Page 12 of Between Two Barbarians

“It will help the ache. Eat,” he urged.

The coolness of the cloth on my skin was kind of nice and the bowl had everything I liked and nothing that I didn’t, which made me think Torgrind had picked out the bits he’d seen me avoid before. I melted a little, leaning into Brenek’s touch as I ate. When I finished, I was feeling much more human, and the determination to retrieve my coin was back with a vengeance. I wasn’t going to let those assholes steal from me.

When I brushed off my hands and stood, both barbarians stood with me. Torgrind took my hand, frowning at the bruising on my arm, while Brenek lifted my chin to get a better look at my neck. Their concern distracted me, and I lost track of my plan for a moment.

“We should see the healer,” Torgrind suggested, giving my hand a light tug. “She will have something for the pain.”

I opened my mouth to say I was fine, but Brenek spoke next, his fingers gently brushing along my neck. “I will fetch a flask. Some cool water may help your throat.”

Taking a step back, I looked between them with a frown. “Why–” A dry spot made me choke on the words, and I had to clear my throat to speak properly. “Why are you fussing? I’m fine.”

“You’re injured,” Torgrind pointed out.

“Just bruises,” I argued. “I need to go back to town. I want my winnings. I didn’t cheat.”

Brenek shook his head, but before I could get incensed by his refusal, he said, “They’re not in the tavern. I looked when some clan members went into town to use the well this morning. They’ll likely not be back until evening at the earliest.”

I deflated, scowling at the ugly little town that had caused me so much trouble. “Can’t we ask where they live? Go to their home?”

“They’re unlikely to answer,” Torgrind said. “This town is filled with unscrupulous people. We’d have to pay for the information, and it might not be true.”

Ugh. He had a point. I’d heard that in the more dangerous parts of the city, neighbors were discreet about certain activities unless offered a large sum to share secrets, and even that could turn out to be a false lead. They’d more likely disappear with their coin than face the wrath of their neighbors for snitching.

Growling, I plopped back down on my bed roll, crossing my arms over my chest. The barbarians erected large coverings over the camp to create shade, so it was at least comfortable. Maybe going back to bed wouldn’t be the worst idea. I had nothing better to do.

The reminder only made me scowl. This really was turning out to be the punishment my father intended it to be. It just wasn’t the kind of punishment he thought.

Torgrind left first, coming back with the healer who cooed over my injuries and covered them with a poultice to ease the pain and encourage healing. When Brenek disappeared next, I assumed he went to get the water, and I was preparing myself for another day of boredom when he came back, flasks in hand, and a pack of cards he handed to me as he sat on my bed roll beside me.

“The game you played. Can you show me?”

Surprised, I blinked down at the brand new deck he’d brought me. It was obviously unused, wrapped tightly with twine, which made me think he went to buy them just that morning. For me?

Torgrind sat on his bedroll across from me, looking just as curious as Brenek. I felt a smile stretch my lips as I unwound the twine and shuffled the deck. “I can teach you, sure, but we’ll have to choose what to bet. Without my coin I can’t bet properly.”

“What did you have in mind?” Brenek said distractedly, his eyes on the deck and not on me. I didn’t miss that one spoke my language while the other used the common tongue. I was curious about them.

“Information. If you lose a round, you have to answer a question. The same will go for me.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

BRENEK

I knew Jamal wouldn’t be satisfied with letting the issue go and walking away. From the way he spoke, he played fairly, and they took his coin anyway. I would be angry too if someone did the same to me.

As evening closed in, the time to take action drew closer. Idrull had no intention of staying once the sun was set, not after the night prior. If we wanted to attempt to get Jamal’s coin back, it would need to be soon. But how to do it without Jamal getting involved and getting hurt?

“I can see what you’re thinking,” Torgrind murmured. I braced myself, assuming he’d complain or tell me it was a bad idea. He surprised me when he spoke his next words. “We need some way to distract him. It isn’t safe for him to follow.”

I grunted in agreement, eyes drifting toward the town only a short distance away. We would return one more time for water before leaving. It would be the best chance to sneak away and retrieve Jamal’s coin, but I didn’t know how to make that happen without Jamal following us.

We’d spent the day distracting him from his upset, learning the card game he loved and sharing stories about each other. He didn’t go easy on us, so he got more information than either of us did, but after I set to distract him with flirting and Torgrind did the same, it was a lot easier for us to gain the upperhand. A part of me wished to return to that. We could keep him occupied until the clan left, and once he was astride a stallion, he couldn’t get down on his own. He’d have to go with us. But I knew how unhappy that would make him. He was unhappy enough the past few days. I didn’t want to add to that.

“Should we leave him with Yngvar? He likes him,” Torgrind suggested.

“He likes his ale,” I countered with a snort. “Do you think it would be a good idea to let him drink before riding?”

Torgrind’s expression tightened. “No, but I’d prefer him drunk and distracted than in danger.”