Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 2

2.

You can take the men out of the hot sun but give him a flat hard field and a bat with the ball tossed at his balls, he won’t shunt it for even the afternoon gush of release. Or not sometimes. The covered platform at the side of the field was an extended pavilion for the dainty guests to enjoy a good afternoon of respite from the entanglement of limbs while watching their lovers sweated it for a more sports like activities.

“I wonder where’s Melinda?” The lady was not at her seat when enquired by the hostess. “My son Harry is going to bowl next.”

“I am here, Mrs Snowgress.” The younger lady named Melinda emerged from the gamers equipment shed with her hands smoothing the ling tresses of her hair that were undone then. The younger lady stood next to the hostess then with a meek smile on her face.

“About time, my dear.” Lady Snowgress replied with the disapproval look.  “And do dress with manners. Your top buttons are undone.”

Melinda reached for the buttons to close the gap on her bosom. She then looked away to the shed and saw the man who emerged from the shed. He was a true gentleman and a cricketer. He held the bat as if it was part of his own body part; hard and designed for the rigors of battling.

“Howzat!” The call went out when the bowler did bring down the sticks. The call was echoed by those seated but then Mycroft was moving to the far side of the field where a tent was erected there. Under the tent was one lonely seated figure in a sequined gown with the shade of the yellow morning sun. Her hair was bunched up on the top her head while he right hand flapped the fan that kept her cool in the heat of the day. Her beauty was beyond her well defined shape and on her face which was milky white and unblemished with the pouting lips and blue eyes that make men stared at her.

“May I take my drink now? After all, my team is on the losing streak and my turn to bat may be over.” Mycroft leaned the bat on the seat next to the lady before he plunked himself on it. He then reached for the iced tea served in the tall glass.

“I was of the intent to ask when you will join the other ladies?” Mycroft asked. “But I guessed not today may be your reply.”

“Mycroft darling, you know my reply as well.” The lady smiled but her eyes were still fixated on the group of men celebrating their victory. “It may be after I had died but that remains to be seen.”

Mycroft laughed out before he took his second sip of the iced tea. It was spiked with the scent of the red orchid and blended well. He placed the tall glass back and was to speak when the lady continued on.

“I am sure you did not come here to show me your skills in the bat or was it in the shed. You do hold a good record for it.” The lady let off a snigger as if she was a young babe. “How come you never invited me? Am I not a vixen to your taste?”

“No, my lady. I am ever happy to have you but it’s your bite I was concerned on” Mycroft replied. “Blood does make me faint.”

“Mycroft, you are truly a charmer. I believed the act called for the lips and tongue without the teeth.” The lady pouted her lips. “Anyway, you ain’t have it unless you get it done by a Harkness.”

“I duly declined for now. I will stick to the toothless fairies.” Mycroft shifted his legs to hide his discomfort and then went into the serious end of their meeting. “I shall not delve into details on the letter….”

“Which I have read and declined.” Lady Harkness replied. “I am not a warrior nor a hero looking for a medal by his Majesty or his father and father before him. I am a simple lady with her desire to continue living.”

“But surely, the needs of the nation …” It was then Mycroft saw the group of three men approaching the tent. They were carrying bats and the pointed sticks. “I think we are having more company. Did you urge them to come in group? I detest Roman’s orgy. It’s demeaning to the rules of true loving.”

Even before Mycroft could go on the trio had stepped into the tent. They were still dressed in the cricket attire but their expression was more than then losing the match. Mycroft intervened in on behalf of the lady as a true gentleman would but he was ignored.

“Lady Harkness, we are from the Romanian Embassy. We are to take you in for the murders of our Ambassador last month.” The leader of the trio accused the lady. “Please come with us or we may be forced to kill you.”

Lady Harkness looked at the trio and then smiled before she replied.

“My name is Lady Harkness and it’s not Harkness unless you seek this.” Lady Harkness flipped her legs wide before raising the hem of her dress. From beneath the cloth, the dark scaled serpent sprang out and did the bite onto the leader. She then clasped back her legs with them swinging out in a series of crisscrossed kicks into the other two. She stood up then and with her right hand she pulled at the rope that held the flaps of the tent. The flaps came down to cover the tent from the outside view and the lady revealed her other affinity. She grabbed the one on the right by the head and pulled it back to sink her teeth into the side of the neck. She saw the remaining attacker coming at her and then did a ‘fouette’ round house kick with the toes aimed at the side of the head. Her kick was deadly when the pointed end of her shoe then impacted on the ear and shattered the tiny bones into the brain. She then lowered the body of the one where she had punctured the blood veins before she turned to look at Mycroft who was still seated.

“Do you have a hanky I can use?” Lady Harkness asked. Mycroft reached for his neck scarf and passed it to her.

“It’s clean despite my sweats.” Mycroft smiled. “It may help you to know my scent.”

Mycroft then looked at his feet and commented on the serpent.

“You might want to call back that scaly pal of yours. It might scare the ladies in the next match.” Mycroft gave out a smile. He disliked serpents of all sorts except his own he once boasted will bring down Heaven for the lady. Lady Harkness smiled and then watched as the serpent slithered inside her dress.

“I never leave my bed without it.” Lady Harkness smiled at Mycroft. “Like yours.”

“Yes of course. Tell me then would you reconsider the letter proposal. It does carry his Majesty protection of you when you are in his service.” Mycroft smiled while the lady looked at him.

“Does it include you?” Lady Harkness asked him before she picked up the bat that was leaned on the chair. “And this?”

“Absolutely. Sacrifices can be arranged. I do implore that you may have my heart but make sure not a drop of blood be forsaken.” Mycroft smiled. “I do have to confess. I have never done it in this fighting manner.”

“Oh those moves were mine from my years in Paris . I learned my Savate skills there.” Lady Harkness replied. “How do you fight, Mycroft?”

“Boxing, my lady. I was the class champion then.” Mycroft raised his fists up. “I did learn some from my brother. He fought dirty.”

“Dirty? I loved being dirty. It brings up the woman inside me.” Lady Harkness returned the scarf. “Thank you for it. Now you may have my scent.”

“I do have to ask once ….” Mycroft was ever insistent then but the lady stopped him.

“Please don’t nag at me. I will consider since you asked and was willing to sacrifice but you have to wait for my reply. I am a lady and ladies never say yes immediately” Lady Harkness looked hard at Mycroft. “I may moaned my reply if you were to say yes.”

“Of course, my lady. For the country, I am ever willing to sacrifice.” Mycroft looked at the dead bodies. “Much as it’s entertaining, can we convene to some place without any serpents.”