Cheeky

Kit was not impressed. Then again, Kit was never impressed by much, especially people who thought highly of themselves.

He was middle-aged and just barely graying at the temples, dark hair swept back in a rakish style reminiscent of younger men and dressed in clothes that did nothing to hide the fact that his greater age left nothing to want for power. He was a brick: taller than Risse by half a head and broad across back and chest. Piercing eyes returned the dead level stare that Kit was throwing his way, and for once even Risse was not sure who would win, though he would always put his money on the prowess of the sharp-witted woman. Strength or not, a man needed a great deal of skill and cunning to go head-to-head (or hand-to-hand) with Kit and come out standing.

“So let me get this straight: you followed a white wolf all the way down from the Cairn, across the Wastes, and through the Rovenmere–a wolf that you now claim only you and I will be able to see, but won’t show itself until we’re alone–without any supplies or companions, on your own two feet, without a map or a compass for a guide, showed up here at my doorstep, attacked my brother, and now you’re demanding that I have to go on a journey with you because said invisible canine is sending you secret signals that this is the path I’ve been destined for. Did I miss anything?”

“I’m you’re uncle.”

“Ah, right, I’ll make sure to add it to the list.” Her stare had turned glacial, but the stranger was stubborn, gaze steady. Had Risse been a lesser man, he would have started to fidget by now.

“Let’s pretend–just for a moment–that you’ve not rolled all of your rocks off the mountain and there’s truth in what you’re telling–”

“There is.”

“Humor me,” she bit out, dismissing him with two simple words. For the first time since his arrival, the tall traveler appeared dumbfounded. No doubt, he was not used to catched the flat of woman’s proverbial blade as though he were a child talking out of turn. Risse bit the inside of his cheek to quell the smile that threatened.

“Say you’re speaking truth… what would make you think I would have any intention to go anywhere with the likes of you?” Slender hands planted themselves firmly on narrow hips, shoulders squared towards the stranger with chin level and body pitch ever so slightly forward, Risse knew the stance even before it registered in the eyes of the other man.

Challenge.

There was a tense moment where he knew only one party was weighing options. And then–”If you’ll just hear me out, Kitiana–” his eye contact broke and Kit won.

“I’ve heard,” she stated, no argument to broach. She watched the stranger a moment longer, then turned her back. “I’ll consider. Try not to hit anyone else in the meantime.”

And then she was gone. Kit had always been good at negotiations.

“Well, isn’t she cheeky,” the older man mumbled in stunned amazement. This time, Risse could not hold back the barking laugh that issued forth.

“You have no idea.”

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~ by eeratka on January 30, 2011.