Ink and Muskets: Chapter 8 (2/2)
Dee slipped in. Even in the light of the oil lamps, I had never seen them so bright with lingering anger. She looked disheveled, hair tied back like she had had to fight someone. Stray strands of ebony framed her fierce face, and her bright colored frills poked through her hair. I sat up, suddenly painfully aware of my vulnerable state. Thankfully, she mistook my embarrassment for attention. She glanced between Arwen and I. “We did not capture him. He arrived to the Imperial barracks first.” I didn’t bother to critique her speech. “Is everyone alright? Where’s Roman?” “He went back to our dorm to hide. The Imperial might try to report him for ag… aggre…” she clutched her head. “Metdo, yai no pirle.” I leaned forward, catching the meaning of her Merkin outburst. “Hey, relax. It’s okay.” Arwen hesitated before putting a hand lightly on her shoulder, xenial as always. “You can sit down if you need to. In fact, would it be good if you lie low here tonight?” Dee nodded forlornly. “Yes. I am grateful.” She stepped around the coffee table and flopped down at the opposite end of the couch. She braced her elbows on her knees and held her face in her hands. Arwen left the room, mumbling about finding something. “Aggression?” I offered. “Thanks.” She muttered darkly. I paused, then looked away. It felt wrong to watch her when she was so defeated, and it made me feel a little too vulnerable. “Thanks for… trying to run that guy down.” She looked up, and it could have been moisture in her eyes or just the light. “I am sorry. I thought… I thought you had been shot. All I could think about was… er… revenge is the word, I suppose.” No one had ever… fought for me like that. Yet she kept doing it, again and again, audacious and laudable. I managed a small smile through the throbbing pain radiating from my ankle. The adrenaline was wearing off. “How noble.” “Truly I am.” She smiled back, a mouth of sharp teeth that could no doubt rip and tear if she chose to. But that didn’t scare me. In fact, they made her all the more beautiful. They suited her well, after all, what was the sea without its salt? Though I wouldn’t want to be on the business end of those points. I bet that Imperial shit his pants when he saw her coming for him. “So you… understand Merkin? Tai pirle?” She asked cautiously. I puffed up proudly. “Of course I do!” She arched an eyebrow, eyes glittering in amusement. “Okay, fine. I only know enough to do business.” I grumbled, deflating a little. “And only the above-water variant. Obviously.” “You did business with Merkin?” She asked curiously, and for good reason. Most trade with them was restricted due to recent tensions.
“The trading company did. The East Isles are right at the edge of the queendom, so it was easy and we never got caught.” I admitted. “Hm.” I didn’t know what that meant, and it made me nervous. Arwen returned with a red canvas bag. She fished into it and handed me a compression bandage. “Here, set your ankle.” “Don’t tell me what to do,” I retorted, but pulled off my boot. It took a little effort, as my foot was swelling slightly, but it came off. I had done this before… wrap the ankle, down to the arch, over the top, back around, easy peasy. Arwen passed me the tape and some shears, and I cut and taped the bandage before handing everything back to her. “I’ll put this in your room,” she said. “In case you need to change it before it heals. You should stay off of it.” My tongue was curled for a witty retort, but I paused. Shit. “But I start work tomorrow!” I moaned. Arwen groaned, pressing her hand to her face. Dee barked a laugh. “Damn it, ‘Sani! Fine, go to work, see if I care.” Arwen grumbled. I half grimaced, half grinned. “And I can’t get up the stairs.” Arwen stared me down. “I hate you sometimes.”
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Mannn… the man is NONSTOP!
I missed writing about my colonial dirtbags. Hopefully I can get on a regular schedule soon. I'm getting back into that flow.
I am so tired. I've been trying to make Tumblr post this for two days and it keeps bugging out on me, so I have no witty outro.
Adieu.
