On top of the gate's overwatch, Carlo sat, enjoying a game of Gwent.
Guards releasing breaths of exasparation, they were losing- terribly.
Luck had shone on him- he'd racked win after win amassing a good fortune.
He'd say his winnings were worth three days of his usual job's pay- not bad.
Heck! Even his foul mood was improving- lightened by the jingles of his almost full pouch.
He would have left already if those 'bastards' hadn't taken his ashva- now he's stuck here, waiting on them.
Speaking of bastards- its now that they show their faces ...now!
After keeping him waiting all this time!
He snorts, displeasure apparent
And to think Oliver would allow that kid to ride his steed!
The trio ride in, not bothering to stop- or even spare him a glance- or apologise for the disrespect!
A surge of anger flares, just hearing that chattering bufoon atop his ashva- its a miracle he manages to hold himself back, at the last moment.
Or else, the kid, Rain would have suffered a fate worse than death, beneath his boots.
Ptuui!
He spits, his rage teetering just within the border of crazed frenzy.
Akin to a fickle string holding him back- thats how Rain was close to getting some.
Come to think of it, the timeline somehow fits.
Carlo rubs his chin, thoughtful.
Didn't the kid show up just after Lex disappearance?
Hmm
Not to mention, the kid is shifty as fuck around us.
"Quit it, Carlo" he murmurs, stopping his train of thought.
He had realised he's becoming petty.
To think he would even try and pin Lex disappearance on the kid, heh!
Even if it was as thought, what could the kid have done?
Best Lex in battle?
Heh! Good luck
Carlo couldn't help but find holes in his logic, snickering it away.
He hadn't realised he was so pissed with the kid riding his steed.
Nonetheless, he made a mental note to keep an eye of the kid.
The kid seems to know more than he lets on
~~
Riding through the gates, I was in such a good mood.
After all, I had debunked a conspiracy- to some extent.
I can now rest easy, knowing that the proverbial noose is not tightening.
There's still time to think things through, and lead them off my trail.
It felt pleasant, knowing that my tactics were showing effect, bearing fruit.
At some point, Oliver and Duke had stopped being stuck up- occasionally answering my questions.
With great tact, I weasel in, closer and closer, trying to glean of what they knew, their suspicions- basically taking interest in keeping my head attached.
"Oliver?" I call out, "What do you guys normally do, on the daily?"
Oliver looks back, puzzled
"I could offer an extra pair of hands-"
~Oliver pinches the bridge of his nose~
He moves his mouth to speak, I interrupt,
"You don't even have to pay me!" I urgue my case, "or just a small amount."
I watch his expression- not convinced, I note
"Help me learn the ropes, I won't be a bother, I promise!"
~Clears his throat~
"We're not in need of extra help."
My mouth opens, to try and convince him, he notices and jumps in
"Kid. Listen," sighs giving me a knowing look, "Right now is not a good time."
He continues, "We have a lot to deal with right n-"
"Ain't about to start babysiting a brat" Duke mutters, under his breath
Inaudible, but I caught it, so did Oliver.
My brows raise, eyes meeting with Oliver's.
He sighs.
"Eh, Rain, maybe some other time."
Shoulder slump forward- downtrodden by the rejection, physically atleast.
My mind was running other scenarios, I knew they wouldn't agree.
But I had to try eitherway.
My train of thought gets ripped apart, as I feel a cold chill run up my back.
A sign of ill intent on my person.
Someone is fantasizing my doom!
My vision glides along the edges of the hanging overwatch, alert for the slightest anomaly.
There! Carlo.
[What did I do to you?]
My first reaction is to scan Duke and Oliver,
Ohh, realisation rears its head.
Is all this about a mount?
Getting pissed of over me using his ashva?
"Its not my fault!" exasperatted groan escapes my lips, audible only to me.
Relief washes over, as I realise Carlo wasn't about to act on his ill intent.
The ashva close in on the tavern, bundles of hide hanging on their sides.
The dripping blood had long dried and caked on the laps of riders and mostly on the hides of the mounts.
My legs swing, dropping from my perch- the ashva's back.
Irena walks out, excited.
"Hello, Boys!"
She greets, lively
I move out of the way, letting her settle the deal.
With me, I drag a bundle, towards the inventory room.
"Rain?"
She calls out.
I rest the bundle on the floor, catching my breath.
"Yes?"
"Those will have to be smoked first."
"Take them to the back, I'll be there shortly."
A nod of acknowledgement and off I go.
Hopefully, the meat issue will be settled post haste.
I wouldn't want to draw Captain Harlan's ire- again.
But I still had a couple of hours until dusk- enough time to square out and settle everything.
Irena takes a few minutes to appear in the back.
With her a bundle clutched in hand, Duke and Oliver following closely behind.
She assigns some tasks to all of us, Duke and Oliver included.
I was clean off remnants of grime off the smoking apparatus- an arrangement of wires.
A few minutes and it was sparkling, okay ! Not sparkling, but clean nonetheless.
Strips of flesh get arranged arround the dome of wires, hooked firm.
It takes Irena a flick of her wrist to get a spark flying, setting some twings aflame.
More green twigs are added- lo and behond, a billow of smoke rises- which then is promtly covered.
Locking in, the smoke and strips of meat.
"We are done here!" Irena claps her palms and walks off.
Not even a span of half an hour and we are done!
Nice, I couldn't be happier.
Now what remains is to stuff myself with food, and...
Get my scheduled beating aka training
[Iishchh]