Doctor Abbott

by Michelle Laverdure

  Ormr saw the group gathered round the corpse and stopped to inspect monetarily. He complimented the warriors that had done the work on the victim, then sneered at Ben, “You are to join me in the palace for dinner. We have much to discuss, leave your flea behind.”

  After watching the leader disappear into the crowd Ben signaled to Vaughn to go play. He returned to his cottage to bath and pack his medical bag, just in case he would need it. A few hours later he was shown into the great hall to await his master. The table already set, hours had passed without so much as a sign the king would show. Knowing better than to touch the place setting without the spoiled king eating first, Ben sat in front of the dimming fire and instead opened his bag to pull out a ration of meat. No sooner had he snapped a piece off than his master finally dashed into the room half out of his mind.

  He was livid with one of his guards, spewing profanities in Joutone, none of which Ben could make out. The guard dared curse back as Ormr stood staring at the spread on the table, it was almost as if he had forgotten he had company tonight, then he turned to see Ben in the corner toying with a piece of dried seal meat in his fingers.

  The guard only meant to step into his king’s space to continue the conversation and before he could step back he was fending off the sword of the king. In one swift motion, Ormr had removed his blade from his belt and swung full force towards the guard, leaving him little room for error or escape the warrior spun backwards to avoid contact and another blow. With the second spin the blade made contact with the wall behind the warrior’s head there was nowhere to back up, he was pinned with the edge of the sword at his throat. “You expect me to do business with that coward?”

  The warrior grunted through the pain and gritted his teeth, “The reward is worth it. A prize you have long sought, and deserved.”

  Ormr calmed after a moment of reflection, and released the warrior. Whatever the prize was, Ben would not be privy to it. The answer came in Joutone and Ormr was now gloating over it. He sheathed his weapon and pointed to the human, ordering him returned to the cottage for the evening. As Ben was hauled to his feet Ormr issued him an order. “Get some rest, Human, you will need it.”

  In the wee hours of the morning his two guards hauled him out of bed, barely allowing him time to dress. Thinking they were on the way to the palace, he quickly found himself shoved towards the sea walls instead.

  They were leaving the Island. For the first time since he arrived, he was being brought to the boats. The thought occurred to him that he might be used as payment of some sort and wondered what could be so valuable as to wager your only healer.

  Ormr was not in the same boat as him, so there was no opportunity to question the leader and Ben’s eyes got big as saucers when they hit shore to find King Freyr waiting there. Freyr had two warriors with him and neither were men Ben had ever seen before. He wasn’t really sure what to think and simply kept his mouth shut and waited to see what was going on.

  Freyr let off a warning growl as Ben exited the boat, clearly it was the first time he had heard his former slave was alive, but before the rival king’s guard could do anything Ormr stormed off the stern of his boat and shoved Freyr off. “We are here for your wares not mine. If you do not produce as promised this will end quickly.”

  The intimidation worked, Freyr had no concern now for Ben, and swallowed before answering, “You are sure he will come for them first? Should he attack me first I will be helpless.”

  Ormr released him, nearly dropping him to the ground, “That he has not killed you yet baffles me. He should have done it two years ago. He will come for them, too crazed to care for you. Where are they?”

  Freyr straightened his coat and pointed towards the village, “In the cottage. I could not take a chance in anyone seeing us with them.”

  Quietly Ben followed the men back to a cottage, they stopped outside the door to discuss something. Ormr turned to him, “Go in there and make sure they are of decent quality to sell. I will not buy damaged goods.” The comment was directed at Ben but it was clearly meant for Freyr’s ears.

  What he found in there were Genevieve and Lúta bound and gagged. Lúta squirmed like crazy when she saw him. Tears immediately started pouring out of her eyes. Ben dashed to her side and loosened the gag on her mouth, “Oh God, what have they done to you? Listen, I don’t know how but I promise I’m going to get you guys out of this. I didn’t know what I was being brought here for, I swear.”

  Genevieve wiggled and Ben loosened her gag, “Can you get Jocelyn out of here? They do not know she is in here.”

  “Dear God, where is she?” His eyes were large with worry.

  “She is under the sink basin. Bring her to the cottage behind mine. There is an elderly woman there that watches her when I run errands. She will hold her till my husband returns.”

  Trying to think quickly he emptied his medical bag on the bed and covered the contents with the blanket. Then he opened the cabinet under the basin and saw the tiny girl huddled in a ball, in tears but too scared to make a sound. His breath almost left his chest as he reached for her, “Stay quiet, Jocelyn, I’m going to get you someplace safe, okay?”

  He placed the satchel over his shoulder then returned to adjust the gags, “I’m so sorry. If they see you are loosened they may retaliate.”

  He stood just as the door opened and Freyr stepped in. “I assume all is well?”

  “Yes, sir, they look to be in good health.” Ben replied.

  “Excellent!” Ormr grinned after over hearing and headed back out the door, his pitchy voice nearly giddy with excitement.

  Ben stepped out quietly and strolled behind the building. One of Ormr’s guards called to him, “Where are you going?”

  “Oh, sorry, it’s just been a long trip. I thought I should relieve myself before we head back.” He drove the point home by rubbing his belly as if in agony.

  The guard rolled his eyes and ushered to him to hurry.

  He darted around the back looking for the cottage cursing the fact that there was three. He tried the first door he came to and luckily, it was the right one. “Here, hide her please.”

  The woman looked wide-eyed and horrified, “What are they doing over there? They have been in there all day.”

  “They are doing the unthinkable and I swear I am going to do all I can to fix it, but for now you need to hide this girl. She will be in danger if she goes with us. Please.” The old woman accepted the bag from him and closed the door.

  On the trip back Ormr rode with Ben and the women so that he could admire his prizes. Ben sat staring out at the ocean the entire time. He fought himself hard to keep his eyes off Lúta; to show no emotion. Ormr watched his struggle with curiosity, “Is something wrong, Benjamin?” Ben hated hearing his first name spoken by this monster. He knew it to be a mind game. While all the other creatures addressed him as human, Ormr meant to use the courtesy to gain his trust, but to do nothing but evil with it. He fought hard to steady his breathing and act as if his mind were simply preoccupied as opposed to bothered. “You do know he will come for her, do you not?”

  The comment drew Ben’s attention immediately, “Do you think?” He answered almost sarcastically. He could now feel Genevieve’s eyes burning into him, as she lay bound at the bottom of the boat. He threw his gaze back out over the ocean to keep himself from falling victim to the games that were being played at his expense.

  “Are you sure you and Mâvis are enemies? You look bothered.” Ormr was eying Ben intently now.

  Ben answered with a stone cold ice stare and then ripped opened his shirt. He didn’t need to answer. The action alone drew a wide grin from the King as he admired the scar from the arrow, “Yes, I know that pain, Ben, like your heart has been ripped from your chest,” Ormr turned his gaze to Genevieve, “Do I not, Darling?” He reached to brush her cheek with his claws. She flinched from his touch and it drew another mild chuckle from him.

  A few hours later Ormr walked the women past his villa
ge square, allowing the ladies to stop and take a long look at everything that was going on. “Now if you think that escape may be an option just look at those who have tried before you.” Their eyes watered as they waited watched the atrocities being performed there.

  The guards then led them to a room for safekeeping while Ormr and Ben went to the great room for dinner. A few hours and drinks later Ben was allowed to see the women. Genevieve practically flew across the floor with her claws flared open, ready to do some serious damage, “I will gut you, human!” Her rage showed through even to her color.

  Lúta rushed to get between the two of them to hold Genevieve off, “Let him speak, Genie!”

  He stepped back to give her some space, “Genevieve, I swear to you I had no clue why I was brought to the island. I would take an eternity on Ormr’s racks to save Lúta from one moment on them.”

  “Then why did you sell my husband out to him?” She covered her mouth and choked back a sob in fear of his response. Mâvis had done so many horrible things to him, why wouldn’t Ben seek revenge?

  “How did I sell him out? I had no clue...I mean it, no clue. Believe me when I say the opportunity would not be lost on me. But it would be lost on bringing harm to you and especially Lúta.”

  He turned to Lúta, “I have been here for months, I have earned Ormr’s trust. I swear I will get you both out of here.” He pulled her close for a kiss, then released her and looked at Genevieve, “The elderly woman was in the first cottage I went to. Your daughter is safe with her I hope?”

  Her eyes erupted in tears at the thought that Ben was truly trying to help her and she could see the pain on his face as his heart broke for her. “Yes, yes she is. Thank you, I am sorry for reacting as I did, honestly I am.”

  “No, Genevieve, don’t be sorry, be strong. I have to go. I’ll be back tomorrow, I swear.” With that he left.

  The next day he came back and both the women were gone. Ben immediately flew down to the great hall looking for Ormr; as he got close, Ormr and a man he had never seen before exited the room. They were deep in a jolly discussion, “Well the women will do, Ormr. I am glad I made the journey, my men are bringing up the trade goods as we speak.”

  Ormr growled with pride, “Excellent!

  Ben then followed Ormr into the great hall. “I hope all worked out well.” His question was more of a way to decipher what was happening and who this individual was that had just left.

  “All went well for sure, Ben.” Ormr sized up Ben’s reaction, to see the slave pleased with such an act was exiting. The thought of spending the evening celebrating crossed the king’s mind. “You will spend the night here, I have already secured entertainment. The elder you killed last night had three daughters. They were secured in my chambers before I left this morning.”

  That caught Ben off guard, as Ormr expected it would. The human let his goblet slide through his finger to find a spot on the table as he scooped up his fork to start on his food. Anything to keep from eye contact with the king. “I am sorry, sir. He degraded you on my last visit to his cottage. I could not bear the thought of seeing him continue to breath. I only wish I could continue the rage I took on him last night.”

  “That is impressive, you most certainly can continue it on his daughters if you like.”

  Ben cleared his throat, over the thought of hurting those innocent women. “Sir, I meant on his corpse.” Now he offered the eye contact he was fighting off moments ago. He needed to assess if Ormr understood the request, and to his surprise he found a hint of disgust on the king’s face.

  “You want the carcass? Whatever for?”

  “I am trained on healing humans, sir. There are many differences between us. I need a specimen to take apart in order to see how best to heal your warriors. I also need something to teach my apprentice on.”

  Ormr suddenly lost his appetite. He stood quickly and snatched his goblet off the table, tossing over his shoulder as he left, “I certainly underestimated you, Benjamin. I will have the carcass delivered tonight.” Both of Ben’s guards cringed on the orders they had just received. It gave the king reason to pause on his way out, “You take issue with the request?”

  They both straightened out and one replied, “Of course not.” As soon as Ormr left they both sneered in disgust at Ben. He simply grinned and toasted them as they left to retrieve the body.

  Chapter 18

  Lúta sat on the bed watching Genevieve pace the floor, she had never seen her friend so nervous. To calm her own nerves she reached for the teapot the chambermaids had just left. Genie saw what she was doing and growled bringing Lúta to a halt. “It has sour root in it, can you not smell it?”

  Lúta snatched her hand back as if the pot were too hot to touch. The root was common amongst Joutone women, it was used to relax them before mating with a newly betrothed. “I-I do smell it. I am sorry I am just so scared.”

  Genie snapped back, “You? You are scared? My cub has never been away from me for more than an hour and now I may never see her again.” Genie lost all breath and broke into a sob as she nearly collapsed to the floor. Lúta sprung up and steered her to the bed. No words were needed. Jocelyn was everything to Genie, and the thought of seeing them torn apart was unbearable. Lúta’s arms circled around her friend’s neck and she pulled Genie into a loving embrace just letting her sob into her bosom, until she could right herself.

  The comfort would not last long. They were interrupted by two guards coming in. The General was one of them. A tall brooding warrior with several battle scars and arrogant demeanor. His stale, black fur was thick and raggedy, with some grey around his mouth and eyes to give off is age. He addressed the petite fawn in front of him. “One of you bred a cub, which is it?” He expected her to answer verbally but all he got was a hiss as she backed up, shielding Genie with her own body.

  Genevieve stood, unafraid of him, “My cub was human, I stole her! If you are looking for breeders you have the wrong women!”

  Diek belted Lúta for her defiance and snatched up Genie’s arm, dodging a swipe from her other hand and narrowly escaping her claws he pinned both of her arms from behind while the second guard plucked Lúta off the floor as she kicked and screamed. As soon as he secured her arms Diek shouted an order in Joutone and an elder woman with a mean disposition entered the room. She paused, assessing both the women and reached for Lúta’s blouse, tearing it open. “If they have born a cub they will milk.”

  Lúta, struggled, and fought uselessly in the warrior’s arm as the elder gave her breast a quick squeeze. Not even a hint of moisture. Diek, did not wait for the woman to open Genie’s blouse, he was all too willing to do it himself. Upon checking her breast the elder woman’s face softened into a devious smile. “Looks like we have a new queen.”

  Genie snapped back, “My first order will be for your death.” Genie was strong, and nearly slipped the grip of the guard.

  “I think not. That is my mother, and the king will give you no power, you are just to give him an heir. After that I do with you as I please. He is my mate.” Diek shoved her forward stopping only to admire the puny little Joutone that he had just belted. Taking her swollen chin in his hand and letting off a purr. “Perhaps if you behave I will keep you as servant to my new wife.”

  She remained ever so calm and the moment he let her go she clenched her teeth into his hand. He ripped it out of her mouth and slammed her out into the hallway. His elbow planted painfully into the back of her neck while he twisted her arm up until he could shackle her from behind. He growled softly in her ear, “Oh, I like it when you fight me. I cannot wait to get you home.” A moment later Genie was pinned up against the same wall being shackled.

  The two of them shoved out of the chamber wing towards the halls. Two other guards waited for them, Diek ordered, “They are to be brought to the Lysthus. Vidar is waiting for them already.” Both guards sneered in acknowledgment of the orders and marched the bound women out of the palace. Two guards held the door open as they
came out and entered to begin their shifts, one of them caught Genie’s attention, immediately…and she his.

  Avarr was not sure it was her at first but as they passed each other he could not help but look back over his shoulder. Mavis would never sell his wife, she would never escape him if he were alive, was she stolen, or was his brother dead?

  The women were brought to the tower at the center of the village. The incredible structure was impressive, and inside Vidar waited patiently for his new bride. They were both deposited on the floor and their chains removed. He poured a goblet each. It had spirits in it and more sour root. He offered one up to whoever would take it first. “I-I have never done this before. It was Diek’s idea.” His tone gentle and patient.

  Both of the women rubbed the pain from their wrists, and neither had any interest in the concoction in his hand. Again he motioned to it. “Did he chose a bride? He was supposed to choose first. I cannot go against him.”

  Genie stuck her chin out as her mouth dropped open, was this meek ruler as timid as a squirrel? He may be usable. She wet her lips and stepped forward only to watch him cower. He was pitiful. She closed the distance and ripped the goblet from his hand, delighting in what a lamb he was. “You do not know who I am, do you?”

  His eyes were closed as he was not sure what the cursed female would do. She simply gloated as she took a long swig of the potent drink. She wiped her mouth and shot the goblet into the fire place as she yanked up her skirt and shoved the timid king onto the chair. “It is a queen you want, then a queen you shall have.” Her hand went right for his throat as she straddled his lap. “Do you want me?” He was hesitant and trembling between her thighs. He had not expected her to be so dominant, and it was exciting him more than he thought it would. “Answer me you wolf!”

  His claws trembled to free himself from his britches so that he could experience her fully. Her claws tightened on his throat, drawing a pause from him. He squeaked out, “Very much, my queen.”