"Why did you bring venison again?"
The shrill complaint of a woman pierced the evening air. Ah, the ever-grousing dame, never content.
"And why not? 'Tis better than empty hands," I retorted, knowing my comment laced with jest rather than scorn.
"What manner of hunter art thou, to present the same bounty for a month straight? A mere drudge and dawdler!" Her words stung, yet they were but the sting of a bee against the hide of a bear.
"Next time, Noris, we'll fetch naught," jested my companion, "if the deer's flesh doth displease ya, deny it, for the rest pay it proper heed." In that moment, I found kinship with him once more.
"If thy mistress is so choosy, mine is not!" The day's trade was brisk, and ere the thought settled, a lass, young enough to be my kin, clung to my waist. "Hey, handsome, trade venison for my company!" she cooed.
"What folly! He desires gold, not your clumsy advances!" chided a regular patron, her gesture summoning the usual rabble—urchins and beggars, more keen to earn than pilfer.
The motley crew had been vigilant since dawn, awaiting their share. As the cart was laden; their toil would stretch into the night.
"Let them reap what they sow!" I mused.
"Procure me some brew, dost ya? Was my valor not evident just this moment?" Dougal's hand found my shoulder, invading my solitude once again. Yet, I bore it with grace. A shrug dislodged his grip, and drop some coins onto him, then made for the tavern, seeking respite from the chill.
"O! My dear friend!" The barkeep's voice rang out. "Come, sit, my place is thine!"
A stool awaited me. Exhaustion claimed my limbs, the day's labor taking its toll.
"Still serving these thankless souls?" he inquired. I nodded.
"How long wilt thou persist?" I could only shrug.
"Wilt thou not return?" I shook my head.
"Blasted Shadows! What ails thee?" he lamented. "The past is forgotten, yet here we stand, destroying all we once held dear."
The same old refrain. He never grasped my motives, nor did I enlighten him. How could I convey my anticipation for the court's downfall, rife with avarice and pettiness? I longed to witness their end, yet remain unscathed by their demise.