by Sky Croft
Shale kindly pre-empted her question. “Mine was the chicken.”
Tanis pushed the bowl filled with chicken broth to Shale, while Kale simply took the other. Tanis retrieved Blake and Amber’s meals, then she returned once more with a plate piled high with bread for them to share.
Rather than leaving them to their meal, Tanis hovered uncertainly by the table. “I do not wish to pry,” she said tentatively, “but do you have a long journey ahead of you?”
Blake dipped a piece of bread into her broth. “We do. We have business to the east of here. Why?”
“Sorry. I simply meant to ask if you have shelter for the night.” Tanis motioned toward the door, to outside. “I heard a patron say that the weather is clouding in, and I wondered whether you’d need any rooms?”
“Is it clouding in?” Blake craned her head to try and see outside, but she could see little from her position. “Well, it might be wise to seek shelter while we can. We can start out first thing in the morning.”
“Let us think about it,” Shale said to Tanis, who was stood waiting for an answer.
Tanis didn’t budge. “The rooms go quickly, especially in times of bad weather. We don’t have many.”
Shale’s brow bunched up a fraction, clearly not liking the coercive pressure. Her tone hardened. “Let us think about it.”
Tanis nodded, graceful now. “Of course.” She retreated, and was soon back behind the counter.
“Don’t you want to stay?” Blake asked. “Shale, you said yourself that sleeping outside wasn’t nice in the rain. Plus, it would be great not to wake up and find a snake coiled next to me.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to say about Shale,” Kale joked, laughing along with Shale as they both creased up in hysterics. They were soon exchanging jibes and taunts, leaving Blake and Amber to have their own discussion.
Blake dug hungrily into her meal, pleased by its tasty flavor. Despite the limited selection, the food was good.
After several mouthfuls, Amber reached out and squeezed Blake’s hand. “Kale told me what happened with the snake. You must’ve been terrified.”
“Thank Artemis Shale was there, that’s all I can say. I’d have probably got myself bitten otherwise.”
“It isn’t likely to happen again. It’s a rare occurrence.”
Blake nodded. “Shale said the same. Though I must admit I’m apprehensive about sleeping outside again. Especially so soon after.”
Shale rested her hand on Blake’s knee, as if she’d heard the confession. She rejoined the conversation. “It’s settled then. We’ll stay the night here at the tavern, give your nerves some time to recover.”
Blake knew she’d have to sleep outside soon enough, she wouldn’t have much of a choice on the return journey home—much of the land they crossed was uninhabited, so it simply wasn’t feasible to keep diverting off track on the off-chance they’d find lodgings. Even so, Blake was grateful for the reprieve, and she intended to make the most of it. She appreciatively squeezed Shale’s hand.
Shale smiled as she stood. “I’ll reserve the rooms, then go and collect our things from the blacksmiths. It’ll be quieter now.”
“I’d better come too.” Kale finished off the last of her rabbit stew. “Don’t want you getting lost.”
Chapter Thirteen
NO RAIN HAD fallen, but still, no one regretted their decision to stay at the tavern. The evening had been pleasant, and the four women were still seated at the same table, happy to converse with one another until closing, at which time they would retire to their rooms. Shale had reserved two, one for her and Blake, the second for Kale and Amber.
Only the hard-drinkers remained at this later hour, the tavern now empty of its earlier crowds. A dozen or so patrons were scattered around the room, most seated in pairs, but a larger group of five sat along the serving counter, as if to be as close as possible to be served their refills—of which they’d had many.
To Shale’s taste buds, the ale was unusually sweet, but it was nice just the same. She downed the rest of her drink and stood. “Anyone want another?”
Kale nodded as she drained her mug. Amber and Blake shook their heads.
Shale headed for the counter, carrying the two empty mugs in hand so Tanis could reuse them. A fresh mug was out of the question. Like similar establishments, they had enough to go around, but patrons were expected to reuse the tableware they were given, as there simply wasn’t enough to keep on providing a steady, unused supply.
“We’re closing now.” Tanis took the mugs. “I will refill them, but you’ll have to take them to your room.”
“Fair enough.” Shale waited while Tanis poured in more ale. She nodded her thanks before heading back to the table.
“We’re closing.” Tanis’s voice lifted to address the room. “Finish up your drinks.”
“Can’t we have one more?” a man at the counter said.
“Lykos, you already know the answer. You ask every night.” Tanis added the answer anyway, as if to avoid any misunderstanding. “No. Finish your drink and leave.”
Lykos gestured emphatically to Shale, who’d just returned to her table. “How come she gets served and I don’t?”
“She has a room here. They’re taking it back to their room. They have to leave just the same as you.”
The rest of the patrons got to their feet, and headed for the doorway. Some left their empty mugs on the tables, others were kind enough to place their mugs on the counter as they passed.
Lykos practically fell out of his chair, staggering around for a few moments before he seemed to get his bearings. His friends along the counter laughed loudly at him. Instead of leaving, Lykos stumbled to the table of women. “I hear you girls have a room. Fancy sharing?”
“We’re already sharing,” Kale said bluntly. “There’s no room for you.” Her eyes narrowed in warning as one of his companions approached. “Or any other man.”
The companion held out a defensive hand. “I get it, Amazon.” He took hold of Lykos’s shoulder in an obvious attempt to try and turn him around. “The women are armed to the teeth, Lykos, it’s not wise to provoke them.”
Lykos sneered derisively. “They’re just women, Acacius, what can they do?”
Kale grabbed his arm. “Want me to show you?”
Shale placed a restraining hand on her. “Leave it, Kale. He’s drunk.”
Lykos blinked as he looked between them. He rubbed at his eyes with a palm. “I must be. I’m seeing two of you.”
Acacius laughed. “Come, let’s go.” He tried to guide his friend away.
“You go.” Lykos shoved him aside, leaning heavily against the table to right himself. The slight scuffle caused Lykos’s shirt to open, revealing a small knife tucked beneath his belt.
In complete contrast to her earlier placating words, Shale leapt up with ferocious intent. Both men jumped in alarm, and before Lykos could react, Shale pinned him firmly to the table. Lykos spluttered as some ale splashed out of its mug and landed on his face.
Kale bolted up and kept a protesting Acacius at bay, since Shale now had her back to him.
“Where did you get that knife?” Shale said hotly. She knew exactly where he’d gotten it, for she recognized the craftsmanship, but she wanted to hear him admit it.
“It’s mine, I didn’t steal it.”
“Where?” she shouted.
“I found it at some burnt out village. There was a whole bunch of weapons.”
“That was an Amazon village. That knife wasn’t yours to take.”
Lykos shrugged. “It’s no good to the dead.” He made an attempt to get up but Shale kept him pinned in place.
Shale felt Amber’s discreet tap to her side, which alerted her to the other three men in the group, who were making their way to them, looking annoyed and ready for a fight.
“Get this bitch off me,” Lykos yelled.
“Shale, let him up,” Blake spoke quietly, but the order was clear in her voice.
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Shale’s eyes lifted to Blake’s in shocked disbelief. The man had scavenged off their dead sisters. She had every right to be mad at him. She wanted an explanation from Blake, a reason why she should let him go. When Blake wasn’t forthcoming, Shale reluctantly released Lykos and took a step back.
Lykos confronted Shale as he unsteadily stood, squaring off against her with a smirk on his face.
Shale returned his stare, but made no further move to obstruct him. Lykos shouldered roughly past her, colliding with her so solidly that she rocked back on her heels. She knew his intention was to best her resolve, to get her to react, and she very nearly did. Her fists clenched by her sides, but she managed to keep her temper in check.
Kale, however, did not. As Lykos passed by her, she stuck out her foot, tripping him up and sending him sprawling to the floor.
The three men and Acacius attacked. Kale backhanded Acacius swiftly, sending him to the floor beside his fallen companion. The men were smarter than they looked, attacking all at once instead of one at a time. Still, they weren’t trained warriors, so posed little threat.
Shale met the tallest of the three, and a precise kick to the stomach doubled him, winding him so he had to fight to get his breath. Amber dropped the second man just as easily, though her kick was to his groin.
The remaining man picked up a chair, swinging it at Kale like it was some sort of club. To those who’d seen Kale fight, they knew she was in little danger—she would no doubt duck, step up to the man, and put him down. But to anyone else, it appeared as if the chair-swinger had the upper hand, and was about to deliver a nasty blow.
Before he could complete his swing, Tanis suddenly materialized behind him and smashed a bottle over his head. The man slumped to the floor, the chair dropping from his grasp with a clatter.
All of the men were still conscious—bar the man Tanis had just knocked out—and none seemed badly hurt. The men apparently knew when they were beaten, for they had the sense to stay down. All except for Lykos, who started to clamber back to his feet, muttering obscenities and insults. Fortunately for Lykos, Acacius pushed him and sent him tumbling back down again.
“I could’ve handled that, you know,” Kale said to Tanis, sounding peeved that Tanis had stepped in and finished the fight for her.
Tanis frowned. “I thought he had you.”
Kale scoffed. “That drunken letch? Hardly.”
“Kale, don’t be so ungrateful,” Shale said. “Tanis was only trying to help.” She rewarded Tanis with a genial smile. “Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Tanis,” Blake added. “It was brave of you to step in.”
Tanis’s cherry colored lips curled up at the corners. She pushed her slightly wavy brown hair behind her ears, though the locks didn’t reach much below her square-shaped jaw. She was an attractive looking woman, but her brown eyes were a touch too dark, making her gaze seem cold and aloof.
Tanis nudged the man by her feet. He didn’t stir. “Acacius, come here and help Panthera. Make sure he gets home all right.” Acacius got up slowly, his hands out in a submissive gesture.
Shale noticed that the rest of the men were eyeing them warily, some glancing to the door as if thinking of making a run for it. “You others help, then be on your way.”
The group was visibly eager to do as she wished, and the men hastily left the tavern. Tanis locked the door behind them.
“I’m curious about something, Tanis,” Blake righted an overturned chair. “If those men are acquaintances of yours, why did you side with us?”
Tanis took a moment to respond. “For exactly that reason.” At Blake’s puzzled frown, she said, “As you say, they are acquaintances of mine, so I know well what they are like. They often cause trouble.” She shrugged indifferently. “They’re not my friends. Far from it.”
Blake gestured to the mess around them. “Would you like a hand to tidy up? It’s the least we can do.”
Tanis immediately shook her head. “That’s a kind offer, but I have my own routine, and I’d rather get on with it myself.” A brief pause. “You should all retire to your rooms.”
The four Amazons left Tanis to it, heading toward the rooms that they’d reserved for the night.
WITH A TRAINED eye, Shale took in the dimly-lit room as she entered. Though she registered the Spartan decor, only two pieces of furniture could be seen—a double bed covered with wolf skins, and a washstand with a bowl of water on top—she paid little note to it, turning to Blake as soon as the door closed and they had some privacy.
Shale crossed her arms angrily. “Why did you order me to release that pig of a man?”
From a bag, Blake brought out one of the lanterns they’d bought from the blacksmith and lit it using the single candle already in the room. The lantern glowed bright, giving off a good light to see by. She hung the lantern from a nail in the wall. “If Lykos had been alone, Shale, I would’ve left you to it. But he wasn’t, and I didn’t want a fight to break out.”
Blake sighed. “Though it did anyway, making my order redundant.”
“Not to me,” Shale said. “I didn’t even get to strike him, he left completely unscathed.”
“Beating him would change nothing.” Blake’s voice rose to match Shale’s. “Events would stay the same.”
“He’s no better than a grave robber,” Shale said hotly. “He should’ve been punished.”
“If Lykos hadn’t taken the knife someone else would have—people will make profit wherever they can, you know this. And though what he did disgusts me, I wasn’t about to risk my warriors.”
Blake held up a quieting hand, as if expecting Shale to comment. “And before you inevitably say that you were more than a match for those drunken thugs, I agree, but if one got lucky, and you, Kale, or Amber had been hurt, where would we have sought treatment? We are too far away from home to risk such altercations, Shale. I was simply protecting you.”
Shale’s anger deflated somewhat. Giving Blake a rueful look, she sank down onto the bed, arms uncrossing as she rubbed her temple in frustration. “And I thought I was the warrior.”
Blake crossed to her and knelt by her feet. Her voice was now soft, calm. “Look, Shale, I know what he did upset you. It upset me too. All Amazons are sisters, no matter their tribe.” She placed her hands on Shale’s knees. “And I understand that it’s deeply personal for you, so if you want to be cross with me for the decision, go ahead. I won’t take it to heart.” Blake caught Shale’s gaze. “But first, I want to thank you for following my command. I could see it was difficult for you to do so.”
Shale nodded, though she stayed silent, working through Blake’s reasoning in her head. She could see Blake’s point, but her annoyance about the injustice of the situation remained. She suspected her emotions were clouding her judgment, but knowing that did little to assuage her feelings.
“Perhaps I overreacted,” Shale said finally, surprised to find that Blake was no longer in front of her. She’d been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t noticed her move. She found Blake by the wash stand, drying her face on a cloth.
“I didn’t say that, Shale.” Blake placed the cloth down next to the bowl of water. “Nor do I believe it. I just have the luxury of thinking with a clear head.”
Shale nodded, accepting that. “Though I don’t like your decision, I can see why you made it.” She met Blake’s green eyes directly. “You were right.”
Blake sat next to Shale on the bed and draped an arm around her taller shoulders. “Neither of us were wrong, Shale. It was only the situation that dictated the course of action.”
Shale released a heavy breath, exhaling the last of her bad temper. She tried to lighten the mood with humor. “I should have known better, it’s always a bad sign when I react more than Kale.”
Blake chuckled. “Kale reacted, too. Don’t think I didn’t see her stick her foot out.”
Shale sniggered at the memory, her smile growing when Blake patted her back.
“Co
me on, let’s go to bed.”
Needing no further encouragement, Shale rose and went to the washbasin as Blake undressed. Shale soon joined her in bed, and they snuggled against one another, for comfort more than warmth.
“What did you make of Tanis?” Shale said. “I’m not sure.” Blake raised her head off Shale’s chest to regard her. “Why’d you ask?”
“It just surprises me that a trained fighter would choose to work at a tavern. There’s plenty of other work more suited to those talents, certainly better paid.”
Pale eyebrows rose. “Tanis is a trained fighter? How do you know that?”
“From how she moved in the fight. It was finished so quickly I got only a glimpse, so I can’t tell you how good she is, but I saw enough to know that she’d been taught. Usually I can tell by simply watching a person—their build, their gait, their eyes.”
At Blake’s questioning look, Shale continued. “A warrior’s eyes are alert, taking in their surroundings, the people around them. Even their attitude. Fighters often have a confidence that isn’t there in the average person. Anyway, until Tanis fought, I hadn’t picked up on any of that from her, which is odd, because I usually do notice those things.” She paused to ponder her next words. “It’s as if Tanis was trying to disguise that fact about herself.” Shale shrugged in bewilderment. “Though I have no idea why she’d do such a thing.”
“If that was true, I don’t think she would’ve helped Kale out,” Blake said rationally. “That hardly fits with such a notion.”
“I know. It’s absurd.” Shale chuckled as she shook her head at herself. “I must be more tired than I thought.”
Blake smiled and brushed her lips against Shale’s, lingering when Shale returned the kiss in kind.
An impish expression appeared on Blake’s face. “I thought you were tired?”
A slow, seductive grin formed. “I’m never that tired, Blake.”
UPON ENTERING THE poorly illuminated room, Kale lit their newly acquired lantern. After returning from the blacksmith, she and Shale had divided up the items accordingly, so everyone would carry a manageable load.