“Pick it up, human.” A growl lingered on his voice. Ben lowered his eyes and turned to walk away when Mâvis grabbed his arm and spun him back nearly shoving him to the ground after it. “I will not say it again. Pick it up.”
Ben reached reluctantly for the handle of it and dragged it up until it stood on its head, then he leaned on the handle casually waiting his next order. Mâvis shoved him backwards, “Lift it!”
“I don’t want to do this, Mâvis.” He stepped backwards to steady himself and reached down for the neck of the axe to get some leverage as he heaved it off the ground. He held it close to his chest to steady it, his arms still burning from the hours of rowing.
“Very good, human, now fight me.” Mâvis readied himself for a strike, “You have a weapon, I do not. Let me see what you are capable of.”
Ben closed his eyes and drew a breath before swinging blindly with the axe. Mâvis grabbed at the handle and slapped Ben in the back of the head hard enough to send him to the ground. “Are you even trying?” He laughed as Ben rolled onto his back. Mâvis dropped the axe onto his chest knocking the wind out of him, “Come on, human, I expect better. Get up!”
Ben stumbled to his feet, axe in hand, as all the warriors laughed and taunted Mâvis to ‘finish him’. Again, he took a blind swing and Mâvis sent him to the ground and said, “How many times do you think you can challenge me before I answer? Or did you think I forgot of your taunt at King William’s table? Maybe next time you will be better prepared for the consequences.” This time Mâvis hauled Ben off the ground and shoved the axe back into his hands. “Come, give it another go.”
After a few more hits, Mâvis sent him to the ground with a final solid blow. He knelt down to flip Ben over and grab his axe when Ben whipped a hand full of sand into Mâvis’s eyes. Mâvis flinched and covered his face trying to clean out his eyes when Ben rolled over and grabbed the axe himself, hooking it under Mâvis’s feet and pulling them out from under him.
While Mâvis scrambled to get off his back, Ben was already on his feet and he bowled the broad side of the axe into Mâvis’s facesending the beast onto his ass. He then tossed the axe to Mâvis’s feet. “My name is Doctor Benjamin Abbott and the only being from you savages I willingly serve is my wife!”
Mâvis stood up grinning and rubbing the pain off his jaw. Ben turned to walk away and Mâvis snatched him by the back of the neck and shoved him face first into a tree knocking him out. He walked off and returned with rope tying Ben’s hands behind the tree, then he propped Ben’s head up with the axe and wedged the handle in between Ben’s legs to give him no way to struggle from the position when he finally awoke.
“That was very good, human. Perhaps you are not so useless after all. I might even make a warrior of you before we are finished. As for who you serve…you will know it when you awaken.” He slapped Ben’s cheek and strolled off to feed Jocelyn.
A few hours later Mâvis retrieved his axe and cut Ben’s ties, “Get up, human. We are leaving.” Ben flopped forward trying to prop himself up as Mâvis hauled him off the ground. His hands were nearly purple from the ties and he tried to rub them to get some circulation back in as they stung from pain. Mâvis shoved him in the direction they were going, “Walk. The tradesmen are ahead of us. They will be a good distraction until we can make our bearings.”
Ben struggled through the rough terrain until his hands had some color back. Mâvis pulled him off the ground twice and shoved him onward. “I did not break your legs, surely they are still good.” Now Mâvis paced beside him to avoid any more delays, “If you think Ormr’s village was fun, you will love this one. The two kings rival each other in torture.”
Several hours later, they arrived in the square. Jocelyn was wandering in front of them to burn off some energy and Mâvis swept her up in his arms as they passed the village square. It sat at the foot of a phenomenal castle, five stories high with several large stone balconies gracing the front. Ben was sure that this was human made at some point in history. In the center of the island, a majestic stone structure arose from the center. Ben figured it to be an old watchtower, but it had been converted into a gazebo like the one he and Lúta had married in. The long winding staircase divided midway giving off to a patio, which is where Vidar staged his torturing.
Mâvis stopped and watched Ben’s reaction to the scenes in front of him. He grinned as Ben closed his eyes and drew a long breath at the sight of the racks, “I see you like it here. Good, you will be right at home. Come, we will find someplace to eat.”
They entered a tavern and Ben brought Jocelyn to a table, while Mâvis negotiated for some food and drink offering Ben’s medical journal as payment. A short while later he plopped two plates on the table, “Go retrieve our drinks.” When Ben brought them back, Jocelyn was on Mâvis’s lap picking what she wanted from his plate.
He sat down and toyed with his food for a few minutes, “This village is very large, how will we find the women?”
Mâvis sliced through a piece of deer meat and bit into it with his front fang to take it off the knife. He chewed it slowly for a few seconds, “Look at the two of us, you have made quite the name for yourself since you arrived here and then you are with me. Do you honestly think they will not find us?” Mâvis caught a faint eye roll from Ben, “Did you learn nothing last night? Speak your mind, human.”
His eyes flew right to Mâvis’s face and locked, “Just wondering who else’s attention we’re drawing in the meantime.”
“If it is whoever bought my wife then what difference does it make?” Mâvis chuckled and snarled as he continued eating.
Ben reached for his mug and stared blankly into the steam coming off it before taking a drink. He let his mug rest back on the table before scanning the entire room to get a feel for the patrons. The room was crowded and loud, clearly some were the palace guard having left their shift. There was one merchant from the boats and the rest wore no armor. There was something else in the room. Humans, two of them. They were sitting together and eyeing him periodically. He looked back at Mâvis, “You know, you’re right. I guess it makes no difference does it?” He took another swig off the mug. “I’ll return shortly, nature calls you know?” He stood and walked out the door to find the outhouse.
As soon as he made it around the back of the building he backed up to the wall knowing full well the two men would follow him out of curiosity alone. Sure enough not a minute later one of them was out back looking for him.
“What is your name?” The man reached a hand out to shake his. He had long dark hair and he was finely built, probably from years on the island. He had tattoos on both arms suggesting that he did not grow up here.
“I’m Doctor Abbott and to whom do I have the pleasure?”
“I’m Kevin. I run a small sheep farm here. How does a doctor end up serving one of the fiercest beasts on these islands...and even more important how are you alive in doing so? Mâvis is known for killing humans.” The man put both his hands on his hips in anticipation of his answer. “Where did you come from?”
“I was part of a research team that landed off the coast of Iceland, I was supposed to be stationed there for six months but the team left with no notice and I ended up on a sinking vessel that was headed back home. My life boat landed on King Freyr’s shore.”
Kevin shook his head, “Well you pick some dangerous company. I was part of a fishing boat that landed on shore here about four years ago. Took me a long time to work my way up the ranks. But it can be done, so long as you can keep your head and stay on your toes. Mark is inside and he has been here probably the longest of any surviving humans.”
As much as Ben was enjoying this he needed to find a way to hurry it along, “I don’t have a lot of time. He will be on to this chat soon, I need to know if you have seen or heard of two women that might have been bought from King Ormr last month.” *9
The man stepped back peering around the corner to see if anyone was coming. Not seeing anyone, he looked back at
Ben, “There was a couple of women, one was taken as queen and the other was sold to a general for the palace guard. I don’t know the guard’s wife, but the queen is Genevieve and from what I hear, she is quite the spitfire. I haven’t seen her though, Vidar has never let her out of the palace.”
Not a second later Mark came passing by the outhouse tossing a whistle over his shoulder and not even looking back at the two men talking. Kevin heeded the warning immediately and followed his friend.
Ben dashed into the outhouse, when he came back out both of the men had disappeared, and Mâvis was waiting by the building with his arms crossed over his chest. Ben chuckled as he buckled his pants and walked past. “Might want to avoid that one for a spell.”
Mâvis threw his axe over his shoulder and scowled at Ben before addressing his daughter, “Come, Jocelyn.” The girl stopped dancing and followed her father’s order, dashing in front of him to pace behind Ben. A few minutes later Mâvis pointed up an alley, “This way.” There was a quaint cottage at the end of it and they knocked on the door.
A plump woman with long black hair answered. She greeted Mâvis with a huge smile and a heartfelt hug as he asked, “Is your husband home, woman?”
She reached for Jocelyn picking her up and putting her right on her hip before planting a kiss on her forehead. “He is at work, but he will be happy to see you when he gets home. Come in, and who is your friend?”
Ben fluffed his hair up a bit and wiped his hand down his face as if to brush off the dirt “Please, madam, excuse my awful appearance. Had I known we would be in the presence of a lady I would have freshened up.”
The woman stared at him blankly for a second before a delicate smile drew across her lips. “Well, I find you quite refreshing as you are, but you are more than welcome to clean up here. I am Beatrice and please tell me whom I have the pleasure of meeting.”
Ben wrung his hands together almost feeling too grubby to even reach out and shake hers but he had no choice in that she had grabbed his before he could retreat. “Doctor Abbott, ma’am, Doctor Benjamin Abbott and thank you.”
She turned to Mâvis, “Do you seek shelter?”
Mâvis didn’t need to answer as he made himself comfortable on her dining chair. Beatrice plopped Jocelyn on the table and bustled into a room off the back of the building taking down a washbasin and coming out with towels for the men. Mâvis accepted one from her and ushered Ben to take the first bath, “Follow her, she will care for your needs.”
A couple hours later they were all washed and sitting in front of the fireplace warming up. Beatrice appeared with some human sized outfits, “Here you go, Abbott, these should fit you. They may be just a little short, but if you will let me measure you properly in the morning I can adjust them as you need.”
He held the garments up admiring the work on them. “These are just amazing, is your husband human? Are these his?”
Beatrice chuckled, “Goodness no. I am the village seamstress. I make all the clothes for the palace guard and the villagers alike. I have a several human clients.” She poured both the men some tea and topped it off with a little warm ale before she offered one up to Ben, “This is popular on our island. Takes the chill off the nights.”
“Thank you, ma’am, truly your husband is spoiled.” Abbott smiled warmly as he accepted the mug. The compliment drew an obvious blush from the woman.
He sat down to sip on the concoction and was met with a glare from Mâvis, “Take care how you speak, human. My brother is due home and I do not want to fend off a challenge this late in the evening.”
“Sorry.” Ben shot him a glance, as he was unsure if he heard Mâvis correctly. Had he just offered to fend off a challenge and from his own brother no less? He brushed it off as accidental and shook his head before drinking his tea.
Mâvis noticed the change of reaction and normally would have taken issue with it, but something else was on his mind that needed more serious attention, “So what did the humans want from you?” Mâvis sized up Ben’s response to the comment.
He was clearly ready for the question as he didn’t flinch a muscle but he did slow his breathing before he spoke, “They were curious about me, I suppose I find them a bit unexpected as well.” Ben picked the mug back up and worked a little harder on it, hoping that this was enough information for Mâvis, but he could feel the creature’s eyes burning into him.
The front door opened and a beast walked in with a light smoky brown color. He was not nearly as tall as Mâvis but more muscular and leaner than most of the beasts Ben had encountered. He let off an growl on seeing Mâvis, “What brings the likes of you to my home?” Mâvis arose from his seat with a grin to meet the man in a handshake that grew into and immediate hug.
“I come seeking my wife, she was sold by Ormr. Have you heard word of two women being sold here? Would have been last month.”
The second beast hung his head for a moment pressing his lips together, “I knew something was not right with that. Your wife is now Vidar’s trophy. How were you two separated? There is no way she was taken in your presence I had feared you were dead until I got word of your escape.” The creature now turned to Ben and shook his hand, “I am Avarr, who do I address and how is it possible that you sit in the company of my brother? He is not fond of your kind.”
“Doctor Benjamin Abbott, sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance and I assure you it is with reluctance that I endure his companionship.”
Avarr erupted into a hearty belly laugh as he addressed his brother, “I like him, he is brave.”
Mâvis responded with a sneer in Ben’s direction, “Well he certainly enjoys testing me.” Both the men sat back down as Mâvis straddling the chair, “Freyr sold Genevieve while I was away on mission. I came home to find my house empty and my daughter in the care of the widow behind my dwelling. I was told that Ormr had raided the village and I stormed off like a fool with a few of his palace guard in tow.”
Mâvis continued, “When I hit the beach I was ambushed. They killed Pearce and I was shot by one of Freyr’s own men when they realized I was going to make quick work of the enemy.”
Avarr hung his head for a moment, “They killed Pearce? Such a shame, he was a promising warrior. How did you escape Ormr? Surely he would have made quick work of a prize like you.”
Mâvis slapped Ben on the back as he stood, “My slave came to my aid, are you not glad you did that, human?” He followed with a toothy grin, “I am sure he would do it again if he had the chance. Am I right?” Mâvis topped off his mug with the herbal tea and turned to Avarr his face totally straight now, “His wife was sold here as well. Do you know of her? She is a fair haired vixen; trouble maker too, goes by Lúta.”
Avarr looked Ben up and down with a bit of shock, “You were married to Lúta? I saw her but I do not know where she went. She is lovely; you must have been challenged for that woman.”
Ben toyed with his mug, “We married under a bit of duress and were both taken prisoner of the palace. My wife was held hostage so that I would do the bidding of the king. I must say since I wrecked on the shores of this world it has not been short on adventure.”
Something Ben said caught Mâvis’s attention, “You miss your human world?”
He paused before replying as if to dwell on what he was thinking, “I wish I could say I do. But should I ever return there it wouldn’t feel like my world anymore. I would be lost without my wife.”
Avarr added, “You do know that it will be your death if her new husband discovers you are here. Your presence alone will be seen as a challenge.”
“Well then at least this time my death will mean something.” Ben rubbed his eyes and yawned, “I’m exhausted.”
Avarr looked back at Mâvis with confusion, “This time?” Mâvis just silently nodded in reply.
Beatrice walked into the room and handed Ben a butter soft animal skin blanket, “I am sorry, Abbott, all I have to offer is the loft tonight.”
He chuckled as he accepted it
, “Ma’am, it will be the best sleep I’ve had this month I am sure.” He climbed the ladder to the cramped space and curled up for the evening.
Chapter 23
For a few days Mâvis left Jocelyn in Ben’s care as he sought work to bide his time. Ben kept watch diligently over the girl most of the day and found additional task in cleaning and repairing miscellaneous items in the house. He even managed to get an antique, pedal style sewing machine up and running with a new belt and some bear grease.
He sat and tutored Beatrice on how to use the contraption both forwards. “If you need more needles than that let me know I may have a solution.” Her face lit up with delight as she worked at the machine.
She got up after a few minutes and retrieved a jar of honey from the backroom, “Here, go up the hill to a cottage with three windows and get some thread for me. Black if they have it. Give them this and tell them it is from Bea.” Her smile was magnificent as she went right to the table and set about to laying a new pattern for the machine.
It took him a while to find the cottage as a lot of them had three windows, he realized now that she meant on the thatched roof. Knocking on the door, he found a couple of elderly women answering and they were a little too grateful for his appearance there. They drew him in quickly and tore off his hat to check the curliness of his hair. One even tried to peer into the open button on his shirt to see if he had more hair and if it matched.
He snatched his shirt closed feeling violated, “Excuse me ladies, I’m to return with thread that’s all…or should I return this honey to its owner?”
They both scowled snatching the honey from his grasp and shoving him back out the door with the thread in hand. One waived bye bashfully while the second one slammed the door in his face.
As he turned to leave, he caught his own breath and held it in. There she was not more than a few yards from him. Lúta hadn’t even noticed him yet. But he noticed her, taking in the sight of her in the damp midevening air. Her dress was heavy enough to hang off her shoulders a bit. Her full breasts did a fine job holding it up though. She had her long wavy hair down and covering her face, but it did little to hide her pouty, pink lips and long dark lashes. She was so beautiful.
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