Matia‘n’Mazin part 3
I couldn't help but look at her. She was everything I didn't expect her to be. Young. Wide eyed. Open. Optimistic. Talkative. In a way, she was unscarred. It made my skin crawl to see the real thing. A real, optimistic and honest and open being. It hadn't been more than half an hour since the ordained man had, in a terribly ceremonial voice, said: "I hereby pronounce you man and wife" She had honestly been happy. And smiled at the ring around her finger. And grabbed my arm, like we didn't just meet five minutes before, sidling up against me.
How it is appropriate for a wife, but- We didn't know each other. Assuming the best in another person is all good and well in theory. But it wasn't a reality. As I could see very well from Njall and his less than pleased, possibly fighty wife... and Samil and his woman. They were... *smiling* at one another. It was a little unsettling. ... I had expected to be the one that would be easy smiles and inviting gestures and all careful with a somewhat uneasy, frightened woman. That was not the case. Wrapping my head around this was terribly difficult. Continued to be so. She had no reservations whatsoever. Since the very moment we said 'I do', she clung to my arm. "Show me around!," she said. And so I did, my own face smoothing into a smile and I switched on my storyteller mode. Gestures wide, eyes everywhere, hushed tones, conspiratory tones, laughter... all the things yo want to have a good story. The problem was: She was not apprehensive. She accepted everything. How many people, what wares there are, which rules applied, how the laws dictate things, where to stay away from, when to go to bed, the names of places, of areas... Also that the port was full of ships and four dozen came in and set out every day, asked how many sailors there were, was impressed by the three digit number, asked which hotels they stayed in. When we walked past the dingy taverns with the rooms designated for the few people that couldn't - or didn't want to - sleep on a ship while in the harbour, she simply nodded with a light frown, saying she understood. It was only two months, but she felt seasick by standing properly on the flat ground, so sleeping on a real bed would be heaven. I chuckled at that: "Well, if you feel unsure on your feet..." I eyed her, she was small, compact, likely not too heavy. She looked back at me, with questioning eyes. Falling into a crouch, I said: "I'll make a good land-ship" ... and she actually giggled. An actual, honest giggle. Two arms were thrown around my neck: "Alright, mighty husband-steed! Onwards!" And she let me grab her thighs properly. As predicted, she was light. Not worth mentioning. I would be able to carry her quite a while. Especially with her actually holding onto me properly. She rested her chin on my head, giggling again. I felt the vibration on my back. Huh. She really was close. And excited. Definitely not calm at all. I could feel her heartbeat in the aorta of her leg. And even felt her heart hammer in her chest. Didn't eat enough. that was for certain. Possibly a little frightened, despite the good mood. "What's this!," she exclaimed, pointing, as I saw when I looked up, checking. "That would be the town hall. I actually work there, most of the time. Only building with a reliable clock," it was the only building that actually had proper stonework, too. Admittedly, wood was better suited for the constantly changing weather. Easier to replace. And easier to maintain. Swam, too. Still, possibly a strange sight for a city girl. "Noooo, the statue!," I blinked. And looked. Right. In front of it was a statue. One tended to overlook the thing. "... that's an asshole," I said, with the conviction you use for a statement of facts. "He's a majestic asshole...?," she sounded like she was pouting. "Well, he had to be, still enslaved the people around here. It is an asshole move," I shrugged, securing my hold on her. "Mmmmhkay," she nodded, "I guess the decendents still sit around..." "So they do," I nodded. Smart girl. "What else can you show me?" "Ah, there are about two dozen taverns to see... the market... the craftsmen... and of course there are the stables. With horses. To bring us home, you know?" "Mh?," this sounded a little puzzled. "Well, aren't you tired?," that was the first time she actually tensed, for a second. Only a second, then she loosened up again. "I haven't seen the whole town yet!," she swung her legs. And I chuckled again: "You will have a lot of opportunity to, believe me. But I think today has been... a lot" At that, she slouched on me: "Alriiiiight," it did make her a lot heavier. And I laughed. This was going to be... very, very strange. On the way to the stables, I still explained every stone I could think of.