Chapter 13: Talon's Tall Tale.

The sun hung low in the sky as Ava and Talon made their way through the bustling market, their steps measured but relaxed, with Eli walking close beside Ava, his hand still gripping her arm as if afraid that, should he let go, she might vanish once again. The crowd of onlookers had yet to disperse, many following behind, eager to keep their heroes within sight. Conversations buzzed around them, and though there was work to be done and stalls to close, the villagers seemed unwilling to let this moment pass too quickly.

As they approached the tavern, Eli hesitated, glancing back toward his market stall, still laden with unsorted goods. But one of the traders, a burly man with a kind smile, caught his eye and waved him forward. “Go on ahead, Eli,” the trader called, his voice filled with understanding. “I’ll pack up for you. You’ve got more important things to take care of tonight.”

Eli nodded gratefully, but his grip on Ava’s arm remained firm. He looked at her with a mix of relief and lingering fear, the unspoken worry still evident in his eyes. “I just—” he started, his voice faltering slightly.

Ava smiled softly, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’m not going anywhere,” she promised gently.

With that reassurance, they continued toward the tavern, the sound of laughter and the clinking of mugs growing louder as they neared. The villagers who had gathered in the market began to follow, eager to keep the celebration going as the last of the sun’s light faded into the horizon.

The sun had barely set when the doors of the Green Arbor tavern swung open, spilling a wave of laughter and light into the darkened streets. Villagers who had worked tirelessly through the day eagerly poured in, their spirits lifted by the promise of a night filled with stories, warmth, and much-needed camaraderie. The air inside buzzed with the hum of conversation and the clatter of mugs being filled and passed around.

Ava, Talon, Eli, and Miko made their way through the crowd, greeted by cheers and pats on the back. Talon, always the life of any gathering, led the way with baby Talon perched in one arm, holding him up like a prized trophy. "Look at this little guy, already tougher than most of you," he teased, grinning from ear to ear as the baby gurgled happily. Jess trailed behind, keeping a close eye on her son.

The patrons cheered at the sight of the local heroes, pulling chairs closer to the center where Talon was already being beckoned toward the bar. "Alright, alright!" he called out, taking a seat and pretending to hand baby Talon a sip of his beer. "Here, let the little one have a taste!" he joked, his voice booming over the noise.

"Oi! You’d better not!" Jess called from the back, raising a finger at him, but with a playful grin. Talon waved her off with a wink, passing the baby back to her with exaggerated caution. "Wouldn't dare, Jess, wouldn't dare!"

The crowd settled in as everyone knew what was coming—Talon’s version of their latest adventure. Ava took a seat beside Eli, little Ava climbing into her lap, while Miko leaned casually against the bar, a drink in hand, waiting for the show to start.

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Talon cleared his throat dramatically, making sure the room’s attention was on him. "Now, let me set the scene," he began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "We’re barreling through the woods in pitch darkness, Ava behind the wheel, and me? I’m directing her every move—keeping us one step ahead of twenty, no, **thirty**—maybe more—bikes on our tail!"

The crowd gasped in mock horror and excitement, leaning in closer as Talon painted a wildly exaggerated picture of their escape.

"Thirty bikes, you say?" Miko chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "I could’ve sworn it was more like five—and didn’t you sleep through most of it, Talon?"

The tavern erupted in laughter, and Ava, unable to hold back her grin, added, "Yeah, Talon was giving us very detailed instructions from the back—snoring his way through the whole thing."

Talon, unflustered, waved them off with a dramatic flair. "You two just don’t appreciate the finer details of storytelling. Trust me, I was wide awake—providing cover fire from the back while Ava expertly navigated the twists and turns, dodging bullets and branches!"

"You were snoring so loud, I thought you were scaring off the raiders!" Ava shot back, her laughter infectious as the room roared in approval.

Even Eli, who had been quietly listening, couldn’t help but grin, leaning in closer to Ava. "I always wondered how you two manage to make it through these missions."

Ava gave him a sidelong look, her smile softening. "It’s a mix of luck, skill, and not letting Talon talk too much."

As the crowd continued to laugh and cheer, little Ava, perched on her aunt’s lap, tugged on her sleeve. "Auntie Ava, are you really the best fighter ever?"

Ava chuckled softly, brushing her niece’s hair out of her face. "I’ve had my fair share of practice, sweetheart. But remember, the best fighters are the ones who know when not to fight."

Little Ava’s eyes shone with admiration as she wrapped her arms around her aunt’s neck, snuggling in close. "I wanna be just like you when I grow up."

Ava kissed her niece on the top of her head, her heart swelling. "And you’ll be even better than me."

As the night wore on, Talon’s tales grew taller, and the drinks flowed freely. Miko shook his head, thoroughly entertained, while Jess occasionally glanced at her husband with a knowing smile. The tavern had come alive with joy, the weight of the past weeks momentarily lifted by the shared laughter of friends and family.

"Alright, I’m calling it now!" Miko interrupted as Talon’s latest story turned the five raiders into an army of a hundred. "If we let him keep going, by morning, he’ll have fought off an entire battalion with nothing but a spoon."

The tavern exploded with laughter again as Talon raised his mug in mock salute. "And don’t you forget it!" he said, winking at Ava.

As the night began to wind down, Eli turned to Ava, his voice low but filled with warmth. "So, where are you staying tonight?"

Ava hesitated for a moment, glancing around the familiar room before meeting his gaze. "I haven’t really figured that out yet."

Eli smiled, his nervousness palpable but endearing. "Well... I’ve got space at mine. You know, if you want."

Ava’s smile softened as she laced her fingers through his, her voice gentle. "I’d like that."

Miko, overhearing the exchange, smirked and clapped Eli on the back. "Looks like you’ve got some company tonight, mate."

Talon, catching wind of the conversation, chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Just make sure there’s breakfast in the morning, Eli. You wouldn’t want Ava to go hungry."

The laughter that followed was warm and full of love, echoing through the tavern as the night drew to a close. Ava and Eli exchanged a glance, the connection between them deepening in the shared glow of the evening.

As Talon wrapped up his final tale, the villagers began to trickle out into the cool night, bidding their heroes goodnight with hugs and handshakes. And while the warmth of the fire would soon fade, the bonds that had been rekindled in that tavern would remain, stronger than ever.