BYRON: TROUBLE AT THE YARD PT 1
The big barbarian once more became lost in distracting thought during the early morning routine of physical exertion, of movement, of power, strength and endurance. These dawn practises in times past normally cleared his mind, his breathing and always restored a sense of order to an otherwise chaotic life, even under the malign influence of Gaedrenn Lam Byron was able to focus on the moment, the intent, the strike but now under the orders and direction of Cressida Croft and this new group of people Byron was losing his focus, lost in thought.
Even now it was hard to contemplate, to get to grips with, that he Byron in truth a low level hoodlum, thug, enforcer and prize fighter now working for the Field Marshall of Korsova. Cresida Croft!
A kick to the gut followed by a sweep of the leg had Byron on his backside. A small laugh escaped his lips at the ridiculousness of his "change of fortune," as he lay sprawled on the cobbled yard of Ruby's Rest.
"Rone, you with me?" Gina enquired. The tall, red haired, well muscled warrioress was standing over the barbarian a look of concern crossing her face.
"Miles away Gina." replied Byron.
The attractive woman held out a hand and helped pull Byron to his feet.
"Evidently," was the red heads curt reply as she returned her padded jerkin to the out house where their gear was stored and then turned a critical eye upon the larger warrior. " Byron these distractions will harm you or worse." Her concern evident.
"I'm fine Gina" The warrior-ess use of his first name was not lost on the bigger man as she stared intently into his face.
"Really Gina I'm good."
"Be sure you are there are many who rely on you here, and not for a distraction would they lose you. "Gina began walking towards the kitchen area at the back of the house where many of Ruby's residents were sitting enjoying breakfast.
"Devlin would be most displeased if you were to suffer from a distraction" Gina continued, many of the girls feel safer being here knowing the Bear is also here....and Greta she would be heartbroken if you ended up hurt or worse especially because of a distraction."
"Fuck Gina what's this about?" The exasperated whispered question was delivered to the woman's back causing her to stop and turn before they made it to the houses communal kitchen area.
"Your new friends are the distraction, they are going to get you killed! "The force of her words was echoed in the ferocity of her gaze.
"Gina that's unfair..."
"I care not, I don't trust them," almost snarling the words Gina continued, "They are going to lead you to destruction, you are the closest thing I have to a brother, this house my family, Greta my....and I would not lose you or them to the Field Marshall and these 'Flowers'. Who knows what dangers come with this attention! ?" Her words were delivered with such feeling and intent that Byron didn't know how to react.
"Fuck Gina I'll be fine. No more distractions...promise."
"Just remember this is home, this is where you belong." With that Gina turned and opened the big heavily paneled door and walked into the communal area of Ruby's.
Byron took a moment, unused to such displays of emotion especially from Gina, it gave him pause.
"Fuck...fuck...fuck." The whispered expletives seemed the only reasonable response.
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The quiet comfortable murmur of informal chat, laughter, creaking chairs, cutlery and plates greeted Byron as he entered after Gina into the Rest and after the heated words out in the yard seemed strangely at odds.
Early morning sunshine flooded through the large windows at the rear of the house helping to warm the large dining area. The room was dominated by a large rustic table accompanied by assortment of mis-matching chairs. The far wall was dominated by a big black cast iron stove which was currently not only heating a big pan of oats, a hot-plate of eggs as well as large hot pot of coffee but also heating this room and the rest of the building through a set of pipes that travelled up through the main chimney of the building. A number of the girls were up and talking in quiet tones over bowls of porridge, plates of eggs or coffee. The twins were giggling to themselves over at the far end of the table and Portia could be seen in a big comfy beat up chair right in front of the main windows, deep into some book or other.
Madame Devlin was at the head of the table, closest to the stove and enjoying the conversation of young Alice and the heat of the cooking fire. Not seeing Gina anywhere near Byron made his way to the stove, heaped some eggs onto a plate and poured a coffee.
"Byron my boy come sit," Devlins gestured to the empty seat beside her. He sat and started on his eggs.
"Alice you and Rose don't forget to pick up Greta from Miss Coppers on the mid-day bell.
"Yes Ma'am," replied the dark haired young woman.
"Now dear I'll let you get on with your day," Devlin gave Alice a warm smile as she dismissed her.
"Yes ma'am, Byron."
Alice hope you're well?" Alice gave a nod and Byron returned the girls gesture with a smile as she left both Devlin and Byron at the table.
"I need you to go on an errand for me my boy."
"Of couse," was Byron's immediate reply but before he could enquire as to the nature of the errand, Devlin continued.
"I noticed Gina storming through," said Devlin, her frame though diminutive and thin, she still radiated authority especially here in her own kitchen.Her grey hair turning white was pinned up in a bun and she was immaculately turned out even this early in the morning in a long black skirt, white blouse with her glasses hanging from a thin chain around her neck.
"Have you and Gina had words," enquired Devlin? Her green eyes watching his face intently.
"Indeed, she fears my new associates will bring..." Bryon struggled to find the right words, "undue attention to us. Will get me killed."
Devlin quiet laughter was not the reaction the warrior expected.
"Nan are you well?"
"This is Korvosa... walking down the wrong street could get you killed," continued Devlin, " and to be honest you've been trying to get yourself killed for a long time!"
"Nan what are you saying?"
"Oh not deliberately but your profession invites injury Byron and worse...especially when you took up with the likes of Gaedrenn. "The name sounded like poison in her mouth, "Death was always your likely end with men like him."
"Nan what are you saying, that I should turn my back on my profession, on being a fighter?" Byron was confused not quite sure how this conversation had developed to far, so fast!
"Would you, could you?" was Devlin's cool reply "Would you give it all up, stay here and defend this door, this house and nought else? Would you be content not being the Bear with the tattooed arm...I think not?”
" Gina thinks I should steer clear of them?"
"She didn't know you before this place, you were arrogant, vile and violent."
"Nan."
"We both know the truth, you were Gaedrenn's man, through and through. But in so short a time you changed greatly, Gaedrenn's influence is diminished but you have a long way to go."
"Nan? "
"Keep these new friends close Byron" Devlin's green eyes pinned the barbarian in place, "they will help you rid yourself of Gaedrenns foul presence."
"But Gaedrenn is dead," replied Byron.
"But he still there in your heart my boy" continued the old woman," he raised you to man-hood, your father figure. It takes a lot to rid yourself of that foul contagion. Your new friends need you but I think you also need them."
Byron sat in silence considering Devlins words when Greta came running into the dining area like sunlight banishing grey clouds.
"Rone, there you are?" The young half orc child exclaimed loudly and came running over to the mighty warrior pulling him into a big bear hug. The warrior picked up the young child reciprocating the hug. Outside of these walls there would be many who no doubt be shocked to see the Korvosan bear, the terror of the ring acting in such a way, besotted with a child, a huge smile on his face.
"Little cub it's breakfast where else would I be?"
"Granny Linn wants you to take me to Miss Coopers," the incessant talk of the young orc child continued, "and we need to go or I'll be late and Miss Coopers doesn't like it when you're late."
"That's why I wanted to talk to you my boy," Devlin said," could you take Greta to school? "
Byron looked longingly at his unfinished breakfast, "Of course let's go."
