Doctor Abbott Read online

  The young blond warrior had darker shades of fur at his forearms and a well-defined patch over his eye that matched. Ben turned on his heel again to stay a step ahead of the beast, and he quickly found himself in an office of some sort. The king was already waiting for him, signing a couple of scrolls. The two warriors pulled the door shut leaving what Ben thought to be just him and the king in the room at first. He pulled out a chair at the table and no sooner had he sat in it than the giant warrior he had already had too many encounters with emerged from the shadows.

  Ben’s curiosity for what was happening took over and he could not help but ask, “What is this?” The moment the question rolled off his tongue, Freyr pushed the documents he had just signed in front of Ben.

  “It is your title. You will sign it over to me.” Freyr cocked his head waiting patiently for the human to do as he was told.

  The longer he was in this world the less sense it seemed to make to him, Ben narrowed his eyes as he reached for the documents. “What do you mean by my title?”

  A rumbling laugh emerged from the king, “You served Bjorn willingly, human. I will not be so reckless. A prize like you will have a title and I will hold it. There will be no mistaking who you serve.”

  The realization and finality of what this was, sank in and the documents now felt like they weighed a ton in Ben’s hands. He laid them in front of him and picked up the top page to start reading it when Mâvis slammed the document back to the table and snatched Ben’s head back up via an intense grip on is hair. The warning growl that rolled out with the warrior’s words was incredibly sobering. “Tell me, human, do you think there is anything in those documents that is negotiable?”

  Ben swallowed hard, not even daring to look the deadly beast in the eyes, “Of course not. I suppose reading them was just out of habit. I fully intend to sign.” Mâvis only twisted the human’s head towards the location on the paper he wanted signed. One long white claw denoted the location, and Ben quickly scribbled his name across it. He could feel the blood rushing into his face as Mâvis released his scalp and pulled back the next document revealing only the signature line, and then the last page was done the same way.

  He had no clue what any of it was, only that he had just set in stone his position in this world. Mâvis half-sneered half chuckled as he snatched the document back and tied some twine in the king’s colors around it. The beast was gone before Ben could stop rubbing the pain off his head and he was left alone with the king. He remained seated not sure of what manners were due to the king. Logic told him the king should rise first if he was to be dismissed at all. He did chose, however to address the king, “I am capable of following orders without the pressure from your guards.”

  Freyr finally took to his feet, pushing his weight off the table as he did so. The assertion of energy that took could be heard in the snort of his reply. “You have not been deemed trust worthy yet. Loyalty is a commodity in this world, it is hard to earn and harder to keep, so is trust.”

  Pierce leaned on the open door with his thumb claws resting in his arms belt, he sucked on his fanged tooth, “The king has no time for your idle chatter, human. You have duties to perform and I am your guard for the day.”

  Not quite sure he could trust this guard he sought to get his orders directly, “And what are my duties for today?” His comment was followed by a cautious glance over his shoulder watching for any reaction from the king. Instead he was hauled from his seat and shoved out the door before he could grasp what was happening.

  Still barefoot and shirtless he paused in the hallway to exaggerate his state of undress. “I assume you want me alive at the end of these duties. Perhaps I should be allowed to dress then?” His observation was greeted with a sneer from the beast and he was followed back to his chambers to gather his clothing.

  Lúta was awake and pacing the floor. She dashed for the door the moment it opened, her eyes in a full panic as she scanned his entire frame for injury or damage. He had barely set foot in the room when she enveloped him in a hug, sucking in the smell of him, and fighting the tears that were threatening to fall. “I was so worried.”

  He thought for sure he would not be able to pry her off for a few seconds, and he had to assure her that he was going to be okay. There had to be hope of making it through the first day without a struggle if he meant to prove he was worthy of trust. “I’m fine, I was just getting my orders for the day. I need to get dressed, but I also need to know you will be alright if I am going to make it through this day.” He searched her eyes for fear. “You are friends with the queen, am I right?”

  “She will be by to see me today, but I cannot leave the room. The guards have already warned me.” There was little hope in her eyes, and he knew she was in fear for his safety, especially not knowing where her brothers were. They felt betrayed by their king, there was no telling what they would do. “I am worried for you.”

  Putting on his shirt he paused to show her that he respected her concerns, running a thumb down her cheek to sooth her and take her chin. “Apparently I’m a bit of a commodity, I am sure I will be safe. I promise. I’ll find us a good book for tonight and be back with plenty of time to read it.”

  She gave in to her urge to kiss him and let him leave ahead of Pierce. The warrior pausing to let her know he found her choice in males disgusting. “You were promised to a good warrior, and wed an inferior instead.”

  “What concern is it of yours, I was not promised to you!” She hissed back.

  “He will not survive a challenge, not even from a cub.” Then he sneered and taunted her. “Perhaps I will have a new wife before the sun sets.” She tore off after him and he ducked out the door, locking it behind him and laughing up the hall.

  Ben found the temperature outside frigid. The sun just never peaked in this part of the world, during this time of year. The dim light made the frigid air seem that much colder, and the wind was painfully vicious as Ben made his way to the first warrior’s cottage. Again he was to treat the wounded from the battle. This time there was no discussion on payment, not one warrior refused his service, and not one payment was collected on service.

  Although most of the warriors discussed the terms of their settlement with the king in English, and few of the Joutone chose to leave the human out of the discussion, speaking in a the strange tongue he had heard a few times already.

  The last house he was brought to was not one of his patients. At least not yet. An elderly warrior lived in this cottage. It was impressive in size, and Ben learned he was a beekeeper. A very lucrative trade in a world that had few treats to speak of. Sugars from honey, syrup and fruits were well received payment for almost anything.

  Ben did notice that food was always a welcomed trade, as well as tools and items for hunting. Arrow tips, took a while to make and there were not many crafters willing to do it all day so they were always well received. This gentleman was surprised to see a human at his door. He grumbled as the king’s guard invited himself in, and took liberties with the warrior’s midday lunch spread. A large roll of bread was snatched up while Pierce sat and directed Ben towards the bee keep. “The king says you are to see if he fixable. The bee keep is the last one in our village. We cannot afford to have our honey come from somewhere else.”

  Ben was now curious and he introduced himself. “I’m Doctor Abbott, may I ask what is ailing you?”

  The elderly warrior was clearly disturbed by the rude intrusion from the palace guard and the arrogance he displayed in helping himself to lunch. He was too weary to challenge the guard. The human was of interest though, he eyed Ben with a reserved caution. “I have not seen a human in a long time. Not since King Nathan ruled. What brings the likes of you to our village?” The warrior limped to a chair, taking his time to sit. His outfit was made of various animal skins and the tails dangled from his shoulders and waist, making him look larger than he was at his age.

  “I am here at the service of your king. I am a doctor, or healer if that is
how you prefer to say it. Have there ever been humans here before?”

  The question drew a twinkle from the Bee keep’s eye. “There was, a long time ago. A lot of them crashed this shore many years ago. Their arrival brought a lot of changes here, including the first human king in over a thousand years. Most of them are dead now. There are none left in this village. How did you make our shores?”

  Ben was intrigued by the bee keep, he was friendly and willing to talk, most likely because of there being a willing ear to listen. Pierce was growing impatient with the discussions, and stood to bring the healer back to the palace. Ben held up a hand, “I am here to do a job, aren’t I?”

  Pierce snatched up his arm, “And thus far all you do is cackle like a couple of hens.”

  “The conversation is useful, it helps me assess his lucidity.” Ben leaned away from the annoyed beast in an attempt to free himself, but Pierce yanked him back and let off a warning growl.

  “There is nothing you need to discuss other than what ails him.”

  The elder roared back as he erupted form the table, “I am not ill, you fool! Just tired.”

  Rather than feed into the conflict Ben sought to end it. “How tired are you lately? Is it more than usual? Are your friends missing you more? Do you find yourself sleeping at odd hours?”

  Seeing the bee keep settle into his chair Pierce released Ben and let him finish his assessment, poking and prodding, looking into the warriors eyes, ears and throat. The warrior was incredibly patient for the rest of the visit, and a lot of it had to do with Ben’s interest in his career as warrior. Serving Freyr’s father and then discussions of the warrior’s family. He learned that the beast’s name was Faylon, and that he was self-described as an honorable warrior. Although Ben had yet to determine what honorable meant to these people.

  Ben determined that the elder was suffering a mild case of diabetes and recommended a strict diet and exercises. Something he was not too sure the warrior would understand at his age.

  By the time they left he wasn’t even permitted to bid goodbye, he was simply shoved out the door. A case of honey was payment and Ben was sure they had just ripped off the old man. When they finally made it back to the palace, the case was left in the courtyard and a few jars selected for the queen, Ben knew the warrior had taken a healthy cut for himself. He wondered how much honor ran through the king’s own guards-men.

  The next day seemed to run much like the day before, at least until after noon. Pierce had a brief meeting with a couple of warriors outside of the square, and one of them Ben recognized as a merchant. One who was not fond of him. The warrior stomped over to Ben taking him by the arm, “You know of human goods?”

  As Ben was being hauled through the street he dragged his feet to try and get some control and bearing on what was happening. Finally the beast stopped and scolded him, “If you know what is good for you, then you will do as you are told.” That ended with a shove towards the woods. He feared what was happening but with three warriors now surrounding him, he had little choice. He picked up his pace and kept ahead in the direction they were going.

  The journey lasted a while, with an abrupt end at a clearing. There were several warriors surrounding two Joutone carcasses lying face down on the ground and a single human man on his knees with his hands bound to root in front of him.

  He was badly beaten and although he appeared to know he was about to die, seeing Ben sent him into a full on struggle in his bindings. “No! It’s not what you think it is! I swear it! I can prove it, let me go!”

  Suddenly Ben had the urge to go no further. Up until now he had thought he was being brought out here for his own execution, but seeing the man on his knees at the mercy of these beasts gave him a far more unsettling feeling. The three warriors that were there, were not men he had recognized but almost as soon as he arrived Mâvis emerged from the woods with a satchel. Something he had retrieved from someone else.

  He stood in front of the bound human and ran his claws through the knapsack, not even bothering with the complicated clasps and ties. “You have one chance to make your death swift. You will tell me what it is and what it does.”

  The bag was emptied in the snow, the pile was topped by the bag itself and the last item from it was thrown on top. A radio. A small hand held army receiver with a yellow crank on the side. It had to be ancient compared to the stuff Ben knew to exist now.

  The man avoided eye contact with the albino beast, despite how close in proximity Mâvis now was. Instead he held a haunted vague gaze in Ben’s direction. His answer was so rehearsed, “It’s a toy. It’s for a cub.” His answer was met with a backhand from Mâvis. He could not even fall backwards despite the pain, thanks to his ties.

  “You take me to be a fool? You think Nathan did not tell us of these? You betrayed your king, and then you betrayed your people. The very people that saved your life!” Mâvis turned on his heels storming over to Ben, snatching him by the back of the neck. He shoved him to his knees in front of the bloody man. The two dead warriors were not clean kills. These men were tortured. Their faces mutilated. Although they lay face down, their flesh was not properly adhered to their skulls. These creatures had died horrible deaths.

  He looked up at the enormous warrior, waiting for some sort of instruction. Mâvis grew impatient quickly and snatched a fist full of his hair, he crouched to be sure he could see into Ben’s eyes. Through gritted teeth Mâvis asked, “What is it, human?”

  How did they know what this equipment did? They knew of it, they knew it was for summoning humans. They knew far more than they should about human culture, or at least far more than humans seemed to know about theirs. Ben swallowed hard and took note of how quickly Mâvis had registered his reaction. The beast enjoyed seeing the fear in Ben’s eyes, “It’s a radio. It’s used exactly how you think it is.”

  Just as Mâvis expected, the pathetic creature would be too scared to lie. The grin that peeled across Mâvis’s face sent chills down Ben’s spine, and the warrior released his hair and stood, now watching the color leave the face of the human he had captured. The man’s voice nearly lost all pitch as he squeaked to Ben, “You’re an idiot. You have no idea where you are, do you? They will never let you live! They will never set you free! Their own king was human and he died the same way you will!” His pitch changing into a scream as Ben was being dragged off.

  Ben fought to release himself, “No, don’t kill him please! There are other ways to make him pay for his crimes. Please! No…” The two warriors that were dragging him stopped and dropped Ben to his knees. He watched helplessly as the man screamed from Mâvis’s claws running through his scalp. The albino beast only paused long enough to be sure Ben was getting a vivid show. Seeing how much the inferior enjoyed his work he continued as Pierce and the village merchant snatched Ben back off his knees and dragged him back into the darkness of the forest. The screams of that man dyeing ringing in his ears long after he was returned to the palace, and long after he lay his head in his bed.

  Chapter 9

  A few days passed and Ben started to worry that his wife was too confined in their quarters. The promise was kept thus far, she was safe and by his side, but with only the queen able to visit her he felt guilty leaving the chalet each day to do the bidding for the king.

  The price for his work seemed to be generous, and Ben had made no attempts to dishonor the king or escape. When he was returned to the small palace he decided it was time to show he would be far more than a passive captive.

  Since he seemed to have little movement outside his chambers without escort; his request had to go through his lone guard. He stopped in his tracks the moment they entered the palace, and removed the mittens his wife had made him. “I wish to see the king, do you know where he would be this time of day?”

  The warrior was eager to end his shift and return home. He simply snatched Ben by the back of the neck and shoved him towards the hall to his quarters, only to find Ben jog up the hall and spin back
once he had some distance. “I need some supplies. I cannot just heal people without proper equipment. I can do a much better job with the tools of my trade.”

  There would be no answer, Pierce closed the distance once they were in front of his chamber door and slammed Ben up against the wall until he could unlock the door. He bowled Ben in, and locked it. His wife was in there as usual, she had a couple bowls of stew left over from the kitchen and some ale she had warmed over the fire.

  She stood when he came in and quietly waited for him to great her. Ever since the night in the gazebo she seemed so different, like she feared he would just up and vanish on her. He couldn’t bare the four walls of the room any longer, and instead of just putting up he turned and started banging on the door, yelling to anyone who would be passing.

  Lúta sat back on the bed, worried she was the cause of his frustration and wondered if she had made a huge mistake in doing what she did. Ben still had every right to sell her even if he was a slave. With his powers he would have no trouble replacing her. It seemed like no one was coming to the door, Ben had given up and meant to join his wife on the bed when it cracked open. Erica poked her head in, she quietly scooted through the rest of the door when she saw things were calm in there. “Pierce says you wish to speak with my husband.”

  “Yes, the conditions we are in are ludicrous. First off, my wife has been confined to this room for four days now. The guard he sends me out with is stealing either from him, or the people I treat or both, and I have no medical supplies. If you want a healer then I need supplies. I also need better clothing for the conditions here.”

  Erica certainly found his requests reasonable. “Wait here.” She ducked back out the door and never closed it. She trusted him far more than anyone else in the palace. Of course, he had saved her only child. If there was one way to win a woman’s trust it was that. The door opened a second time, and this time Erica ushered them both down the hall, quietly. The three of them entered the study where Freyr was lost in a tattered old book, sitting in front of a fire with a bearskin over his lap.