Page 6 of Between Two Barbarians

Drawing in a breath, Idrull let it out slowly, annoyed that he had to explain this. “Torgrind and Brenek both would like the opportunity to earn your favor. They forget that it is your choice to make and thought fighting with each other would gain them that honor. I apologize for their behavior.”

Jamal’s eyebrows flew up, and he looked as though he was fighting a smile when he asked, “Do I… have to decide now?”

Idrull’s brows furrowed. “No. Of course not. You are not obligated to choose anyone if you don’t wish. You are a guest here. My brothers’ actions are a reflection of their childish rivalry, not anything to do with you.”

Oh, it had something to do with him. And from the look on Brenek’s face, this fight wasn’t yet finished. I narrowed my eyes on him. We might not be able to settle this dispute with fists, but I wasn’t going to back off. If I could gain the beautiful man’s favor, I would. And if Jamal chose me, there was nothing he’d be able to do about it.

CHAPTER FOUR

JAMAL

Was it wrong that I enjoyed the two barbarians fighting over me? There was something thrilling about being so wanted that it caused an actual fight. I chose not to say that only because the clan leader was present. Life long lessons from my father rang in my ears, reminding me to be respectful to the leaders lest I wanted to end up with my head on a spike somewhere. It was a hard lesson to accept, but amongst the barbarians, I felt for now it was better to be polite. At least until I had a better lay of the land.

“Perhaps, for now, you should come sit with me,” the woman who’d interrupted the fight suggested.

I had to purse my lips to hide just how much I didn’t want to do that. Given how the clan leader hovered at her back, I assumed she was someone important, and I didn’t want to insult her. I didn’t want to give up the attention of the two barbarians either. Perhaps after a while I could sneak away. They might not like the fighting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Who wouldn’t want to be fought over by two gorgeous men?

The barbarian to my left offered me a hand to help me stand, and I flashed him a sultry smile when I took it and allowed him to pull me to my feet. The other one stayed quiet, but the look on his face was dark, and I could tell he wasn’t happy he hadn’t thought to do the same first. I chuckled to myself, following the woman away and over to the other side of the fire where the clan leader had been sitting before the fight broke out.

The woman pulled me down onto a cushion next to hers, her expression finally softening into a smile. “We haven’t been introduced properly yet. I’m Frida, Idrull’s bondmate and Clan Mother of the Velgraz Clan.”

“Jamal,” I replied politely.

“It’s nice to meet you. My husband tells me you’re here because the king wants to check in with the clans?”

Nodding, I accepted a bowl of food when a barbarian showed up to hand them out to the three of us. I looked him over curiously. What was it about these barbarians that they were all so gorgeous? He noticed me watching him when he handed me my bowl and gave me a wink before returning to the tent nearby where more of the clan had been standing in line to retrieve their own meals. I enjoyed the special treatment of having my food brought to me. I didn’t retrieve that kind of royal treatment in the castle.

Distractedly, I spit out what the king had mentioned before I left. “Your clans have been part of Al Nuzem for a few months now. The king asked me to visit with the clans, see how things are going, and report back to him. He wanted me to visit the clan settlement, but I thought a clan that moved often would be better. Only a small portion stayed in the settlement, yes?”

“That’s true. Two clans stayed in the settlement. The rest all wander, as is our way. But we were planning on heading back to the settlement for a rest and trade in a few weeks. You’re welcome to travel with us back there. That way you can report on both,” she offered kindly. She spoke my language better than the others who had tried to speak to me in my mother tongue before now, and when she noticed my curious look, she smiled at me. “I was a teacher once upon a time. I’m a quick learner and started studying Erabi when we first arrived.”

“Ah.”

It was nice to speak with someone in my mother tongue without struggling to understand one another, but I couldn’t help but let my gaze drag over to where I’d been sitting with the other two barbarians. They’d separated, one standing with a group of barbarians on the right, the other sitting with another group across the fire on the left. And both were watching me.

My mouth twisted as I fought back a smile. This trip might end up being more entertaining than I originally thought.

The music began again, and I looked in that direction, studying the group that played. I’d heard plenty of music in the capital, but living and working in the castle meant the music was often gentle and sweet. That wasn’t how the barbarians played music. The two playing drums made a quick beat, and the man with the other instrument played a jaunty tune that seemed to have the whole clan swaying with the music. It was much more entertaining than the music played in the castle.

“That’s Henry,” Frida said, pointing at the man in the middle. “He’s bonded to Garrun. He’s a joy to our clan. He brings peace to those who need it.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Peace?”

Entertainment I could understand, but peace? The music wasn’t what I would consider peaceful.

Snickering, Frida nodded. “In the evenings, he plays to bring joy. When his bondmate struggles to rest well, he plays to bring peace. You’ll hear him throughout the day. He plays a wide range of styles, depending on the situation.”

“I like what he’s playing now,” I commented absently, poking around in the bowl to see what the barbarians offered me. “Slow music is boring.”

Someone on my right snorted. “It’s less boring with some alcohol,” the barbarian commented. He had some kind of wrap around his eyes and scars peeking out around it, but he didn’t hesitate when grabbing a bottle from near his hip and offering it to me. “Grab yourself a cup, boy. You’ll see how amazing Henry’s music can be with a little alcohol in you.”

Barbarian ale was more potent than I’d originally expected. I’d been pleased to take the drink offered, but I was used to the alcohol in the city. It was sweet and could be drunk quickly without ending up with me falling over my own feet. The alcohol the barbarians offered me was significantly more dangerous. One cup made me feel dizzy. I couldn’t stop smiling either, and the noise of my father’s voice scolding me into behaving in the back of my mind went quiet.

Frida’s attention was eventually stolen by another, allowing me to escape. She was good company, friendly and kind, but it wasn’t her attention I was hoping for. I pushed to my feet, swaying a little and chuckled to myself as I tried to keep my footsteps steady. I headed toward one of the barbarians who’d fought over me earlier, a sultry smile on my lips when he immediately excused himself from the group he’d been speaking with to come to me.

The music changed, and I found myself swaying to it, smirking at the man as he moved to my side. He didn’t interrupt, but the heat in his expression told me he liked when I danced for him.

When I stumbled, he caught my elbows, his touch gentle as he righted me on my feet. I leaned into him with a purr, sliding my hands up his arms so I could properly admire all that thick muscle.