they weren't overwhelmed an hour ago. had been knee deep in the sludge of the blackmarsh, their march a tiresome, but hollow one. in a silence that reminded him of current company with each step. why he preferred the quiet, as did she. a timid agreement that his life was worth more to the living, than the dead. or something of that nature. nathaniel neither does, nor wishes to waste time wondering over her motives. maeve had always been a complicated, albeit reasonable girl.
which makes it all the more frustrating when an emptied quiver leaves him open to an incoming hurlock and all that saves him from an ill-timed draw is her sword and a look over the shoulder that speaks louder than they ever will. of things he would rather let die. buried with rendon howe, deep in whatever feckless tomb they'd chosen for him. no doubt, she'd put him to the pyre.. spread his ashes among those in the south. something else he'd have done well not to dwell on.
focus returns to the fight. where a fist is as good a weapon as any and the dagger in hand sinks a squelching dive into the last of their foes' necks.
black blood on black leather only stands out for how it catches the dull light of a fog-choked sun. there'll be worse to scrub from the seams, later. added to the mess made of his pride, he's not convinced the grime will be the worst to handle. nor the hardest to be rid of. made all the worse in how he's turned, brows sunken and the ' shlck ' of his blade, returned to his hip, rings punctual in their resumed quiet.
" i had it handled, " and if he hadn't, it would be his skin to mend. " i'm not so rich in favors that i can continue to acquire your good intentions. " couldn't stomach watching his own anger melt away. nathaniel couldn't keep the tally running when it'd reached double digits so soon. " if you mean to remind me of my place, don't bother. " below her. below her title and her cause. indebted to the both of them and those subscribed to it. the happier ones who smiled up at her from their stations. saw what he'd done well to blind himself to, thus far. intended to continue to blind himself to, even now.
not till he's collected what arrows can be salvaged, the commander lost to his back and a shadow what grew with the falling sun.
" i'd sooner take the hit, next time. " because there would be a next time. and a time after that. for the taint in his blood, he's accepted, at the very least, that the times would keep coming, and coming.. and, eventually, the only silence for both of them, would be in the deep roads. but until then.. " you have my thanks, if it will suffice you, m'lady. " @glamorgore
