Doctor Abbott Read online

  His book snapped closed, and the only way Ben could tell the king’s eyes were on him was because the light of the fire reflected off them enough. He was so dark that he appeared, little more than a silhouette in his chair. “Well, I suppose if I am to be disturbed, then you should probably just have a seat and join me for a drink.”

  Ben had learned quickly that one was not to appear too uneasy when dealing with these creatures. Cowardice was seen as a weakness and like any predator, the Joutone seemed to feed on weakness. Seeing his wife in her humbled state made him feel uncomfortable. Lúta was far from shy and his new master had already proved to be tolerant at best. He took the seat across from the king, as Erica offered it up to him.

  She produced a tumbler full of liquor and took Lúta with her to the game table in the corner, offering her some of the liquor as well. Erica tried to calm her friend’s nerves by taking her hand, and Ben decided the drink was not going to relax him right now. He sought about getting straight to business with his king and master. “If you think my powers are simply magical I have to inform you that you’re mistaken. I am only an educated man. I need tools and supplies to do my job. I need better attire. I know the Joutone are perfectly at home in these conditions, but I will die in them…and the most important issue to me is my wife. She cannot be confined to her room all day it is cruel. I don’t care how many or how few rights I have. I would waste all efforts so see her comfortable, as I am sure you would for your wife.”

  Freyr was impatient over the request. He enjoyed the control he had with Lúta at his mercy in the palace, and there was one other issue the human had yet to address and he wondered if the puny creature had ever even thought of it. “You will be challenged.”

  It was a term he had heard a few times, and his suspicion on its meaning was dead on. Still more information was needed at this point. “I beg your pardon?”

  As Freyr suspected, the human had no clue what he had just gotten himself into. Humans were pretty much oblivious to the Joutone culture, and few seemed to take as much interest as Ben has on arrival in their world. Most were desperate to find a way back to their own world and at best would try to befriend any warrior willing to sell them stories of the possibility of returning home. “You wed a rather valuable woman. Lúta was betrothed to a fine warrior, but lots of warriors have had designs on her since she hit maturity three years ago. Now her betrothed is not much of a threat. He is from another village and not due back here for at least a year. However, she is now wed. More importantly she is wed to someone who has no ability whatsoever to protect or defend her. Do you really think it is wise to flaunt her around my kingdom? Or do you prefer she remain under my protection?”

  “Your only solution to this problem is to keep her confined the rest of her life? I find that unacceptable. More importantly I need her, not just as my wife. Where I am from I normally have nurses to assist in my work. A doctor cannot work alone. My duties are difficult, and require a generous amount of preparation and concentration. Since I arrived here, Lúta has been learning from me. Her education makes her the only one qualified to fill the role of nurse. By having a nurse I have more time to treat more of your warriors and obviously that means more profit for you.” Ben noticed a new spark in the king’s eyes, something not brought on by the reflection of the fire. Profit was one thing he could use to leverage his position, and he now had a way to win the king’s trust. “Of course the other part of this is that your guards take liberties with their position. I am not educated enough yet to know what is a fair price for my work. Your guards know it well I am sure. I find it interesting that a majority of the payment collected ends up anyplace except your possession.”

  This issue was clearly something of interested one would expect that the queen would have relayed this information before anything else. “Pierce has always been an honorable warrior. I find it hard to believe he would steal from me. Your accusation carries a heavy penalty for a young man I trained myself when he was cub. If what you say is true the penalty is death.”

  The last thing Ben wanted was to see the arrogant asshole put to death, and who was to say the next guard would be any better. “As I said I do not know the value of my services as of yet. Currency from my world is far more cut and dry. More comparable to vouchers I see used if I were to describe it properly. I would like to think that a woman not only knows the value of my services, but would be hesitant to see anyone unjustly relieved of their hard earned goods. Having my wife along would be not only a deterrent for any crimes, but it would be a good balance to my work. You will see more done in shorter time, and receive better wage for my services.”

  Freyr toiled over the discussion. The human was smart, a bit manipulative but it was working in the king’s favor, why not indulge him a bit. “And what of this issue with your attire?”

  Ben finally decided to reward himself with that drink. He sat back in his chair and toasted the king, cocking a brow to accent his warm smile. “Well we are property of the palace are we not? Your colors are quite lovely, and stand out to the eye. I do believe if I were to sport them, that it would send the message that I am somewhat of an asset to you. Plus I do believe my wife would look lovely in blue.”

  Lúta gasped, only titled women wore color. Only titled men could afford it. With him being a slave, they were far from titled, and he essentially just catapulted her into the conversation of every common housewife in the kingdom. She watched as the king snickered over Ben’s clever use of his colors and returned the slave’s toast.

  Erica sat back and gloated, as her friend perked up. “Looks like we are going shopping tomorrow.”

  Chapter 10

  Mâvis’s shift came to an end, he thought it was early enough in the morning to get some training in before the village woke. Not more than an hour into his training, he noticed from the corner of his eye, the glow of an approaching lantern. Using his axe, he took aim at whoever it was, and on seeing the king round the corner of the building he relaxed his stance. Quietly he waited for whatever orders would drag the lazy ruler from his bed at such an early hour. The guard had half hoped that Freyr was finally willing to take action against Ormr.

  With his son still healing from a fresh wound surely the old warrior would now have some motivation to retaliate, since defending the village was clearly not motivation enough. Instead the king was restless over another issue. “There you are. Are you not on shift? It took forever to find you.” The king’s condescending tone was already cutting into Mâvis’s patience.

  “My shift is over.”

  Freyr hung the lantern on a post by the gate of the courtyard so he could address the warrior. “I cannot seem to sleep. It appears I have some treachery in my guard. One of the warrior’s is stealing from me.” Mâvis had a knack for pulling information out of people. Even the most skilled warriors feared him, and when fear was not the motivating factor, he had another talent that was useful. The ability to read their minds, or so it appeared.

  It was not their minds that gave the secrets away, it was his victims body language. Their fear, coupled with their desperation often led to involuntary flinches, eyes rolls and panicked reactions they had no control over. “Who is it?”

  “Pierce.” Freyr’s answer was not well received. Mâvis liked this warrior. He was young, and fierce. A good fighter with an eye for detail and he was far more loyal to the king than anyone else at his service. If Pierce betrayed the king, it was not something significant. Possibly some petty thievery at best.

  “What is your source for this information?” Perhaps the investigation should start there.

  Fearing that the servant would not survive an interrogation by the general, Freyr felt it better to keep that information quiet. “I have my own suspicions, is my word not good enough?” He cleared his throat and turned to leave. “I expect an answer before next shift.” Mâvis only answered in a low growl and resumed his training.

  The next day he found Pierce by the village gates. Not his usua
l post. Normally his job was to tend to the prince, and since the prince was laid up on injury his position was escorting the island’s latest nuisance; the king’s new slave. Mâvis leaned quietly on the tall wooden wall, watching the dark mist roll through the ancient trees. He was not one for small talk. If Mâvis was there it was for something serious and he was not one to test. “What is this?” Pierce asked.

  Mâvis’s eyes shot right to the Pierce whose spear was being used for nothing more than to prop up his own hand right now. Pierce was good with a spear and Mâvis kept a watch on his stance as he said, “I find it odd that you are on watch at the gates. We have plenty of warriors better suited for this.”

  Pierce thought to deflect the conversation, “I find it odd that Freyr seems to trust no one as of late.”

  The warrior was all too aware of what was going on. There was no doubt in Mâvis’s mind that he had something to hide. Despite his casual appearance, Pierce was anything but relaxed. With the guard’s focus on the general, Mâvis set his watch on the woods again, keeping a steady eye out for intruders or predators. “His son was ambushed on a hunt. Of course he would be far more aware of who tends his family. I would be. No one knew we were on that hunt.”

  “This is something you already took care of. Is it not? Why do you waste my time with this sort of an inquiry?” His reply was a tad too brazen and the moment Mâvis’s blue eyes whipped back into view Pierce dialed back his temper he may be brave but he was far from stupid.

  Mâvis had no intention in this interrogation ending in bloodshed, but this warrior was about to receive a lesson in manners. “Pierce you are good warrior. I do not understand what brings someone of your privilege to steal from your employer, but it will be the last time I address it.” His warning rumble was well received.

  “I did no such thing. I took from the slave. He has no clue what he is doing here. If he reported to Freyr that I stole something then he will be dealt with.” There it was, the admission of a crime. If it was that at all. Stealing from slaves was common. No one had respect for them. The only reason the healer was even able to collect the wage was because he had a palace guard to assist him. Pierce knew Mâvis had no quarrel with this news.

  Still it had to be answered. “You will not do it again. His wage is the king’s to collect, and it is not your place to discipline him. That is for his master alone.”

  “Very well, Mâvis.” Seeing Pierce return his gaze to the darkness of the forest Mâvis knew he had what he wanted and turned to leave. Knowing Mâvis was a little hard of hearing he did mutter something under his breath. Mâvis was in fact hard of hearing, but Pierce had no clue it was only on his left side. The wind carried the words to the general’s good ear with ease, “No need to discipline him if I challenge for his wife.”

  Mâvis whipped around and closed the distance with little more than a spin, nailing Pierce in the chest with the butt of his axe and slamming him against the fort wall. The wind was knocked out of him and before he could gain his wits his spear was gone from his grip and his throat was pinned between an elbow and the handle of the axe. Despite Pierce being so tall Mâvis had him clean off the ground and clinging to the axe handle for fear of his own neck snapping from his weight. “I warn you once. That human lives and dies by my hand only, anyone who challenges him had better be prepared to take on me.”

  Pierce struggled to answer but found he had no way to reply. The sound of him choking on his own words brought Mâvis that welcoming feeling of yet another life at his mercy. If only he did not like Pierce so much it would be preferable to let him hit the ground as a corps. This was a fine warrior though. He feared nothing and even now with his own demise seemingly inevitable, Mâvis found no fear in his eyes.

  He let the guard drop to the ground and with his feet of no use from the lack of air he went straight to his knees, spitting a little blood from the blow to his chest. He sat back on his haunches watching Mâvis take leave as he growled out, “Why do you care? You hate humans!”

  Mâvis’s pale form nearly faded into the grey of night. He stopped only to toss back. “I am loyal to my king. My loyalty buys the slave an existence free from challengers. Perhaps when the slave serves under your roof you can decide his fate.” His warning was enough. Pierce would leave the human alone, for now.

  Chapter 11

  Ben and Lúta took their meals in their room for the most part, so it was a bit of a surprise when they were summoned to meet in the great room for breakfast one day. Olsen was already sitting at the table when the two of them arrived.

  Ben smiled upon seeing him, “My goodness this really is a treat. It appears my patient is looking well.” The tall beast was thin in comparison to his parents and counterparts. “Tell me, how did you find yourself shot alongside your warrior friends?”

  The kid smiled and reached for his tea, “We were on a late night hunt and got ambushed. I did well until I was shot. I killed the first warrior myself.”

  Olsen was incredibly friendly, and a tad naive. Ben had not been afforded time to discuss where he was in the God forsaken world up until now. This presented a unique opportunity to learn more about his location. “So who wants to take on a hunting party of warriors like yourself? Sure it was someone incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.”

  The young man was happy to answer his questions, “Those men are from Ormr’s village, they reach us by boat. We have been at war with them for a couple of years.”

  King Freyr entered the room half way through the discussion. He walked over to the buffet and poured himself a mug of tea before taking his seat at the head of the table. “Most of the islands here are at war, there are four islands all together but our kingdoms are mostly based on three. There are a few smaller villages as well as loaners and hermits spread out in between our kingdoms. But these islands are very dangerous without warriors to worry about. The wolves and bears that inhabit these woods are the largest in the world and where we are in winter the majority of the year their hunger is often unquenchable.”

  Something he said caught Ben’s attention right away, “You’ve been off these islands?”

  The king scoffed, “Of course I have. A lot of men take a reshoobie, a journey as youths to mountains and villages across the world in search of others like us. Your wife’s betrothed is on such a journey now.” He tore into some bread from his plate. “Conditions you humans find unfavorable are perfect for our people.”

  Having been over most of the world himself Ben found it interesting that there were still places humans found unfavorable enough to avoid. He started to ponder if these people have written themselves into history books as folklore; possibly even as Bigfoot or Abominable Snowmen. He told himself if he ever made it out of here, it would be his mission to find out what documentation is out there showing encounters with them.

  Olsen finished his food and excused himself, he turned to Ben on his way out, “My breathing has been getting stronger. Your advice did well for me.” He finished by thumping on his chest to display the strength he was gaining.

  As soon as the young man left, Mâvis entered the room and moseyed over to the buffet pulling a plate for himself and loading it up with some meat, eggs and bread. He shoved one apple in the side of his teeth and snatched a second off the table before sitting beside the king. Ben put his fork down and stood up to leave.

  “Stay, human.” A growl rolled off the guard’s tongue along with the order and it brought Ben back to his seat immediately. “We have business to discuss.” Mâvis never bothered looking at him as he spoke.

  Ben couldn’t help but notice that the apple that was clenched in his teeth a moment ago was bit completely in half and the second half followed the first in a single bite as well. The beast sat there chewing briefly before he realized Ben was still staring at him, dumbstruck. Mâvis narrowed his eyes in reaction and Ben nervously returned his attention back to his own plate.

  Erica excused herself now and ushered Lúta to join her. Ben’s wife appeared ner
vous about leaving her husband alone in the room with Mâvis and the king, but she put her napkin on her plate and obediently followed the queen. As they left another guard entered and pulled up a plate. He slapped Mâvis on the back and sat across from Ben. Within a few minutes there were seven more men at the table, and the door closed.

  The king leaned forward addressing the men in what appeared to be a conversation that had started before breakfast had even begun. “The merchants will be ready for the trade run in the morning. With Ormr looking for trouble we will need guards on this run.”

  Mâvis reached for a mug of tea, “This is foolish right now.”

  Freyr replied, “But we have a commitment and need to keep our ties strong if we mean to prove ourselves trustworthy.” He turned his focus to Ben now. “There is more. I offered your services to King William. I do not know the situation as of yet but it appears his wife may have taken ill. Our villages are in the middle of trying to mend some old wounds and if there is anything you can do it will be appreciated and your efforts will be rewarded.”

  Mâvis cut back into the conversation, “I only need three guards, I will not leave the village unprotected to make friends, Freyr.” He chewed slowly as he waited for a reply.

  “Well Ormr’s tactics for now are to try and pick us off as we venture out. A merchant caravan will be easy picking with much reward.”

  “Which is why this is foolish right now. We can send a raid in and keep him busy cleaning up carcasses. Then do as we wish, but going about business as usual until then is foolish.”

  Freyr shook his head, “We are not strong enough for a raid just yet, I want to petition William for assistance and put this to an end as quickly as possible.”