Party Games
When she arrived at the party, Bjorke found several people already gathered. She played her role as hostess, trying to ignore the searing pain in her leg. As the night wore on, her patience wore thin. Talk turned to politics, as it often did, and tempers flared. A young priest tried to turn the topic onto more practical matters, saying her current tasks were harder than she expected.
The old elf, Jivundus, spoke up. “Perhaps you should find a husband to take care of you.”
Bjorke’s temper snapped. Usually, she enjoyed his company, but this speech of his on love and marriage hit a nerve. “A woman does not need a man to take care of her! And love and marriage do not need to follow one another!” Edrick, who had been drinking steadily, stomped off to find more mead. Discovering the bartender had none, he threw his mug against the wall, and staggered outside, bellowing for his horse.
An uneasy quiet fell over the party as the guests looked anywhere but at the barbarian or their hostess. Bjorke took a deep breath to calm down, and headed outside after him. As he continued to yell, Bjorke spoke quietly. “You once accused me of disrespect by appearing before you in such a condition. Am I to be treated with the same disrespect?”
Her tone had the desired effect, and he turned to face her. “Come on,” she said to him. “We have guests. We can discuss this later.”
The pair returned to the party, but the mood was still very tense. One by one, the guests made their excuses and said their goodnights. After the last of them left, Bjorke took Edrick by the hand and led him up the ramparts, overlooking Dustwallow Marsh. She sat down gingerly, careful not to smudge the dress, or hurt her leg more. She sighed deeply, trying to keep herself calm. “Edrick, there is something I must tell you.” She paused, not looking at him but she could feel his expression change and harden. “I’ve been working with a Shaman, trying to get a.. er… well, some sort of ward of protection, to neutralize this… mark of mine.”
“A shaman? What else have you seen fit to keep from me?”
“I have not kept this from you! We’ve both been busy, and I only just started working with him two nights ago.” She paused again, desperately trying to remain calm. She hated fighting with him. “He says the mark on my leg was put there by a powerful demon, and there was even some sort of spy inside me!”
“A demon?”
“Yes…. I… I’ve been thinking about the Eye, and how that affected me and … some of the other things I’ve done. I…” she hesitated, not wanting to hear what he might say. “I… wouldn’t blame you if you wanted nothing more to do with me. I know how you feel about demons.”
Gently, he put his hand on her shoulder. “We will fix this, my love.”
“That’s just it! How can you love me? You don’t know if I’m some demon’s pawn!”
“I know who you are,” he said simply. “I love you, Bjorke. What is the shaman going to do?”
She shrugged slightly. “I have been told to gather materials. It may take me some time.” She shifted on the parapet, and winced in pain.
Edrick had noticed her discomfort all evening. “What did that shaman do to you?”
“He had to use a needle, to remove that … spy thing… the skin is quite raw, and doesn’t seem to be healing.” She took a drink from her flask, holding it up, shaking to check the level afterwards. “Tea… I thought it might help.” Struggling to her feet, she turned to him. “I may be gone for some time, looking for the things he needs. I don’t want to go with us like this. Tell me why you felt the need to drink so much this eve.”
His face grew red, and his nostrils flared as he remembered her words. “What you said… your words.. they hurt me more than your poisoned blades.”
“I was mad at Jiv, for what he said! That woman does not need a man to take care of her! No woman does. I can certainly take care of myself!” Her voice rose in anger and frustration.
“I know!” he yelled back. “That’s why I want to be with you! You are strong and amazing.” He grasped her by the arms, bringing his face close to hers. “Now… please… will you do me the honor of making me your husband?”
“I thought we had settled this!” She looked at him, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Settled?”
“Please, Edrick… I don’t want to fight with you. I need to take care of this… this… thing with the shaman. Can’t we just… not talk about this for now? I need your support now. Can’t this wait, at least until this is over?”
His face fell, the disappointment obvious, but he nodded. “Yes, my love. This can wait.”
