Chapter 91 - 90: Dog and His Bitch.

Chapter 91: Chapter 90: Dog and His Bitch.

"That’s what I thought," Drogger says flatly, and although he’s clearly displeased, he seems to understand. And has made up his mind about something. "We can’t have that."

Khobi must be hearing things, because he’s sure he hears Ynoro sigh something that sounds distinctly like " You’re too soft sometimes, Drogger."

And there’s no way, in this kingdom or any other, that that can be true.

"This will be a good warm up," Drogger replies sternly, as his men fall in around him by some order that he’s obviously missed.

Ynoro just shrugs in an if you say so kind of way, and gestures meaningfully at the empty space that’s mysteriously opened up in their ranks.

It’s obvious that he intends for Khobi to join them. Which doesn’t make sense until he sees the stance they’ve all fallen into --the same one he had been trying to emulate before.

Confused, he tries to catch Montrel’s eye, but the captain just sends him a sidelong glance before his grey eyes snap forwards again, steady and focused.

"...It’s cold out, this morning."

He says that, but he’s not wearing a coat, either.

The fresh morning air is kind of invigorating. Considering that it’s not even dawn yet and he’s sweating like he’s been at it all day, the crisp wind that blows in with the sun is pretty refreshing.

It’s a little daunting that he’s still got a whole day of training to make it through, but the fact that he doesn’t have to run laps for once is definitely a plus.

"Good morning," Jaga greets as Khobi takes a deep gulp of water straight from the pump and then shoves his head under the stream to cool down.

He looks up, dripping everywhere, and returns the greeting, a little out of breath. "You’re looking particularly energetic today."

"Yep," Khobi replies, wiping his face off on his shirt and shivering as the icy well water meets chill wind and starts cooling on his hair.

It feels good, but in a few minutes it definitely won’t. "Got started uh, early today."

"I can see that."

He’s not the last one to express surprise at Khobi’s being there. It shouldn’t be so weird, considering he’s there every day , but apparently everyone feels the need to comment on the fact that he’s not late.

"...Khobs..?" Rogard asks, adding insult to his visible shock by checking the horizon just to make sure he hasn’t misjudged the time.

Khobi sort of wants to tear off his shirt and flick him with it. "...What are you doing here?"

"Training," Khobi huffs, annoyed that Rogard’s trying to take the high ground when he’s seconds away from being late himself.

He stretches his arms up over his head and lets his joints pop back into place before he picks up his sword again.

His limbs are surprisingly leaden from just running through some fairly basic sequences. "Same as you."

Rogard blinks at him and checks the sun again.

"...It’s before dawn," he says meaningfully, looking across at Montrel, who has inexplicably arrived at the same time as him, for confirmation.

Montrel, the bastard, does the same glance towards the horizon and nods, looking equally confused.

"So?" Khobi shoots back crossly, folding his arms across his chest defensively.

"You’re early ," Rogard emphasises, as though maybe he hasn’t realised that yet.

" So ?"

Rogard and Montrel exchange glances, allied against him,the traitors. He’s not sure how long this betrayal has been going on for but he doesn’t like it one bit.

"You’re never early," Montrel explains flatly, and Khobi elbows him in the ribs.

"I am today," he grits out, and shoves Montrels away as he tries to get all up in his face. Montrel’s persistant though, and wrestles his hands away so he can get right up close to eye him beadily.

"Huh, did you even sleep last night?" he asks, gaze narrowing in on the heavy bags coming up dark under Khobi’s eyes. "You look tired as shit."

"Wow, you really do!" Rogard agrees, using Montrel as a shield to get in an inspection of his own. "Locs didn’t give you the chance to sleep, huh?" Khobi heartily shoves them both away by their faces and self-consciously rubs at the darkening circles under his eyes.

"Real funny, Rogard," he huffs, not in the mood for this again.

" Deflecting ," Rogard teases with a smirk, to the delight of all present bar Khobi, "How suspicious." The glare Khobi sends him is withering , but Rogard’s skin is bright, flawless and impenetrable.

"He had company ," he explains shortly, and they all seem to understand.

"...So where did you sleep?" Montrel asks, not quite innocently enough to make Khobi forget that he’s a guard. And that the guards apparently have their orders.

"I didn’t," he replies defensively, "...I went and had a snack at the kitchens then came here." Montrel and Gandy stare at him, dumbstruck. Even Jaga looks politely baffled.

"You’ve been here all night??" Montrel exclaims loudly, and is immediately shushed by some of the other soldiers in case their comrades overhear and get the wrong idea.

"Not all night..." Khobi mumbles, and frowns at the conflicted expressions he’s suddenly faced with.

Like they’re trying to decide whether or not he’s broken a rule. "What? I don’t get in trouble as long as I don’t sleep somewhere I’m not meant to, right?"

"That seems like a weird rule," Rogard remarks offhandedly.

"His Majesty’s rule," Montrel sighs, running a hand down his face.

("Ah, that makes sense then.")

"Khobi, you can’t just not sleep ," he continues with a groan, shaking his head like he can’t believe how stupid someone can be.

Frankly, it’s a little offensive, so Khobi sets him with a determined look and hefts his sword up over his shoulder as Drogger calls out his final warning for those still dragging their feet.

"Tsk," he scoffs, and Montrel groans, like he knows what’s coming next.

"...Just watch me." And they where definately going to .