did not hear any thuds and she was gone! I ran to the back, but there were too many people and didn't catch a sight of her anywhere! My heart bleated intensely in my chest.
What did she know about Ryanna? Or did she know?
Questions started cranking into my brain and the voices started to loom in.
She knows! Ryanna is in danger. What are you gonna do Dom? This is all your fault! All your fault!
I refocused and snapped myself out of it. That woman didn't seem to be a threat for now, but it will not go unchecked. I am disappointed that I allowed her to escape so easily. But my curiosity stalled the whole ordeal. There was something Freya hid or knew that would've been vital. I had to go back and report my findings. We have to rethink our strategies for the possible to come. But, a cautious warning will not go in vain.
Which was absolutely f*****g NOTHING!
I cursed at myself. I spent all this damn time to go back empty handed. I looked into the darkness and narrowed my eyes.
Well played, Freya. Until we meet again.
- Writer
