I had spent the whole day helping in what I could and feeling useful in a comforting way. I haven't seen a party like that in months, because for a guard chief engaged in a fight, there wasn't much time left for amusement. Except in brothels or taverns where I could drink in the company of beautiful girls. A long time ago my mind was occupied with strategies of battle and revenge. The entire MacCalister clan wanted Roy's head more than all the people who inhabited the Highlands and some allies. There were obvious reasons for so much hatred and I grew up in the middle of it. So being among such joyful and outsiders was both comforting and strange. Looking around, it didn't look like there were troops under siege around Edinburgh, devising strategies to enter the fortress. There were also small troops besieged along the border, taking care that no traitor attacked Dunhill and tried to kill Aideen. Everything, at that moment, inspired or breathed peace and joy. A peace that I had long forgotten or reneged on.
I raised the beer mug in another collective toast with the singers. My gaze went through the crowd stopping in the direction of a beautiful blonde. She had her back to me and was getting ready to shoot an arrow at a target. The soft-colored dress did not hide her curves and her perfect posture showed that she knew what she was doing. The silver hair was stuck in a long, thick braid that reached his thin waist. I didn't need much to know that was Annabel. It inspired delicacy and savagery at the same time, so I remembered the morning we met. When I jumped on the horse, I had no idea that that angel had premeditated and helped Aideen escape. I soon discovered that behind those beautiful bright eyes, there was a demon hidden and he had been tormenting me from the moment I laid eyes on Annabel.
I held my breath when a guy left the tavern and walked towards it. I went along with the look and got up slowly. There was something in his gaze that didn't leave me satisfied or comfortable, so, leaving the mug aside, I went down the stairs without taking my eyes off the man and walked to Annabel. He stopped behind your back and said something in your ear. This was enough for her to lose focus and her hands slipped causing the bow to fall. The rope was released at the wrong moment by hitting the hand that held it, without it waiting. Annabel screamed in pain and dropped her bow on the floor. The man laughed while she held her fist. I knew how painful that hit hurt, because I often let go of the rope at the wrong time when I started to learn how to use the gun.
- Let me see! - ...I asked you to take his hand delicately. - We're gonna need some cold water.
- No! Don't touch! - she begged me, shrugging her hand and trying to pull it out, but I was holding her wrist firmly. - It hurts so much!
There was a red line marking the base of his hand and thumb. Annabel cried because of the pain she felt.
- Are you all right?" asked the man when he saw you start crying.
- Have you gone mad? Why did you do what you did? - ...I squirmed by pushing the man... - Didn't you see you hurt Annabel?
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you! - he took a break before looking at Annabel. There was no compassion or concern in his gaze. He staged an apology for being watched by several people. - It was just a joke. I didn't expect her to miss the real target,
- A joke? - I growled angrily and closed my fist preparing a punch. - This is no joke on a lady, you useless bastard!
The punch caught his nose so hard, he knocked the man to the ground. I never measured my strength when I was angry and hit him so hard that he fainted. The blood began to flow down his face.
- Jesus! - Annabel exclaimed scared.
I looked at her and then at the people around me. Everybody was staring at me scared. Realizing the discomfort of the situation and wanting the festivities to continue, the musicians played again and everyone was dispersed. Some of the man's friends pulled him out and dragged him into the tavern. Taking a deep breath, I turned to Annabel who was holding her wrist.
- Forgive my temper! I saw it from afar when he approached you and distracted her with something he said. - I said in a voice full of sorrow. - Maybe she made a bet with her friends to make her miss a game they didn't even play, just for stupid fun.
- It's okay! It's okay! Anyway, thanks for coming to my rescue. - she sighed when I took her hand to observe the wound better. - It wasn't really the scare that surprised me, but the words he said made my stomach turn.
I walked with her to the bench where she'd been sitting.
- Thank you! Thank you! - said thanking the woman who had brought a clean white cloth and a basin of water. - I can imagine, but what were his words, exactly?
She sighed and then rolled her eyes making a disgusting face.
- He said he had a much better arrow between his legs and that the fun would be worth a lot more.
- What's that? What's that? What a fucking bastard! - ...I've stirred up by standing up. - I'm going there to finish what I started and kill him once and for
