The trader and the rider

A different beginning...

-Was it the one I thought?

-Nope. Mur's actually a really nice guy with a few drinks in this system, just really shy the rest of the time. Not only with me, but with everyone else. Our traitor is Rudal, actually.

-Hm. I guess you were right.

-He was tipping me very generously for what you pay them, Viggo, I knew something was up.

-Very well. Thank you for your findings.

-Hey, what do you say we play some Maces and Talons? I always keep the game around in case some guys ask to play.

-It's late, Crow. Aren't you too tired from tonight?

-Oh honey, tonight was quiet for what this place is used to. Come on, I'll invite you to a drink. On the house -the man smiled and decided it was better to just agree. Besides, our games were always fun, short or long they were always a delight.

-Well, I won't say no to a good game of maces and talons along with some-

-Red wine with a hint of rosemary, coming right up. -I said, I already knew what drinks he liked- Choose whatever table you fancy.

Viggo grabbed two chairs and placed them on opposite sides of the cleanest table he could find, and I quickly prepared our drinks. Two glasses of the same thing. Even if I liked beer, the refined taste of wine was always a pleasure. I put the glasses on the table, along with the board and pieces of the game. We quickly set it up, and I smiled as I took a sip of my glass. The game was on.

-You know, you might want to come by someday. -I said after a few moves- You'd enjoy this place before the sunset when people aren't too drunk.

-As I'm sure you are aware, I'm incredibly busy. I don't think I would be able to make it even if I wanted to -he said, moving one of his hunters.

-You overwork yourself, Viggo -I thought about a plan, and I let his hunter follow his path as I set one right next to my chief to protect it.

-I think you are in no place to speak, dear.

-I'm serious. At least I always make sure to have time for my music, for example. When was the last time you had time for yourself? When was the last time you rested?

-I'll rest once I finish with the dragon riders -of course, there it was. I noticed his gaze changed from a relaxed one to one filled with anger. The riders were a touchy subject.

-Okay. But I know you have a plan ready for them right now, and you don't like revising them too much. So what's keeping you up tonight?

-Your loud clients, for one. That's why there's a curfew, so people can sleep. And that's why you should start following my rules.

-Do I need to remind you that I'm not your brother? I notice a stupid lie when I hear one.

-And why would you care about whether I'm sleeping or not? -he said, in an angrier tone than usual.

I gave him a fierce look and stopped his hand from moving a piece.

-Because I care about my friends, Viggo. So when I hear rumours about how one of them hasn't slept for more than a few naps here and there in a fuckin week, I worry. If you want to act like an asshole, please, be my guest. But you know it takes more than that to push me away.

I let go of his hand, and I held his gaze. First it was angry, as not many people had the guts to talk to him in that tone, but then it softened. He placed the piece and sighed, looking back at the board

-...I'm sorry, you are right. It's true that I've been neglecting my sleep. More than usual, even if I thought that wasn't possible.

He took a sip of his glass, and I gave him a friendly smile.