Sargon opened the doors leading to the tavern and his nose was instantly met with a pleasant smell of barley beer. Various types of adventures surrounded wooden tables and were partaking in drinking, eating and talking. The tavern was only half full at best but it felt very lively inside.

He sat next to one of the tables which had a distinct smell of beer even though it was dry, the wood had absorbed it through many years of service and passively emitted the fragrance of fermented barley. While Tasha was inspecting the table with her nose Sargon raised his arm into the air to signal for a tavern maiden.

The tavern maiden was actually not a maiden at all, she was a middle age woman who served the patrons. The lady in question wore a simple dress and an apron which had been splattered by various stains from either beer or food.

“A bowl of chiefs special and a jug of dark beer.” Sargon ordered casually. Chiefs special was a meat dish made of stewed lamb which fell right of the bone and some cooked earthy vegetables. The dark beer is just as the name suggests; also the same beer his father used to drink.

The tavern maiden nodded at Sargon taking his order mentally and looked at the demi-human youth, the one sitting in front of Sargon.

“Tasha, what do you want? You can order anything you like.” He owed her for helping him after all.

The beastkin fiddled with her fingers while staring at scratched and cut table surface. She had never been in the tavern and didn’t know what she wants or even what is on the menu. She raised her head and smiled at Sargon.

“Why don’t you order me something? Whatever will be fine.” She asked whilst waging her tail.

Sargon thought for a moment of what she might like to eat. Since she was from bestial races some meat would be a safe option, so he went for that.

“A meat feast for my fr… comrade.” He ordered her a plate-full of mixed meats. The dish was made of small bites of seasoned pork, lamb, mutton and beef. He also was unsure if they were friends, so comrades seemed more appropriate.

The woman nodded and went to tend to other patrons before bringing them the jug of beer and two cups. Sargon poured himself some of the dark beer and had a small sip; it felt cold and tasted rich.

“Want some?” He offered to Tasha who was looking at him drinking with curiosity in her eyes.

“YES!” She said it louder than she should have, the girl was giddy.

He poured her some and watched her try it with a smile on his face. Tasha took the first sip with a huge smile on her face but it quickly turned into a frown.

“It's so bitter!” She shook her head to disapprove the after taste.

“I knew you won’t like it. Women rarely drink it, and the only ones I know are adventurers.”

Tasha looked around inspecting the people. Actually, there were quite a few women drinking beer, but true to Sargon’s words they all seemed like adventurers. She wondered if normal taverns were filled only by men, that thought seemed scary to her for one reason or other.

Sargon tried to take her cup away, but Tasha pulled it out of his reach.

“I will finish it. I am an adventurer too.”

He knew that it probably was a bad idea but he didn't try to persuade her. She was old enough to make her choices and mistakes.

It didn't take long for the meals to arrive. Seeing the amount of food in front of her, Tasha’s eyes turned into saucers and she quickly started digging right into it. She had never in her life eaten food so tasty like this. It was juicy and spiced just right; she was tearing the meat in her mouth with speed and gusto. There was too much speed making her choke slightly on a bigger piece she tried to swallow. Sargon poured more bear in her half-empty cup and offered it to her so she can wash the food down.

While they ate Sargon overheard a conversation which picked his interest. The two adventurers were talking about some horned monster roaming the dungeon and killing adventurers in their sleep. They described the monster as having two blue horns, blue-bladed tail and hooves for legs. The description awfully sounded like that of Demi-Ura’s. There was even a bounty for slaying this irregular ‘monster’ and bringing its core.

This made Sargon feel uncomfortable in his seat. They can’t be talking about Demi-Ura she is no monster, this must be misunderstanding, he thought to himself. Regardless it is true or not he will have to do something about this.

His thoughts were interrupted by a Tasha who was attempting to talk to him. Attempting because none of what she said made any sense, her speech was slurred, she was drunk. Sargon himself was a bit tipsy but nothing like Tasha, it took only over a cup to put small bearskin like her in complete intoxication.

“Right, I probably shouldn’t have let you drink this.” He reflected on his poor actions way too late.

Some Shekels were left on a table for the service and the two left the tavern. Tasha wrapped her arm around his waist so that she does not fall; she no longer could walk straight.

“Tell me where you live, I will help you to get there.” He offered.

“Ohhh… Everythung is spuning… dunno enymore.” She blurred out.

Sargon sighted, it was his fault and he had to take responsibly.

“It is not much but you can crash in my place, it is safe.” He offered.

“You… you so nice… I like *hiccup*”

The two reached a place Sargon was calling his. It was only a few pieces of wood with some cloth overhead. It was the best he could afford after leaving the temple. It was poor and shabby; not that it mattered to him since he was in the dungeon for most of the time.

“This is it. I know it looks awful but this will have to do for the night.”

“Had worse.” Tasha said while crawling on his bed which was made of simple woven matt and a fur on top.

Sargon sat next to her “Goodnight, I guess.”

“No..." She shook her head adding " Your bed where?”

“You sleep on it for today I will sleep here on the floor.”

Tasha shook her head disapprovingly.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“No. You can’t” She shuffled to a side and patted the space next to her. “Come. We are comrades.”

“I guess we are.” Sargon said it with a shrug, it was definitely better than sleeping on a cold floor.

He joined her, the two laid flat next to each other. The bed was small but so was Tasha hence there was just enough space for the two.

“Hey?” Tasha turned to ask him, her face was illuminated by the moonlight coming through the gap in the cloth, making her eyes glow in green.

Her face was close enough for Sargon to feel her hot breath. Even if her breath smelled like beer He still thought that she looks kind of cute.

“Yes.” He finally responded after getting a good look at her glowing eyes.

“Tuday wus the best. Thanks!” Her speech was still slightly slurred but had a pleasant intonation to it.

“You’re welcome.”

Sargon had nothing else to say, nor Tasha to add, so they just looked at each other for a while. The proximity eventually made the young girl uncomfortable and she would be a beat red if she could. Not wanting to continue feeling needlessly embarrassed she turned away from Sargon and laid on her side.

“Gud night.” She said her voice filled with joy.

“Good night.” Said Sargon after pulling a blanket over their bodies.

He would have fallen asleep promptly but alas he couldn’t. Unbeknown to Tasha her tail was waging and hitting Sargon on a side. Her joy was shoving but he didn’t want to say anything to Tasha; there was nothing she could do about her honest tail anyways.

The tail waged for a minute or two before slowly coming to a standstill; Tasha fell asleep and then Sargon.

…

It was not a song of morning birds or the rustle of the people what have awoken him. It was a sharp pain of his cheek being pinched.

“Ow ow ow. What was this for?!” Sargon complained about his rude awakening.

“Eeh!” Tasha yelped out in fear after seeing the person in front of them.

The culprit was grinning at the two, mostly at Sargon. The grin was wide and sharp full with dagger-like teeth, the likes to tear the flesh away from prey. By the looks of her busty chest, it was a woman and unhappy one, the most dangerous of the kind. It took a moment for Tasha to realise that it was no one else but the healer lady from yesterday.

“I didn't take you for that kind of a man. I thought I know you, we are childhood friend and all… but to go after someone like her? Isn’t she too young? Am I too old for you? That might be why…” Lilith hissed at Sargon.

“What are you talking about? I got her slightly too drunk and couldn't leave her alone.” He tried to explain.

“Of course you did! And then?” The jealousy was showing in her face with a hint of rage in her narrowed eyes.

“And then nothing. We came here and went to sleep, I guess.”

Tasha didn't exactly know what the lizard woman wanted but she nodded to everything Sargon said furiously.

Lilith stared daggers at young beastkin, her eyes were even more narrowed now. Then she pulled the blanket away as if looking for some evidence.

“Nothing happened?” She asked still judging the two.

“Nothing. We just slept close since I have one bed and it is warmer together.” The last part was especially true, he had no idea Tasha’s body would feel so warm.

“Can’t be helped, you were drunk.” Lilith softened her face expression and let go of the blanket from her grasp, letting it fall back on the two comrades-friends.

“Yes. If I wasn’t, I would have been able to find my way back. Sorry if I had caused some inconvenience.” Tasha apologised wholeheartedly.

“Tasha it is fine, you didn’t.” Sargon reassured her it was no big deal.

Tasha looked again at the still frowning woman, it didn't look fine at all.

“So why are you here? It is odd for you to be here.” Sargon asked Lilith who appeared to be slightly calmed down.

“Can’t I come and wake you up in the morning like I used to do?”

“You can, but it's unusual, that’s all. Don’t you have to be at the temple?”

“I don’t, not anymore.” Lilith said during her head away from him.

Sargon gave confused look so Lilith explained to him that she had quit being temple priestess. There were many reasons for this, like going to the dungeon and breaking multiple wows and feeling guilty about it, to name the one. But the main reason was that she wanted to keep Sargon safe while he was exploring the Babel Dungeon. She had been thinking about being a healer in his party for a long time and had finally decided to do so. Apparently, Demi-Ura was the main thing which made her mind.

“Speaking about Demi-Ura.” Lilith continued. “I know you don't see her like that, but she is evil by nature. I made some more research and she seems to be one of demonic-races. Only bad things are written about them in the books.”

It was Lilith and her books again. She barely met Demi-Ura for a few minutes and was already judging her; Sargon didn’t think it was fair or accurate but he knew that Lilith only wanted the best for him.

“So basically, you want to make sure nothing happens to me while I am with Demi-Ura.”

“That is not all, but yes, that too.”

“I see. Welcome to the party then!” Sargon stood up and hugged Lilith.

She didn't expect that and yipped in surprise before relaxing; her tail began to swing from side to side and her stern face softened up.

Tasha grinned knowingly, she was right when she concluded yesterday that Lilith has a crush on Sargon, but it seemed that dense boy failed to realise it.

“I hope you can become good friends with Demi like I am, demon or not.”

At the mention of Demi-Ura, Lilith’s mood soured again and she pushed Sargon away.

“We will see about that. What I need now is some adventuring equipment and you are buying it as an apology for this morning. I know you have the money.”

Sargon had to admit he was very lucky to have her in his party; Lilith was an amazing healer and he didn't mind helping her out.

“Well then, let’s get some gear!” Sargon was feeling pumped up for their next adventure together.