Page 114 of Winter Gods & Serpents

My stomach rumbled loud enough it echoed between trees and Kilian’s eyes widened beyond their usual extent. “It makes demands.”

“Very funny,” I bit, balling my fists in threat at the bastard who had just switched to an unusual joking mood.

We walked back through the dense forest, surprisingly sun peaked between angry clouds and warmed our heads. I took a deep breath, adoring its light and basking in its apricity, the comfort of it like the hand of a lover grazing your back. Sunny days and star gazed nights were a luxury in Isjord, but the sun saluting us was not a friend of Krig but that of goddess Plantae. Brisk once was Hanai, before greed of Krigborn Kings sought their hunger for avarice.

The edges of a village became visible, meaning we were nearing the city. Roofs of black stone, magic grown onyx that banished cold laid for long miles clustering in neat lines.

“Shall we meet demand first, before meeting the others?” Kilian suggested, pointing to a tavern and I could not really disagree, my stomach was killing me. If I heard another rumble, I would chew snow.

We entered the hollow large tavern, scarcely filled with people who turned intent towards us. Cold stares and glances, but none dared speak ill of true Isjordians. Brisk was a suffered population, they knew what they had to do to keep their existence. Silence.

Pain struck in my chest remembering my own people, cowering gods knew where in this realm that took no notice of their endure.

“For heavens’ sake, what’s happen to you pumpkin?” An old barmaid approached asking and studying the beaten sight of us, her eyes resting on my uniform and the two circlets.

“Patrol,” I spoke. No flash of dislike in her eyes, the usual visible dislike people of Brisk had for Isjordians, especially Isjordian militia.

“Did they send you to patrol wolves?” She joked, cocking a fist on her hip. “They have torn right into you. What can I get for you?”

“Food please, loads of it, no meat.” I asked, cringing at the loud grumble my stomach let out.

“Ale?” she asked.

“Yes.” I needed numbing and distraction. I wanted to see stars, let my world spin round till I’d collapse.

“No.” Kilian spoke in hard order. “Water only.”

I threw him an angry glare, but he only blankly stared at me as the barmaid left. A flustering look now. Why did he stare so much? I ate, he stared, I walked he stared, I spoke he stared, I did anything, and he would just stare. Was I truly such a curiosity?

“No meat? How do you build the muscle for sparing and energy to run that heavy mouth?”

I scoffed at his blatant uncovered offenses. “Without putting a dead animal in me. What—what’s with the,” I asked, moving a hand over my face. “Quizzical?”

“So you can excuse murder, but the line is drawn at animal cruelty?”

I shrugged. “The ybris has a different list of morals.”

“Or none.”

I withheld the tick of annoyance at his fearlessness. “Suit yourself.”

He rubbed a hand over his face, and I swore he stared right onto my brain when he asked, “Don’t you find it difficult? To take a life?”

“As hard as it is to breath.”

“Liar.”

I scowled. “What?”

“Liar. You wish for me to spell?” he asked without an ounce of change in his cold expression, but I could tell he was amused from my reaction.

How did he know? Sigh. I was letting this bastard rile me up for what? “If you knew why do you ask, or are bored and on for conversation? If so, I have plenty better to give you.”

He leaned back onto the chair, glancing around the tavern. “I like your lies, they are entertaining. How you try and disguise words, actions, and yourself, severely entertaining. Not to mention the creativity behind them.”

“You have me all figured out,” I teased and leaned onto the table. “Do you know why I tolerate you, Kilian?”

He repeated my actions, leaning close almost inches away from my face. “Entertain me.”