Pausing in her work of shoveling, Mariella adjusted the rough straps of linen tied across her palms. She winced as the fabric chafed against her blistered hands. The guardswoman frowned to herself, noticing the dark scarlet stains pooling at the centers of the dirty hand-wraps.
Mariella had been correct in her assumption of punishment for her behavior. Initially, her duties had only consisted of standing guard at the stables, not actually participating in any manual labor. However, now as part of her retribution, she was to clean up and help out around the stables as well as complete other odd and decidedly troublesome jobs around the town, as well as the armory hall where she was forced to polish every single weapon and piece of armor nightly.
Though it was Greenweld who reported her various tasks to her, Mariella was sure this was part of Sergeant Dean's personal spite toward her parting words. Their heated exchange outside of the town hall had been over two weeks ago and she hadn't seen the sergeant since.
Linda let out a noisy yawn.
"This is dull. I feel for you, Mari. It's no wonder yeh've looked like hell the past couple o' weeks," she said, picking absentmindedly at the sleeve of her dress.
Linda and Roslynn, Mariella's priestess bunkmate, were keeping Mariella company whilst she worked in the stables. Mariella hardly saw anyone, besides the crotchety old stable owner on occasion, during the day.
While she shoveled and swept dirt and stray hay out of the way, the other two women leaned lazily on one of the stall dividers inside the stables. Presently, all of the shutters stood open to let in the cool, fresh, breeze blowing down through the Alterac valley.
Mariella merely let out a huffy sigh, too distracted to bother with a sarcastic 'thank you' for Linda's comment.
"Then again, you were the one who had to open your big mouth and start yellin' at the poor man. It's obvious he does this just because he-" Linda began, lazily examining her enviable un-blistered hands.
"Linda, please," Mariella said warningly.
Linda shrugged.
"Only pointing out the obvious."
"Which is?" Roslynn asked, arching a brow so pale one could barely tell it was there. Glancing up, Mariella noted that Linda and Roslynn stood beside one another looking like polar opposites. While Linda was a full-figured brunette barmaid, Roslynn was a thin, flaxen-haired priestess. Even their posture differed greatly: Linda was slouched casually over the divider wall, Roslynn next to her with posture so brisk and upright it was nearly military-like.
"Don't bother," Mariella replied simply.
"She doesn't believe me, Ros! I swear it's true," Linda piped up.
"Doesn't believe what? What's true?" Roslynn asked, glancing between the other two women in confusion.
"Sergeant Dean has it bad for Mari!"
"Look, Linda, just stop it! You're being foolish," Mariella said grumpily hefting another clump of hay with her rusty shovel.
"Sergeant Dean and Mariella?" Roslynn mused, tapping her chin and looking at the stable roof as if it held divine answers to life's most difficult questions. "I could understand that assumption," she said after a moment.
Mariella nearly dropped the shovel as she gaped at the priestess while Linda let out a triumphant 'Hah!'.
"Ros, it's ridiculous! How could the sergeant find me desirable compared to his own lover?"
"You mean Lady Lorraine?"
"Yeah, ol' Lady Whatsherface," Linda interjected, crinkling her nose. "Miss Moneybags has been practically attached to Williem's hip the past few weeks."
As much as she hated to admit it, Mariella could feel the faintest traces of jealousy welling up inside of her.
"Well," Roslynn said quietly. "I can't be certain as far as attraction to you, Miss Mari, but I am certain he cares for you. You should have seen him the day he brought you in after those Murlocs caught you off guard."
"I'm sorry, what?" Mariella asked, straightening up to stare wide-eyed at Roslynn.
The fair-haired priestess blinked at her.
"I said, 'You should have seen him when he brought you in from the Murloc attack.' He was soaked from head to toe- the both of you! He said the Murlocs had nearly dragged you to the bottom of the sea by the time he got to you! The darling man jumped right into retrieve you from those scaly-fiends!" Roslynn replied dramatically, her eyes comically wide and child-like.
"Sergeant Dean… saved me?" Mariella squeaked.
"Oh yes, Miss Mari! Very lucky he did! You're very lucky anyone did! I expect he must've been near the fishing pier and saw the whole thing! Otherwise, who knows what would've happened to you!"
Mariella swallowed hard, glancing at Linda and fully expecting and deserving the smug 'I told you so' expression she wore.