Geo sat back in his chair, attempting to find solace in his ale and escape the weight of the day's burdens. However, an unsettling sensation crept up his spine, he could feel the weight of someone's attention on him. With a nonchalant shift of his position, he adjusted his gaze to sweep across the dimly lit room. His eyes fell upon a pair of peculiar figures standing at the bar; their heads adorned with hats that seemed ridiculous to Geo. These men appeared to have emerged from the pages of a forgotten history book, clothed in tunics and loose pants that were gathered and tucked into their high-top boots.
Filled with curiosity, Geo's mind was consumed with thoughts of the hidden significance behind the peculiar hats. Each hat appeared abnormally large, with a short, flat top and a brim that measured two inches in width. The fabric used to construct these hats was a brocade material, causing them to lose their shape and flop over. As if the vibrant colors and intricate brocade stitching were not enough, the edges were adorned with meticulously sewn tiny beads, adding an extra touch of opulence.
The two men, dressed in their antiquated attire, moved with an air of grace as they bowed to the patrons, addressing them as lords and ladies. As they made their way towards a table near the south wall, they distributed ornately designed cards to each person they passed, leaving an air of mystery in their wake.
Ela, the ever-efficient waitress, couldn't help but pause at their table as soon as they sat down, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she accepted one of their cards. With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, after taking their order she hastily retreated to the sanctuary of the bustling kitchen.
The stranger's enigmatic presence in the establishment was undeniably intriguing, if not potentially dangerous. However, what troubled Geo the most was the way Ela reacted to their presence. Her unease was palpable, and it left him with a lingering sense of unease as well.
As Geo continued his surreptitious observation, his attention shifted towards the vigilant guards still stationed by the front door. Their watchful gazes, repeatedly cast in his direction, seemed to suggest an anticipation of some impending event. Yet, as his eyes returned to the enigmatic men with their peculiar hats, Jove emerged from the back of his establishment, joining them at their table. Unfortunately, the angle at which Jove stood obscured his face, rendering his thoughts and emotions impenetrable to Geo. The cacophony of voices and activities around them drowned out the soft murmurs of their conversation, blending into a symphony of hands slapping on tables, dice rolling with a thud, and drinks being set down with a resounding thump.
Geo, concerned for his friend, refused to let his guard down. Time stretched endlessly as he feigned the guise of a weary traveler, shifting in his seat and taking measured sips from his drink. His scrutiny revealed no familiar faces, nor any immediate threats lurking within the shadows. Suddenly, Jove's abrupt departure from the table, his heavy footsteps echoing through the room, caught Geo off guard. His attention back on the strange men, there once amicable smiles now appeared menacing beneath the ostentatious brims of their hats.
Geo's attention was so consumed by Jove's sudden and unexpected exit that he nearly failed to notice the arrival of a new customer. As his eyes shifted towards the entrance, he was greeted by the sight of a mysterious figure veiled in a dense, ebony cloak. The very presence of this mysterious individual sent a chill down Geo's spine, causing him to question why anyone would willingly don such a suffocating garment amidst the sweltering heat. A surge of unease flooded through him, and he couldn't shake the overwhelming sense that something was gravely amiss. Maybe it was just his own paranoia playing tricks on him, but he couldn't ignore the persistent feeling of impending peril. Despite his growing unease and desire to leave, Geo hesitated. After all, he had no concrete reason to believe that anyone would be seeking him here It had been more than ten years since he had any such issues. Maybe it was just his imagination playing tricks on him. He glanced down at his nearly empty glass, contemplating whether to leave immediately or finish. Ultimately, he decided to finish what was left, convincing himself that his fear was unfounded.
As Geo pushed his chair back and rose to his feet, he suddenly felt a tight grip on his collar, yanking him backward. Reacting instinctively, he turned and planted his feet firmly, reached up and grabbed the massive hand that held him captive. In a desperate attempt to free himself, he delivered a swift kick to his assailant's knee, causing the towering figure to lose his balance. Seizing the opportunity, Geo twisted the man's arm and stepped back, causing him to crash to the ground, taking two nearby tables down with him. He didn't get up.
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Momentarily free from his attacker, Geo turned to make his escape walking toward the door. However, before he could take more than a couple of steps, the two guards who had been stationed near the door grabbed for him. Caught up in the adrenalin and a feverish desire to stay alive Geo swiftly dodged to the left, stepped in and palm smashed the left guards face, blood flew. The right guard swung his large knife, but Geo smoothly stepped in missing the knife by a hair his left-hand blocking while his right palm struck the shoulder stopping the guard's momentum. Quickly repositioning Geo trapped the arm and broke it dropping the huge man to the ground as he screamed in pain. As the right guard readied himself to tackle Geo, Geo faked a wild swing while actually delivering a powerful kick to his groin instead, the force of which lifted him off the ground before he crumpled in agony. Geo fallowed up with a kick to the side of the head knocking the guard out.
The commotion caused the other patrons in the room to retreat, creating a circle of empty space around Geo and the downed men. The excited voices filling the room quieted suddenly as Jove burst out from the back room, his face etched with fear and anxiety. Frantically waving his hands, he pleaded for everyone to return to their tables. The room was filled with complaints, and the cries of injured men, mingling with the repugnant stench that had plagued the air earlier.
Geo stood poised, his hands raised in a defensive stance, his right leg positioned slightly forward. He remained vigilant, ready to fend off any further attacks. But to his surprise, the attacks didn't come. Instead, the patrons of the tavern returned to their drinks and food, or hastily made their way towards the exit, casting wary glances at the scene of chaos.
Jove, t held his head as if trying to alleviate a throbbing pain, rubbing his temples gently. He cautiously approached Geo with an expression of both concern and frustration etched on his face. "Geo", he asked tentatively, his voice surprisingly calm despite the chaos that had just unfolded. "What happened to my help?"
Geo let out a sigh, his eyes scanning the room, taking in the sight of Jove's incapacitated guards sprawled across the dirty floor. "Sorry about that!" he replied, his voice tinged with regret. "I tried to be as gentle, they grabbed me, I reacted, and you know how it is. The world can be a dangerous place!" He paused for a moment, a hint of guilt creeping into his eyes. "By the way, what do I owe you for this?"
Jove waved off the offer, a weary smile appearing on his face. "Not a problem, Geo. It's on the house. Just don't break anyone or anything else in my establishment today" he pleaded; his tone filled with exhaustion.
As Geo absentmindedly scratched his face, feeling the rough beginnings of a beard, his attention was drawn to the first man who had initiated the confrontation. He growled, pointing at the man lying face down amidst the rubble of two overturned tables. Determined, Geo began to make his way towards the fallen man, and Jove followed suit. The injured man groaned in pain but made no attempt to rise.
Jove gently helped the man into a sitting position, his eyes filled with recognition. "He's been a regular here for the past few months," Jove explained, his voice tinged with suspicion. "I don't know where he's from, but something tells me he's a spy. He always seems to start fights, causing trouble. Usually, I throw him out before the dinner hour to save myself a lot of problems, but I've been a little busy this afternoon."
Geo grabbed the assailant roughly. The man's eyes widened in fear, and a piercing scream escaped his lips as he clutched his injured leg. Geo couldn't help but admire his own handiwork. His kick had done its job, shattering the man's knee, ensuring that he wouldn't be walking out of the tavern on his own anytime soon.
"You ruined a perfectly good afternoon and my friend's tavern. Why shouldn't I take my suffering out of your hide. Maybe tell me what possessed you to attack me." A subtle smile played on Geo's lips as he addressed the sorry man, his hand brushing his cheek, "it would be a shame to break this pretty face!" his voice low and menacing.
The man cried and babbled unintelligently eyes squeezed shut. Jove place his hand on Geo and motioned him away, "Please let me handle this you are scaring him." lowering his voice Jove said, "and me."
Nodding once to his friend, his head held high and his eyes scanning the gathering crowd, Geo swiftly made his way towards the exit. His friend was probably right he needed some fresh air and to settle down. The onlookers watched in awe and curiosity, murmurs and whispers floating through the air. Geo's presence had left an indelible mark on the tavern, the patrons both fascinated and apprehensive of the enigmatic figure.