I didn’t see which one of them swiped my legs out from under me, but as I looked up at the three men above me, I knew each of them would feel my wrath soon enough.
I pushed myself to my feet, but one of the other newcomers placed his foot against my chest and slowly pressed me back into the snow.
“You stay down there until we’re done,” he sneered.
“Is this the only way you can get a woman on her back?” I taunted, holding his gaze, noticing the scar above his left eye, knowing I’d need to fight my own desire to give him a matching one over his right.
“You address me as Captain Marson,” the blue-eyed one spoke.
“I’m not in your army,” I snapped. “Also, you want me to find you a trail. I suggest you be nicer to the woman who can either lead you to your destination or your death.”
The captain looked at me in surprise, then his eyes flicked to his comrades. “You just threatened me in front of my men.”
I still didn’t look away even though the boot pressed firmer than before.
“The warning wasn’t just for you.” I turned my head to look at the one with his boot on me. “It includesallof you.”
After a long, tense silence, a low chuckle came from the left. I didn’t want to look away from the threat in front of me, but everyone else did.
He sat on a wagon, his cloak pulled tight around his shoulders, and his hood pulled low over his eyes. He didn’t look up from where he was sitting, focusing instead on the wooden figurine he was whittling.
“In a land of snow and ice, I’d not piss off the maiden.”
“Who the fuck asked you?” Boot Presser snapped.
“Nobody, but someone needs to warn you.” His head lifted slightly, and even though I couldn’t see him from under the shadow of his hood, I knew he was looking straight at me. “She’ll roast your balls over a fire far from here and wish it was a bigger portion.” He spat to the side, his head still low, shouldershunched, the cloak draped over his lean frame. “Best let her up before she takes your cock too.”
I used the opportunity to grab the soldier’s foot, twist, and push him away from me.
He collapsed into a heap in the snow as I watched. The sound of metal clanking echoed hollowly through the air.
“You can’t assault a soldier of the King’s Guard!” one of his companions shouted.
“Why? He assaulted me. Where was your protest then?” I got to my feet and brushed the snow off my cloak. It felt noticeably damp. I turned back to the captain. “I’m not the one to find a trail for you. He volunteered.” I pointed to my left. “Pick him.”
“I want you.”
I snorted. “Well, you have a funny way of asking, Captain Marson.” I gave a slight nod of my head. “I’m humbled you asked, but I have a bargain made.”
As I turned away, he caught my shoulder, his touch light, but still offensive.
“Whoever your merchant is, we’ll pay double.”
Double? I almost,almost, hesitated. But then I remembered I had no merchant, and double of nothing was still nothing.
“As I said, I have a bargain made. I do not break a bargain.”
He looked confused and furious at the same time. “Then why are you here?”
“He made me come.” I pointed at the soldier who woke me up. “Had he asked, I’d have told him.”
Captain Marson glared at his man. “You were to ask if they were free.”
I didn’t bother listening to the debate. I walked away from them, forcing myself to pass by the wagon of the shadowed man, who was concentrating on his figurine, his knife moving swiftly and with skill.
“My thanks for the words,” I mumbled as I passed.
“Don’t thank me yet,” he replied softly. He stood, the knife and the figurine disappearing into the pockets of his cloak.
