This chapter takes place during the one-week tournament break between chapters 188 and the latter half of 189.

Padraic Whitehelm’s POV.

I slid into the hot water and let out a deep, satisfied sigh. The temperature of the water was just too perfect, and after a long day of working the forge, nothing was better than dipping into a warm bath with a drink. I swigged down the crisp yellow beverage to my side. The liquid rushed down and coated my throat in its delicious nectar as it warmed me to my core.

“Fahhhhh….this is damn good,” I groaned.

It was decided that we would come to this quaint bathhouse in town just to experience it. Apparently, the Lord of Flumare himself recommended it, and I could see why. The building was made of an old wood that carried a strong scent with it that I hadn’t smelt in years. It reminded me of home. Even so, I couldn’t quite place that particular smell. It was just unique to old places like that.

Maybe it was all the scents from whatever plants and herbs they tossed into the water, seeping into the wood over the years. Or perhaps it was the old-time stoves and the thin layer of smoke wafting through the place. Either way, it was too good.

The place itself was small and could only fit a small number of people at a time, which required one to make a reservation. But that wasn’t a problem if you were the Dragonslayer, apparently. I had frequented the large bathhouses of Forward University since my arrival, and those were undoubtedly better facilities, but…

This place is both relaxing and charming in its own way. I could get used to this…maybe I should get into carpentry…make a small bath hut somewhere or something…yeah…I could do that…yeah…one day.

“You moved quickly for a Dwarf,” Varnir chuckled from behind me.

I watched the Dark Elf dip himself into the water. To see Varnir the same way he came into the world was always a constant reminder of just how weird Dark Elves were. I thought I had gotten used to it with being around Mr. Shadowheart for all those years, but it just never stuck.

Those heads with oddly handsome faces and long ears strapped to a massive muscular body. It just didn’t sit right with me for some reason. At least Kaladin was more…how do I put that…more proportional? Maybe it was just his face doing that to me.

“Yeah, well, it helps not to have so much hair,” I said with a shrug, followed by another sip of my drink.

Varnit tilted his head. “Really? But don’t you comb it?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Comb it? What?”

Varnir rubbed his chest and nodded at me as he said, “Yeah, you know, don’t you comb all that hair on your chest?”

I just stared at the Elf blankly. I liked Varnir. He was a good guy.

But there was no way he was that stupid.

Varnir’s serious face started to crack at the seams as he began to laugh. “I thought I almost had you!”

I shook my head and sighed. “Well, you would know what it’s like if you drank something that put some hair on your chest.”

Varnir swished the glass around by the stem. The dark red substance threatened to splash over the rim, but the Dark Elf maintained a perfect swirl as he took a long drink of it.

“I think this is plenty strong as is,” he shrugged.

“Warm wine…who in their right mind would willingly drink warm alcohol when methods to cool it exist,” I grumbled.

Varnir pointed a finger at my drink and said, “And who in their right mind would drink that cold piss?”

“Cold piss? How do you know what piss even tastes like, huh?” I shot back.

“Well…that’s just what everyone says,” Varnir said hesitantly.

“Is that so? The only people saying things taste like piss are the piss drinkers themselves. And anyone drinking that has no right to comment on the taste of anything,” I spat.

A deep sigh came from behind us. “That will be enough conversation about drinking people’s waste, gentlemen. We have a young man in the house. Now, come then, Dallin,” Sylas said.

Dallin quickly slipped into the water next to me and let out a deep moan. He giggled to himself, and his little ears twitched with the warm water’s sensation.

“Not bad, huh?” I said with a chuckle.

“Mmm! Yes…although I think I prefer the school’s big bath…” he admitted sheepishly.

“That’s a rather unique place. Every once in a while, if you are lucky enough, you can find a bathhouse like this in bigger cities. Although they tend to be incredibly overpriced,” I explained.

Dallin just nodded his head as he sank into the water up to his neck. I turned an eye to Sylas as he slinked into the water and was admittedly quite shocked. Beneath his clothes, the man didn’t appear to be anything special. If anything, I would have assumed he was painfully average, but that would have turned out to be wrong.

He’s pretty built for a Human his size. He could go with eating a little more, though.

Varnir, who had sunk into the water for a few moments, opened his eyes as he sat up. He looked over to Sylas and groaned. “No way…you enjoy that crap as well?”

Sylas put down the mug of golden liquid and eyed it. “I have to admit, at first, I did not enjoy such a strong beverage. However, after experiencing it a handful of times with my father, I must admit it has grown on me. It’s rather illogical, considering the taste hasn’t changed all that much. Nearly all beers made in Luminar are from the same plants regardless of claims of quality. Yet, my feelings toward it have simply adapted.”

“See! And it puts hair on his chest. Like a man!” I chuckled.

Sylas raised a single curious eyebrow at me. “I don’t believe this drink causes someone to grow chest hair,” he said.

“It’s just a saying. Ignore him,” Varnir said with a wave of his hand. “Besides, I swear Dwarves would drink anything if it were strong enough.”

Well, he might not be wrong about that.

"What does it taste like?” Dallin asked as he pointed to my drink.

“Golden nectar of the gods, boy,” I said with a grunt and a swig.

“Please don’t lie to him like that. You’re supposed to be his uncle,” Varnir chidded.

“Is it normal to drink that in the bath? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do that at school before,” Dallin questioned.

“Because they are not allowed to. It’s considered to be dangerous,” Sylas informed him.

Varnir nodded his head. “Exactly. No adult drinks in the school baths. I would know as a guardian,” Varnir said proudly.

Dallin tilted his head to the side and asked, “Then why are you drinking it here? What is the difference?”

The three of us exchanged silent looks amongst each other, but Sylas was the first to answer him. Sylas tapped the water with his hands and said, “The water here is far more shallow and not as warm, leading to fewer accidents. Also, this place encourages group bathing while Forward University is more private, and anyone can come at any time, even if someone is not watching out for potential problems.”

That was a good answer…I was just going to say having a bunch of people drinking in such a large bath was a bad idea, but when put that way…I could see that being a real reason over just an excuse.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

Dallin nodded to himself thoughtfully, seemingly satisfied with Sylas’s explanation for the time being, as he leaned back into the water. With all the questions and banter done for the moment, a peaceful silence reigned over all of us. Only the sounds of the water moving, drinks being sipped, and the occasional sigh, moan, or grunt of pleasure could be heard.

It was an excellent time to be alive.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Varnir. Are you not concerned with Tsarra’s standing in the tournament? She appears to be acting out of the norm, and I have not spoken to her in many weeks,” Sylas asked.

Varnir flinched slightly at the mention of Tsarra, but he answered him regardless, “No, I believe in her. She is on her own path right now…all I can do is trust in her and the effort she has put in.”

Sylas mulled something over before he asked, “I see…is that what she said to you the other day?”

Varnir raised an eyebrow at that. “The other day? I haven’t spoken to her…”

Sylas narrowed his eyes and ran a hand through his wet hair. “Impossible. Why are you lying to me? I saw you speaking with her not too long ago.”

Varnir shot forward, his eyes wide. “Wait?! You—you saw that?! When?!”

“Just the other day, in the villa’s hallways. Contrary to your belief, I do occasionally wake up at appropriate times,” Sylas huffed.

“Th—that was before the sun even rose! No one was awake! I didn’t hear you at all!” Varnir complained, red in the face.

“Perhaps you just weren’t looking hard enough. Although, I do have to admit Tsarra was only in the doorway before I saw her disappear into nothing,” Sylas said with a shrug.

“It was only for a second! There’s no way you saw her!” Varnir shouted in his defense.

Sylas huffed, “I forget nothing, Varnir. I can recognize just about everyone, especially someone I’ve known for many years.”

Varnir shied away, but for some reason, Sylas did not back down. His gaze intensified as he stared at Varnir. “What you two do is your own business, Varnir. But don’t you believe you are going to cause problems in the future? Problems that may not be so simple to solve.”

“I know that…” Varnir mumbled.

“Then do you know what you should do? At least, in my opinion, that is,” Sylas said sternly.

“I know, Sylas, you’ve told me before,” Varnir said dejectedly.

“Then why not act upon it? I don’t believe you are so weak as to lose to that annoying bastard, Terstus,” Sylas said.

I exchanged looks with Dallin, and the two of us scooted closer to listen. Although, that was completely unnecessary, considering they weren’t quiet in the first place.

Varnir shook his head with a dark, even sad look in his eyes. “It’s not that simple, Sylas, and you know it. I don’t have the same support as him.”

“Nonsense. What support is needed if you are better than him? You place higher on test scores than him. You prove yourself to be a competent man and a strong fighter time and time again. Perhaps you are the one that should have some faith in himself.”

“The weight of every Shadowclan life on my shoulders is too much. I can’t lead my people like that, Sylas. And I would have to defend myself for hundreds of years until I died. Imagine if I did become chief and then lost…the disgrace I would bring to my family and…her…it would be insurmountable. I couldn’t do that to her…” Varnir said dejectedly.

“I disagree. I believe doing nothing is worse than trying. You can’t leave everything up to Tsarra. Wouldn’t it be more agreeable to say she is taking a bigger risk than you at this point?” Sylas probed.

“She has her own circumstances. I can’t interfere with her family like that. Unlike the Paines, the Shadowstone name doesn’t have that kind of power,” Varnir explained.

Sylas sighed in annoyance. “Perhaps if you just wait a few hundred years, then none of this will matter anyway…”

Then, the Human closed his eyes for a few moments before he looked over at me. “What do you think?”

What do I think…huh?

I shrugged and said, “I would do anything it took for my loved ones, no matter how impossible the task or absurd the request. I mean, just look at our little Dragonslayer. I can’t stand next to the man who would storm a castle or raze a city for his wives and call him brother if I didn’t even attempt my best. Although…I don’t think I’ll be doing any of those things in my life.”

“Wise words from the Dwarf. Perhaps all this talk of putting hair on your chest might be good for you, Varnir. Be a man and all that,” Sylas said as he took a sip of his beer.

Varnir started grumbling under his breath, rolled his eyes, and said, “I think I’m just as much a man as anyone else.”

I was about to refute that when the door opened behind us. We all turned our attention to it as Kaladin walked through and toward us. I swore every time I saw him without clothes, he was getting ever so slightly larger. His muscles became a little more defined in places, although he didn’t appear to be reaching his father’s size anytime soon. Even Varnir, for that matter.

I suppose it helped that the man ate enough for three people every day. Where does he even put all that food?

Kaladin slipped into the water and sighed deeply but was forced to sit across from us because of a lack of room. He eased into his seat and looked ready to relax, but all of our gazes were stuck to him.

Kaladin slowly opened his eyes and asked, “What? Why are you all staring at me so intently?”

I think that was rather obvious if you asked me…you could pick one thing and still be correct.

“We were having a conversation about Varnir manning up. What’s your opinion on this matter?” Sylas inquired.

I chuckled and waved a hand at Sylas, “He’s definitely the wrong guy to ask about this. Just look how long it’s taking him currently.”

Sylas rocked his head from side to side before nodding. “I suppose you are correct.”

Kaladin glared at us for a moment while saying, “Being a man, huh?”

I felt a chill down my spine as I watched the corners of Kaladin’s lips curl into an evil smile. It was a smile I had never seen on the man’s face, and it was equally as creepy as it was frightening.

“How about I reach across this bath, and we can see if the three of you can stop me? That should decide who’s a man and who is not… don’t you think?” Kaladin said sinisterly.

I swallowed the spit pooling in my mouth as I looked over to Sylas. He simply averted his eyes to some random corner of the small room while Varnir pretended to finish the rest of his drink slowly. Dallin just seemed confused about everything.

Thankfully, that odd feeling disappeared, followed by a chuckle from Kaladin. “I’m just joking. I’m also not positive about what you were speaking about before, but I think Varnir is doing just fine as far as I am concerned.”

I sighed and looked over to Kaladin. “What took you so long? We are almost ready to get out of here…” I said.

“Sorry, I had Mila to take care of. She insisted that I wash her hair for her and then wanted to help me with mine. As you can imagine, that took some time,” he said fondly without a hint of remorse.

“Have you been enjoying fatherhood, Kaladin? It’s still hard to believe how far you’ve come since that first day,” Varnir chuckled.

A small smile spread across Kaladin’s features. Even in his eyes, there was a deep satisfaction. “Yes…much has changed from the first breakfast, hasn’t it? I always appreciated your help with that, Varnir.”

Kaladin’s smile grew as he said, “But fatherhood is great. It’s scary but rewarding at the same time. I never imagined I could love someone like that, so I wouldn’t go back to how things were before now that I’ve experienced it.”

I closed my eyes and finished my drink. I wasn’t confident if it was the drink in my belly, the water, or those words that warmed me to my core.

It’s surreal to hear those words from him. Who would have thought that a scowling mixed-elf in the middle of a Wood Elf village would be a father to an adopted little girl? I sure would have bet against it before I reunited with him.

“You’ve become a good man, Kal,” I said quietly.

“Was I not one before—yes, perhaps I wasn’t yet. I still believe I have much to learn,” Kal said softly.

“What was Kaladin like as a child?” Sylas asked innocently.

I perked up at that and grinned as I told him, “Just imagine this angry-looking little child walking around like he owned the place. He was always scowling at everyone, but despite that, I just had to talk to him. Oh, and of course, he already had his wife attached to him at all hours of the day.”

“His wife?” Varnir parroted, confused.

Kaladin immediately looked embarrassed, and before he interjected, I made sure to finish him off. “Oh yeah, you didn’t know? This guy proposed to Cerila years ago…but look at him now…honestly, what a jerk.”

Varnir and Sylas looked at each other and nodded. “That explains the thing on Cerila’s neck…” Sylas mumbled.

“What a guy…I didn’t think you had it in you. Didn’t you promise to me that you weren’t that type of guy?” Varnir said, surprised.

Kaladin sighed. “That’s not an accurate presentation of events at all. I was unaware of my actions at the time and was wrongfully guided into doing such a thing. Just know that most of this has already been rectified.”

Sylas put a finger to his chin. “Then why does she still wear the choker?”

Kaladin let out a weak grunt. “That…”

“Do you not like Big Sister?” Dallin asked innocently.

“No…of course not, Dallin. I already told you that, right?” Kaladin said in his defense.

“Right!” Dallin chirped.

Another quaint silence washed over us. I could only tease Kaladin so much. One day, he might actually reach across something and strangle me.

Either way, the water, mixed with the air and alcohol, was starting to become overbearing, and we collectively decided to get up and out of the water. Well, all of us besides Kaladin, who still wanted to relax for a little longer.

I have to admit that I enjoyed these moments immensely. It’s not that I hated traveling around the world, but being around your family while pursuing your goals in life was just better than being in a constant state of worry.

It also helped that Kaladin just had good tastes in friends.