Heart Over Sword
Chapter 200: Storytelling (1)

Chapter 200: Storytelling (1)

[ Ger ]

Ger, Axel and Ronan swiftly left the Snake Pitt Inn, their hoods covering their features as they roamed around the run-down area. They decided to split up and listen to what rumours were spreading about the prince. Their goal was to listen, stay out of sight and figure out if they could use the royal guard to their advantage or have to hinder them.

They didn’t have either the gem, Evanna and had lost track of Cilv. But that all changed when the trio met up in the centre of town, reiterating any news that might possibly help.

"They’re staying at the Rose and Crown," Ronan informed them first. "They’re only staying a few days before moving on."

Ger turned to him as his gaze wandered around them, taking note of any who might be watching them. But this was Kuramji; there was always something else more interesting to watch and listen to than three grown men. As it were, a man was thrown out of one of the houses further down the road, clothes thrown down onto the street, landing on the wet, muddy ground. A woman shouted down at the man, and he replied just as aggressively, cursing back at her.

"Where are they going next?" Ger asked, returning his attention back to his companions. He wasn’t so fortunate to hear anything worthwhile and, unfortunately, learnt more about the trouble bandits were causing in the wastelands, halting many from entering Kuramji.

"Liz said she would try and find out. A few of the men are returning tonight," Ronan replied smoothly as though his relationship with ’Liz’ was normal.

Both Ger and Axel looked at him for a moment like he had a few issues to resolve. Ger’s gaze flicked to his trousers and back up. "Didn’t you get your fill from that maid?" His disapproval was apparent in his features.

Ger didn’t care if he was going to the whorehouse to get a release; although the man didn’t need to pay for pleasure, women flocked to him like flies to shit. But now was not the time. Couldn’t he keep it in his pants for at least twenty-four hours?

Ronan huffed and threaded his fingers through the curls falling over his forehead. "You know I can have anyone-"

"Not Raven," Axel piped up then, a twinkle in his eyes as he found amusement in the idea of Ronan lusting after the princess. Ger glared at Axel and then at Ronan for being reminded of his flirtatious manner towards Evanna.

"But," Ronan continued through gritted teeth, glaring at Axel. "I don’t sleep with courtesans. Like most, they swoon after my charm. A little attention and a heart-throbbing smile goes a long way in getting attention. Have you seen these dimples!?" He pointed at his face, then cleared his throat. "Madam Elizabeth, Liz was more than happy to give me intel."

Axel and Ger glanced at each other sharing a look well-known between the trio on their adventures together. It said Ronan wasn’t fooling them.

"I’m sure that wasn’t free.." Axel pressed on. The pair was still unconvinced by their friend’s story.

"Hold on," Ronan spoke up, the fire blazing behind him. "Do we really need to tell Raven the intricate details of what happened?" He glowered at Ger, who was purposely making him look bad.

Maybe he should tell the story, not this snake!

Evanna looked between the pair with a shrug. "I’m more than happy to hear whatever you have all been up to. Please spare me the details of entering a brothel, though.. I’m sure I can piece together the next part."

The trio of men gaped at her. "I’m sorry, what?" Axel was the first to speak out of his shock. He clambered over them, not caring at Ronan’s hiss and boot to his leg as he stepped on his foot and slumped down beside the princess. "You better not know anything that happens between a man and a woman." He glared in Arawn’s direction.

Evanna followed his gaze and felt her cheeks heat at all the sudden attention. All the men were watching her except Garrett, who continued sharpening his blade. "Erm... Axe.." She placed a gloved hand on top of his that rested on his knees. "I’m not a child.. I know how babies are made.."

And that the act wasn’t just for making babies. Did they forget her mother was the King’s mistress?

"Knowing and doing are two different things. You are far too young to-"

"I mean..." Evanna really needed to keep her lips sealed, but she couldn’t help but explain a little more about the nobility to the friendly giant. "Women are normally married off from the age of sixteen.. I had to know-"

Axel hissed, his eyes widening and wrapped his arm over her shoulders, glaring in all directions and acting like some type of a shield. "You haven’t.." He trailed off, a flush of red growing from his neck up to his forehead.

Evanna’s shoulders began to shake as she barely held in her laugh. "Just so you know, Axe. Women don’t normally discuss such matters.. especially in front of a crowd of men." She glanced around, though her view was mainly of his large arm, hiding her from the others.

"That is why we are speaking like this," Axel whispered. He then sighed. "Nothing’s happened between you and those.. ruffians, right? You’d tell me, right, lass?"

Evanna followed his gaze to Arawn and Garrett. The elven prince was standing now, stretching his limbs, but his attention remained on Evanna. "I appreciate you looking out for me, Axe. But nothing has happened.." That she didn’t want to happen, of course. Though a kiss, a passionate kiss at that, and some close encounters in the bath were still quite steamy. Steamy enough for her to want more. She blushed at where her thoughts turned to.

Axel removed his arm from her shoulders, eyes narrowing at the prince before softening as he looked at Evanna. "You just say the word, Raven, and I’ll cut their-"

"No need for that!" Evanna rushed out before Axel could finish his gruesome statement. She then patted his shoulder gently. "Thank you, though. You’re a good man."

"And we aren’t?" Ger asked in a rather disgruntled voice. Evanna rolled her eyes at Ger and even Ronan, who was pouting.

"I didn’t think I needed to re-establish this. You’re all great men. Now.. continue with the story.. Roach was visiting a brothel to release his manly urges.." Evanna couldn’t help but tease him.

"Hey!" Ronan whined. "I got the information without using my body, thank you very much. I happen to know a thing or two about herbology and created a few medicines needed for the women in.. that sort of work," He rushed out his words to explain himself to Evanna.

Ger and Axel burst into laughter, causing Evanna to smile at their companion. "So much for charm," Ger muttered, a broad grin growing on his features as his deep blue eyes twinkled and the light of the flames danced in them.

"So.. you were in Kuramji, Conrad and his men were in the area. You discussed the information you found out. Then what?" Evanna pressed further, bringing the attention of the men back to the story.

Ronan stood and slid in between Ger and Evanna, his arm sliding over her shoulders, though this caused Axel, Ger and Arawn to glare at them. Evanna frowned and looked at him, waiting for him to say something but Ronan’s amused features slowly became serious as his eyes roamed over her face. "So beautiful," he whispered, causing Evanna’s eyes to widen and her cheeks to grow rosy.

He looked away, smiling in Arawn’s direction while leaning closer to Evanna, whispering in her ear. "That night, I returned to the brothel, purely for information, of course, and like Liz said.. the guards were there." He then raised his voice after Axel smacked his head. He continued to watch Arawn though as he spoke. "To my utmost surprise.. there was someone else there..."

Evanna had leaned towards Ronan then, engaged in the story and how he spoke. He was definitely a born storyteller because she was acting as though what Ronan said was thrilling, a cliffhanger of sorts. "Who.. who was there?" She whispered in awe.

Ronan smiled back, one revealing those dimples women swooned for.

"Why... none other than the bitch herself. Cilv."