From the time me and Neil finished the dishes. May still didn't wake up even when the sun has sunk and the night veiled the whole land.

Lamps lit up, the hearth roared bright as it ate wood and give warmth to the new comers.

Garrison guards, and artisans and shop owners that became our regulars replaced the sailors and merchants slept in their rooms. Though the rowdy sea men where gone the place was still filled with laughter, alcohol, dice, pork, and an arena for an arm wresting bout was made when Roland took Edmund's challenge as means to make peace with one another.

Allan later told me that Roland didn't forget the time where Edmund spat on me and kicked me when we ran towards the church.

Even though we have a full house in our hands. Me and Neil were enough to hold the fort by just serving from the bar; Him filling up mugs while I served them. The only thing people order at this hour is drinks and occasionally order some side dish.

Thus Roland still undefeated in that arm wrestling arena. I don't know why they bother since Roland is overpowered as an adventurer.

While Allan...

For the first time. I see him let loose. I would never thought of him to be this pathetic when drunk. The way he spews and rabbles about her wife being the best, his daughter the cutest, and his son that made him proud... Rattled many people around him. Then Neil reminds him that he is dead,

“And you never deleted your ‘Company expenditure folder’ didn't you!?”

 “Waaghh!”

Well, it was amusing for a moment to see Allan wail and despair like a child, until that is he tried to, and some how, pull out a hidden dagger and almost dug it down his throat. Neil quickly brought out his own hidden dagger to the fatal blow.

He only stopped and quick to give Allan a drink that he laced with some potions that somehow sobered Allan from his tipsy feet because May was finally awake, not a hint of alcohol nor the red mad face from the tournament earlier and was now heading this way.

Despite the fact that she greeted many costumer with her warm smile and laughter I began skipping and told Neil that I need to pee.

“To where?”

He asked holding me by the collar.

“Erm... Somewhere outside!”

I gave him a look to let go of me!

“There's the pot upstairs, young man.”

Said May.

“Good evening, Mrs. innkeeper.”

Greeted Neil as he shoved me back to my position from earlier.

“Good evening, and Elfien.”

I gave no response to her and kept my head low. I didn't know why I couldn't face her, losing all the games in the tournament and then remembering her crossed face when I broke the rules. Plus, what Neil said to me earlier made my stomach feel... Repulsive and wanting to puke out.

“Elfien,” Said Neil aloud. “How about you finally eat, you've been working hard without break.”

I gave a confused look at him. But we already ate, before I could say that, “And the Innkeeper is surely famished as well.”

“B-but we already put out the fire.”

“Then reignite it.”

He clenched his teeth and pointed at my pouch where I keep my flint and steel.

“You haven't eaten yet?” 

Said May to me when she reached the bar, which gave me surprise. She said that to me in a soft delicate tone that I never imagine she can do.

“How about we cook together then?"

Despite her taking the initiative she never told me what we should cook.

I placed some  wood and tinder inside the cooking stand that Neil designed and ignited it with my flint and steel. Meanwhile May was cutting carrots one at a time like it was her first time.

I was frying the last pork for the two of us while she took a bowl and cracked eggs to scramble, leaving the carrots she cut alone.  

When I finished frying the pork and putting them on our plates she quickly took them and left the kitchen. She didn't tell me if I should be doing the eggs next or do anything with the badly cut carrots. “Well, that's a great for the horses tomorrow.”

I whispered under my breath as I began sprinkling some salt on the scrambled eggs and cooked it.

                        ****

      Once I was done, and left the kitchen the place was less rowdy. Sure there was the occasional drunken tirade and laughter but, the arm wresting competition has been dismantled by May.

I met her by the table where it was near the hearth and was besides the window. The family table as she so often say to me. Which I always diligently would reserve it if a family comes in here and eat, which to this day not a family entered to eat.

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When I sat down with her, she was staring blankly at the fried food I made. Her hands moved the knives lazily as white swirls of smoke ghosted upwards as she took small bites.

Even though I already ate earlier,  I sliced and knifed strips of pork for me to eat. I only focused on eating since whenever I try to peek at her she only stared blankly at the food as she chew. 

I hope my cooking is not that bad, maybe she's staring blankly at the food because she didn't like my style.

“It's delicious.”

May spoke out when we were done and I was the process of collecting the plates.

“The meat was crunchy and soft... Maybe you should cook some for the inn sometimes... If you like.”

“Thank you, I'll consider it.”

Picking all the wooden plates I was halfway to the kitchen when Roland intercepted me and took the plates.

“Hey, don't be afraid of her, tell her what you truly feel. The most common causes of family break ups are caused by lack of communication.”

He said to me before he tap my shoulder and left with out plates.

Taking his advice when went back, I took a deep breath and began. 

“I'm sorry, if I set the adventure free."

I would continue but she leaned closed and slipped a finger on my lips.

"You didn't do anything wrong, you hear me. I was just too hung up to see you fight again for a long time, I wanted to see you win again, it was my fault ok."

“But I still think I have some fault in it... I just want to prove to everyone that adventurers aren't bad, they're naive when fighting but... It was my first battle against an adventurer, so I'm sorry if I got caught up... And lost.”

“Absurd, aren't they,”

She gave a small smile and chuckle.

“They have the power to exterminate any monsters in this world and free us from hiding behind walls, and strongholds,”

She then slowly lowered her fork down,

“Yet, they always try to save them than us.”

“They're not all bad.”

Like Neil, Allan, and Roland. She considers them as adventurers but here they are helping us in the time of need.

“I know, you could say that every adventurer has a heart of gold but believe when I say that they value being heroes than living. They want the infinite thrill of adventures, they want the rushing adrenaline, they want the blinding glory, and above all the hypnotic relationship.”

She hung her head,

“I've only met a handful of adventurers who live like them:”

She then pointed at everyone; their warm smiles with incomplete teeth, telling stories, laugh and as drank their hearts content.

I really didn't see her point but if having to be men who grew old doing nothing but the same thing over and over again, then an adventurers a life for me.

“Still, it's a shame that you lost,”

A small smile began to form on her face as her pupils fell to the corner of her eyes.

“I was betting with Serafina that if you won I get the finest barrel of Monestary brew from her.”

And her smile fell to a frown.

“Now, I get to be sober for month and join her sermons every end of the week because of you.”

Her face crumpled like a kid who just ate bitter gourd for the first time.

“Good thing that I lost then.”

I gave out chuckle that made May scoff a bit and reached out for my hair ruffling it hard like she was going to burn my head.

“Why. Do. People. Keep. Ruffling. My. Hair!?”

I threw off her shaking hands.

“You're just cute when you act all smug and proud like that. Except, back then, you would cry whenever I do this.”

She did it again, scrubbing my hair like there was no tomorrow.

“Stop it! I'm not a kid anymore!”

“Nuu! To me you're still my small dagger forever!”

Regardless what strength I pour in my arms she still didn't stop like she was waiting for me to cry.

“Since you lost, and I didn't get my beer, then no hunting for you young man.”

“So you value beer than your own son?”

That made her stop assaulting my scalp. She then pouted and squinted her eyes at me.

“Since when did you learn how to talk back to your mother like that? Hmmm?”

Turning her head to the bar. We saw Neil talking to some locals.

“Neil! Did you teach my son to be cocky as you when I was asleep?”

She called out.

“What?”

He raised his right eyebrow and put his hands on his ear as he leaned from the counter. I was sure he didn't hear what May said.

“Yeah, I thought so.”

She then called out to anyone that whoever throws Neil out of her Inn gets a free drink for a week. Everyone, even the who feel asleep, tipsy, or legless, got up.

“Aye! Get him lads! The captain says he's a bad influence on her child!”

Even if I want to stop and help him. My chest just warms up when almost everybody; Men, Women, everyone wants to join in tossing out the laughing confused Neil who I know could easily shove everyone away, yet didn't. Even Allan and Roland happily tossed him out.

“Oh my,”

Even Wendy, who just entered with long brown over coat and a face filled confusion and a glow of amusement at this jolly atmosphere.

“Mrs. May, what's going on? ”

It wasn't long until she quickly got infected by a smile by everyone's huzza when Neil WS no more.

“Oh, nothing deary, it's just a special night that's all. Make sure you keep my son warm in bed tonight, ok?”

With a wink,

“May!”

And before anymore of protest she already left and began commanding the bar serving everyone their promised drinks with joy and laughter.

“Did something happen?”

She with a chuckle when we were left alone.

“Nothing much, either way, are you here for your parents? I think they're already asleep.”

“W-well I booked a room here earlier when you were competing in the riddle competition."

She looked down while playing with her hair.

“But we're full. ”

I raised my eyebrow at her.

She then raised her head up to me.

“Well, your friend, Allan I recall, gave me this key earlier.”

Rummaging inside her brown coat pocket she picked out a key and raised it up to my sights.

I squinted as this was the spare key to my room. After which I began scanning around the inn to find Allan, but he's nowhere to be found. He's probably in the kitchen.

“Is there something wrong?”

She asked.

“I'm sorry, but...”

Wendy probably doesn't recognize that key she's holding right now is the key she used last night.

“I think my friend misunderstood my room for a vacant room.”

I tried taking the key, but she quickly snatched it away from me.

“So this the key to your room?”

She inspected the spare key like it was some sort of jewelry.

“Yes.”

I said adding that I would like that key back.

“Then there's no problem then.”

Hiding the keys inside her breasts. Her face slowly turned pink and flushed when she lowered her head and said

“Please accompany upstairs... Dear.”

This is going to be a long night.