8. Episode The Peacock and the Crow
Crow watched the physician intently when he again turned to the Peacock. He stepped back, uncertain for that moment. How tormented she seemed and how powerless it made him feel. The mere thought of this young woman that had struggled her way through life and eventually had put herself in his arms, regardless if it were a conscious decision, made him uncomfortable. He was relieved that the physician didn’t look at him. Would he have read the puzzlement on his face ?
Crow turned away when eventually the Peacock was put to this sleep by the sedative. He studied, without truly seeing a painting on the wall that showed the insides of a humanbody. Some of it he had seen when he had stabbed a man or when he was still a young Tarnsman by those trainees that fell down from their Tarn. The insides would be splattered on the cobblestones and the sight was horrifying. Some of these young men were still alive and tried desperate gather them as if they had known that the parts that had come out would be needed to survive. For a moment he pondered if any of them had. He couldn’t remember.
When the physician spoke about the mark he arched a brow and turned to the man “She was a bitter woman at one time. I could only guess that her stubbornness and her ongoing battle with unseen demons might have caused her to cut herself.” He remarked again in that tone that showed no care or warmth. “She was once owned by a merchant. A well respected woman I might add. I don’t know what happened as to why the woman disposed of her. But I know the girl was bitter and broken by it.” Crow turned to the painting again, as if the memories of blood and death could keep his disguise of being unbothered by whatever would happen to the girl. “But if you wish to examine her further, you have my permission.” He stated, leaving out the fact that he held no legit bond with the girl. Not that he couldn’t make one, by simply collecting a piece of rope and tangle it around her throat as this gesture of claiming her.
Crow glances to the Peacock and again wondered about her. There were so many moments were they had met. The rage she had held for him, simply because her lover hadn’t made it in training was one that sprung to mind. How fierce she had looked when she had faced him. He had been patient with her then, while he wouldn’t have with many others. Why was this ?, he asked himself. Still he hadn’t been easy for her, hardly even. He had made her run around a tree to pay off a certain death by her arrogance when she had spoken to him in Ar. Still she was here – barely alive – but still breathing.
Crow only shook his head at the proposition to kill her. “Lifes are very easy sold, Physician.” He said mysteriously “Believe me – I know.” He added. “You can examine her and see how she will come out of this. Your efforts will be compensated.” Crow had too often seen clients with their pitty reasons for killing of the competition, throw their gold as if he without thinking would take it out this greed. How wrong they were when it came to him. How well he had hidden what he truly was. He was a killer, but with reason and unlike many others of his Caste not for the reason of Gold. Still he had accepted gold for causes that might seem odd, but he had this view about the world he lived in and some of the contracts had seem to fit in it. He was skilled in what he did, like a Chameleon he could adjust to situations and even set them to his hand.
When the Physician left the room he stepped towards the cot where the Peacock was now sleeping. A gentle brush of his hand to brush down her hair from her face. Like porcelain she seemed to be, so fragile. He looked down on her face as if to memorize it, for all he knew she could be facing him the next time with rage, fierceness, bitterness or any emotion that showed her dark side. He wondered what he would see if she could let go of all her masks, would she be beautiful ? He knew that the Peacock could be beautiful, however did she know how ? Crow gave little thought to his own masks or disguises, that held his true nature far from light and view. Perhaps he was like a coyote on Earth. A deceiver but not with the intent to lie, but simply because he himself believed in what he told or showed.
The Physician returned and asked if Crow wished to remain while he would continue his examination. Crow simply shook his head “I have taken her here in trust you will do what is needed. When you have need of me, I will remain in the Inn. A messenger there will have me here in no – time.” He said again in a manner that made the Physician ponder. Crow could read it on his face and said “She is only a slave – Physician. But with it one I have obtained with reason.” The last perhaps enough to satisfy the mans curiosity before he would try to find his answers somewhere else. “And again, Physician, I do count upon your discretion.” The last was spoken in a tone that held no warmth only promise that if the man would fail his discretion a life might be taken for it.
Crows Murder 
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