a shorter chapter.
Chapter 6
Sheriff Smivey watched Jack leave the room and looked at the back of his brother's head as he stared at the corporal. Smivey could tell he was still grinning.
“Don't even think about it, Wil.” He said in his deep voice.
This took captain William by surprise and he spun around. “That boy could go far.” He replied as if he knew nothing of what his brother had implied. He then showed his filthy grimace to Smivey.
Smivey scowled at him. “Will you stop smiling like a damn fool? The Monarchy must be run by lunatics if they find your sort fitting for the rank of regional captain.” William dropped his friendly gesture. Smivey then sat down in a wooden chair and said “Fetch sergeant Duncan. We need him to assemble the troops.”
William did not move. Smivey then looked up at him. “Did you hear me, brother?”
“Yes. I heard you. Now, get the sergeant, sheriff.” William replied defiantly, and he moved his hand to the hilt of his sword.
Smivey looked at his hand and smirked. “Will you never learn, William? I may not have armour as glorious as yours, and my sword may be less sufficient, but I am the one that gives you permission, advice and punishment as I see fit.”
“Your sword is as sharp as your wit, brother.” William answered. With this Smivey leapt to his feet, never being one for patience.
“If I tell you to fetch the sergeant, you will do so. If I tell you to leave that boy alone, you will not interfere with him.” He said, voice raised. He then shoved William in the breastplate, knocking him back. Smivey knew he would never be the first to attack.
“Maybe that boy will take your place one day, brother! Maybe then I can have someone worthy of my attention!” William shouted.
Smivey grabbed his brother by the shoulders and forced him into the door. He had forgotten in the sudden excitement about William's breastplate and punched him in the stomach, meaning his fist hit the metal and he grunted in pain, stepping back to look at his knuckles.
“You fool, Smivey! You're sometimes too quick for your own good!” William remarked, unharmed but slightly shaken.
William then grabbed Smivey's chainmail and pulled him towards himself, where he kneed him in the stomach. Smivey, always being one to handle himself better than his brother in these types of situations, ran into William and shoved his back into the door, winding him.
Smivey took this time to get over his blow and then advanced on William once more, striking him in the cheekbone with his already injured fist. William lay against the door for a few seconds as Smivey observed what he had caused.
Slightly out of breath, Smivey said to his brother “Do you understand now, Wil?”
William laughed and said “I could never beat you, brother.” At which Smivey found a sick pleasure.
“Now get yourself together, and do as I tell you.” He replied. William did so, obediently.
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you start to see the relationship the brothers share, sort of bittersweet. i don't think their storyline is going to be straight forward, either.
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