"Mari! Haven't seen ya in ages, love! How're the escorts going?"
"Fine, thank you," Mariella replied, eying Linda coldy. It was early afternoon and the tavern had not opened, yet. Linda was just helping to spruce up the bar area before the regulars showed up tonight.
"Have ya seen the new recruits? They just arrived this mornin' from the Highlands!" she said cheerily, polishing a mug. "All the men they send in from Refuge Pointe are s'bloody good-lookin', I can't decide which one I want to sink my teeth into first," she said, with a mischievous grin.
"Your mind is on a single track," Mariella commented, rolling her eyes.
"Can't help it! There's nothing else to do out here and if the cities are parading a bunch o' handsome men through my little town, you bet'cher bottom I'm going to get my fun out of it."
"Yes, yes, that's all good, great fun for you," Mariella said, waving her hands dismissively. "But why, in the name of Uther, did you tell my fellow guard members that I and Sergeant Dean are-" Mariella began to blush, "-'sneaking' around?"
Linda looked aghast.
"Mari, I did no such thing!"
"Really, now? Then explain to me why Kennon said you did that very 'thing' this morning when we were on duty together!"
"I didn't say anythin' 'bout you two foolin' around. The boys were just talking about all the arguin' the two o' ya do and I said it's just 'cause you two've got some secret feelin's for one another!"
Mariella fought the urge to ram her own head into the bar-top. Linda could be impossibly thick-headed, at times.
"Linda! How could you?! They've completely misunderstood and now all of the men think I'm some tart trying to jump ranks by jumping my sergeant's bones!" she cried, her temper rising.
"Don't be silly, Mari!" Linda exclaimed. "It's nothing to get worked up about! Besides, maybe word'll get back to Williem and it'll help the both of ya admit to your feelings! You're both so damned stubborn about 'em-"
"Linda, you must cease this foolishness! You need to keep your mouth shut and learn your place! All of your ridiculous scheming and fancying is jeopardizing my military career! If this goes any further, word of this false fraternization could reach my superiors back in Stormwind and both I and Sergeant Dean could lose our positions in the militia!" Mariella cried, pounding her fists on the bar.
Linda regarded her waspishly. One of the workers who had been sweeping near the door, paused in his work.
"Well, I- how dare you?! Learn my place, shall I? I thought my place was to be your friend but I can see I was mistaken for that! I was only tryin' to help ya along with baggin' a man of your own! You're always so lonely and miserable all the time! With you slouchin' around in your ugly trousers and boots and whatnot, it's certainly a wonder any man fancies you!" Linda spat, throwing her rag down on the bar top.
Mariella swelled with fury.
"Why, you- you, harlot!" she shouted.
Linda gasped, her face turning bright red with anger.
"HAG!" she screeched back. It was the guardswoman's turn to gasp.
"You listen now, you great stupid cow! I need absolutely no help in finding a man! Especially from a scarlet wench like YOU! Every night it's a different bed and a different wick! All those men want is a squeeze for the night and that's all you'll ever be!"
"I'd rather be that then all alone in my bed wishing a man would even look at me! When's the last time you received any male affection, hm?! I can see it now! You won't be anything but an old, lonely spinster! Face it, Mari, you're boring, ugly, and-"
She had gone too far for Mariella.
"That's IT! I've had enough of you! Stay out of my personal affairs Linda! Who I associate with in my spare time is no business of yours! And this is the last time I will say this! There is nothing between myself and Williem Dean, so stop wagging your damned nosy tongue about it! He is my sergeant and I am his soldier! Nothing more!" Mariella roared before stomping toward the tavern's entrance. She stormed past the eavesdropping worker, who quickly returned to his sweeping.
Outside, she wandered the streets aimlessly, fuming over her hurt pride and tarnished reputation.
Honestly! Where did that air-headed floozy get off making up such far-fetched assumptions? It was completely stupid! And how dare she insult her like that!
Mariella knew she was certainly no gorgeous aristocratic lady, a lady who breathed class and feminine mannerisms. But, still, she could attract a man if she wanted to!
Of course, I can, she told herself, chewing the inside of her cheek angrily. I just don't have the time!
She was sent here to protect the town of Southshore, not bounce around the beds of every man here. Mariella was a soldier, which set her far apart from women like Linda and Lorraine. She had duties and honor and rules to uphold.
Reaching down she picked up a large stone in the middle of the muddy road. Shaking off the damp clumps of earth that clung to it, she hurled it in frustration at a watering can perched atop a fence post. She felt better as it collided noisily with the metal object, sending the can flying backward into the little garden surrounding it.
"Remind me never to get on your bad side," a voice from behind her said. "You've quite the throwing arm."
Mariella whirled around to find a man, clad in an unfamiliar military tabard. His hair was a dark blonde that shone golden in the sunlight and his face, though very handsome, was unshaven. Even from several feet away, Mariella was captivated by how clear and blue his eyes were.
"Who are you?" she asked rather rudely, but she couldn't care less. The guardswoman was in no mood to be polite. He smirked.
"Forgive me, I'm Laerick Andover. I've just been transferred here from Theramore."
Mariella blinked in surprise.
Theramore!
Mariella had always heard of the strict training regimens in Theramore, but she'd never met anyone from there. Almost everyone that came from their units was well disciplined and highly skilled. Mariella would have liked to have trained there herself had it been an option.
"I thought the transfer platoon that arrived today came from Arathi," she replied, eying him skeptically. He chuckled. It wasn't as warm and infectious as Sergeant Dean's but it was still a pleasant sound, nonetheless.
"Aye, it did. But myself and another came from Theramore and grouped up with the new recruits at Refuge Pointe before continuing to Southshore. I assure you, I am not among the initiates that arrived today," he added, rather cockily.
"Ah," was all Mariella said. She glanced around and realized for the first time, that she had meandered to the eastern edge of town. She could just see the roof of the stables peeking over a hilltop.
"You must be Private Wendell."
She snapped her attention back to the haughty newcomer.
"How did you-" then she remembered she was still wearing her gaurdsman armor. Of course, someone must have mentioned the only woman on the Southshore Guard at some point.
"McGuire, I believe, told me of you. You've got quite the reputation, my lady," he said.
Mariella didn't feel the same flattery she had felt when Sergeant Dean had referred to her the same way. Her reputation seemed to be on the rocks these days anyway, so she wasn't sure how to take his comment.
"Yes, well," she said awkwardly. "Can I assist you with anything, Mr. Andover?"
She was somewhat eager to be on her own again.
"Actually, I was just on my way down to the river, to clean up and wash some clothing," he said, motioning to the sack he had slung over his broad shoulder.
Mariella eyed him curiously.
"We have bathing facilities at the barracks, as well as wash basins for your clothes," she replied. "You needn't use such simplistic methods."
Laerick shook his head.
"I was trained for the field. Such 'simplistic methods' have become my ways," he explained simply, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. "Well, my lady, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I shall see you at the formation this evening."
"Aye, see you," Mariella said quietly, as she watched him descend the hill toward the river below.
He was a peculiar man. Intriguing, to say the least.