A new, cultured voice interrupted our conversation.“I heard that someone is offering free drinks, Aranthian spirits no less. It would be wonderful to have a taste of home,” said the alluring feminine voice to my right. “Oh, what do we have here? I can usually tell where someone is from, but you are a mystery…”
Curiously, I turned my head to see who had joined us. I
It was a woman, dressed in a style that was clearly not local. She wore black knee-high leather boots and off-white trousers, paired with a fluffy, frilled short-sleeve blouse that revealed her sun-kissed, tanned skin. Her hair, a fashionable medium length and dark oaken brown, framed her face perfectly. A silver circlet with a green gem at its center adorned her brow, giving her a regal air that contrasted with her bright, sunny smile. My gaze involuntarily drifted down to the silver badge hanging from a copper chain around her neck – an Adventurer’s badge.
“Kaila,” muttered Laman under his breath in an almost exasperated warning.
“Why thank you, Laman, for introducing me,” she drawled, her voice a spun melody, offering me a little wave as she pulled out a stool and sat down one space away from me.
The troubled barkeep shot me a questioning look as if seeking permission. I simply shrugged my shoulders before answering his silent inquiry, “Why not? Pour her a glass. Today is cause for celebration, right?”
I noticed a leather belt cinched at her waist, and hanging from it was what appeared to be a simple wand or scepter, adorned with yet another green gem at its tip. This gem provided me with some hints about her chosen profession. Intrigued by the slightly aggressive and imperious demeanor of the woman, I decided to cast another Identify spell.
Kaila de Arancrai - Enchantress (Human lvl.19)
Health: 175/175
Stamina: 25/26
Mana: 14/16
The woman had a few levels on me, but her attributes were sorely lacking. Unless she had some formidable spells in her arsenal that were of the dangerous sort, I could probably snap her delicate neck like a twig. With a class labeled ‘Enchantress’, I doubted that would be likely.
"Miss Arancrai, I presume?" I offered casually, only to be met with a dainty snort of amusement. Unlike Laman, she seemed hardly surprised by my little trick.
She played with a strand of her hair, not meeting my gaze. "It seems my reputation has finally caught up with me, which is only fair considering the effort I've put in," she said with a hint of pride. Drawing a small breath, she continued, "Yes, I am Arancrai. Kaila Arancrai... And you are, of course...?" Her question hung in the air, a mix of curiosity and challenge.
With practiced finesse, Laman poured the fragrant spirit into three small cups, earning a nod of appreciation from Kaila.
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"I am Gilgamesh of Uruk," I replied, a touch flatly, still uncertain about how to deal with this intriguing woman.
"I can't say I've heard of it. Sounds a bit rustic," she responded, raising an eyebrow. "But let's not waste time on formalities. Cheers!" She took a small sip.
“Cheers!” echoed Laman, following suit, and I could only join him. I felt that it would be rude to point out that this was not exactly what I had ordered.
The drink went down, relatively smoothly but still had quite a kick to it. Fruity notes emerged as I savored a second sip. Though I was far from a connoisseur of spirits, the quality was unmistakable, even to my untrained palette. After months of occasionally resorting to swigs of arag, this was a positively delightful change. Still, I couldn't help but wish for some simple juice.
Reminding myself to live more in the moment, I decided against being one of those who whine about every little thing. As I swirled the dark liquid in my cup, preparing to finish it off, I suddenly felt a hand grasp my shoulder.
"Whatcha doing talking to my woman, like, like that? Making eyes at her," an irate, slurred voice cut through the air.
"Sevas..." Kaila and Laman spoke simultaneously, a mix of recognition and apprehension in their tones.
"It's Sir Sevas... I was knighted by the King himself, remember that. I've fought in the Pale Wars. I am a knight," he declared, his words interspersed with sporadic belches.
Sevas, despite his inebriated state, commanded attention. His snow-white hair crowned a ruggedly handsome face, the kind belonging to a man in his youth, barely out of his early twenties. His gray eyes were the color of a misty morning, though dimmed by the excess of drink, burned with the restless energy of boyish indignation. A solitary scar that sliced diagonally across his face, marred, yet at the same time somehow enhanced his appearance, lending him a fierce aspect.
I disliked him from the first, on an almost primal level.
His attire, though stained at the front, was of fine craftsmanship. Like Kaila, he bore a silver badge, not on a chain as hers was, but fastened to the baldric that supported a long, thin sword. A sword that made me acutely aware of my own vulnerability, armed only as I was with just a mere knife.
“That would have made you about ten at the time if you had fought in the wars, boy. We’ve all heard it before,” commented Laman with a huff, rolling his eyes.
“An’ I fought, I tell you. Waz jus’ a boy in the train… I was there when they came. Took up a weapon and fought ‘em back with the men of the line. You don’t be trying to distract me now so you can go back to… I said look at me damn you!” he cried in my general direction, his gaze unfocused as he staggered about, spilling his cup and its contents onto the floor.
Sevas was a perfect example of why I was averse to strong drink, really anything, that robbed you of good sense. If this was the quality of silver-ranked adventurers then it looked like it would be easy for me to get a few promotions under my belt.
“And for the last time, Sevas, I am not your woman,” hissed Kaila, standing up from her stool and sounding like an exasperated teacher. “Gil, from wherever you are, I am so sorry about this. He’s in our party and is always like this when he gets a little deep in his cups,” she apologized backhandedly, looking more flustered and embarrassed than actually apologetic.
Some of the clientele of the establishment had stopped in their conversation and started to look in our direction. Barely settled into my new accommodation and trouble was already finding me.
“...But I left my home and family… for you. ‘Gether we would go onna life of excitement and adventure, new lands, and new sights, or thaz what you said” he whined like a beaten dog, his body starting to tremble with repressed emotion.
Already my hackles had begun to rise as I prepared for a possible fight. Unfortunately, I had gone so native that a barbaric part of me actually welcomed the prospect. I am not a man for starting fights, but I intended to finish this one. Permanently, if need be. The man was basically offering himself to help me reach the next level and it would be rude of me to deny him. Smiling to myself, I realized I was equipped with more than just a knife, I had my magic and a good excuse for casual murder.