Nearing midnight one could find Garalia's best tavern, The Flag, full of patrons. Just walking up the stairs will deafen a man's hearing with laughter and

suffocate his nose with the smell of food. Past the jubilant crowd at a table near the bar only big enough for one person, slept the bouncer. And sitting across

from him were four drunks stuck at their sixth pint.

"Ex-excuse me, I have to ask that you please leave now. The owner said you've had enough." Said Liana followed by a quick bow. The leader of the group,

barely able to get his mug to his mouth missed and poured some on his chin. Letting a minute go by before turning to meet the waitress’s eyes.

"Now who do we have here lads." Ogling the waitresses plump figure like a beast ready to jump.

"She'll be a perfect toy for you boss." Said the lackey as he made groping motions towards her.

"What'll it be." While reaching into his shirt. "Would you like to keep us occupied till morn?" Flashing the gleam of a knife to her. Liana, going pale, took a step

back but before she could take another step her wrist was seized.

"Let go!" As she tried to pull herself free. Her reaction only made the group chuckle at her fear.

"Come on"-- pulling her right beside him--"We know a whore who could help you with us." Liana, scared, turned to the sleeping bouncer, "Artorias, help me!

Wake up!" Unable to escape the drunkard's grip, tears started taking welling up in her eyes. As Artorias woke up he looked to the source of his name. The first

thing that came to his vision was Lianas’ crying face. Immediately turning to the man who held her.

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"Let her go before I beat you to death!"

The drunkard turned around, eyes bloodshot and baring blackened teeth. "The fuck you say?"

"Let her go... Or get fucked." And spat on his face. Face red, with spit on the lips, the drunkard stood up brandishing the knife and swiped at Artorias' face.

Swiftly, he leaned back, dodging the drunkard's knife and punched him straight in the face. The drunk staggered back while holding his nose with his free hand

let out a yell. Quickly getting up and moving behind the staggering drunk. He twisted his wrist, forcing the drunk to let go of the knife, and pushed him onto the

table. Liana had already run off to the owner to get help.

"Let go of me and fight like a man!" Struggling to get his face off the table.

"Hah all talk and no bite. You three, take your friend out, he won’t be getting up after this." Artorias grabbed his head and slammed him against the table's edge,

knocking him out. The man's lads were glued tight to their seat from what they just witnessed. Not just them, the whole tavern which was bustling about with

cheers and chatter were all focused on Artorias.

"Boss!" The drunkards’ lackeys rushed to help him.

"Give me all your money unless you want to end up like him, now." Said Artorias picking up the knife. Scared, the men tossed him their satchels of coin. As the

drunkard' lads dragged their boss out Artorias turned to the tavern crowd and raised the coin bags to the air.

"Don't let this man spoil your night! One more round for everyone, on them!" And with a loud cheer the tavern went back to its usual lively business. The owner

of the tavern walked over to Artorias, leaving his wife to tend the swarm of patrons and passed him a mug of beer.

"Thanks, there’s always some scum who come in here." Said the owner placing the mug on the table. Artorias looked at the crowds swarming the bar.

"A small sacrifice when you’re this successful huh Tommy." Taking a breath and letting out sigh, "This is nothing for letting me eat and sleep under a roof."

Tommy patting his old comrade on the back

"I'm still surprised that you would leave the army. I thought you'd spend your whole life in the garrison."

"Pft, you left 4 years ago for this life. But at least you had a reason to."

"Mmm... how bout looking for a wife. Mine's sure keeps me busy."

"Hah! No not for me"

"Too bad, Liana was giving you all sorts of signs the whole month." Artorias taking a seat back on his chair started to sip at his beer.

"Alright alright, I gotta get back to my wife, she’s giving me that stare again." Signaling to his wife that he was coming Tommy squeezed through the crowd.

Pushing away his half empty mug Artorias thought of his last mission two months back.