On the Bulwark, Davas, a Redoran Guard sighed. “Pity, we’re on duty when the others are having a nice time.” He gazed toward the ash wastes. It would have been nice to eat biscuits and other delicacies, along with some Flint and Sujamma. But no. I’m stuck on duty.
“I’d rather be on duty like now. I like the quietness, and don’t forget it’s an honor to be on watch.” Trels commented not far from his fellow guard. “Beside, they’re relying on us.” He shifted to look at the sea. The wind was cold but it was better than an ash storm. “I wonder if the mercenary beat the Captain in the hand wresting.”
Davas grunted and focused to watch over the ash wastes. “That I would like to see, but duty first.”
The Retching Netch was nearly packed as they all had gathered for a party that Geldis had come up with. Biscuits and drinks were put on tables while one of the miners tried to play the bard role. His was singing badly off-note, but nobody seemed to care. Nobody except the Severin family. They tried to ignore it through gritted teeth.
Ciel’nn and Teldryn were watching how a Redoran Guard tried to beat Captain Veleth in the hand wrestling. The people were cheering, although it wasn’t clear for who. It seemed the Captain was struggling. Ciel’nn had been watching the match with an amused smirk. Clearly, the years weighed on the Captain’s shoulders, but he was ever persistent on not losing. “He’s struggling a lot.” The young mer commented. “Seems Aroa’s soldiers are tough.” He rubbed his wrist by instinct. I even wouldn’t want to try. He glanced at his partner.
The older mer was grinning at the scene, but nodded to his partner. The struggling Captain Incompetent, and Teldryn enjoyed to see the mer in trouble with Aroa’s soldier. The old mer had been winning from everyone else who dared to face him on that table. If he wins against Aroa’s soldier - there’’ll be no end of hearing it. “Indeed. I bet Aroa would beat him in no time.” Teldryn chuckled and glanced at his partner.
“I think so too.” Ciel’nn flashed a smirk. Don’t we want to see it happening? But Aroa went back home.
A gasp came from the observers when Captain Veleth brought the soldier’s hand down on the table. The soldier had a mixed look of shock and disbelief.
“Better luck next time, soldier” Captain Veleth smiled, confident. His wrist hurt slightly, but he hid it well.
The soldier cast a sour look on the Captain before he headed for a hard drink. This defeat had been bitter, and he hoped Officer Aroa wouldn’t hear about it. Then he remembered Aroa wouldn’t like the whole idea of the friendly contest and he grimaced.
“Is there anyone else who’d like to challenge the Captain?” Geldis asked around the Inn, and the faces turned to the older mer, expectantly. The Inn was quiet for a long moment.
With a grin and staring intensely at the Captain, Teldryn thought a moment. Let him stew a little longer. He knew Ciel’nn wanted to see him win, but wouldn’t mind if he didn’t. Still, Teldryn had decided to show the whole town what he was made of. It’s not like they didn’t know, but it would be a reminder to them. He sighed and shifted. “Very well.” He said in a low tone and turned to Ciel’nn. “Hold my cup, daelha.” He handed his cup to his partner. “Go and show him his place, Teldryn.” He listened to the words of his love with a grin.
Ciel’nn smiled as he watched his partner walking toward the table while the people were cheering. The way the older mer carried himself still fascinated the young mer. So confident and bold - that was Teldryn. You walk like a Saint and know you what are you doing… He couldn’t be more excited and relaxed. He nodded to himself. He’ll beat the Captain. He’d do anything to see Teldryn happy and unharmed. He took a sip of his own cup, while he held his partner’s cup in the other hand.
Teldryn sat down on the chair and regarded the Captain with a savage grin. “Ready to submit and accept your defeat?” He didn’t mind the cheering crowd. They knew he was great in a sword fight, and now he’d prove them the same in hand wrestling. Put the good Captain in his place. The Captain Incompetent. If he wasn’t mistaken, the mer was positively nervous. “Don’t lose to him, Captain!” Teldryn heard someone shouting. Sounds like they have placed bets. The older mer flashed a smirk at the Captain before getting ready.
Tenaru watched the hand wresting while she bit her lower lip. She couldn’t contain the excitement and cheered with the others. The Alchemist had noticed the young mer at the other side of the table, and smiled as Ciel’nn briefly looked to her and nodded. She had placed a bet for the Mercenary, but why she didn’t know why. Maybe she had seen something in Ciel’nn the last time they exchanged words. “I’m sure that our Captain won’t lose to the Mercenary.” Tenaru heard the familiar voice from behind her, and she scowled. “Brivan. Couldn’t you stay at the Barracks? It’s where you belong.”
“It’s good to see you, Tenaru.” Brivan held his neutral tone. “Mercenaries are nothing, but common rabble compared to us Redorans.” He added as he observed the match. It seemed to be even, but the Mercenary was having the upper hand, and his Captain seemed to be under some stress. “Why didn’t you challenge your Captain then?” Brivan heard Tenaru asking him. “I don’t like mercenaries. At all.”
“They’ll do things your Redorans can’t.” Tenaru chided and shook her head. He’ll never change.
Both the mer at the table had some difficulties, but Ciel’nn could tell his partner didn’t let it show. Even if he was confident on who would win, he had to bite his lower lip. The Captain was straining himself, Ciel’nn noted. His partner had his intense stare at the Captain. It was clear from Veleth’s expression. Show him, daelha. The cheering was almost deafening at this point, but the young mer ignored it.
Teldryn felt his strenght dwindling down, but then slammed the Captain’s hand on the table with determination. There were gasps and then wild cheering from the non-Redorans. Teldryn leaned backward and pretended his hand didn’t hurt. He flashed one last smug gaze at his opponent before getting up. His gaze searched for his partner and he saw Ciel’nn smiling at him.
That smile… Teldryn forgot his hurting as his heart raced and as the surroundings blurred. He watched Ciel’nn putting the cups down on a nearby table, and reached out to stroke his cheek gently and looking into his eyes with burning affection before cupping his face and kissing him softly. The older mer wrapped his arms around his partner, pulling him close to himself.
Captain Veleth sulked. He had lost the match and his face. What would his men think of him now? It was a friendly match, but still it stung. His hand and wrist hurt like hell. And the miner’s new song about him losing made it even sourer. It would be best if he’d just slunk away and got drunk. For a moment he thought about it, and shook his head. No, he wouldn’t fall that low. Veleth would grit his teeth together and swallow the bitter defeat. Someone brought him a drink and Veleth stared at it. He had to admit that Teldryn was, despite his roughness, a stronger. The mer nearly had broken his wrist. Veleth cringed at the mild pain.
Tenaru felt a low hiss from Brivan who began to circle toward the two mer. She had known Brivan to be hot-blooded when a Redoran’s pride was being hurt. This isn’t good. I’d better follow him.
Ciel’nn felt himself being grabbed from the side and thrown around on the floor. A warning hiss left his lips as he ended up close to another table. He turned and looked up to see a Redoran guard grabbing his partner by the collar. A red flash went through him and his inner voice demanded immediate action as he gritted his teeth together as he pulled himself up.
“Brivan!” Captain Veleth and Tenaru shouted in unison.
Then the next moment, Ciel’nn had his dagger in his hand and forced his way between Teldryn and the Redoran guard. His dagger found its way onto Brivan’s neck. “Leave him alone, Redoran.” Ciel’nn’s darkened hiss came when he stared at the mer. If you want to live. The Redoran merely flinched away with a snarl, but Ciel’nn wanted him out of the Inn. “Leave.” He demanded in a lower tone. Now.
Finally Brivan realized he wasn’t going to have a shot at the mercenary, and he turned around. He dodged Tenaru and her glare and marched out of the Inn, fuming in anger.
Ciel’nn put his dagger away and turned to his partner. “You alright, Teldryn?” He asked in a softer tone. The older mer nodded to him and Ciel’nn felt his anger fading gradually until he was relaxed again. He shifted his stance and observed the Inn. No one was coming to complain about him taking out his dagger. Although they had wary looks on their faces. Geldis was frowning at him. He was just defending his partner. No one shall harm him.
“Yes, I’m alright. Are you?” He replied and the young mer nodded to him. “Seems I’ve hurt someone’s feelings today by beating their own Captain.” The older mer sat down on a chair close by. He was ready to stab the Redoran. It’s been a while since someone had the guts to defend me. Teldryn looked to Ciel’nn and found the mer looking at him, though his hand remained at the hilt of his dagger. He’s still on alert.
The Alchemist approached the two mer. “I am sorry for what happened. Brivan has some issues.” She apologized as he looked to Teldryn and then to Ciel’nn. “The Captain is his hero. Please don’t ask why. And he doesn’t like mercenaries.” She paused briefly. “Are you two alright though?” A small smile spread on her lips. She observed the young mer discreetly and nearly frowned. That must have got him upset. Stupid Brivan and his pride.
“Well, that’s just fine.” Teldryn commented with a smirk. Figures.
“We’re fine now.” Ciel’nn’s tone was neutral. He tried to smile, but it failed. The Redoran Guard’s act had put him on edge, and it wasn’t going away any time soon even if he tried to calm down. The young mer knew his partner could have kept on his side in fights, but he just couldn’t let it slide. And he threw you on the floor, too.
“Ciel’nn, come here.” Teldryn said in a low tone after the Alchemist had left them. His partner sat on the other chair close to him. Teldryn looked to Ciel’nn and took his hand. He was about to say something when the young mer beat him to it. “How is your hand?” He heard his partner asking him in a slightly softer tone. The older mer’s lips parted in surprise. He had been sure no one would notice his hand aching, but of course, Ciel’nn had noticed it. How observant you are, dearest. “It’s feeling better.” He noted Ciel’nn tilting his head slightly. “Now, would you like to go somewhere else? To calm down? I see it had upset you.”
Upset is an understatement, Teldryn. I think you know it.
Oh, you noticed it. Ciel’nn bit his lower lip for a moment. It’s not a bad idea, he admitted. Even if the Inn was quieting down he didn’t feel calm enough. And, finally a smile emerged onto his lips. “Lead the way, Teldryn.” He let the older mer take him away from the Inn while Ciel’nn was starkly aware of Captain Veleth’s eyes on him.
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