Synry
Episode Ten
"Where will you go?"
"Don't rightly know, Cap'n."
"Ho... Synry. Look at me."
Synry pulled his eyes away from the point above the Captain's left shoulder, and looked the Captain in the face. Bran chuckled on his shoulder.
"What are your plans?"
After a long moment, Synry swallowed and answered, "Don't rightly know. Just know I aim t' be me own man. Belonged to others fer too long. Time t' be me own."
The Captain nodded slowly. "You decided this after the battle, didn't you?"
He knows you, this one.
Hush, Bran.
"They weren't but farmers, Cap'n. It weren't a battle. It were butchery."
"You know the cause we fight for, Synry. They were the enemy."
"Beggin' the Cap'n's pardon, but causes don't mean nought t' farmers. On'y to great lords, what seem t' like stampin' a new-planted field t' muck an' ruin. Those what we di'n't kill is gonna starve come winter. T' lord won't much care, long as he gets his tax."
"I see." The look on the Captain's face was dark and angry. "And you can't look past that, can you? You can't look at the end of things, how the Duke can change things for everyone, even the farmers?"
"Cap'n knows I ain't right in me head."
"Get out."
Mal was waiting just outside the fort gate. He'd made Lieutenant, and delighted in his new uniform. He had been bragging about the number of peasants he'd killed in the battle.
"Leaving us, farmboy?"
"Aye."
Mal's eyes flashed dangerously. "Call me Sir."
"Ain't a soldier no more. Don't gotta call no one Sir no more."
Mal's sword was out and pointing at Synry in a second. Bran spread his wings and hissed menacingly, but Synry just stood there.
"Call me Sir."
"Mal, ye saw what I did at battle. D'ye think ye can outrun me Hound? D'ye think ye can stand against me Frost?" He leaned in close and grinned evilly. "D'ye think I'm not ready for ye, pizzle-pants?" The crossbow lifted from the saddle of the horse and landed in Synry's hands. It was cocked and loaded, and Synry whispered the True Strike charm.
Mal sheathed his sword and backed warily away. Synry swung up onto his horse, and rode away. This time, he didn't look back, but Bran kept an eye on Mal for him.
