Hunter swallowed hard, the sound drowned out by the lively chatter, clinking mugs, and raucous laughter enveloping the tavern. The air was thick with pipe smoke, hanging heavy like a shroud.
Tattered maps and faded pictures of legendary hard-assed adventurers hung on the walls, while the occasional monstrous sea creature head served as a stark reminder of the daring exploits of the tavern’s patrons.
The focal point of the chaotic scene was a bustling bar, where a burly bartender deftly filled tankards with foamy ale and poured spiced wines into goblets carved from seashells. The bar counter was made from salvaged shipwreck wood, polished to a high sheen by countless hands over the years.
The tavern was packed to the rafters. The longer Hunter stood there, the more heads turned his way—Aegean sea pirates, grizzled bounty hunters, and sultry hetarai women, all eyes on him. The women perched on the laps of their well-oiled clients, showering them with compliments amid mouthfuls of plump grapes.
That’s when he spotted it, the discreet door at the back. Rumor had it that taverns like this had rooms upstairs, available for hourly rent. An inviting air kiss from one of the ladies served as his cue to blend into the crowd and find a vacant table.
Easier said than done.
Hunter swerved around the bar and locked eyes with the ginger-bearded barman. His ruby skull ring glinted as he poured ale into a tankard, his one good eye tracking Hunter, the other hidden behind a jewel-encrusted eyepatch.
With a cocky grin, Hunter squeezed past the tables huddled around the bar and slipped into the dimly lit area near a wooden stage where the big boys sat. The space looked larger than it did from the entrance. Hunter claimed one of the smaller tables meant for two. He plopped down on a stool, his eyes drawn to a well-groomed man with a lyre slung over his shoulder.
The man’s boots echoed across the wooden floorboards as he climbed onto the small stage against the wall opposite Hunter. A boy with wild blond hair jumped up beside the bard, pan pipes in hand.
The bard scanned the room, his fingers dancing over the strings of his lyre, setting a soft, steady rhythm. "Great to be back in the Tangled Mermaid," he crooned, his voice smoother than buttered rum. The place hushed, hanging on to his every word as he continued.
"Right you scurvy lot, hope you're ready to have your minds blown."
"Get on with it!" A heckler shouted, laughter erupting from the crowd.
Hunter stole a glance at the group. They were a scurvy lot alright. Three of them, at the next table over, looked like they lived on booze and little else, making for curious company alongside the high-rolling pirate and his lady friend they were seated with.
The lady was all leather and attitude, a silver dagger pendant swinging from her neck. Her cropped hair and fierce eyes gave her a ruthless edge, and she twirled her pendant dagger like she was ready to gut someone at a moment's notice.
"I'm Bill, and this is Ted, and together we are Shark Island Extreme," announced the bard. His hands glowed as he plucked and strummed his lyre, amplifying and deepening the sound simultaneously. The boy with the blond curly hair began playing the pan pipes as the bard launched into song:
Now this is a tale all about how,
Our city got twisted upside down,
I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there,
I’ll tell you how Delphares got caught in a snare.
Hunter's chest hummed with the musical vibration, and he tapped his foot along to the catchy rhythm. It dredged up memories of those celebrations his parents used to throw when he was a child.
We’re in Delphares city, where the fear is rare,
But with death cultists lurking, it’s more than we can bear,
General Eratos, come on, show some might,
Or we’ll be dealing with nightmares every night.
"Jo would love this," he whispered, looking down as a wistful sigh escaped him. Suddenly, someone appeared at his side, and his eyes trailed up her slender form.
He quickly closed his gaping mouth, earning an amused look from the barmaid standing beside him, a tray of empty glasses slung against her shapely hip. With chestnut hair pulled into a messy bun, her well-endowed figure didn’t escape the notice of passing patrons.
One boozed up idiot thought he had the right to slobber on her while slapping her ass. His reward? A swift kick of her boot to his groin that sent him sprawling to the floor. She gave a curt nod to the barman, and they left the groaning jackass where he lay. The other patrons just stepped over him like it happened every day.
"What takes your fancy, love?" The glasses clinked on the tray as she shifted position.
She didn’t flinch as someone roared from the table behind them. "Screw the pan pipes, we want more cowbell!"
Hunter looked at the barmaid and smiled. "What’s good on the menu?"
"Eyes on me, and not my girls," Her voice teased him with a seductive lilt.
"Oh, I," Hunter paused, rubbing the back of his neck "I was checking out your name pin, nice family breast, uh, I mean crest."
Smooth, Hunter, real smooth.
She glanced down at her pin, just below the trim of her top.
Lyra Savage, it read.
She didn't seem to mind his slip-up, her blue eyes taking their sweet time roaming over him. "Everything's good on the menu." She leaned in close. "Tell me, young adventurer, do you like five pepper spice?"
Hunter was about to tell her he loved the stuff when he overheard a conversation from the next table over. The pirate guy in the red coat was giving his three henchmen the stink eye, while the woman in black leather leaned back, cool as a cucumber.
The three henchmen gulped their pints as the red coat pirate thumbed his chin, keeping his voice low. "That young bookkeeper girl of his lingers behind closed doors, but she can only hide for so long. Eratos is playing the boss for a fool thanks to his weakness for a bit of flesh. The older Xuthos gets, the younger he likes 'em...his patience isn’t what it once was either."
Hunter's pulse raced.
"You okay, love? You look like you just saw a ghost."
He simply nodded.
"I’ll have the grilled swordfish and a mug of spiced wine. Need to take it easy, as I've got work tonight." He did his best to hide the tremor in his voice. If Lyra noticed, she was good at hiding it behind a sultry smile.
A battle cry erupted from somewhere behind them.
Hunter must've looked confused because Lyra laughed and jerked her thumb toward a curtained-off door past the stage. "Hardcore cockfighting pit out back—Rooster Royale, they call it. Best ignore what goes on in there unless you're a betting man."
Hunter laughed, shaking his head to hide his dismay. "I thought it was some poor guy who couldn't handle his five pepper spice. I'll take your advice and ignore it. I only bet on sure things."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Haven’t seen you here before. What’s your name?"
Hunter hesitated, his mind reeling between his real name and the one he’d been throwing around town.
Tilting her head, Lyra said, "Don’t worry love, it’s just for the order. If you want to start a running tab, I’ve got you down for grilled swordfish and I’ll make sure the sauce is extra spicy. I recommend Buckfast Tonic Wine instead of the spiced wine; it keeps your head clear for longer since you’ll be working later. Not too hard, I hope." Her finely sculpted brows danced suggestively.
Hunter bellowed, his cheeks flush. "My name is—"
"Jakob, small world. I’ve missed you.” The ruby adorned silver braid was a stark contrast to her raven hair even in the dimly lit tavern. “Thought I might have seen you back in the bathhouse before now."
Hunter stiffened, surprised to meet Eunice’s dark eyed gaze.
Lyra's free hand landed on her hip, and she gave Eunice a once-over that was anything but subtle. They both stared at the empty stool next to Hunter, then turned their attention back to him.
He leaned back and rubbed his neck, feeling like somebody had just turned up the heat. "Been a crazy couple of days. How long has it been?"
Eunice smiled. "Not yet a full day, but most of our preferred clients, especially those of your caliber, tend to use all of their available perks on a daily basis. Some like it multiple times a day."
Lyra cleared her throat. "Would you be joining Jakob, or are you looking for something or someone else?"
Eunice caught the eye of the well-dressed pirate at the next table over. They quickly broke their gaze, but Hunter couldn’t help noticing a glimmer of recognition that passed between them.
"Is there something or someone I should be looking for?" Eunice, sounded a little distracted as she glanced from Hunter to Lyra and straightened her posture.
Hunter watched, his curiosity growing as she composed herself.
Lyra frowned. "This is a tavern. We sell food and drink. If you’re after anything else," she cocked her head in the direction of the door leading to the rooms upstairs, "you best talk to the boss."
Eunice looked a little insulted by that. "I’m not here on business. Not that it’s any of your business," her eyes narrowed on the barmaid’s name pin. "Lyra Savage."
They turned their expectant gazes back to Hunter. "You’re welcome to join me?" He winced as his invite sounded more like he’d asked a question.
"I’d love to but I can’t, just passing through, but don’t be a stranger." She winked at Hunter, then scanned the bar area, as if searching for someone before walking away. Her hips swayed with each step. She circled around the tables, passing the pirate in the red coat just as he leaned back, and she stumbled into him.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Despite her efforts to be discreet, Hunter noticed she flicked a note to the well-dressed pirate. He spirited it away in a blink, his face a perfect mask of composure amidst the raucous laughter from his companions.
Hunter's suspicions that they knew each other was right. Was he one of her ‘special clients?’ He definitely dressed like he had the coin to afford her services.
Gasps resounded near the front entrance as the wooden door burst open.
The door groaned on rusty hinges, slamming back against the wall as a gust of sea breeze twirled some loose papers onto the floor. A bulky silhouette appeared, flanked by two smaller frames on either side.
"Close the damn door," one of the pirates yelled, squinting toward the sunlit entrance.
Echoes of their heavy boots clomped inside, and a hand shoved the door closed with ease.
A man not more than five years older than Hunter, decked in leather armor, curled his lip. "That's not how you treat Delphare’s finest adventurers."
Silence swept over the tavern as the bards stopped singing and playing. A couple of patrons left their stools, leaving the bar empty, and one of them whispered as they neared Hunter. "Oh by Hadad’s great bushy beard, it's the Obsidian Rift Five."
The other patron leaned forward, grabbing hold of an empty chair. "Wait, no, it can't be. There's only three."
"Who is that?" Hunter glanced back at Lyra.
"Sabyllos and his adventure party," Lyra placed a hand on Hunter's shoulder. "They’re down two adventurers so they must be here looking for replacements."
Lyra motioned to a picture on the wall bearing Sabyllos’ likeness, but Hunter scoffed at the fact that his teeth were whiter and he looked more brawny and handsome than in real life.
"Six pints, barkeep." In a deep vibrato, Sabyllos' voice carried throughout the tavern.
Eyes planted on the adventurers as the three of them sauntered inside, skirting the tables. Crowds parted like the Aegean sea as they closed in on the bar. On either side of the obnoxious leader, a tall, thin male and robust woman accompanied him.
Hunter shifted to the side to get a better glance at them as he swore he recognized the female adventurer, but Eunice blocked his view as she approached the brawny man.
"Sabe, the Babe." Eunice caressed her hand across his chest before patting his scruffy cheek.
Hunter snorted a laugh, breaking through the stillness and earning him some hard stares from the punters.
Frowning, Sabe shook his head glancing down at Eunice. "Gods woman, as much as I'd enjoy your admiration, I haven't got time for you today."
Eunice scoffed and pulled away, bumping against the table where the pirate in the red coat and his motley crew sat.
"You spilt my pint, wench." One of the pirates shook his bull-dog jowls and looked from his soaked shirt up at Eunice.
The thin adventurer tilted his pointed chin in their direction. "It seems you've had more than your fair share of wet adventures."
The wooden chair fell back, clanging on the ground as the bull-dog pirate stood with a grimace. “Hey needle dick, you think you're funny. Bet you wouldn’t be so brave if you didn’t have the protection of your land lubbing crew.”
Sabe raised his hand at his fellow adventurer. "Shitia, don't tease them." He turned to the pirate. "Sign up with our party. We could always do with a donkey bag carrier."
The table shook as the whole pirate crew jumped to their feet.
Bull-dog pirate lunged forward, knocking over glass pints and stumbling into Eunice, who quick-stepped forward but failed to catch her balance.
In the blink of an eye, the two adventurers transitioned, Sabe grasping Eunice in his arms. Eunice smiled as though she'd been caught by a knight and fanned her hand in front of her face. "This is all getting a bit too exciting for me."
Hunter gripped the edge of his chair, muscles tensed ready to come to Eunice’s aid. To his surprise she remained calm and by the glint of excitement in her eyes he could tell she was enjoying the brawl.
"Get out of the way, wench." The bull-dog pirate withdrew a curved knife.
Sabe tilted Eunice upright, and she sashayed out of sight, the wooden door opening enough for her to escape.
A wave of ripples surged upward from the floor around Shitia. "That's no way to treat a guest."
The curved blade swished through the air toward the adventurer, but the pirate’s lunging strike was short-lived.
Hunter winced as Shitia's fist met the pirate's face with a short but powerful punch. The pirate crumpled to a heap on the ground. Whoever this adventure party was, they caused more damage than any Founder stage cultivator could, making Pheres' strength look like that of a baby's.
Raven-black hair wisped from the woman adventurer's bun as she laughed, nudging the unconscious pirate with her boot.
"Charis?" Hunter whispered. She looked every inch the warrior goddess that she did during the Trial of Worth, but now with a recurve bow slung over her shoulder and forest green lamellar armor she was dressed more like an adventurer, moving with graceful competence that filled Hunter with awe.
Her gaze shifted in his direction for a brief moment, confirming his recognition.
"Now, where are our pints?" Sabe shrugged, stepping over the fallen pirate.
Long swords and daggers appeared in the hands of the four remaining pirates. The red-coated pirate launched an attack with a forward thrust of his fancy sword. "Get those cocksucking land lubbers."
The adventurers turned, their own metal blades clanging against the onslaught. A fast-paced lyrical tune whistled throughout the tavern as the bards bounced around their stage, adding to the ensuing chaos.
Bodies flung into the tables and chairs skidded into the two patrons near Hunter.
Lyra gasped.
Hunter leapt out of his chair, grabbing Lyra to the side as a twirling knife flew past them sticking into the wall. He slid Lyra behind him, withdrawing the mithril knife. His chances of remaining unseen were slim to none, but he had to protect Lyra.
***
The Portalier jolted awake with a startle, wrestling his mind to let go of the nightmare where he was plummeting headfirst into the razor-sharp jaws of a colossal Tiger shark.
GATO crowed with delight.
What a beautiful night! Those moons are like big shiny Christmas baubles, all sparkly and wonderful, don’t you think, sir?
The Portalier took a moment to absorb the vast expanse of the night sky, the twin moons locked in their celestial dance amid countless stars. As his heart rate gradually slowed to a steady rhythm, he pushed himself up from his deck chair, placing his hands on his knees, and watched GATO hovering just above the deck.
He parted his dry lips, ready to speak, but the words caught in his throat like sand in a vast nameless desert world. Frustration mounted as he raked his hands down his face, slapping his cheeks to shake off the heavy fatigue that had clung to him since his return from Hunter's world.
Something gnawed at him, akin to a stubborn, half-rotten tooth that resisted being pulled out by the root.
"Every night's beautiful here." He sighed. "I think it's in the blueprint for this little oasis."
I know, sir, GATO responded with a calming essence. But it doesn't make it any less impressive, no matter how many times I see it. Would you like to check on any of your recent away missions? It might help calm your nerves after your fitful sleep.
The Portalier chewed his cheek, wishing for greater privacy around his personal bodily functions. An AI that remembered everything in excruciating detail and then delighting in recounting it in even more excruciating detail, was a little too much at times.
Remembering his mentor's guidance—look but don't touch—he nodded to GATO.
What harm could it do?
He knew the answer was ‘quite a lot actually,’ considering that he often found himself tempted to return and intervene more than he was supposed to. His mentor had chosen him for his excellence in micro-portaling, and he knew he was damn good at his job. Yet, when it came to moving on, he floundered like a dying fish.
Each time he told himself that this time would be different, he wouldn't become entangled in their life's stories.
GATO started humming some soft tune that gradually grew louder, her big round eyes projecting a hologram into the air. It was like one of those 50-inch TVs they used to have back on Earth. It was supposed to give him a bird's-eye view of Hunter's current location.
Right now, it all looked a little hazy.
One moment, sir. She blinked her eyes, the image shifting ever so slightly with each reconfiguration.There’s some interference from the summoned ascension tower in Hunter’s world. The image should become clear shortly.
Ba ba da da da, ba ba ba da da,
Ba ba da da da, ba ba ba da da.
GATO did a little jig as a whirring, sloshing sound came from her insides. A panel popped open, and there it was in all its glory with a small paper umbrella.
I took the liberty of checking your vitals and noticed you were thirsty and in need of something relaxing and with a little sustenance. Here is a nice cold, ice-cold glass of Pineapple Delight, your favorite cocktail.
"You're a lifesaver, GATO." The Portalier took a sip of his drink, savoring its sweetness while studying the hologram from his comfortable deck chair.
GATO hummed louder in a deafening crescendo.
"Come on, GATO, quit the cheesy commercial music." The Portalier shook his head with an amused smile.
It may be cheesy, but I do love its predictability. Nice and soothing, just what the doctor ordered.
The Portalier winced as the humming reached an ear-piercing high.
Ouch, that had to hurt.
Ignoring the sudden pain, he switched his gaze back to the hologram and frowned. "Since when was there a tavern filled with pirates, bounty hunters, and adventurers in the tower?"
According to my records, there is no tavern in Claude's Tower of Ascension. One moment…Ah that's because our dear Hunter is in the Tangled Mermaid, a dubious tavern located in the city of Delphare.
The Portalier gripped the armrests and leaned forward, pulling his goggles up onto his brow. "Why am I not surprised he's landed himself in yet another shitstorm? It’s a miracle the floor hasn't opened up to reveal a shark tank."
Yes, he should count his lucky stars he’s in a tavern and not his arch-nemesis's evil lair because we both know Hunter would fall right in.
The fight escalated, but Hunter held his own, dodging tankards large enough to crush a grown man's skull and flying fists and feet.
And chickens?
He did a double-take.
No, they were huge-ass roosters! They flew into view, fighting each other like they were in some epic kung fu showdown, pecking, clawing, and spurring like drunken martial arts masters from 1970s movies.
I'm glad we're not there. I don't like the smell of roosters; they're really fowl. GATO broke into laughter, clearly amused by her own joke.
Hunter ducked as a hefty pirate was thrown over his head.
A loud smash followed, and Hunter was showered in glass. He brushed off the shards sticking out of his bare shoulders, seeming undeterred.
"Poor sod. It isn't a proper tavern brawl if someone isn't thrown out the window."
GATO agreed with a nod, her cat ears twitching.
Although the Portalier wasn't entirely happy that Hunter wasn’t in the tower training, he had to admit there was value in gaining real-world fighting experience.
Soon the bar owner lost his patience.
The ginger-bearded man threw in the towel and swept through the place like a blood-soaked hurricane. That ended the brawl pretty fast. Hunter was still standing, along with a handful of other battle-hardened patrons.
The Portalier savored the remnants of his drink, slurping up the fruity pulp at the bottom of the glass.
Hunter was alive and kicking and showed he could handle himself. That would have to satisfy the Portalier for now.
With a contented sigh, he scooped up the chunky bits of pineapple, selected one piece, and rolled it between his forefinger and thumb before swallowing it whole. He closed his eyes and sucked the sweet juice from his thumb and paused, sensing a shift in GATO’s demeanor.
I'm so sorry to ruin this slice of life moment, but something's gone terribly, terribly wrong. If he goes back to that room offered for an hourly rate, he might just end up with a terminal case of bed head. Not the look anyone's going for, I assure you.
The Portalier groaned and shifted his attention back to the hologram. "Sorry, when did the barmaid Lyra start talking about a bed?" The empty glass clinked as he set it down and glanced over his shoulder.
"It's like one of those reality TV shows where everyone shacks up with one another."
When I served your predecessor, I once had to sweep a bedroom with UV light rays… Never again.
Returning to the screen, he leaned in closer with elbows on his knees, the Portalier couldn't help but become enthralled as Hunter's face blushed when Lyra whispered into his ear.
She pulled away, removing a shard of glass from his thick hair. "You know where to find me."
I don't trust her. Appearances and auras in this world can be deceiving. There's a sixty-nine percent chance of his death actually occurring if he goes with her.
The Portalier narrowed his eyes at GATO. "Why are you only realizing this now?"
GATO bobbed up and down in midair. Between the tower and the god shrines, there are several different energy signatures that are scrambling my interception markers.
"She's not leaving his side, GATO. Enhance Lyra's conversation. We need to keep a close eye on this."