Cat and mouse (part 1) Revised version!

Chapter 40

By the time the town came into view I was so excited to get off the horse that I could hardly contain it. 
Loki dismounted his horse and led it by it's reins as a man walked up to us.
He looked surprised to see the prince but was wise enough to quickly hide his confusion at who the king had sent.
"We thank you so much, we wouldn't survive the week without your recourses."
Loki motioned for the horses dragging the cart with supplies to go up ahead.
"You must be exhausted, let me show you to your sleeping quarters for the night."
I sat in the saddle silently as we were led through the small village.
There were wounded people everywhere, even children.  They laid against makeshift hay chaises and watched us pass by with somber faces.
My heart hurt and I was glad we were bringing them help, I wished some of that help had been magic to heal them.
A skinny boy walked up and introduced himself as Sheik, he said he'd be taking the horses to the stables.
Loki held his hand for me to take and I wanted to ignore it but my legs were shaking so I used his support to keep from sinking into the dirt when my feet touched the ground. If he could feel my weakness he didn't call me on it, just took my elbow and stood next to me silently.
"We've prepared some food for you. When you're ready we've organized a celebration as a thank you for your highness's generosity."
"That's not necessary.." Loki tried.
"We insist." The man said bowing humbly.
Loki nodded, thanking him.
It was odd to see him like this, a true prince. 
We were escorted into a small hut and the guards shoved past me to the tables.
There's were dried meats and bread laid out with a few pitchers of beer.
I sat down at one end of the table and chewed on the jerky, watching them grab handfuls of food and dragging it in front of them.
Loki said he was going to go over inventory with the man who'd been in charge earlier and stepped out of the hut.
"What did you say your name was?" A young looking guard asked.
"Anna."
"I heard you're human." Another said.
"I am."
There was an annoyed mumble from the one sitting closest to me.
"Do you have a problem with humans?" I asked him.
"I have a problem with anyone who sides with the shamed prince"
"Leza." His comrade hissed eyeing me nervously.
"It's okay, he's one of the biggest assholes I've ever met, seriously screwed up in the head." I said taking a bite of bread.
"If that's so then why defend him?"
"You were swimming with him only a few hours ago." another chimed in. 
"Just because I think he's nuts doesn't mean I think he can't be helped."
"You haven't seen his cruelty like we have. He's beyond help.
I shrugged and poured myself a mug of beer, drinking a quarter of it before answering.
"He killed my brother. He destroyed my city. I've seen his cruelty. But I've also seen the good in him, trust me it would be easier if I hadn't."
That quieted the questions and it seemed to satisfy them for the most part.
"You're an odd woman Anna." Leza said taking a drink from his own mug.
"Only you Asgardian men think so." I teased taking another long drink from the earthy ale.
I heard chuckles from around the table.
"And I suppose it was woman who taught you to drink?" Someone joked.
"Laugh all you want but where I come from women have just as much power as men. For the most part." I said shrugging.
"Aye and I suppose women fight in the wars to!" One of them laughed obviously believing the answer was no.
"Where I come from yes, and they've won them"
"Lies!" Leza growled.
"Well maybe the women on earth are made of different stuff than the ones here on Asgard. Or maybe you don't give your women a chance because you're afraid to be outranked."
There was silence around the table before a chorus of laughter erupted from around me. Most of it was at my expense, a silly woman believing silly things.
I rolled my eyes and ripped off more pieces of jerky. 
The guards finished their portions and got up, taking their armor off in sections snd beginning to clean it.
"My names Bane."  The younger guardsmen said sitting closest to me.
I smiled at him and shook his hand.
"I think your stories are fascinating." He whispered leaning in.
The boy couldn't be any older than seventeen, he had bright blue eyes and a face that would definitely be handsome when he grew into it.
Loki walked in then and his eyes immediately found Bane and I leaned in like we were gossiping over tea.
"Don't you have a job to be doing?" He asked coldly. 
"Yes sir!"
Bane scrambled up and as far away from Loki as possible.
I glared at Loki who grabbed a handful of jerky and sat down across from me.
"That was rude. You could try and be nice to them."
"You do realize he was flirting with you." He said eyeing me.
"He's a kid." I said rolling my eyes.
Loki snorted and chewed on the dried meat glancing at the rest of the guards.
"You're dismissed. The town has put on a celebration for us. I expect you all back in here and asleep by midnight. We leave at first light regardless of any man's condition."
They quickly filed out and I got up to go with them but paused at the door.
"Are you coming?"
"No." He said not turning to face me.
I thought about arguing with him but decided if he wanted to sit in here all alone than he could do that.
When I went outside I found the townspeople had started a fire and stuck longs sticks in the ground with flag like fabrics on them.
Kids ran around chasing one another smiling and laughing. It looked so different then when we first rode up.
Musicians started to play music and I smiled as the townsfolk started to mingle and dance.
The guards I came with were flirting with some of the women in town and one or two of them already dancing.
They all had cups of ale in their hands. I couldn't help but think that maybe they should stay alert but when a cup was handed to me, I took it and began to drink along with the rest of them.
Loki was absent from my mind once the alcohol started to work through my body.
I laughed and danced in a circle in front of the fire with the townsfolk who held my hands and led me around the blazing fire around and around till my head started to spin.
I gulped down another cup of ale without stopping along with two of the guards who'd challenged me, it sloshed down my chin and wetted the front of my dress but when I slammed the empty mug on a barrel Leza slapped me on back in appraisal as the rest of them cheered.