The night before.

We had been in Greengate for half a day, and Ulan was already fed up. "Why do you insist on only staying in places with a stage?" my companion gripes.

"Come on Ulan, you know I can't resist live music!" unable to keep excitement out of my voice. The chance for drink and music is the mark of a quality establishment, despite what my friend says. Ulan was curled up beneath the table in their wolf form. I never understood their aversion to crowds, must be the time they spent alone in the forests. I mentally shrug at the thought. Whatever, i think to myself, sooner or later they'd find something they would like. We were currently in a tavern called The Rosewood Arch, it apparently was well know for frequent performances and its signature cider that they produced in house.

"Tegan, the barmaid is coming." I sigh. No appetite for music but a bottomless pit when food was involved. I looked over, sure enough a barmaid was making her way over though she seemed reluctant. Huh, did she not like Elves? I mused.

"What you havin?" I sigh in playfully.

"Steak!" Of course. Damn glutton. Once the barmaid reaches us, she stands a few feet away keeping her distance..

"Hello." She smiles nervously. "What will you have?" Her eyes looking down at Ulan under the table. Ahhh that was it. I guess it's understandable if a wolf was staring at you 3 feet away. "What can I get you?"

"Can I get a pint of your house cider and a roast dinner for me and a steak for the pooch please?" I smile, trying to put her at ease.

"Uhhh sure, yeah." She squeaks.

"Don't worry, my friend here is perfectly friendly." I chuckle. I look down at Ulan and click at them. "Come say hello." Knowing the routine, i swear they rolled their eyes, Ulan uncurls and pads out from the table and sits obediently at my side, looking at me. The poor maid backs up a little and I hear some laughter from the other staff at the bar. "Its OK, poochy here is very well trained. Would you like to say hello?"

"Uhhh its OK i'll take your word for it." she scurries off and Ulan goes back to their spot. After some time, a differnt server comes over with our order.

"I hope Wendy didn't offend you. She always had a fear of dogs." He sets the food down on the table. "She won't get over unless she confronts it. Wolves like this handsome creature," he sets a plate with a steak down for Ulan.

"It's OK, we're used to it." I take a swig of cider. "Mhmm, this is real good." the server bows and heads off. Once he was gone, "Hows baby's foodies?" I coo in a teasing tone

"Shut up drunk." he fires back "Or do you want everyone to see a fat, naked 70 year old man leaving your room tomorrow just as the cleaning staff show up?"

"Ooh you cruel beast! You have me at your mercy." we giggle together as we eat. We continue to eat and drink as the sun begins to set in our little corner of the tavern, discussing our plans for the Hunt. We talk about hunting strategies to deal with rival hunters and what kind of beasts inhabit this area. My arms get itchy at the thought of hunting in the dark forests, me and Ulan, stalking our prey.

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"Hey!" Ulan snaps me back to reality. I look down at them.

"Sorry, kinda got lost there." The itching in my arms slowly fading away. Whats up?"

"We got company. I think they're hunters. Might be locals that don't appreciate outsiders trying to out do them in the Hunt." I look up and spot two unpleasant specimens sauntering over. One looked like the most pompous idiot i'd ever seen. Purple velvet doublet, perfectly polished boots and a tacky, and perfectly styled black hair. This idiot is probably playing at being a hunter. He's probably never even been outside the walls. He has an overly elaborate bow with a Pegasus for the grip. It looked horrible to shoot. Such an awkward looking thing to shoot. His rapier was equally ostentatious with another Pegasus grip. Tch nobles. The other, on the other hand, could be an issue. More muscles than an orc and an axe that was as big as it was sharp. Shame it looked like he decided to catch a boulder from a trebuchet with his face. I kick my feet up and look at them.

"So, can I help you?" I smirk. Rich people have money.

Richy looks at me with a sneer. "What, are you doing here filth? Isn't this a bit to expensive for you?" A strange confidence overcomes me.

"What do you mean? Are you lost?" I suppress a giggle. I don't know why but i really want to mess with him. The itching returns and Ulan sits up waiting. Just in case. The spoilt git looks at Ulan in disgust.

"I think you and that mangy mutt should leave so my night isn't ruined." bile dripping from his voice.

"Why? Is your carer treating you to a meal?" Several other hunters were looking our way to see what was happening. Most of them were muttering to each other. This git must be from a big family. The confidence grew, and the itching got worse.

"How dare you! You filthy Elf! Do you know who I am?" I shrug.

"No idea. Should I?" I laugh.

The muscle stepped up to the table and leaned in, and with a surprisingly kind tone says, "Sorry but would you be able to move? young Master Patrick is first in line to the Gelthan family. A noble family of Greengate. He really likes this spot.

"Ah does the baby want his spot?" Oh damn. I think a blood vessel popped. Sevral people spit their drinks up. I doubt from laughing more from shock.

"Baby?!" Damn, i think Ulan lost an eardrum with how high he got. Poor wolf ears. "I am not a baby! I am your better scum!"

There it was. My chance. I could she the waitress Wendy and some others coming over. "OK, wanna make a bet?" Patty looks a little taken aback with this sudden shift. Ulan sighs. Hee, Ulan knows whats happening.

"I doubt a vagabond like you has anything to bet." That sneer is getting annoying.

"Hows this, I will leave all my money and possessions here with my money and leave Greengate right now. If you beat me in a drinking contest." Not a peep out of anyone.

"I beg your pardon? You expect a noble to engage in such a barbaric activity?" Patty sputters. Muscles chimes in, "I don't think my Lord should be engaging in this farce. Please move." Still with a kind voice.

"Ah, I thought one of my betters could handle it. I guess nobles are useless after all." There it was. That look. The look that says, "I've never been told no and always got my way. Now someone is saying no to me."

"Fine." Patty agrees. "My lord, don't. This will make you look bad." Muscles pleads. Patty just sits down. "Don't presume to tell me what to do!" He shouts as he dumps a rather large sack of gold on the table. "I assume this is more than enough for a contest as stupid as this." He snaps his fingers and Wendy hurries over.

"Um yes?" Her fear of dogs forgotten under the pressure of having a noble throwing his weight around.

"Drinks, now!" He demands. After the first drinks are placed down. He slams it back while I start slow, marathon, not a sprint. Plus, he probably hasn't eaten, meaning he'll feel it quicker. Drink after drink gets knocked back and we get drunker. He feels it first, after a surprisingly small amount, he starts swaying. Soon enough he's face first on the table on the table.

Muscles sighs. "I told him." He hands me the bag. "Fank ee" I take the bag. "Dinks ownd!" I shout. Before slamming down another drink.