Teddy felt a stiffness starting to form in his left arm. His shoulder was protesting being held at this uncomfortable angle. But he could hardly let the red-haired woman collapse in the middle of the bridge. Besides, he was a strong man, and likely wouldn’t have to strain too hard tomorrow. Temple Bridge itself was unfamiliar to Teddy, he’d entered the central district of Old Templeton from a different side, wandering from the docks to explore the city. When you get a day of shore leave, you make the most of it, and getting out of the Royal Docks seemed savvy. Everyone there knows a sailor, and knows they have money burning a hole in their pocket. Better to explore the other offerings a city like Templeton has to offer. Such a grand place, the capital of the world it seemed like in the tales. Old Templeton was a pearl for sure, but the rest was the modern default. Drab, crooked, grubby, and crowded. With people turning in for the evening, at least the last part was on the turn.
By the time they made their slow progress to the far bank, dusk had passed, and the night was upon them. The red-haired woman pushed on with a steely determination, though he could feel her frame trembling.
“Ma’am, if I could just rest my arm a moment?” Teddy half lied for her sake. She looked back with a hint of a smile, like she heard the deception. But she nodded anyway, and he slid her down onto some riverside seating made of wrought iron, enough to perch, but not be comfortable. Teddy made a show of massaging his elbow and flexing for a moment. The woman just smiled at him. Looking at her from the front he could see the full extent of the injuries, dark marks on her skin, much fairer than his own. Arm swelling, two fingers held stiff, left eye starting to close. Her clothes were ruffled and ripped in a few places, revealing more marks. At least the bleeding seemed to have stopped. Her breathing looked pained, she’d undoubtedly broken a few ribs too, she’d taken quite the beating from whoever it was. Their eyes met for a moment, another pained smile.
“Why sir, we’ve been together all this time, you’ve practically carried me, and I haven’t even had the decency to introduce myself.” She still had that slight hint of upper class in her voice, though to Teddy it seemed like it was slipping. “Maggie Farrington, and eternally grateful.”
Teddy inclined his head and back to her, “Theodore Khayat ma’am, Teddy if you like, most do.”
Another smile. “Teddy it is. And you can drop the ma’am. I’m not a noble woman. ‘Maggie’ will do fine. My place isn’t far I promise. And I can compensate you of course.”
“No need to pay me...I’m just doing right by you.” The suggestion made him feel awkward.
“You’re too kind. It’s an uncommon thing.”
“Weren’t so where I grew up. Wouldn’t think twice about helping someone in need.”
“You must not be a local then,” she replied, raising a cynical eyebrow. “Why, a thousand people must have stepped out of my way before I came across you.”
“Maybe people could learn a lesson from my homeland then.”
She chuckled darkly. “Maybe they could learn not to attack a lady when she’s wearing her weekend’s best too?”
This time he couldn’t help but smile. “Where I come from, people with fancy clothes don’t do a whole lot of walking. Especially not alone. Mostly they be carried.”
“Sounds nice,” Maggie offered weakly.
“Ain’t so for the ones who are carrying the palanquins.”
“Ah. I’ve heard of those things. Well it’s not so different here, but not so literal.” Maggie let out a sigh. “The upper classes still sit on our shoulders and squash us down. Just...it’s a lot more metaphorical, spiritual even.”
“How’s that?” Teddy glanced around and caught sight of the cathedral spires looming out of the darkened sky. They were impressive for sure, grand and imposing. He’d never seen religion so visibly present and at work like this, and her words caught his interest.
“They keep people down with words and laws, not just force. I don’t follow the Chantry myself, but that helps too. Tells people all that matters is the purity of body and mind. Easy to keep your body pure when you don’t live next to a factory, or eat rats for dinner. So of course the nobles are better people.” She stood with a groan, shoes in one hand, the other curled up. “But, we shouldn’t waste your valuable time with my petty musings. I’m no philosopher.”
“I know nothing about your religion here. But I would like to know more.” He leant on the railing by the side of the river, looking down.
“I think you could do a little better Teddy,” Maggie suggested as she patted him gently on the arm. “It just so happens that I…” She stopped abruptly, paled, then turned and began to hobble away.
Teddy caught her face paling, “Ma’am, Maggie? What is it?”
“On the bridge!” Maggie hissed. “He saw me.”
“Let me help you!” Teddy quickly caught up and went to put his arm around her.
“No, no! You don’t mess with these people,” she spat between pained breaths, shoving his arm away. “Don’t get involved!” She stumbled and caught herself on a lamppost, crying out in pain.
“Maggie please…” Teddy reached out and almost had hold of her when he felt himself almost thrown backwards. He stood up straight and stepped back from the force. He was shocked by her strength. Her frame had nowhere near his weight, she was injured too...he didn’t have time to finish the thought, her eyes met his, a fire burning low in them, but refusing to go out. A tear fell down her face.
“Please, it’s not safe. Just leave,” she sounded desperate now. Behind them, the sound of footsteps.
Teddy almost refused. His eyes narrowed and he frowned. He didn’t like this one bit. But her stare drove him back.
“As you like ma’am.” He bowed respectfully and stepped back. The footsteps were getting closer.
Maggie hauled herself to her feet and began to move again, a hobbling run that would barely make it to the nearest line of buildings before she was caught. Teddy turned to see the source of the footsteps, a tall, lean man with a scruffy beard. Cane in hand, long strides almost breaking into a run, no expression on his face, only staring after her. His clothes seemed fancy to Teddy, but they were a cheap mockery of noble fashion. He recognised the grip the man had on the cane, and it wasn’t one for walking. Their eyes met as he strode into the lamplight, but the tall man tracked Maggie’s figure with his stony gaze. Teddy continued to stare, but received only a flick of the eyes. His path took him right past Teddy. He made no motion to interfere, simply raising an eyebrow, and leaning on the lamppost, his head following the man all the way past. Still, the man didn’t turn back. Teddy watched for several more seconds as the man crossed the street and lengthened his gait after Maggie. There was nothing for it. He pushed himself up, shook the stiffness off, and took two strides after his quarry.
Stolen story; please report.
The man span to his left as soon as his second footstep fell, head turned, cane raised, his eyes fell on the lamppost, clearly he’d been expecting something. He saw nothing but the light flickering over the cobbles. Then Teddy yanked his right arm, throwing him off balance. He tried to bring the cane up, but he was already spinning to his left again, and lurching forward. His feet left the cobbles, the cane left his hand, his shoulder left its socket. His mouth opened, but nothing came out as it was covered by a meaty hand, tearing at his face. The whole scene spun as the street plummeted away from him. His vision soared out of the lamp’s aura, over the railings and toward the water. The surface, almost undisturbed on this still and clear night, hit him like a stone wall.
Teddy waited, listened for the splash. He sauntered over to the railing, scanning the dark water. Ripples, but nothing else. The current was quick, and would carry the man far away, dead or alive. He rolled his shoulders and wiggled his legs to relieve the stiffness. He could spot a few people moving in the distance, so he focused on them, squinting into the dark. As his vision clarified, he couldn’t see anyone paying particular attention. Nobody staring from high up windows, no cries of dismay. All was quiet. Teddy nodded to himself, flicked a little skin from the man’s cheek from his fingernails, and turned to walk after Maggie, rubbing his forehead, struck with a soreness. His foot caught a slight unevenness on the far side of the road, and he stumbled onto the pavement. Finding his feet he headed into the darker street that Maggie had vanished into. He wanted to peer into the dark but his head still stung around the eyes. He stumbled again as he turned a corner, but this time his outstretched hands caught a slender arm.
“Ma’am?” He recognised the dark, bruised patches, the ripped purple fabric of her dress. The bare feet.
“Teddy! What in the name of…? Where is the man?” She looked around frantically, as she pulled him into a dark doorway. “What did you do?”
Teddy blinked a few times, and she was back in focus. Pale and bloody, holding one of her heels wrapped around her hand as a makeshift brass knuckle. He smiled down at her.
“Nothing to worry about ma’am.”
“He was right behind me!” Maggie's eyes were still darting about the night.
“He ain’t there now.” Teddy replied matter-of-factly.
“Where did he go? I’m serious, we’re in a lot of danger here!”
“He went for a little swim. We’re ok ma’am, you can relax now.”
“A what? How? The river?”
“I’m very strong ma’am.”
“You fought him? Why? I told you he was dangerous! You could have died!” She struck him with her good hand. “Why would you do that?”
“Fight, not really. Threw.”
Maggie mouthed the word back at him with an incredulous look. Her good eyebrow raised. “What the hells are you saying man? Did he hit you in the head?” She suddenly looked concerned.
Teddy shook his head gently and smiled, showing her his untouched jaw and smooth head. He’d have no way to hide blood there.
“You threw him in the river?” She still seemed sceptical.
“Ma’am, please. I’m good. Let’s be gettin you home.” He tried to placate her.
“I…” Her exhaustion was beginning to show again. “This isn’t over you know. But fine, for now, I’ll let it go.”
“Right you are ma’am.” Teddy reached out to take her arm and prop her up again, careful not to touch her with his still bloody fingernails.
“Maggie,” she corrected in a pained voice, as they headed down the street.
“Right you are, Maggie.”
Most of the windows in the south of Smokebarrow had their lights dimmed or out for the evening. The lamps became less frequent as you headed north, away from the River. Patches of the streets were almost completely dark, only the echoing of footsteps betraying the presence of anyone. But some areas still have dim light spilling out from establishments. Usually accompanied by sounds of merriment, or bickering. This wasn’t Old Templeton, under the shadow of cathedrals, or even the well watched Southside, drinking was not condemned here. As such the clientele of plenty of the more well to do houses of leisure was mixed, from local merchants and ship captains, to legal clerks and banking assistants. Those with enough money to avoid the worst the city had to offer, but not enough standing that they would be risking their career. Or, they didn’t care.
It was outside one such source of light that Maggie let him know they had arrived. A tall building, though by no means towering above some of the others they had passed, a mere speck compared to the distant factories, that still spewed grey smoke into the night. The light escaping the windows was dimmed, and tinted by curtains. On the front wall hung a sign, which Teddy could just about make out the lettering on. The Lying Lily. An artful depiction of said flower lay underneath. Unlike the more rowdy public houses, this door never sat open, it would give the wrong impression of this establishment if people staggered in off the street. Teddy hesitated, but opened the door for her, and she thanked him with a smile. However, she did not take his arm again, crossing the threshold on her own two feet, bare and painful though they were. A rosy glow flowed out into the street for a moment, the gentle chorus of laughter and joy following it. Teddy glanced in both directions, hesitating at the doorstep.
“Come in Teddy, please.” Maggie invited him over her shoulder, whilst hobbling forward into the foyer.
Teddy took a deep breath before he stepped inside, then crossed the threshold a few steps behind.
He barely had a moment to absorb the fine, tasteful interior. His eyes cast themselves over the dark wooden floor and walls, to a lit desk in front of several doors, landing on a small group clustered around it.
Voices cried out in concern, “Maggie!”
“Miss Farrington, my goodness!”
Figures moved toward her right away. Another woman in fine clothes had Maggie by the arm, and a older man with a graying beard was striding past her. He accosted Teddy aggressively.
“What in the Lady’s name happened here? Explain yourself son, or there’ll be hells to pay!” His finger was poking Teddy in the chest, the anger on his face turning it red. Teddy took a step back.
“Woah now sir, I was helping…” He began.
“Oh is that right?” some of the man’s spittle sprayed onto Teddy’s face.
“Yes. Sir.” Teddy’s voice was a little more pointed. He stopped stepping back and let the man end up close to him, as he stood straight revealing the true width of his shoulders. The angry eyes were staring down at him slightly, from a wrinkling face. He’d snap like a twig, Teddy thought, so I’d better keep him calm. He looked with concern over at Maggie, he could tell she was on the edge of collapsing. She heard the rising volume of their voices, and turned to face the two men.
“Victor! This is a friend. He...helped me walk back.” Her voice caught in her throat, but it cut through the room. Like they’d heard the word of a superior officer, the others immediately fell in line. These were her people, and she commanded respect.
Immediately Victor backed off, offering an apology and a drink for the ‘young Master’. He was listing drinks before Teddy had a chance to relax. Names and dates whizzed past his ears faster than he could catch them. Too much.
“I’ll...uh..I’ll be off now. Be well ma’am.” He was backing out, retreating. Almost stumbling over the lintel, he found the cold, hard cobbles of the street. Something familiar. He wasn’t meant for fine places like that. This, the cold air of the night, the slow forming mists. This was something he knew. He’d had enough of people trying to worship him. That wasn’t why he’d come here. Teddy walked the dark streets for a time, stepping between shadows and lamplight.