Calling someone a donkey may be funny but doesn't solve anything. In fact I didn't know if I was the one being an "ass". I could have let Ricky do his thing and minded my own business, but there was something about him I didn't trust. I can't say that I thought Karla was in danger or anything; putting all his annoyances aside, he didn't look like a player killer. I just couldn't shake off the feeling of being threatened whilst not able to put my finger on what exactly he was threatening.
I just couldn't imagine Karla being influenced in some way by this guy. She couldn't possibly have been taken in by his jet black wavy hair, or the fact that he was tall and of a good build. It couldn't be his piercing eyes or his confident expression. No way could he influence her by his crooked smile but straight teeth. "Who am I trying to kid? The guy looks like a movie star." I thought to myself. Maybe Karla did have a thing for this guy. I certainly wasn't going to wait to get the news from an information broker. I knew they wouldn't be out in the fields for very long, so I headed for the west gate so that I could see them as they entered town.
As predicted, Ricky and Karla crossed the drawbridge at the west gate. I stood a little to the side, so as not to be too conspicuous. "Well I have some things to do so I won't keep you any longer. Thank you for your help." Karla said to Ricky. "The pleasure was all mine, my dear." Ricky said as he took Karla's hands and pulled her close. "We must continue this, I have so much more to show you. You are my most brilliant student." he brushed his right hand on her cheek as he said this. "You must meet me tonight, there are techniques that cannot be demonstrated out in the wilderness. You can also dress lighter, the weapon and armor won't be necessary." Ricky said as he released her hands. Karla simply nodded.
Ricky turned away and headed into town. The broad smile that was present throughout his conversations with Karla, vanished. It was replaced with a smirk of satisfaction, which sent a shiver down my spine. Karla was going through her inventory, probably assessing the drops she got, when I came over. "Hi!" I said simply. She looked up from her menus, "Oh! Hi Wolf. I didn't see you there." she said, a little surprised, then she frowned at me. "That wasn't cool of you to ditch us like that. It's not like you to do that, or is this a new part of your personality that you haven't shown me yet?" she asked.
"It's Ricky. He gets on my nerves." Karla crossed her arms as I said this, but let me continue. "He's all over you with compliments and praises. He even looks at you differently than when he talks to me; it's freaky. He's trying to push me aside to have you all for himself. And you're letting him do that." At these words Karla's lips tightened up and she looked away. "I didn't want to say what I thought of him; you seemed happy this morning and I didn't want to break your mood. I thought it might actually be a good opportunity. But you let this guy get his way with you. I don't know why you're letting this guy in. What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing's going on between us! What the hell are you thinking?" Karla said upset by having been called out. "He offered to help, and I found it really nice of him to do so. Is there anything wrong with getting a little extra training, while getting another point of view? We planned a day of training and that's what he gave me, nothing more nothing less. I think he's trying really hard to observe what I do and to give me pointers. He told me I knew a lot of stuff already and only needed some adjustments, it's very encouraging. He offered to do some more training tonight and ... well ... I'm taking him up on that offer." she said the last part a little shyly.
I made a sour face in disgust. "You barely know the guy, and you're going to spend the evening with him?" I blurted out. Karla raised her eyebrows "I didn't realize you were jealous of Ricky." Karla said. "I'm ... I'm not ... well maybe. I don't know what to think." I admitted as my arms fell limp at my side. Karla looked at me, then looked away, breathed deeply then looked back. "Listen, if Ricky makes good on his promises, we'll be better for it. If not then we've only wasted a day or two. We can go hunting just the two of us tomorrow. Are you OK with that?" Karla inquired. I pursed my lips and nodded. "I've ... um ... I've got stuff to do, so I'll see you later" Karla said as she left.
That evening I sat on the drawbridge with my feet dangling over the edge, reflecting on what happened today. I was no further ahead. I trusted Karla, literally with my life, and I think she felt the same. We had an understanding to keep each other safe and to try to get better. But we never said anything about what we would do with the rest of our time. It wasn't fair of me to make a scene over another guy.
So why couldn't I let it go? Was it because I didn't trust Karla? I was struggling with the thought, when it dawned on me: The problem wasn't Karla, it was Ricky. He's the one I didn't trust. Any other guy would probably not have bothered me, but I felt this guy was going to take advantage of Karla in some way. I didn't know what he could possibly do to her in town. But, I certainly wasn't going to find out sitting on this bridge. I got up and headed into town, keeping an eye on everything around me. Some people would think it a childish thing to do, but it's all I could come up with.
I would spy on them!