Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 62: Scene LXII
Again silence between the children reigned. However, their wildness was part of their character. The fear was easily dismissed to retort the strong Leader warning them. Being that impulsive one was who spoke first.
“Why am I to be remembered as pathetic?! That’s not the truth! I am not pathetic!!”
“That’s right! We won’t be lost defeated! We aren’t pathetic!”
“So you call me a liar again... You’re not pathetic but brainless, Ivahr.”
“Tsk! You cursed Myrkzver!!” — Walking back to retrieve his axe, Ivahr wished revenge against the indifferent Archduke. Committing yet another mistake.
“Are you sure you want to try?”
"...–"
Aslak’s soft smile was ominous.
The steps of the child halted at the serenity he portrayed in his body, loosely holding the long blade that now seemed more deathly in his possession. Yet it was the conviction of the eyes that apparently watched him that caused dread within the youth.
His eyes were ones that had never intended on holding doubt at the time to kill. And in the deep of his gems, Ivahr witnessed the gruesome death he was to meet if another step was given.
“As I said... Ivahr... you are damned lucky... See the woman over there? She’s who keeps you alive right now.” — Lowering to meet the eyes of the child upfront, Aslak said and continued. — “Be clever. Your life should have ended the first time... but... I like your persistence.”
The harshness of his eyes softened as he noticed that even with himself in front, the axe had not been dropped by Ivahr’s hand. And as glad as he was that unconsciously the child had listened, his hand pressed and pushed the head of the child in a pleased mood.
“You’ll need that out there. Keep it and come back with honour when it’s your turn. You can try again then.”
Turning his back on the children, Aslak moved back to stand before the entertained men that had started to glance at the quiet woman he had brought.
A quick inspection of her demeanour was done by his eye before meeting the hazel orbs under her soft lashes.
Humbly yet distinguishable in her stance, Ewelina stood, heeding his orders gently even when feeling uncomfortable in clothes she did not accustom to.
The woman had been attentively following her husband with a discreet gaze. And at this time, once their eyes met, surprise was portrayed by their shine for they had left her Husband recently, solely to observe with fondness the wild children. That, even when brutish in attitude, the small bodies still contained the innocence youth should hold.
She observed him come back to stand a few steps before her, where he had stood before going to the children. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Only once his back was to face her, did the link of their gazes break. Along the voices of the men that went silent as the Archduke called their attention.
“Shut your mouths now.” — With a flaring glare, he commenced. — “I’ve news to give since the old Otrur couldn’t bother.”
“HaHa. That’s right. Old Trur made Myrkzver come down in vain.” — Hrom commented with failed murmurs to the men.
“What is it?... Is it time you leave? Are we finally getting rid of your head, Aslak?”
The man who ignored the noticeable buzz stepped forward. Staring with malicious intent at the Archduke as menacing pace commenced to gallivant around him in a wish to start the chaos he found amazement in.
“... Go back, Yngve.”
“Why? You have a nice blade there. I’m sure you remember. ‘If your hand holds a weapon in my presence then someone’s blood should fall’... I’ve told you many times, cocky rotter.” — Pacing in thrill the savage came to stand before Aslak. Staring directly into his hues with a disturbing thirst for a gruesome encounter.
“And how many times do you think I listened?” — Unfazed, he responded. Listless to the threatening energy of Yngve. — “Go back. I’ve no time for you.”
“Time is all you have. Raise the weapon, Myrkzver.”
“... You have no weapon though?”
“You laugh? I always–... Hrom... Piece of grease!”
“HaHaHa! Your talking is boring, Yngve!!... Leave Myrkzver alone.”
Glaring at the wide and playful savage behind him, playing with the axe he had stealthily stolen from his belts, Yngve gritted his teeth in rage. Furthermore, at the sneering from Sortnafeigr’s owner, who had observed the steal of his weapon pleased... Since the crafter had moved accordingly to free him from the reckless troublemaker inciting violence in his hand.
“That’s right, Yngve... don’t start now. You know he won’t give in to your provocations.”
“Remember that time he did give in? Sigh... Don’t you miss your foot’s fingers?”
“gh....ooOoOOu...”
Laughter broke between the men, provoking the aggravated Yngve’s rage in a guttural growl, different to that one of celebration Ewelina had listened to before, at their delayed wedding.
“!...Ouuurrr... Yngve... don’t defy us too...” — A man responded, along with others’ growls.
"GhOooouuUrr... You all–"
“That’s enough.” — Aslak intervened with a calm tone at the threatening bunch preparing to fight. Throwing the blade downwards so it dug into the hard ground. — “Everyone, hide the fangs.”
His motion was one meant to dissolve dispute, and effectively those that heard the sound halted their beastly pace at the flinch of their ears. Turning slowly while glaring at the inducer of plight, spitting with disgust at the sight of the unreasonable.
“I have news... If Hrom hasn’t told you already–”
“Oh, I told them.” — Interrupting the already on edge Aslak, Hrom admitted proudly.
“... He spilt about your mate as if mead had dropped from the boulder. Hwa.”
“Fine... That makes this easier.” — Peeved by the meddlesome crafter, Aslak turned in grunt, grinding his teeth as he came to stand next to the apparently composed woman. Whose awake eyes gave away her confusion and fright.
“This woman you foul men have been ogling at is my Mate. My Wife.” — Dignified, he announced to the men, threatening yet pleased to say it. Although different to the night before when the help of a celebrating ambience incited a chaotic spectacle. — "This Sortnafeigr’s owner Partner."
Ultimately placing his gaze on her to cue with his brow her permission to speak.
“... I am Ewelina Myrkzver.” — Pausing to raise the courage needed to say her name, Ewelina looked through the doubtful eyes of the savages. Realising that gentleness was not a choice to portray before the wildmen.
A whiff of air was requested by her lungs so her stance would straighten and her voice gained strength. Her chin lifted to manifest the authority as Aslak’s wife... As the Archduchess... And aware that her following words needed to root respect in the critical savages, she gave a step forward, changing the shine of her gaze to one as critical as that of her Husband to reproach the men in a sly comment.
“Thankfully, you became tame. I had not thought I would have to wait this long to finally address myself to you. Kleifar’s people.”
“...”
“It is a pleasure. Truly.
What I have seen from above the boulder was a speck of the wildness my Partner possesses. Therefore... I am hopeful." — A serious yet graceful glare was given by the woman. Proceeding to utter the sharp insult this hope kept. — "... That this poor behaviour I’ve witnessed is only a dirty speck of what you people truly are.”
Shivering stillness... traversed the dry air of many offended men... While the Husband smirked, amused that she who was soft in behaviour was also menacing in her kind manners.
