Stryker shook his head “something about my dad. Nothing to worry about.” He glanced over at Matthew “you look dreadful.”
“You saw me not even three minutes ago and said the same.”
“Imagine how true it must be, then.” Stryker smiled “here.” He offered his waterskin. Matthew thanked him and took a few sips.
"Guess who had to listen to his awful sounds the whole ride?" Jack cackled. His partner flipped him off moodily.
“We going straight to the village, do you think?” Jack asked once he'd quit laughing at poor Matthew's misfortune.
Stryker shrugged “I’m not quite sure what we’re expected to find, though. If I had to guess, there’s just a nutter going around-“
“Then I suppose we’d have to hunt down the nutter.” Matthew pointed out. His gaze found mine again. It was making me feel nervous; he seemed to be a pretty laid-back person, all things considered, and I remembered he didn’t particularly like fighting, but that didn’t mean he’d put up with people screwing with him, which I had a feeling I had. I tore my eyes away and looked at Stryker instead “they wouldn’t send us here if it were pointless, right?”
“Wrong.” Matthew snorted “they couldn’t just ignore a report like this, but that doesn’t mean us checking it out is gonna necessarily change anything.”
His gaze remained piercing.
Jack smiled grimly “you’ll learn soon enough, rookie. We waste our own time a lot.”
“It’s Theo, not rookie.” I muttered, irritated “and it’s our job to do something about this, it’s not a waste of-“
“Don’t get yourself all worked up about it.” Stryker said dismissively “we’ll close the case, Theo. That doesn’t mean these villages will get justice, is all. Chill.”He paused, and I saw his gaze flicker to Matthew “can I have a word, Theo?” He asked.
I nodded, wondering whether I should dread this or not, following Stryker a little distance away from the other two.
“I saw what happened with Matthew last night.” He said quietly, not even attempting to beat around the bush “and I didn’t want to mention it but I suppose I should begin knocking sense into you from the start and I can see how he’s glaring at you today. Listen to me, okay? I don’t know what you were trying to do, and I know you were drunk, but drop it, that clear? We respect each other here, and accusing him of being…well, gay, or trying to out him…it’s not respectful whether it’s true or not and it’s extremely dangerous for him. We don’t even know him, Theo. You have no right to do that. And not only is he from another kingdom but he’s been here for longer than both of us, than you for sure, so I’d tread carefully.” Stryker was looking at me intently “I like Matthew, he seems like a good guy, but you never know what someone’s like when you get on their bad side.
“I know.” I replied “I shouldn’t have done that.” Ididknow. I just had a bad habit of running my mouth.
Stryker grunted. I glanced back over at Matthew, who had begun to gain a little colour back.
“Would it really disturb you if he were gay?” Stryker sighed “because truthfully, as long as it doesn’t hinder his performance, I wouldn’t care so much about it. And he’s still alive and well, so I’m assuming it doesn’t hinder his performance if he is. He’s not just gonna jump you or anything, Theo, and I highly doubt he’d do anything to anyone without their consent, especially since he’d be pretty much doomed otherwise.” His voice softened slightly.
“Yeah I…got a little carried away. I shouldn’t care so much, you’re right. It was silly of me.”
“I agree. We clear, then?”
“Course.” I nodded once in confirmation.
“Good.” Stryker nodded back, beginning to make his way back towards Jack and Matthew with me in tow, avoiding the latter’s gaze.
“I think we should have dogs.” Jack said when we were close enough “they’re better at tracking than we could ever be.”
“Johnathan doesn't like us using them. Says we shouldn't endanger them unless it's absolutely necessary."
Jack grunted.
Before Stryker could add anything more, Johnathan barked out for everyone to get in line.
We were quick to obey, falling in place with the others. I noted that there weren’t too many soldiers that had been assigned to this particular task.
“You end up getting what you wanted out of that girl last night?” I asked quietly, whilst Johnathan snapped at any stray soldiers and got them in line.
Stryker snorted quietly “a gentleman never kisses and tells.”
My eyebrows shot up.
“Nah, man.” He shook his head “she looked so…innocent, I dunno. Felt guilty even thinking about it.”
