Silah - The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotions. Hakaar had blown out all of the frustration and embarrassment that had haunted him since we rescued the ranger girl they call Rana. As I understand it she is the twin sister of Floki. They may be alike in features, but in temperament they could not be further apart. I could tell Floki was close to his twin and concerned for her, but his placid almost unreadable facade masked his deeper emotions.
I had not known Hlofreden when is was not sheathed in rain. The sky threatened to allow the sun its due. Until now I had basked in the sunlight of rebirth. Now I could see the world in its full glory in the full light of day.
We had made the journey to Nord Gam Voot. Hakaar reminded me it was called Dowery now. Most of my memories of the time before had faded. It seemed that place names had a longer life in my memories than the adventures of my past. The city would be new for me again. A blessing and a curse. My memories only lived as long as my master; give or take a week. I would endeavor to make these new memories last as long as possible.
Horseless carriages carried gentry through the night streets. The young and less wealthy enjoyed a temperate night on foot or horseback. Sig pointed out features of the district as we walked the streets. We entered a section of town he called Bowler’s Green. Music reflected of the stone buildings surrounding an open market. Bromm seized the opportunity to kick up his heels. I don’t know if I had danced in my former life or travelled with youthful men whose dreams were bigger than their purses. Perhaps not, but I felt alive and these men shared may zeal for adventure.
Before I could encourage Hakaar to take me for another turn on the floor, we were off again. Bromm’s dance partner heaving from the exertion and flushed with young romance.
At my core I could feel the collective desire for something more adventuresome in our evening fare. Bromm stopped a couple as they entered the market square.
“Is there a place around here where a little fun can be had?”
The couple seem perplexed at first seeing that we were standing only yards from a celebration worthy of a great turnout. Perhaps they could read the mischief on our faces, or maybe it was our dress.
“Fanton’s is only a few blocks south, that might be more to your liking.”
Bromm thanked them and we pushed deeper into the rough end of town. Shadowy lanes and alleys seemed to grow in number as we pressed our luck.
An island of light ahead revealed a gathering of lusty youths. The focus of their attentions was a second floor balcony overlooking the street. The ale house sat adjacent to a dilapidated Inn. The shingle on the inn showed signs of being painted several times by a succession of lesser quality artists. The Foxhorn Inn was an afterthought compared to Fanton’s.
Bodies were pressed up against the entrance like human cordwood. They had a Half-Orc of their own to keep order at the door. Bromm set himself of a mind to pierce the crowd. Seeing his initiative we followed suit not waiting for a spoken consensus. This two story den of iniquity was our chosen prey.
We traded gold for wooden coins to navigate the entrance. Bromm was not content with mere access and knifed his way across the dance floor to trade is knotted wooden coin for something more substantial.
“What can I get for this?” Bromm held of the coin with suspicion.
“Anything below the top shelf or any of our ales.” The bartender was nearly shouting over the music from a trio cornered in the smallish room.
“What if I add this to the equation?” Bromm rubbed a silver coin against the wooden one.
“That ‘ll grant you access to the top shelf.” The bartender shared a knowing smile with Bromm as he began to pour a round of drinks. We all traded the useless wood coins for a shot of watered down whiskey, but no one was complaining.
Our behavior caught the attention of some of the local ladies. Silver and gold will add to a man’s stock and trade quickly around here. Hakaar shot me a glance as I appraised the ladies that descended on our group.
The boldest of the quintet was a buxom raven haired girl who carried herself like bilge royalty. Shadowed by her more attractive blonde friend they warmed to the boys with the speed of skilled hunters.
“My name is Nida, buy me a drink?”
Sig took the first of the proffered bait. “Another for the lady.” Sig’s business skills were equally at home when serving his baser needs.
Our little group had nearly doubled in size with the addition of the ladies. Bromm had taken to the dance floor with one of the lesser comely ladies of the group.
I think she said her name was Cort. Danin asserted his prowess by engaging the blonde. In a minute they were all on the dance floor. The music was like nothing I had heard. Appealing more to the animal instincts than that of the high court senses. I was moved to dance, given Hakaar’s recent tantrums I almost hesitated to pull him onto the floor. He would have to learn to be more accommodating.
We had only just entered the fray, for it more resembled a melee than a dance floor. It was then when a tall towheaded boy-man pushed his way onto the already crowded floor.
“Get your hands off my girl!” His challenged fueled by liquid courage and youth’s vibrato.
Danin turned to his dance partner.
“I don’t know him.” She answered the unstated question in Danin’s eyes.
“She with me.” Danin's soft spoken reply did nothing to dissuade the challenger.
Before Danin could offer another word the man-boy crossed the muscled dwarf with a haymaker to the face. I rubbed my own cheek remembering my own recent rebuke.
Danin’s sturdy frame barely registered the hit. Through the crowd I could see his eyes spark. He was going to enjoy this. I held Hakaar back from intervening. I looked across the floor to Bromm who was standing next to the Half-Orc bouncer. I got the impression that this gladiator sport was common fare here. The circle around the fighters widened enough to keep bystanders clear of the brawl.
The man-boy never had an inkling he was outmatched before the fight even began. It wan’t until his knees bucked under his weight that he realized his folly. Danin's iron fist, the mechanism they conveyed him to his forced slumber.
The Half-Orc bouncer removed the contest loser, depositing him out among the rabble. Angus, the bartender, called out to the Dwarf who was already claiming his spoils. “A drink on the house!”
Danin took the proffered beverage and returned to the dance floor. He held tight to his holy symbol kissing is lightly. I recognized the wave of healing radiate out from his place on the hardwood floor. The crowd reacted with cheers as the magic surged in their bodies. The musicians redoubled their efforts and the hall, our little haven, was the envy of the world for the span of an evening and a night.
Sig pulled his prize to a dark corner. A wry smile crossed his face that said he had a secret. Perhaps the poorly times blows from the unconscious youth were not entirely his own fault.
We spent coins like the sun was never to rise again, but as I looked around at my new friends, I warmed knowing that however long these memories would last, I would cherish every one.
