Doctor Abbott

by Michelle Laverdure

  Mâvis was on his way out of the room when he stopped short, “For what?”

  “I was going to let him recover there.”

  “You will do no such thing, this is Genie’s mess. She will take full responsibility for it.” He proceeded to leave the room tossing back over his shoulder, “The next one you bring home, woman, you will find with his throat cut in the courtyard.”

  She huffed at the direction the king left in before she turned her attention back to the human on the table, “I swear my husband is so intolerable sometimes. Will he live?”

  “Honestly, it’s hard to say at this point. He’s in rough shape. As much as I hate to agree with Mâvis, however, he’s right on this.” He continued cleaning his tools and sterilizing his equipment. “Humans can bring illness sometimes. I mean, I’m lucky because of the work I did before I came here. I have been treated for almost every contamination I come in contact with. But you put yourself and other islanders at risk by exposing yourself to us without proper immunizations.”

  She scowled at him, “I did not ask your opinion, Abbott. My daughter is human. I would want her cared for if she were ever found like this.”

  “As would I, ma’am. But even Jocelyn is not properly protected from the threat of disease. She is at risk just as much as you are.” He packed up his bags to leave and ushered the guard to remove the man from the table. “I will be back to sterilize the table properly. I suggest you and any guards that came in contact with him take a bath as soon as possible. Just as a precaution. I will burn any of his clothing and send over some garments from my wardrobe.

  She nodded in understanding and left to get washed up, “Thank you, Abbott.”

  It was the wee hours of the morning before Ben finished cleaning up after the man that had washed ashore. He burned the clothing and the blankets used on the man and returned to the palace to check on him one last time before heading home.

  Sitting on the cot and checking the man’s wrist he knew the moment he touched him that the man was dead. “Sorry old chap, I did all I could for you.”

  By the time the sun was up Ben was sitting by the bonfire in the square watching the remains of the man and his belongings go up in smoke. Kevin passed by the square on his way to Charles house. “What is that?”

  “Some poor soul that washed up overnight. He was in rough shape. He didn’t even make it till morning.”

  “You sure the king didn’t kill him?” The man laughed as he slapped Ben on the back.

  “That’s not funny.” Ben glared back at him, “The king is a good man and even if he wasn’t he’s still your king. You will be respectful of him in my presence even if no place else.”

  Kevin replied, “He’s a man killer. You may think you’re safe but just wait. How do you think he got that child? Her parents were his first slaves. Look around you, human, he isn’t even here, you can stop sucking his dick now.”

  Ben hopped off the railing, clocked Kevin in the face and ducked a blow from him before sending the man to the ground with an upper cut. “How he acquired that girl is not your business! He’s the best protection she has in this world. The next time I have to talk to you it’ll be in his presence. I will NOT answer for YOUR lack of intelligence.”

  The confrontation quickly got the attention of the palace guards as Thomas hauled Kevin off the ground and shoved him towards his cottage, “Come, human, I think it is time you and I have a talk.”

  Ben grabbed his jacket to leave and noticed out of the corner of his eye Mâvis standing on his chamber balcony watching the entire scene. Worried for how much the king had seen he flung his coat over his shoulder and went back to his cottage.

  Thomas finally made it to Kevin’s cottage, shoved him through the door and onto one of the chairs. “Now, what has come over you? You were the most well behaved human when Vidar was king. Now look at you, causing trouble with a king who has no interest in you whatsoever.”

  “Come on, you know Mâvis killed that man. He hates humans. It’s only a matter of time before we are wiped out of here.”

  Tom leaned in towards Kevin’s face and gestured out the door, “I stood watch on my post by the great hall all night while Abbott worked on that human. I was the one who carried him to his chambers and he was alive at the time though barely. Now you would never risk speaking your tongue in front of any of the king’s other guards, why do you test the human?”

  “Because he is a lap dog. I find it disgusting that any human would serve that king willingly. Even if he is free now he runs back to the king like a brown-nosed pussy.”

  Thomas straightened up crossing his massive arms over his chest, “You and I have known each other a long time. I have a cub on the way and want to see you around long enough to witness it breathe. That will not happen if you continue to play this game. You know how it will end. As much as I respect you as a neighbor and friend I will still obey my king when he orders me to kill you. Do NOT put me in that position. Like it or not that human is under order of protection by Mâvis and by all rights I should have ended your life in the square just now.”

  Kevin’ nostrils flared as he glared up at Tom, “He hit me first.”

  Tom raised his voice, “Do you think it matters? Honestly, Kevin, if that human ordered your death it would be my duty to execute you. Stay away from him and you would be wise to tell the other guys to mind their manners as well. I have no wish to see your blood spilled and I do not want to be the one forced to spill it.” With his last words he stormed out of the cottage leaving Kevin to think on the picture he had just painted.

  Chapter 37

  Ben woke up to the sound of someone knocking at his cottage door. He opened it to find the king outside with Reagan. “Still sleeping? It is nearly dinner.” Mâvis was in a rather upbeat mood as he shoved his way in.

  Lúta addressed him instead, “He did not get home till after sunrise.” She poured some water into a tea kettle and stuck it over the fire to warm. Then she cracked open a freshly baked bread to offer some to Mâvis and the guard.

  “I know that, woman. I watched as he cleaned up the mess my wife made last night and then as he cleaned the square with the human named Kevin.” Mâvis was grinning at Ben. “You know I would have killed that creature already, but I enjoy watching you beat on him.” The king’s smile was so big his nose wrinkled as he accepted the bread from Lúta. “Tell me, what did he say?”

  Ben sat at the table wiping his face to try and wake up a bit, “He was-” Ben paused for a moment fearing the rage that would erupt form the king would lead to Kevin’s death. But he knew a lie would instantly be answered with his own punishment should Mâvis discover the truth. “He was making insinuations about the origin of Jocelyn. I dealt with him as I thought you would. My hope is that it was enough.” He swallowed hard and looked away from the king’s now piercing stare.

  Mâvis was scratching at his chin as he watched Ben’s uncomfortable struggle with his thoughts. “Interesting, tell me what was this insinuation?”

  “He said her birth parents were once your slaves and that you killed them.” Mâvis gestured to Reagan that it was time to leave and left his tea on the table untouched. Getting no reaction from the king, Ben stood to escort him to the door.

  Mâvis paused in the doorway, “Abbott, you have been somewhat scarce since you moved in here. I take it you are enjoying your freedom. But you are still a valued member of the palace. The two of you should join us for dinner tonight.”

  “Absolutely, sir. May I ask what will be done with Kevin?” Ben was wringing his hands together from nerves.

  “Nothing, you said you handled it, did you not? Unless there is something else I should know?” The king watched intently for any sign that Ben might be hiding something, but seeing his shoulders relax he knew he had his answer. “Very well, then I will see you tonight, I hope?”

  Not a moment after the king left Lúta rushed over to her husband to give him a hug, “You do not have to go there, Ben, let him be.”
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  He kissed her and turned to go take another bath, “I won’t refuse his invitation he will take it personally. Besides, I know you miss Genie.”

  “I do miss her, Ben, but I do not trust him. Please can we just stay as far from the king as possible? I swear my stomach is in knots every time I see him, I will never break my fear of him.”

  “Lúta, he gave us a house, he gave me my freedom. What more can he do to prove he’s trust worthy?” He was out of his shirt and pulling off his britches to head into the washroom.

  “Even you do not trust him. I saw you struggle through that conversation, as if he would snatch you out of your chair on the spot. You know he is dangerous.” She was now fighting back tears and avoiding eye contact. “One day you will push him too far.”

  “I just know he can be a bit of a loose cannon where his daughter is concerned, that’s all. The king is working on his patience, I assure you. Honestly, Lúta, I think I’m a big part of helping him with that. Please, can you trust me?” He felt guilty defending Mâvis to her as he went into the washroom.

  She pulled her shawl tightly around her shoulders and stuck her chin out, “The games you play with your life do not just affect us anymore, Ben. Now they affect your cub. Please, stay away from the king. I am begging you.”

  There was a brief moment of silence. Then he appeared at the curtain to the washroom pulling it back to look at her, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “Your cub, Ben. It grows within me.” Before she finished her last word he plowed through the chair and skidded over the table, stopping dead in front of her and looking into her eyes.

  His own eyes started to water a bit as he kissed her, “Lúta, are you sure? Please, tell me you are sure.” His hands were trembling from excitement as he covered her belly with one of them, “Oh, I can’t wait to meet our baby, dear! I love you so much.” He kissed her again and then backed her up until she was sitting on the table. He pulled her hips close to him and threw he skirt back to find her thighs.

  He was in her before she could even protest and his mouth was now devouring hers. Within a few seconds her trembling had subsided and she too was focused on the impassioned and tender love he was giving her. She laid backwards onto the table to get the full enjoyment of his thrusts as he mastered her clit with his hand. Her thighs quivered from the intense release and he found himself spent quickly.

  She sat up and he pulled her close again to whisper in her ear, “Come have a bath with me. We can get ready together.”

  Her eyes hit the floor as she averted his gaze, “Really, Ben?” Her lip started to tremble again, but she agreed to go out of obedience. “Fine, but I do not wish to do this often. Please, tell him no next time?”

  “I promise I will do the best I can. I can’t be sure of how long I can deter him though. Honestly the best way for us to have peace is to stay in his favor.” She reluctantly nodded and hopped off the table to head into the washroom. She stopped at the door to show him she was pulling off her blouse.

  Chapter 38

  The guards opened the doors to the great hall allowing Lúta and Ben in. The queen was sitting with her husband and immediately plucked her plate off the table to join her friend at the far end for some private conversation. She gave both of them a hug before taking her seat, “I have missed you two so much, and thank you for last night, Ben. I know you did everything you could for the human.”

  Lúta sat a basket of fresh bread down and took her seat next to her friend while Ben approached the seat by the king. Mâvis picked his chalice off the table and gestured to Ben before taking a sip off of it. “I was starting to wonder if you were coming.”

  “Sorry, the two of us dragged our feet a bit getting ready. I brought us a game to play.” Ben motioned to a box in his hand.

  “A game? Do I look like a cub?” Mâvis grumbled.

  “I’m sorry, sir, this is not a game for children. Quite the opposite. Easy to learn but it takes years to master. It’s very good for keeping the mind sharp.” Ben smiled seeing the king sit up and take an interest in the box.

  He opened it and started setting up the chess pieces on the cover of the box. “I picked it up from one of the other humans on the island. I had to fashion a few new pieces but it is complete. This is your king and queen, your knights, bishops, castles and these little ones are your pawns. “

  Ben continued, “They all have a job on the board and can only move with limitations. I have all the same pieces and must move with the same limitations. The key is to learn those limitations and how to use them to your advantage against your opponent.”

  Mâvis poured some ale into his chalice and offered the pitcher to Ben, “It looks interesting, Abbott. I will try it.” By the time they were finished with dinner Mâvis had a majority of the moves figured out and was now experimenting with strategy.

  Genevieve was packing up Jocelyn as she turned to Mâvis, “Are you coming to bed, love?” He simply growled and waived his hand at her as he focused on the next move he needed to make. “Fine then, husband, I expect you will come to bed at some point tonight.” She gestured to Lúta to follow her upstairs.

  The guards closed the door as the women left. Ben sat marveling at how quickly Mâvis had taken to the game. His level of concentration was intriguing. While he waited for Mâvis to make his next move he topped off the king’s cup with a little more ale.

  It wasn’t long after that Mâvis realized he was losing, and he brushed off the rest of the game in frustration as he picked up his drink. He watched as Ben packed up the board, carefully wrapping each piece for proper storage. Taking another sip he finally spoke, “What do you think about what Kevin said of my daughter?”

  Ben stopped suddenly, he was now feeling nervous of the direction of the conversation. “Sir, I think my opinion was made clear of your relationship with her the night I cut the arrow from your back.”

  “So you are telling me you are not the least bit curious as to how she got here?” Mâvis eyed him knowing any answer but yes would be a lie.

  “I suppose the thought may have entered my mind on more than one occasion, but it’s not my place to question that.”

  Mâvis grunted and averted his gaze for a moment, then he brought his attention back to Ben, “I found her.” He watched intently as Bens jaw went slack, then he continued, “Well Genie did anyway. I met my wife in the Canadian Passages. Her father was a general in a village beyond a vast mountain range. It took a long time for us to make it back here. But it was good for us because we became very close to one another on the way back. At some point we got too close to a human pathway and stumbled on a man and women fighting with each other.”

  He paused again as if bothered by the memory, “I meant to save the woman, the man she was with beat her brutally, but Genevieve found a package with a cub inside it and screamed to me. In the commotion the humans made it back into their contraption and were gone before I could do anything else. The cub took to nursing on Genie right away. And we were both smitten with her before we fell asleep that night.”

  Ben was completely awestruck both from the story and the fact that Mâvis was sharing it with him. “Genie was able to nurse the baby? That’s unusual, most women can’t do that unless they have had a baby, um, or a cub before.”

  The king pressed his lips together as he ran his fingers around the rim of his chalice, “She was with cub before we met. It was born disfigured and her father put it to death. She was sold to Ormr and before they could marry I stole her in the night. It was not until Jocelyn came along that she was able to recover from the loss of her cub. It was because of Jocelyn she finally accepted me as her husband. As you say I am the best protection for her and Genevieve saw that too.”

  Ben cleared his throat, “Wow, sir. That’s amazing.” He picked up his own drink for a long draw off it. “If I may say, you and Genevieve have done an excellent job with her. She is healthy, happy and beautiful. She couldn’t have found better parents.”

  M�
�vis smiled, “Back then she fit in the palm of my hand, all of her. The entire cub. Yet she had so much power over me. I would do anything for her.” He was practically purring into his cup as he took a last swig off it. “Well I better head up to my chambers before my wife sends a hunting party. Reagan will see you and Lúta home.”

  Ben packed up the last of his game and headed down to the kitchen entry to wait for his wife. Reagan escorted her down and grabbed his spear before opening the door to let them out.

  They passed by the tavern on the way to their cottage where Mark and Kevin were just leaving. Mark nodded to Ben as he went by and Reagan grunted in disgust at Kevin, eyeing him as he followed the couple home.

  As soon as they were out of earshot Kevin turned to Mark, “I hate that son of a bitch.”

  Mark scowled and stormed off, “I’ve had enough trouble with him. I have nothing to say.”

  Kevin snatched his arm back, “We won’t have peace here with that brown noser running around. He’s worse than the guards.”

  “So, what do you want me to do about it? I have a family to take care of and it took me months to heal from my last fight with him.” Mark’s expression was clear as he shook off Kevin’s grip and proceeded home.

  “What if we don’t have to do anything? Let the doctor screw himself over?”

  Mark stopped dead in his tracks and turned to see his friend catching up with him, “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You know how these creatures are when it comes to loyalty. What if we just let the king think Ben is trying to leave the village. He will kill Ben himself and we can live in peace.” His look was desperate.

  Mark lowered his voice to avoid the guards and closed the distance between him and Kevin, “You’re nuts, if anyone finds out about this it’ll be you the king kills. Maybe me too if he thinks I had anything to do with it.” He was furious, “If you don’t like him don’t talk to him.”

  “I like what little freedom I had before he came along. Now we have to look over our shoulders just to have a conversation.”