Hello, Everyone!
How are you? I, same as my wonderful Mary Windfiddle, don’t do well in crowds of strangers but if you give me a crowd of people I know, I’m suddenly in my element.
Anyway. Last time Mary and her friends came to Meraket, a town which had suddenly and magically gotten rid of a prolonged drought that had festered the lands. The heroes who saved the day, some people from the far land of Zerakas tol, were drinking quietly in the celebrating tavern when our three heroes decided to join them.
The tavern was aloud with the sounds of people celebrating. Mary, Bruno and Aurum approached the Zeracastolian table and the bard, ever the sociable one, greeted the pair sitting there. The dragonborn squinted at them over his giant mug.
"We met you on the road," he said. "You were the guards for that elven-ass licking…"
"Sir Genos!" the woman in green exclaimed indignantly. "That is no way to talk about people!"
She was an older lady, probably in her sixties. Her long white hair hang over her shoulder in a single braid. She had a noble face but looked worried despite the merriment around her.
"They were going to the elves" the dragonborn spat out with the same hatred as when they met him for the first time.
"They're not with the elves now." the woman said, then turned to Mary and her companions. "Please excuse sir Genos' strong words. That's his third ale."
"What's my ale got to do with anything?" the dragonborn scoffed.
The woman shook her head.
"My name is Kaire,” she said. “Glad to have someone sit with us. The locals seem to be intimidated by someone.” She glanced at her companion who was glowering at them.
“It’s Lady Kaire for elven-loving scum like you,” he said. “She’s the Emperor's eyes and voice. Don’t forget that.”
Though intimidated, the trio sat down, and Mary found herself next to the lady. She clasped at her mug and smiled politely.
“So, what brings you here?” the woman asked.
“Our previous employment ended and we’re going on some personal business towards Belfast” Bruno said. “Away from the elves.”
He seemed determined to differentiate himself from Myth Adofhaer and its inhabitants.
“Why do you hate them so much?” Mary asked.
“We don’t… hate them,” lady Kaire said carefully.
“Oh, we do!” sir Genos interjected.
“We don’t,” the lady insisted. “It’s just that… Have you seen the local population?”
Mary looked around. People here were mostly her size, there were almost no smaller folks (and no gnomes for sure). She saw a few humans but there were a lot more people with longer ears. Not long enough to be elves, though.
“You noticed, didn’t you?” lady Kaire said. “Meraket is on the edge of the Red Forest, just outside the elven lands. When elves have affairs with other species, here is where they discard their offspring, to live away from them and never stain their courts with their half-breed presence.”
Mary could see anger trying to break through the worry on her face. The lady breathed in and collected herself.
“We are here to help those people,” she said. “To remind them that there are those who won’t abandon them because of their heritage. Edmund Bright, the rightful heir to the emperor’s throne, is now of age and his love starts to spread around the continent, to those who need it the most.”
Mary was just about to ask more about the heir in question when the ground shook again, this time a little stronger. Lady Kaire looked up and her face was confused, as if she was trying to remember something.
"Don't worry," Mary reassured her. "Bruno said this was normal, the earth is adjusting itself."
The woman's eyes darted around the room. The halfling bartender kept on serving drinks. Someone gave a toast. A girl screamed in laughter. The celebrating people didn't seem to pay much attention to the quake. Lady Kaire leaned towards Genos and put her hand on his arm.
"I had a dream last night. Be prepared."
He nodded and finished his mug in one gulp, then braced his sword’s handle.
Mary was just about to ask what that was all about when the floor of the tavern erupted.
Oh, no! What is going on? Can’t our character spend one nice evening in the tavern without any trouble? No? Because of the title of this chapter?
Yeah, you’re right :D I’m not even sorry! :)
Next time in ‘Trouble in the Tavern’:
What came in through the tavern’s floor? Where did sir Genos go? And how will Mary’s brand new magic actually put her in harm’s way?
See you then!
Thank you for reading!
Don’t forget to comment, it makes me happy .
Take care and be well!