Before their conversation completed, the second traveller I’d offended grasped one of Fell’s legs and dragged him away from the first traveller, instigating a three-person brawl.My entire body felt like icy flames—contradictory senses clashing within.I felt guilt but also righteous anger—for surely this ridiculous practice of battering one another senseless couldn’t be said to bemyfault—all mixed with disgust because the floor was smeared with blood in some places and chunks of cod in others.
It seemed we were all in for a brutal sight, but Fell somehow escaped the grip of both men and jumped, grasping one of the support beams of the vaulted ceiling.He pulled himself up with the strength of his arms alone and sat at the height, tucking his legs in.
“Surely she has not caused so much trouble.She is just tiny,” he called down with a big grin.
“She is an owl-faced, high-horse with no understanding of sportsmanship,” someone shouted back up to him.It had taken me a painfully long time to learn to play most of the evening games that entertained King Arik’s courtiers, so I wasn't surprised by this sentiment.
One of the travellers jumped for the beam as well, beginning to pull himself up, but luckily King Arik arrived.He shouted, “Both of you get down this moment!I will not have my roof caving in because you cannot fight fairly on the ground.”
The traveller released his hold immediately.
Fell didn’t.“I wish to know how many I am fighting before I resume.”
Several hands rose, and then, a few more joined seemingly in jest.
Fell laughed.“This will be a long evening if I face you one after another, or a very painful short one if I face you all at once.Do I have allies?”
No one raised their hands.Laughter coasted through those gathered, looking up at the bleeding man in the rafters.
“Thesotenhas not upset me, but I will fight you all the same, for you abandoned her here.It was your work to guard over her, no?The poor thing.She is a bit like an orphan.”
I hadn’t seen who’d spoken, but I found myself a little warmed by the idea that someone had taken notice of me and thought I ought to be better cared for.Yes,I thought.He should have stayed; that seems to be the rule.
All the same, I wanted to say something to ease the situation, to apologize somehow, but speaking in front of one or two people was difficult for me—the entire court gathered felt like an impossible thing to address.And even if it hadn’t, it was very possible that speaking up would cause further ire.I’d seen people try to speak their way out of brawls and end up with a fist in their mouth.
“Arik will fight with me,” Fell said with a devious smile.
How can a man hiding in the rafters, awaiting a beating, smile so?
“I just had my teeth cleaned,” the king said.This wasn’t a Norsern phrase; it was something he had done regularly, and he didn’t like to eat or do anything messy right after, as he wanted his teeth to “dry cleanly.”
When Fell rolled his eyes, the king laughed.“If you had been here, grievances would not have piled up so.”Though the king’s words were reprimanding, his expression was anything but.His adoration was so clear, I could almost taste it from across the room.
A thick hand rose from among the sea of people.“I will join you, Fell.”
I had to shift so I could peer through the tattooed bodies to see who had agreed to my defence against a great many foes.My blood stirred in my chest.It was Broder.
Many people must have looked as confused as I felt, because he explained himself.
“Thesotencast a spell for me,” he said.“When my father joined Hyrold.It was strong.I will take some of what she is owed.”
Fell pointed at Broder.“You are a swell man.I will kiss you and buy you a drink when this is all done.”
“You have not paid for a drink in ten years,” said the king.
Everyone laughed.
“Very well,” Fell said, rolling up his tunic sleeves.“Two against twelve.It shall be over quick.”
“Three.”
I knew that voice.It was Reedman.
Ha!I thought.See?Some people like me.
When people glared at him, he said, “What?She appreciates my music.”
“Make it four.”
