Malcolm had been assigned ten captains, each of which had between eight and ten knights with the odd squire tagging along to do the heavy lifting. Benjamin and his old team were there every day for training, on time, and worked without fuss; they knew their old captain’s routines, rules, and mannerisms, and weren't about to let him down. Everyone else, though, had a lot to learn, but at least they seemed eager to please, all except one.
His name was Murphy Webb, he was the captain of ten strong, but wayward men, and seemed a little corrupt if anyone were to ask Malcolm. His skin was olive, weathered, and wrinkled like thick paper that had been wet and dried over and over again. Murphy had a menacing look about him and a sinister smile that made it hard to imagine what went on inside his mind, and whether or not he would follow, or fancied himself the better leader of the two of them.
Scheduled for that afternoon had been a match between the Captain and the squadron’s Warden, and everyone had stuck around to watch the two go head to head. For the most part they were on an even playing-field. Both knights preferred their right hands to their left, both used a longblade as their weapon of choice, and each were fitted with a comfortable shield. Malcolm tested the weight of the shield on his arm and lifted it high and low to make sure there would be no surprises once the battle commenced.
They stood across from each other, each taking the measure of the man in front of him. Murphy was at least six foot, almost as tall as Malcolm, so he knew the man would have good reach with his blade. The rest of the knights gave them plenty of space, watching from the arena stands tucked away in one corner of the barracks. Murphy made the first move, closing the distance between them. He swung low and Malcolm blocked with the bottom of his shield, only to catch a foot against his right hip, one that saw him stumble backwards.
There came a cheer from the crowd and Murphy smirked. “Isn't that noble bastard yours?”
Malcolm’s mind instantly jumped to defend his newest child Elsie with retort, but Murphy spoke again before he could even open his mouth.
“I suppose that's why you took the mission, you don't want to see one of us lop his head off.”
Malcolm put some distance between the two of them, he knew his tactic, one that involved making a man so mad he couldn't see straight and tended towards acting without thinking. “We fighting or courting?” Malcolm launched the second attacked, swinging hard at his target, and as Murphy brought his shield up to defend, Malcolm changed tactics and rammed the man with his own shield. Murphy fell into the dust and Malcolm extended a hand to help him up. “You know I hear you can pay to talk to people about your problems nowadays.”
Murphy shove the hand aside and lashed out with another kick that Malcolm was only just able to narrowly avoid. The Warden swung his sword again and Murphy blocked before rolling across the ground. Malcolm didn't give him any time to recover and as soon as he tried to stand the tread of Malcolm’s boot met his shoulder and he was thrown down again. This time Malcolm wasn't so forgiving, and closes his boot over Murphy’s blade near the hilt so that the man's fingers became trapped, crushed under the grip of his blade. The Warden positioned the point of his sword against Murphy’s neck and the fight was done.
It had been a short match, but Malcolm was now sure Murphy’s intention hadn't been to test the man's skill with a blade, rather, he wanted to know whether or not Malcolm was easily rattled.
On the road home Godric had asked what it was Murphy had said at the beginning of the match. “I've never seen that look on your face before,” Avari had followed up. “It looked like you wanted to rip that old man's heart out.”
“He only asked that I show him my best,” Malcolm lied, if there was division within his ranks he wasn't about to encourage it. All he could do was keep his eye on Murphy and hope for the best.
Outside the cottage, Godric helped with the horses and polished up a bit of the gear before putting it away while Avari made sure the animals had plenty of water and straw for the night ahead. Malcolm washed his hands in a cold bucket of water and made a move towards the house before he was stopped by a curious look from Grodric. “What is it?” he asked the man.
“Are we joining you for dinner?” Godric inquired.
“I can't see why not, Elyna knows you're both staying.”
Avari hung up the reins and followed them out of the barn. “Does she mind me taking up the guest bedroom?”
“Unless you're planning to play the drums all night and or entertain guests, I don't think she'll mind at all,” he smiled.
The woman grinned, almost shy. “I'd really like a bath, I haven't had one since we were on the ship.”
“Of course, you're welcome to it, you too Godric.”
“I'm fine,” he waved, “I showed at the barracks before the fight.”
Inside the house, Godric added another log to the fire before sitting down at the table. Avari excused herself and ducked into the bathroom, and Malcolm wandered over to Elyna to press a kiss to her temple and the joined Godric.
“Is that what I think it is?” Godric smiled.
Malcolm sniffed and realised Elyna was cooking one of her delicious meat pies. “On second thoughts, Godric, I might have to send you to bed without a meal. I just don't think there is enough to go round.”
Godric laughed and kicked the man under the table. “You'll just have to sacrifice half of your piece then, Malcolm.”
“Sirothelle will freeze over before that happens,” the mortalborn smirked.
They sat together in domestic bliss, the fire roaring, a warm meal on the table, and Elyna close at hand. Malcolm watched her and offered a faint smile whenever he was caught. Godric ate like a starved child, tempted but not quite going as far as to lick his plate clean. He got up and rinsed all of the dishes while Malcolm and Elyna ate, and when Elyna was summoned from the table after dinner by Elsie’s hungry howls, Malcolm got to his feet and set aside a plate for Avari.
“She's sure got a good set of lungs on her,” Godric commented.
“Avari?” Malcolm looked up, jolted from his current line of thought.
Godric laughed. “No, Elsie.”
Malcolm was sure hed had turned ten different shades of red. “Oh, yes, she's really found her voice in the last few trials.”
Godric wiped the smug smirk off his face with a slow shake of his head. “Are we getting up at the same time tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Malcolm nodded. “You might have a few more bits to yourself, I think Elyna wants to join us on the road which will mean a bit of a late start and a wagon ride.”
“All right, I'll see you then,” Godric smiled and dried his hands on the dishcloth. “Thank Elyna for the meal, will you?”
Malcolm saw him to the door. “I will, thanks for your help with the dishes, and the training today.”
Godric waved. “My pleasure.”
On his way to join Elyna in the bedroom, Malcolm heard Avari call out to him and stopped in front of the bathroom door. “Everything all right?” he asked.
He heard the water in the bath slosh as Avari sat up. “Yes, fine, could you get me a towel?”
“Oh,” Malcolm felt a little flustered by the request. “On the shelf against the far wall.”
“There aren't any,” she called back gently.
“All right, just a moment.” Malcolm left the house to go out to the line and bring in the washing that had been forgotten. It was dry but felt a little cool for being left out in the late evening air, and of everything he took down, Malcolm had only found one towel. He brought everything in and set it down on a chair in front of the Fire to dry a bit better during the night, and folded the towel up before taking it to the bathroom door.
He turned the handle and held the towel out without stepping inside. “Come in,” Avari encouraged.
Malcolm looked across at the bedroom door, still closed. Elyna must have been feeding Elsie, he thought. Malcolm went into the bathroom and kept his gaze low, but held the towel open. He caught a glimpse of the shelf in the corner and looked across at Avari. “There are loads of tow---,” he stopped mid sentence, heart pounding in his chest at the sight of her, hair slicked back, and the water level low, going no higher than her belly button, bare chest exposed, an arm tucked behind her head while the other hand was rested causally upon her thigh.
Malcolm blinked and quickly found his tongue. “Avari what are you playing at?” the man kept his voice low. “There are loads of towels here.”
Avari crossed her legs and lifted a slender brow. “What are you playing at, Malcolm? A good man would have left the room by now.”
Malcolm dropped the towel and turned, leaving the bathroom with haste. He shut the door and carried on to the bedroom, entering without so much as looking at Elyna or the baby, instead pointing his attention at the window. He shut the curtains and lit another candle to give him enough light to get undressed in, and started taking off his tabard, the leather tight on account of the cold and it's newness. He wrestled his way out of it and let it collect on the floor, boots and weapon’s belt swiftly following.
“Godric told me to say thank you very much on his behalf for the pie,” Malcolm said with his back to Elyna still, he didn't trust his face, thinking it might give something away he wouldn't feel comfortable mentioning. “Thank you for preparing that…”
