As they walked back into the village, the place seemed more alive. People were looking out their windows, some were milling around in their gardens and others were milling around the village square. All finished off with the sight of Agrippa’s father rushing out to meet them. His face filled with concern as he saw the five, blood-soaked people out in the distance. Did they fail!? Were any of them mortally wounded!?
And then he saw the black helmet that one was carrying. Bloodied with its owner nowhere in sight.
They’d done it.
All that worry and tension was gone, snapped in an instant. Like a taught cord being finally cut.
“A-Agrippa! You actually got them!” he said as a laugh spilt out from his lips, a smile spreading across his face.
A small, tired smile slipped onto their face in return, “Yeah… I did it…”
“Is that actually...“
“It is his helmet.” Shani said, hefting it up, “We did not get the head. If you want-“
“No, no! It’s fine!” He stammered, “I-it’s enough to know that they’re gone.”
She shrugged, placing the helmet in his hands, “Keep this as a reminder. Or sell it.”
“O-Oh- My… Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
“You don’t need to give us any money,” She sniffed.
“What about wine?”
Shani, Ercole and Dyo all stopped at once.
“Y-you don’t have to be so generous!” Dyo stammered, “I doubt you make a lot of it and I don’t want to deprive anyone of good-“
“The tavern keeper has been suffering a little from a lack of travellers since the road north became unsafe. I’m sure they’ll be happy to give you some of food and drink to compensate you!”
“Though- Uh- Dad, isn’t he a little… Stingy...? Even at the best of times.”
A nervous chuckle slipped from his lips, “I just feel like he might be in a better mood once he hears the news…”
“Y-you sure? Last time he still charged people a flosaen for beer after a funeral!”
“Uh- No. But it should be a happy day for everyone here!”
“You should have brought his head, I would have liked to mount riiight above here. Would’ve served the noble fuck right to end up like that.”
The tavern keeper pointed up at an empty spot on the wooden wall with a calloused finger. A dreadful sneer was painted across his face, his eyes filled with what could only be described as bloodthirsty glee.
“So do I go back-“
“E-e-eh! I think this helmet would be a nice substitute here!” The demigod cut in before Shani could finish, pulling the helmet from Lucinius’ hands and presenting it to the tavern keeper.
The man’s scarred face looked down at it, his hands tracing over the houndskull helm and the drying blood splattered against its side. The sight of that empty helm in his hands seeming to soften his expression.
“Aye… It could be a nice sight… So, what are you looking for here? I can tell some of you need some water to wash off all… That.”
He pointed to Hreysti, his hand just circling around his entire viscera-coated body.
Hreysti simply nodded.
“’Right, Lauricea!” He yelled, turning to the back, “Get some water for our guest!”
Something Dyo thought was a muffled cry of “Yes!” coming from the back.
“Bath is on the left. So, anything else? Open ye mouth, don’t keep it in.”
“Stadius…” Lucinius mumbled.
“Yes Lucinius? Spit it out lad, I don’t like your stuttering when you’re ordering, and I don’t like it now.”
“Would you- uh- be willing to host a little village get-together for our-“
“Glorious savours?”
“Y-Yeah…”
The tavern keeper's iron stare lanced into Lucinius, his silence cutting through the air for a few uncomfortable seconds.
“Would they be willing to tell me how that vile bastard died? In all the bloody detail?”
Dyo swallowed, “I- I could.”
The corner of the tavern keeper's mouth twitched, slowly rising up into a smile.
“Then they’ll have free drinks and I’ll put the tables out! Everyone else only gets a discount. I’m not running a charity. Come back at noon.”
The tavern keeper didn’t seem to be all that stingy after all. In the few hours before late afternoon the tables had all been placed out with colourful cloth strands decorating the door of the tavern.
The entire village had gotten into it seemed too, with news quickly spreading around as more and more people got out of their homes. The small blooming back of life to the village exploded as they learned of the adventure’s success.
So, when it came time to sit down at those tables, nobody needed to rely on the tavern keeper for food at all. Stews, bread and cheese shared all around.
And one drink in Agrippa had decided to pop the news.
“Dad… I’m leaving. I’m going with them…”
It took a moment for him to process it as he stopped, cup to his mouth.
Then it landed.
“W-Why!? We don’t need money! We’re safe! A-and didn’t you say that fight nearly got one of you killed!?”
“Yes…”
“So why the hells are you leaving!?”
“I- I want to see the world! I want to help other villages like ours! I have felt like I never have out there on the road, travelling and talking with people as the sun sets! It doesn’t have to be forever, but I want to try it!”
Lucinius sighed, “And your mother hasn’t exactly come back, has she?”
A hard lump formed in Agrippa’s throat, “I- I know… But maybe I’ll find her out there? She could be anywhere but-“
“But you could maybe, finally, get the time you need if you find her?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Lucinius took another sip from his cup and sighed, “I think- I think I’ll be fine. Just… Make sure to come back someday, right? Or at least tell me if you die… I don’t want you to slip out of my memory.”
“I will.”
On the other end of the table, however, the rest of the group was having a less heavy moment. With everyone at least two drinks in or more…
“Now, don’t get me wrong, this is one of the stranger things that I have read about, but I promise you it’s from a reputable source! Saa is never wrong in his chronicles! Never!”
Shani stared at Ercole, “I don’t know what any of that meant. What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Well,” Ercole continued, “if it’s true, we might have a way to ultimate linguistic knowledge! All by taking this sacred herb and mixing it with some wine which I’m sure, you, our beautiful immortal, can help us with…”
Dyo blushed slightly as Ercole smiled at him as he finished, his hand running up his cup in a- well “suggestive” way.
“A-And that is why you landed here rather than taking the ship around?” He asked, trying desperately to dodge the subtext of the noble’s actions.
“Mhm… Landing in the city and travelling up to the grand forest just across the border gives some lovely sightseeing opportunities too… Like you two lov-“
Hreysti growled, setting down his beer mug as his blood-red eyes looked straight at Ercole.
“Aww, I wasn’t going to leave you out in that! You’re both wonderful sights!”
Two things happened very quickly after that.
Firstly, both Hreysti and Dyo’s faces turned to blushing messes.
And secondly, a laugh started to build in Shani that was then released in a bellowing howl.
“Oh, by the gods! You rush in like you will die soon! I don’t think any bed here could take this!”
“I won’t let that limit me…”
“I-I-I-I- I think I’m fine!” Stammered Dyo.
Hreysti’s jaw stayed open for a moment before his mind finally caught up, his face suddenly hardening, “I’m not fucking with anyone who just asks me.”
Ercole shrugged, “Suit yourself, I’m going to see if any of the local women here are up for a little fun and all of you are welcome to join if they agree. Though Emorans do seem to be more open to it than other places…”
“Sluts…” Shani muttered before quickly swigging her drink.
Dyo flipped around, “Wha-?”
“Nothing.”
“Anyway,” Ercole continued, “We have a lot more travelling tomorrow if we want to make good time. There is only so long till we are at the height of summer, and I promise you, Gaulik is beautiful at that time of year. You won’t want to miss it or the opportunity to join in the festivities at my father’s estate.”
“Don’t worry! We can get moving quickly!”
Shani sniffed, “Though it will be good to wait at a city, get the mail turned into new armour. Ambushes might be a little… Tricky without it.”
“That’s fair enough Shani. Though…”
“What is it?”
“Agrippa there might be able to fit into them without any adjustments… They could just shift their body in such a way that it would fit them.”
“They could, but they are still broken. It is not exactly… Ideal.”
“I’ve done a little thinking and I’m sure we can fit in a few breaks on our journey to fix up the armour problem. I know I’ll certainly want to spend some time in a real Emoran bath… Oh the relaxation…”
Shani raised an eyebrow, “And the reputation for other things?”
“Oh! That too!”
She sighed, “I will have no end of jokes, and no end of embarrassment…”
“And let it be entertaining for all of us!”
“I hope they’ll be some good fights and bets…”
“I’m sure there will be my friend! But now, now it is time to enjoy this night!”
WhiteRose-BlueSpace Thank you to my Patreons Mirron and Zero!
As they walked back into the village, the place seemed more alive. People were looking out their windows, some were milling around in their gardens and others were milling around the village square. All finished off with the sight of Agrippa’s father rushing out to meet them. His face filled with concern as he saw the five, blood-soaked people out in the distance. Did they fail!? Were any of them mortally wounded!?
And then he saw the black helmet that one was carrying. Bloodied with its owner nowhere in sight.
They’d done it.
All that worry and tension was gone, snapped in an instant. Like a taught cord being finally cut.
“A-Agrippa! You actually got them!” he said as a laugh spilt out from his lips, a smile spreading across his face.
A small, tired smile slipped onto their face in return, “Yeah… I did it…”
“Is that actually...“
“It is his helmet.” Shani said, hefting it up, “We did not get the head. If you want-“
“No, no! It’s fine!” He stammered, “I-it’s enough to know that they’re gone.”
She shrugged, placing the helmet in his hands, “Keep this as a reminder. Or sell it.”
“O-Oh- My… Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
“You don’t need to give us any money,” She sniffed.
“What about wine?”
Shani, Ercole and Dyo all stopped at once.
“Y-you don’t have to be so generous!” Dyo stammered, “I doubt you make a lot of it and I don’t want to deprive anyone of good-“
“The tavern keeper has been suffering a little from a lack of travellers since the road north became unsafe. I’m sure they’ll be happy to give you some of food and drink to compensate you!”
“Though- Uh- Dad, isn’t he a little… Stingy...? Even at the best of times.”
A nervous chuckle slipped from his lips, “I just feel like he might be in a better mood once he hears the news…”
“Y-you sure? Last time he still charged people a flosaen for beer after a funeral!”
“Uh- No. But it should be a happy day for everyone here!”
“You should have brought his head, I would have liked to mount riiight above here. Would’ve served the noble fuck right to end up like that.”
The tavern keeper pointed up at an empty spot on the wooden wall with a calloused finger. A dreadful sneer was painted across his face, his eyes filled with what could only be described as bloodthirsty glee.
“So do I go back-“
“E-e-eh! I think this helmet would be a nice substitute here!” The demigod cut in before Shani could finish, pulling the helmet from Lucinius’ hands and presenting it to the tavern keeper.
The man’s scarred face looked down at it, his hands tracing over the houndskull helm and the drying blood splattered against its side. The sight of that empty helm in his hands seeming to soften his expression.
“Aye… It could be a nice sight… So, what are you looking for here? I can tell some of you need some water to wash off all… That.”
He pointed to Hreysti, his hand just circling around his entire viscera-coated body.
Hreysti simply nodded.
“’Right, Lauricea!” He yelled, turning to the back, “Get some water for our guest!”
Something Dyo thought was a muffled cry of “Yes!” coming from the back.
“Bath is on the left. So, anything else? Open ye mouth, don’t keep it in.”
“Stadius…” Lucinius mumbled.
“Yes Lucinius? Spit it out lad, I don’t like your stuttering when you’re ordering, and I don’t like it now.”
“Would you- uh- be willing to host a little village get-together for our-“
“Glorious savours?”
“Y-Yeah…”
The tavern keeper's iron stare lanced into Lucinius, his silence cutting through the air for a few uncomfortable seconds.
“Would they be willing to tell me how that vile bastard died? In all the bloody detail?”
Dyo swallowed, “I- I could.”
The corner of the tavern keeper's mouth twitched, slowly rising up into a smile.
“Then they’ll have free drinks and I’ll put the tables out! Everyone else only gets a discount. I’m not running a charity. Come back at noon.”
The tavern keeper didn’t seem to be all that stingy after all. In the few hours before late afternoon the tables had all been placed out with colourful cloth strands decorating the door of the tavern.
The entire village had gotten into it seemed too, with news quickly spreading around as more and more people got out of their homes. The small blooming back of life to the village exploded as they learned of the adventure’s success.
So, when it came time to sit down at those tables, nobody needed to rely on the tavern keeper for food at all. Stews, bread and cheese shared all around.
And one drink in Agrippa had decided to pop the news.
“Dad… I’m leaving. I’m going with them…”
It took a moment for him to process it as he stopped, cup to his mouth.
Then it landed.
“W-Why!? We don’t need money! We’re safe! A-and didn’t you say that fight nearly got one of you killed!?”
“Yes…”
“So why the hells are you leaving!?”
“I- I want to see the world! I want to help other villages like ours! I have felt like I never have out there on the road, travelling and talking with people as the sun sets! It doesn’t have to be forever, but I want to try it!”
Lucinius sighed, “And your mother hasn’t exactly come back, has she?”
A hard lump formed in Agrippa’s throat, “I- I know… But maybe I’ll find her out there? She could be anywhere but-“
“But you could maybe, finally, get the time you need if you find her?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Lucinius took another sip from his cup and sighed, “I think- I think I’ll be fine. Just… Make sure to come back someday, right? Or at least tell me if you die… I don’t want you to slip out of my memory.”
“I will.”
On the other end of the table, however, the rest of the group was having a less heavy moment. With everyone at least two drinks in or more…
“Now, don’t get me wrong, this is one of the stranger things that I have read about, but I promise you it’s from a reputable source! Saa is never wrong in his chronicles! Never!”
Shani stared at Ercole, “I don’t know what any of that meant. What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Well,” Ercole continued, “if it’s true, we might have a way to ultimate linguistic knowledge! All by taking this sacred herb and mixing it with some wine which I’m sure, you, our beautiful immortal, can help us with…”
Dyo blushed slightly as Ercole smiled at him as he finished, his hand running up his cup in a- well “suggestive” way.
“A-And that is why you landed here rather than taking the ship around?” He asked, trying desperately to dodge the subtext of the noble’s actions.
“Mhm… Landing in the city and travelling up to the grand forest just across the border gives some lovely sightseeing opportunities too… Like you two lov-“
Hreysti growled, setting down his beer mug as his blood-red eyes looked straight at Ercole.
“Aww, I wasn’t going to leave you out in that! You’re both wonderful sights!”
Two things happened very quickly after that.
Firstly, both Hreysti and Dyo’s faces turned to blushing messes.
And secondly, a laugh started to build in Shani that was then released in a bellowing howl.
“Oh, by the gods! You rush in like you will die soon! I don’t think any bed here could take this!”
“I won’t let that limit me…”
“I-I-I-I- I think I’m fine!” Stammered Dyo.
Hreysti’s jaw stayed open for a moment before his mind finally caught up, his face suddenly hardening, “I’m not fucking with anyone who just asks me.”
Ercole shrugged, “Suit yourself, I’m going to see if any of the local women here are up for a little fun and all of you are welcome to join if they agree. Though Emorans do seem to be more open to it than other places…”
“Sluts…” Shani muttered before quickly swigging her drink.
Dyo flipped around, “Wha-?”
“Nothing.”
“Anyway,” Ercole continued, “We have a lot more travelling tomorrow if we want to make good time. There is only so long till we are at the height of summer, and I promise you, Gaulik is beautiful at that time of year. You won’t want to miss it or the opportunity to join in the festivities at my father’s estate.”
“Don’t worry! We can get moving quickly!”
Shani sniffed, “Though it will be good to wait at a city, get the mail turned into new armour. Ambushes might be a little… Tricky without it.”
“That’s fair enough Shani. Though…”
“What is it?”
“Agrippa there might be able to fit into them without any adjustments… They could just shift their body in such a way that it would fit them.”
“They could, but they are still broken. It is not exactly… Ideal.”
“I’ve done a little thinking and I’m sure we can fit in a few breaks on our journey to fix up the armour problem. I know I’ll certainly want to spend some time in a real Emoran bath… Oh the relaxation…”
Shani raised an eyebrow, “And the reputation for other things?”
“Oh! That too!”
She sighed, “I will have no end of jokes, and no end of embarrassment…”
“And let it be entertaining for all of us!”
“I hope they’ll be some good fights and bets…”
“I’m sure there will be my friend! But now, now it is time to enjoy this night!”
WhiteRose-BlueSpace Thank you to my Patreons Mirron and Zero!
