The tavern was packed and dimly lit by several chandeliers. It made Medurio a bit nauseous, his vision was being flooded by an overabundance of sights. To reach the bar in the back, the three had to squeeze between tables and chairs that were laid about the room in a chaotic manner. They did not say a word as they went, because they would have to yell over the noisy patrons who were yelling over each other. Medurio found some strange enjoyment through the seemingly long stretch by listening to the nonsense secreted by the drunkards. Some words were said about drunkenly mistaking a rake for a shovel and another spoke of his escapades with a priest’s daughter. Slightly depraved, the second more so than the first, but Medurio found it hard not to listen to the details as he passed by. Finally, they reached the bar. A place that could be considered empty when compared to the mass of humanity behind it. Here, a single group spoke quietly in their own corner on the right.

The three men sat far from others and waited for the bartender who was busy pouring beer from a keg into a mug on a silver plate. He did it for the rest of the mugs on the plate, without a hint of slowing down; then handed it to a passing waitress. Siegfried gave the man a wave as he looked for his next task. The man was about their age, with brown, puffy hair that went down to his neck. He approached them with a welcoming smile on his face. “Ah, Siegfried and Scrulo. A pleasure to see you again,” he said in a polite and professional manner. He looked at Medurio, glancing for a second at the cup of water he placed on the table. “And it seems you’ve brought more friends.”

Siegfried grunted. “Far from it actually,” he said before Scrulo interrupted.

“More of a peer, we are lending him our aid at the moment.”

The bartender nodded head, “I see, I see. Well a drink always tends to get me through my troubles.”

Scrulo shook his head. “Well…”

“Artur,” the bartender said with a mock bow. “At the service of a fellow pupil in need.” He straightened himself, “What can I get for you three?”

“More of a favor than a request,” Siegfried said.

“Favor?” Artur raised a brow. “Well I am usually up for such a thing but... What sort? I’m quite busy right now.”

“It’s a small one, smaller than a ladies prick.”

Artur nodded in understanding as Scrulo stared at him judgingly. “Well then, how may this master of drunks assist?”

Siegfried looked to Medurio, “A spoonful of wine if you please,” Medurio uttered simply.

“Spoonful… Of Wine?” Artur looked as if he spoke another language. “It won’t kill you friend, you can have more.”

“A spoonful is all I need,” he added plainly.

Giving up, Scrulo began to move. “Right, spoonful. Spoon,” He said as he crouched down and fumbled through the bar’s shelves for the utensil. He found a plain one and held it up triumphantly. “Any specific wine you’d like?”

“Wine please.”

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Artur nodded his head as if Medurio was starting to make sense and grabbed the nearest bottle of red wine. With intense focus he poured the red liquid onto the spoon. Placing the bottle upon the counter, he slowly held out the spoon to Medurio, who quickly grabbed and poured it all into the cup of water.

He nodded his head. “Good,” and turned to the others, “we can get going now.”

“Thank you Artur.” Siegfried said to the man who looked at the three with suspicion, “I’ll likely be seeing you again soon.”

“Wait!” Artur said hastily as the three were nearly out of their seats. “Do the rest of you not want anything to drink?”

“Not today, we’re quite busy.” Siegfried said with some disappointment.

“Busy? The sun is setting. I know that none of you have classes! Sit, relax, have some drink!”

The three cluelessly looked to each other for help. “We are doing a project for our Alchemy course,” Siegfried stuttered.

“Project! We have a project?” Artur said with alarm.

Siegfried looked for help but found the other two were expecting him to continue. “Well it’s not really that sort of project.” He scratched the back of his neck rapidly. “It’s more of a hobby you see.”

Artur eased himself, “Oh, you gave quite a fright there. But, hobby? I never saw you as an alchemist type. I thought you were focusing on your military skills.”

Siegfried was now stuttering with enough clarity to make Medurio nervous. He would have to say something before that idiot stumbled into exhaling all of his crimes at once. “He is trying to help me with my hobby. That’s what he meant to say. The lecturer gave me a project and I have done much procrastinating on my part. Therefore, I needed some help to successfully see myself through to the end.” Medurio said confidently as Siegfried grunted his thanks.

“Ah, I was curious why Scrulo said he was helping you at first. I sympathize, I myself am a professional slacker.” Medurio nodded his head, there were telltale signs of a bothersome conversation brewing. He stood up to the dismay of Artur. “Could you wait a moment!” He said with an outstretched hand. “I have a proposal.”

“All ears.” Said Scrulo, who had stayed seated with Siegfried.

“I am a man of a great many talents, brewing is one of them as you can see. Your story has left me quite intrigued. If you’re interested, I could also help you in this alchemy project of yours.”

“No need to trouble yourself, ” Scrulo said. “We can help him just fine, you have studies to attend to correct?”

“Agh!” Artur dismissed him with a gesture. “I have done just fine so far. Why should I study when I have an opportunity such as this?”

Scrulo immediately interjected, “Quintinus, blessings to him, said that great men fasten their heads in the direction of greatest import.”

Medurio found himself agreeing with the man’s stockpile of philosophy for once, if only that it was used to prevent another annoyance from joining his circle.

“But you see, sir philosopher,” Artur said with a smirk. “The greatest import of my life is to taste its many fruits before I leave it.”

Scrulo looked at him with some disappointment, “Fine then, perhaps you may learn a few things.”

Medurio glared at Scrulo. “I don’t believe I need any more help.”

“It’s fine.” Scrulo retorted arrogantly.

Siegfried looked between the two and shook his head. “It's getting dark. Perhaps we can meet again tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow then.” Medurio repeated, still glaring at Scrulo. It was all his fault, if it were not for him he would have come here alone. Would not have to think of all these arrogant words that these men carelessly threw around. But, again he thought. How would he have come to be here if not for them?

“Tomorrow.” Scrulo continued with a raised chin.

“Tomorrow… When? Where too?” Artur asked.

Siegfried closed his eyes to think. “How about… at sunrise, at the fountain outside the dormitories.” He looked at the two men who had yet to complete their staring match and sighed. “Does that seem fair?”

“Quite.” Medurio said before taking his cup and storming out of the tavern.