It was several hours past that incident with May. She now served the men and women soldiers who laughed and smiled as their mustaches touched the foam of the ale. They lauded her fried chicken recipe and simple scrambled eggs with onion soup by the side. Not to mention the boiled eggs.

But what was most talked and consumed the most was the ale that May boasted her barrels are bought from the Lord's post, or manor's winepress. And boy did they sell. I was at the bar giving exhausting my strength filling up drinks to the soldiers. We got some help when Neil arrived when the Inn was in full capacity

Only when two and half barrel was consumed, and the hours gone bye did did we gave Neil a drink and meal as thanks and payment.

I noted how these soldiers were a bit were taller and kept their conversation to themselves. Their faces were scarred and exhausted by the years of living as they drank with their almost prune skin wives and gray bearded husbands. Also, there were a lot of women soldiers than last night. It was like a 50-50 male to female soldier in here.

“I'm surprised as well. Not surprised why women women are soldiers but the reason why they fight in the first place.”

Spoke out Neil who kept me company. He was the only one to come today, Roland and Allan took to another place to drink.

“Monsters in this world are only female gender, no male whatsoever, as Serafina say, and said monsters abduct men as a kind of fertility source. If you know what I mean.”

He wink twice as he drank a shot.

“Um... That's... Very useful, still where are the two? Did you do something to upset Roland again?”

“Firstly, I didn't do anything him. Secondly, we don't quarrel that much, we have our wives for that and lastly; he's with Allan in a different Inn or tavern, or pub, whatever. Point is he will be alright. Right now, ”

He then slid his head closer to me and shifted in a whisper.

“Are you sure she's fine?”

He pointed at May. Right now she's having a great chat with some soldier women and men whose age I can guess by their cheekbones and graying hair color that they were more senior than May.

It was hard to believe she looks like she was enjoying herself right now. Not long ago my shirt was wet with mucus and emotions when the violet robed man left us while me and May huddled by the flaming heart.

She wept and rocked to and fro as her hands held dear to me while I rubbed her back for almost half an hour or so.

It was... A conflicting experience to say the least. I know deep down that she's not mother yet to see a replica of one's mother -- face and appearance to attitude and voice -- I almost couldn't hold back my own tears from falling. Once she finally calmed down I tried soothing her more by offering her a drink, but she kept silent and went up stairs without a word. Just a swollen eyes and red cheeks as the steps creaked as she went up.

I didn't stop her, nor asked if I should close the Inn tonight. I have no right. The best thing I could think of was picking up the shards of wood and wiping of the mess that happened earlier.

After all that, I was prepared to hold the reigns of Inn by myself and wait for Neil, Roland, and Allan that was my plan when I lit the lamps, stoked the fire, and manned the bar. It was an hour or two until the first squads of armour men and women came in with happiness and noise as dusk came around.

Mugs I filled and orders I took and thankfully they smiled at when I apologized for my tardiness, and never asked why I was alone. Even through none of them orderer any food and this was the calm before the storm I felt my back was a bit wet and my brow breaking some sweat.

Before I could reach a dry cloth the door burst open and more and more came until I now say for certain that I should have closed the Inn.

But it was too late now. Yet as the barrage of orders began that's when May came down. Her face was clear of red eyes or red cheeks. Her clothes now new and her demeanour now the strong and welcoming. The men and women greeted her as she pass through buzzing inn and she greeted them back like nothing ever happened earlier.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

With my help we butchered the chicken, cracked or boiled the eggs, and made the soup. We were busy no doubt. But in some rare windows when I can talk to her for a window of a minuet; “Are you alright.” I would often asks. She would just pinch my cheek and say: We still have many people to come. After that she would ruffle my hair and busy her self again. Hiding it, I always thought.

“Did both of you ate already then?”

Asked Neil as I told him everything.

No. I mean we still have to serve and even if it feels like 9 or 20 in the eve, she is still working and I can't eat if she's not eating.

“Oy! Another round here sonny!”

Table Three called out.

“On it!”

Filling up three mugs of ale and asking if Neil could send it of the third table.

“Well someone's already a master at this game. Did you use all your points in bar tending?.”

Chuckling as he came back and tossed me 6 coppex.

“Oh shut it. If this were a game then we should already be on a merry quest saving a girl from whatever mobs out there.”

Not in an inn and reliving what my part time job was back home. I laid my head on the bar for a bit as I groaned.

“So, what do you think of her?”

Nudged Neil at me.

“What you mean?”

I looked up at him.

“Well... You know. She is a spitting copy of your mother,”

I picked up my head and watch her chat happily at the soldiers on the sixth table. Women with armour with their straw hat husband besides them. All look the older than May.

“I mean, look at her, just change that brown hair into a gleaming black... And there. No wonder I got a crush on your mother back then.”

Excuse me!?!?!?!?!!

“That body curve, and just look those prideful fru–Agh!”

“Oh shit.”

I didn't know why I suddenly did that but I found myself grabbing his shoulder and apologizing after my hand jabbed his face.

“He he. I guess that's a perfect answer. He he. Ohff.”

He then told me it's fine and fixed his jaw.

“You sure you didn't get any blessing? That was strong. Either way, her personality is like your mother back home. Strict yet motherly.”

“Only difference is she uses a sword not a belt.”

And I would rather prefer a belt any day.

“But, her soup is not far away either.”

The only difference is the ingredients. This is where I miss the refrigeration, water dispenser, and bathroom -- which I am still wondering where they do it.

“Elfien!”

But before I could ask Neil for a comfort haven like that.

Speaking of the devil

Both us turned around as her voice out competed the whole inn. Everyone was suddenly looking at me when she told me to come. Neil turned his face and acted like he doesn't knew me. The more she call the more everyone burned their eyes on me. Even if I want to duck down and hide from the things she and some other old lady said when they found me.

“See! That white hair and brown eyes. Not to mention those cute nose!”

She hugged me, pinched my cheeks, and made me sit on her lap as if I'm a trophy she presented. No matter how I subtlety tried to use all my strength to resist her pull, her hands were industrial vice grip.

“He's got your eyes and nose, that is.”

“Aye. He looks good enough to be a noble.”

“A blessing from the goddess he is.”

“He reminds of me of when I was young.”

Those flattery and smile of men and women where no doubt dipped in the blurring influence of ale.

“He looks like he never changed when he died.”

“Maribel! You cow breasted retard!”

One of them punched her senses.

“Why'd you sock me for! Eh!?”

While the other three looked like they lost their tipsy smile and made no attempts on the two. I looked at May, whose face still gave a smile but her was faced down as she loose her grip on me.

“No...”

She said in a soft voice as she closed her eyes.

“He's more handsome after he died.”

She gave me a smile, more tears, and rested her head on my shoulder.

“Don't you see? Elfien has been touched by the goddess. And I'd be damn if I let my past repeat itself!”

She then stood up, took a mug from them, rose it up, and roared her conviction.

“Hear ye! hear ye!”

With that, like what happened last night, all solider regardless of gender, look like they stood attention.

“From this day onwards the old May dies and New May will be born as did my son! In the name of goddess I die if I let my son die again!”

With a mighty one go of that wooden mug and the heavy gulp she made, the mug made a sound of emptiness when she slammed its butt on the table.

The grew silent because of that as she hugged me after that and her eyes finally let go of it after so many hours. Embarrassment wasn't anywhere when I found my self almost in between her bosoms and every eyes on us. More or not I felt the beat of heart and her wail tells why it beats. I held her back as I feel her collapsing in front of me.

“More years for your happiness then,”

A man stood up and raised his mug.

“As you saved my wife.”

“For saving my daughter.”

“For saving my life.”

“For saving my family.”

“For saving the town, from monsters and invaders alike!”

“For the captain!”

They all raised their mug and I even saw Neil with a shaking head and smile as he raised his own.

“For the captain!!!”

“May!”

I feel her whole body collapse on me.