《Liar Liar》


 Appearances

    As air swirled into the room through cracks in the walls, it brought with it the chill of the mourning breeze. The room in question was sparsely furnished and at the same time, a disaster. Tattered cloths and countless empty mugs of ale covered the floor. There were evenbloody bandages overflowing from the waste barrel; however worst of all was a certain stench that emanated from the center of the room. The source of which slept unreserved on an old bed.


    "mmmmm... f...fucking scum" Said a mumbled voice.


    The bed creaked and groaned as the mumbling man shifted his weight, sprawling his lengthily limbs to its far corners. The man appeared ragged to say the least. He was unshaven, smelled of ale and the only other sound aside from his ragged breathing and incessant mumbling came from a fly.


    *Bzzz*


    ¡°¡­scum¡­¡­every last one of ¨C ¡°


    As if to add to this misfortunate scene, after circling the man¡¯s head for a few moments the fly landed on his eyelid.


    *Wham!!*


    The man, swung for the fly in a seemingly robotic motion; however, he did so with a closed fist. He must have used all his strength for in the next second he was laying on the coble stone floor. Empty mugs clanged together as they rolled into the various piles of clothing.


    *Cough...Cough*


    ¡°He¡¯s an angle isn¡¯t he Martha?¡± Said a husky voice.


    A group of three stood in the only doorway leading into the room. They wore silver armor that produced an impressive gleam as the rays of suns hit them from the window across the room. Only the behemoth of a man that stood front and center had gouges and scratches on his amour. The two that stood behind him, to the left and right respectively, had armour that was immaculate. They shined and almost shimmered in the sunlight as if they had just been forged from the smithy that day. The man that greeted what can only be described as a lump of fresh garbage, almost reached to the ceiling.


    The man groaned as he propped himself off the cold cobblestone floor. To his greatest efforts he was only able to reposition himself; he now sat on the floor, legs spread out and back against the bed as he looked towards the direction of this unforgivable disturbance.


    The two that stood behind this behemoth caught their first good look of the man before them. Even with the sunlight beaming into the room the only features they could make out were his scruffy unkempt beard and shiny head. He wore a stained linen shirt under a tattered black jacket. To their surprise the right sleeve of his jacket seemed empty. The tan bottoms he wore had too many tears to count as the mans cocoa skin was shown in various places. His gaze shot up in their direction and for a split second they felt scared.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    He eyed the three before him, sweeping his gaze at the two in the back only to shift it to the man in front. He cleared his throat and spit out some phlegm onto the floor beside him.


    ¡°One rule, I only have one rule and you fucktards stomped all over it and in the most heinous way possible.¡± Said the man in a low threating voice.


    The two knightsin the back looked towards one another. Apart from the disrespectful nonsense that he spouted another thing stood out to them. That thick accent, they had never heard anything like it. It seemed utterly impossible, they were well traveled and had read every book in the Kingdoms library on dialects and accents. It all served the purpose of being able to serve the Kingdoms people better, but here they found an anomaly. They kept quiet and looked towards the man in trepidation.


    ¡°What nonsense are spouting today outsider?¡± Said the burly man.


    Laughter filled the air as the man seemed to have gone utterly hysterical.


    ¡°That¡¯s Earl to you, Oldman. Now have you finally gone senile to the point of forgetting an assault you¡¯ve committed not moments ago? Not only do you disturb my precious sleep, you even have to audacity to punch me, an unconscious man in the face!¡± Barked the seated man.


    Silence filled the air as the trio stood utterly dumbfounded. The scene they had witnessed a couple seconds ago still fresh in their mind. Was this man a complete imbecile?


    The room filled with laughter again, this time coming from the old man.


    ¡°You never cease to amaze me outsider. Don¡¯t for ¨C ¡°


    ¡°Old man don¡¯t test my patience!¡± Said the outsider in a threatening voice as he interrupted the old man.


    A deadened silence filled the air once again.


    ¡°As you shouldn¡¯t take the patience I¡¯ve shown you as a sign of weakness, outsider. You have yet to give me the name of your house and you expect me to believe that you¡¯re an Earl. That¡¯s very naive of you¡­ Now as for your misplaced anger, why don¡¯t you take a look at your left hand.¡± Said the Old man as he held up his own fist, gesturing towards it.


    The outsider took a look at his own hand.


    ¡°Heh, just a formality. Now why are you here and who are the children behind you?¡±


    One of the armored knightsin the back took a step forward.


    ¡°Outsider we have come to escort you. You have been summoned by his majesty.¡± The knightsvoice had a feminine air about it as she spoke with authority and pride.


    In the next second genuine laughter rang throughout the room.


    The outsider wiped a tear from his eye as he spoke.


    ¡°That was a good one little missy. Now why don¡¯t you and your friend over there take those sticks you¡¯ve shoved up your asses, run along to ¡®your majesty¡¯ and pass along a message for me.¡± He broughthis knee forward and rested his hand on it.


    ¡°Tell him that he can get off his lazy ass and come down here himself if he¡¯d like to speak with me.¡± Said the outsider with a smirk on his face.


    Gasp¡¯s were heard from the two in the back as silence filled the room once again.

 A Good Front

    Before the two knights in the back could utter a single word the burly man in front had already rushed the outsider, ramming him into the wall with a loud thud. The knights could only see the outsider held firmly against the wall and the behemoth of a mans back.


    The air grew cold.


    ¡®For someone who insists to be left alone to wallow in his own self pity you have this uncanny knack for letting your tongue flap needlessly in the wind.¡¯ The man whispered only loud enough for the outsider to hear.


    ¡®I do remember saying that I prefer solitude. But Oldman... did I ever say I¡¯d compromise on my morals?¡¯ Said the outsider as his feet dangled in the air a good distance off the ground.


    ¡®You have morals now do you?¡¯


    ¡®Ha¡­ I guess I deserve that. But know this Oldman¡­ I will never bow down before anyone unless find them trustworthy. Now given the kings reputation in this Kingdom he almost makes the cut. Almost!¡¯ Said the outsider with a certain sharpness in his voice.


    The knights finally came out of their daze and reached for their swords, pulling them from there sheaths. They were on guard as they took their first step forward, however before they could advance any further the two before them started laughing.


    ¡°Ha, ha¡­ that was a good one Oldman if the youngsters here couldn¡¯t even react in time to silence a man who besmirched the good name of your King, then they¡¯ve got a lot to learn, don¡¯t they.¡± Exclaimed the outsider.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The Oldman pulled the outsider from the wall and turned to face the two. Placing him on the floor he then dusted him off and put his arm playfully on his shoulder revealing a wide grin. It made for an odd scene given the contrast in height.


    ¡°Indeed, though I thought them to be seasoned enough to handle this little test. Seems they still need more time.¡± The Oldman said with a tinge of regret.


    The two knights appeared crestfallen as they sheathed their swords.


    ¡°We are terribly sorry we could not meet your expectations, commander!¡± The two said in unison as they bowed deeply.


    The outsider cast an inquisitive look the Oldman¡¯s way.


    The Oldman laughed to himself, producing a hearty chuckle. ¡°Raise your heads, that is a time long since past¡­ Now Martha why don¡¯t you help the outsider gather his necessary supplies so you can make way to the palace.¡±


    The two raised their heads and knight on the right nodded in response.


    Martha as she was called was fit for her small stature. Her silver hair poked out from underneath her full faced helmet, of which revealed the freckles on her pale skin. Her armor was noticeably different from her counterpart, while his seemed to focus on defense hers seemed intentnot restricting movement.


    ¡°Now listen her Oldman, I may look cripple but I can still give you a run for your mon ¨C¡±


    ¡°Did I ever say anything of the sort outsider? Now give in and let Martha help you, It¡¯s not very often a women as beautiful as her would give a cripple such as yourself the time of day.¡± Said the Oldman as he interrupted him.


    The outsider brought his hand to his chin, seemingly in deep thought as he looked Martha up and down.


    She could feel herself get chills everywhere his eyes dared to look at her. ¡°Commander may ¨C¡±


    Before she could back out the outsider but in. ¡°He he, alright Oldman I¡¯ll take your offer.¡±


    A playful smile errupted on the outsiders face.

 Expectations

    As the commander said as much the outsiders face turned into a playful smile as he caught a glimpse of her companion¡¯s face, he watched that face grow more and more anxious as the Oldman ushered the knight out. As the door closed his smile completely vanished.


    ¡®Figures.¡¯ Thought the outsider as he recalled the Oldman¡¯s actions today. It Seemed this was his way of asking for a favour. His eyes turned back to Martha who stood silently in-front of him.


    ¡°Alright let¡¯s get this over with outsider. Do you have any clean clothes?¡± Said Martha, obviously annoyed.


    The only response she got was of him clearing his throat once again and it landing on the ground in front of her. His face had changed from the joyous mask he had on to the face filled with distain he sported earlier. Even the air about him changed back into the torrent of displeasure and a lingering hatred.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we get to the heart of why you¡¯re her Martha of the Bine house.¡± Said the outsider as he tilted his head waiting for the reply he hated the most.


    Martha paused for a moment perplexed.


    The outsider took a step towards her causing a rather callused reaction from the knight. She scuffled backwards hurriedly only to stop a moment later on guard, hand on her sheath.


    A low growl escaped the outsiders mouth as he side stepped Martha, seeing to much trouble in acknowledging her weariness. Coming to a pile of discarded cloths he slumped off the right shoulder of his jacket and reached down grabbing what appeared to be a woman''s leggings with a slight variance. Her eyes widened for a mere moment as she witnessed the of stump of flesh that stood where an arm would originally.


    Martha seeing the actions of the man eased her tension, taking her hands of the sheath and looked on in intrigue at the man before her. To her it the garment the man held appeared to be cut where the ankle would normally reside and it looked as if someone simply stuck a leather glove at the end of it.


    After a moment of repositioning the garment in his hand the man then poised to attached the garment to his stump.


    To Martha''s confusion the man before her, in tattered cloths, in a room that lacked any meaning of the word living courters and with a mysterious reputation that would either strike awe in the hearts of many or produce a spiral of disgust and contempt, there he stood in a pile of dirty garments and with a stump of an arm and attached to it was women¡¯s leggings. Confusion was the only way to describe it and after a moment of realization the hope she had arrived with was snuffed out.


    She now looked at the man before her with indifference.


    Gloom filled the air between them, only producing as much as a growl once more from the outsider as he received the growing scowl from the soldier.


    A moment later he walked to the one wall in this tiny room with no windows and stood before it. He seemed to be chanting something as Martha once again brought her guard up, only to be surprised once more at scene before her.


    In front of the man that once housed nothing but a wall less anything else, now stood a door much like the one to the entrance to this room. Add to this the sleeve that hung from the man¡¯s stump now seemed filled, in-fact in more so looked like the man simply wore a long sleeve on his arm. For that¡¯s what it preciously looked like, it seemed like the man before her had both arms and intact at that.


    The man proceeded to pull his now mysteriously rearranged arm through the empty jackets sleeve, soon after adjusting it. After which he simply opened the door stopping halfway through it, looking back towards her.


    ¡°Wipe that idiotic look off that smug face of yours and come in, I don¡¯t like people wasting my time.¡± He said with a bit of contempt as he continued into the room.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    She paused for but a moment as she soon followed after him.


    What awaited her as she stepped through the doorway was a similarly sparse room, furnished with only a desk and two chairs. There was a window behind the desk with curtains parted to the sides allowing the golden rays from the sun entrance to the room.


    The man was own sitting in his own chair behind the desk as he gestured for her to take a seat. As she did so she took something different from the mans face then before. Now what she got from it was a certain prudence and seriousness. A thought flashed through her head, ¡®How many faces can one man have¡­¡¯


    The man leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on the desk as he eyed the women before him.


    ¡°So, miss Bine, would you like to tell me why exactly you¡¯re here?¡±


    She stopped for a second, seemingly confused until she answered, ¡°I already told you outsider¡­ the King-¡±


    He waved his hand cutting her short. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you what brought the knights here miss Bine, I asked what brought you here¡­ Now do me a favour and don¡¯t waste my time again, you¡¯ll find that I have little patience for those that beat around the bush.¡±


    Martha stared at the man for a while before clearing her throat, taking a defensive posture and leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. ¡°A friend of mine needs help finding her husband.¡±


    The man grinned in response. ¡°I see¡­ a friend, was it? That is interesting, though please do answer my question¡­ what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Heh¡­¡± She scuffed. ¡°Everyone knows about you outsider. You¡¯ve got a reputation for getting things not everyone has access to, including information¡­¡± She went on. ¡°My friend likely knows the fate of her husband, but she contacted me, seems she wants to find the one that sealed him to this fate.¡±


    The mans hands were on his chin, gently stroking his beard as he seemed in deep thought. He broke the silence soon after with a bit of intrigue. ¡°Do you know of my fee little miss?¡±


    She waved her hand over and stretched it towards the man. After a swirl of soft violet light a brown and slightly greenish glass bottle appeared on-top of her palm. The man smiled in response.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk little missy. That is indeed my preferred form of payment¡­ though you appear to be a bit short.¡±


    Martha stared at the man in front of her, her front breaking as her lower lip started to quiver in anger. ¡®This sorry excuse for a man has no idea how hard it was for me to obtain this¡­ I¡¯ve wasted my time coming here.¡¯ She thought to herself just about standing up when she noticed the bottle from her hands missing. Her gaze locked to the man in in front of her as the anger within her nearly exploded.


    The man, with bottle in hand was ungraciously gulping down the last of its contents as a loud bang was heard. A chair had hit the wall and Martha was now on her feet, fists balled and teeth clenched as she stared daggers at the man. Bloodthirst leaked from her as she was about to dash out and deal with the insect before her. Though before she could take a step he extended a finger towards her. She was startled for a second and waited for what she thought was a voiceless incantation.


    That was until she had heard the loudest belch she had heard in her life and could have sworn that the walls themselves shook in its quake.


    With a satisfied look on his face the man slammed the bottle down on the desk.


    ¡°You!¡± Was the only word she said as she disappeared in a blur.


    The man simply held up his leather glove in response, doing nothing adversely defensive, simply as a means to stop.


    Martha appeared at the foot of the desk a bit confused.


    ¡°Now, now miss Bine, I simply took what was mine.¡± He said with a sly smile.


    ¡°Enough of the pleasantry¡¯s outsider, you¡¯ve gotten what you wanted and then some, now it¡¯s time to pay up¡± Martha said almost snarling at outsider.


    Laughter rang throughout the room as the chair the man sat on heaved under his weight. Silence soon ensued¡­ the outsider sat up, hands cupped in-front of him and elbows supported on the oak desk.


    ¡°Now, now little missy¡­ have we finally taken off that little mask of ours?¡± At his words a noticeable twitch traced across her face.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Said the outsider with a bit zeal to it. ¡°Did you believe that I, the great ole me, the one and only detective in the lands can not tell when he¡¯s being tested? Heh¡± He said as he spat at a waste barrel beside his desk. ¡°Let me tell you this, it¡¯s not my skills that are in question, it¡¯s your story¡­¡±


    Martha¡¯s eyes grew noticeably as she digested the words coming from the outsider, not long after she turned around, slowly and lethargically returning to her seat.


    ¡°Good, good now that all the lies are out of the way¡­¡± The outsider stopped himself seemingly in thought for a moment. ¡°Well I guess that¡¯s not entirely true is it, I myself have lied haven¡¯t I. Yes¡­. Yes, lets start this relationship a new shall we¡­ and as for my lie¡­ as you can see I¡¯m not particularly impatient ¡­when a little fun can be had.¡± He said with a beaming smile.


    ¡°With that over why don¡¯t we start with what you believe happened to your husband.¡±