Hooked on Hatchling's Mate, Challenge Answered, #MFRWhooks

 

Summer a time of fun and gatherings. Since the season is winding down, a snippit from Hatchling's Mate of what one of the characters considers fun-standing up to a bully. To fully understand the scene, first a spoiler. Glyn is actually a female, but is disguised as a male because of her role as  bodyguard. Neither Talann nor Kynan know Glyn's true gender at this point in the story. Last week a bully issued a challenge. As a result of popular demand, here's the reaction. Or should I say, takedown.

Excerpt:

Standing, Glyn raked the bully from head to foot. Her lips twitched in a grin. “Since you don’t appreciate fine horseflesh, what do you ride? A dog?”

Tension deepened in the inn and all conversation dropped to a low hum. Their attention focused on the slender Glyn and the bully that towered over the table. The larger man reached down, picked up Kynan’s mug and drained it in a single swig. Slamming the mug back on the table, the bully straightened to his full height.

Glyn held her breath against the rancid odor coming off the man. His attitude proclaimed his intention to fight. With a sigh Glyn shifted into battle stance. She didn’t need to look to know that even though they remained seated, Talann and Kynan were ready to join the fray.

“Only a girl rides a mare,” the bully goaded. “You never answered me. Do you like boys?”

Every eye turned on Glyn to see the response. No man with any honor would stand for such an insult. She shook her head at the inevitable confrontation. She could not answer truthfully and maintain the disguise of her true identity. Option after option was considered, until one approach stood above the others. “And you good sire,” she said with a half bow to hide the sparkle in her eyes, “never answered mine. Do you ride a dog?”

A low growl preceded the bully’s roundhouse swing.

Instincts trained by the best weaponsmasters the Ceoltier Guild could provide, instincts honed with hours of practice against Kynan and Talann, pulled Glyn into a low crouch. She exploded upward, sinking her doubled fists into her attacker’s stomach. With a loud whoosh of air, the large man bent over. Glyn added to the momentum, forcing his head into the table. A grunt and what had been a threat now slid in a boneless lump to the floor.

“Thank you and your friends for not breaking up my place,” the innkeep said. “I was coming to help, but three steps and it was over. Obviously the help wasn’t needed.” He nodded at Glyn. “As nice a dispatch as I’ve seen in many a day.” His wave brought over two men who grabbed the bully’s arms and dragged the unconscious man towards the door. “I’ve been waiting for that one to start trouble for the past sevenday. He always scared everyone enough they didn’t challenge him.” Taking fresh mugs of ale from the pale-faced server, the innkeep set them down on the table. “On the house, enjoy.” His glare rounded the room and moments later, the buzz of conversation resumed.

Glyn watched the door swing shut behind the bully.

~  ~ ~

Hatchling's Mate - From their birth it was expected that Talann’s and Lexii’s destiny would be entwined. However fate had other intentions. Lexii and Talann could not stand to be together.

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