1

“More ale!” Kenric shouted to Jon, the innkeeper. He finished his cup and glanced into it. If I get drunk enough, I’ll be able to do carry on with what is expected of me. “More wine and mead as well!”

The dozen men with him shouted their approval and banged their cups on the table. I hate having to put on an act like this.

“We could use some more food too!” Tanner, one of Kenric’s men yelled.

This brought another round of shouting and banging of cups from the rest of the men. Others in the inn shook their heads and muttered their disapproval. Though none dared to speak too loudly.

“Here is the next round. Stop beating on the table before you ruin it,” Jessica, Jon’s daughter, said as she brought a tray of filled cups to their table. She smiled demurely at Kenric. He grinned and winked in return.

“Have a drink with us,” Kenric told her. Before she could reply, he pulled the buxom red-haired beauty into his lap. Her father frowned but didn’t say anything. He knew his daughter could handle herself, having delt with drunken men since she was old enough to help in the inn.

“What’s gotten into you? You normally don’t behave like this,” Jessica said.

“It’s the eve of battle,” Kenric replied with a shrug of his shoulders. “How about that drink?”

“I would be honored to, but my help is needed in the kitchen,” Jessica replied, gesturing to the busy common room. Not one table was free, and the four serving girls were being run ragged delivering food and drink to the other patrons as they avoided or encouraged grasping hands depending on whose hands they were.

“Jon won’t mind if you have some mead with us,” Kenric said, laying a hand on her right thing. She slapped his hand away to snickers from his men.

“I’m not one of the serving girls or a camp follower. If you want that sort of thing, see one of the other girls,” Jessica said, grabbing his wrists so he wouldn’t try to touch her thighs again. “Brian Sawyer is also courting me.”

“The woodcutter?” Kenric asked.

They would make a decent match honestly. Brian is probably the best match she can hope for unless a merchant comes along. No noble would marry her because Jon isn’t wealthy enough and they’re not nobles, Kenric mused. I’m just teasing Jessica and only get this way when I’m in my cups. She knows and puts up my act until I get drunk. We’ve known each other since we were kids, so she knows the pressure I’m under from my father.

“Yes. And you know he can be very jealous.”

“Bah! That woodcutter is nothing to be concerned about,” Kenric replied pulling his left hand away. The men thumped the table again. He drank from a cup while laying his right back on her thigh.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop that?” Jessica said, slapping his hand again as she shifted a bit on his lap.

Kenric noticed that despite her protests, Jessica hadn’t gotten off his lap. She wasn’t really protesting either. She’s teasing me just as much as I am her. I can’t have that since we won’t go beyond the teasing. The men wouldn’t treat me well if I let the teasing stand.

“Why don’t we go up to my room?” Kenric whispered into Jessica’s ear. He nuzzled her neck too.

“There won’t be any of that,” Jessica laughed. “Didn’t you say you have a battle to fight tomorrow?”

“We’ll be ready for the morrow,” Bruce, another of Kenric’s men said. “Drinking and wenching puts us in the right frame of mind!”

The other men cheered, banging the table again. Kenric laughed.

“Well, you all need your strength and I’m not a whore or available,” Jessica replied. She stood. “Besides, I need to get back to work. If you really want that sort of company, I’ll send over one of the serving girls when things slow down.”

“With the way that lot is behaving, Viscount Blackwood is going to lose the battle tomorrow, and we’ll all be paying taxes to Viscount Hawthorne,” someone in the common room stated loudly.

“Quiet you fool!” several voices exclaimed at the same time. The room fell silent.

Why did you have to open your big mouth? Kenric thought. Now I’ll have to say something or lose face with the all these people, especially the men I’m supposed to be commanding.

“Who said that?” Kenric shouted, jumping to his feet, and nearly knocking Jessica down. He grabbed her hips to keep her from falling. “I demand to know who insults my father and me!”

Nobody answered.

“Well?” Bruce demanded on his lord’s behalf.

“Why don’t I have Becca take you upstairs, my lord?” Jessica asked. Kenric glanced at Jessica and the brunette she pointed out.

This Becca is new and isn’t as buxom nor as pretty as Jessica, but she has wider hips and a willing smile, and Jessica’s teasing has me aroused. But first things first. I must set things in order.

“I will have a name, or we will teach all of you to respect your betters,” Kenric said into the silence, fingering the dagger at his hip.

“I said it,” a voice called out.

“Irvin!” a different voice hissed.

“You fool!” another whispered.

“No. I said, what I said,” a short, stout man said, getting to his feet. The man, Irvin, stood a little over five feet tall, but was very broad in the chest and was wearing leather armor.

“Are you a fighting man?” Kenric asked. He noticed the other man only had a dagger at his hip. He must be a half dwarf or a very tall full blood dwarf. I can’t fight this man. If anything happens to me before tomorrow, father will have my head.

“Aye. I’m a caravan guard,” Irvin answered.

“Bruce, take a couple of the boys and teach him a lesson outside,” Kenric said. “And don’t kill him.”

“As you command,” Bruce replied, getting to his feet. “Alright lads. Let’s teach this pig licker a lesson.”

Half of Kenric’s men stood and joined Bruce as he swaggered toward the caravan guard. Grumbling could be heard, but nobody spoke loud enough to draw Kenric’s ire as Irvin was escorted outside. Jessica waved to Becca, who then made her way over to Kenric.

“Are you ready for me, my lord?” Becca asked, grabbing his crotch.

“Oh yes!” Kenric said. He grabbed Becca by her waist. The serving girl giggled as he buried his face in her bosom. His men cheered.

Kenric released her, grabbed Jessica, and kissed her. Once the kiss ended, he picked Becca up and slung her over his shoulder. Jessica mouthed “asshole.” His men cheered as he carried the laughing serving girl up the stairs.

*

Kenric swaggered down the inn’s stairs, quite pleased with himself. Becca had been most willing and very enthusiastic. He glanced around the common room, noticing some of his men passed out at their table. He guessed the others were in rooms upstairs. Kenric shrugged and tossed a pouch of coins onto the bar.

“That should cover last night,” Kenric said. Jon opened the pouch and glanced inside. He nodded, though he didn’t look happy.

I wonder what’s on his mind. I know I behaved boorishly, but I’ll apologize in private after the battle when everyone else will be distracted by the victory.

“Aye my lord. We are square,” Jon replied. “Would you like breakfast?”

“What are you serving?”

“We have a barley porridge flavored with honey and some ham,” the innkeeper answered. “There’s also some ripe apples and if you’re willing to wait, today’s bread is almost done.”

“That is acceptable,” Kenric said. “I’ll have a mug of warm spiced mead as well.”

“Aye my lord,” Jon said. “Should I wake that lot up too?”

Kenric considered it. “Let them sleep a while longer. If things don’t go as planned, they’ll need all the energy they can get.”

*

Kenric stepped out of the inn with a full belly. He was also feeling a slight buzz from the spiced mead. I probably shouldn’t have drunk that mead with breakfast.

“Get my horse,” Kenric told Edward, the stableboy, who was Jon’s son.

“Of course, my lord,” the boy replied. He bowed slightly and rushed off.

“Edward is always eager to please and earn a silver or two,” Kenric laughed.

“Kenric!” a voice shouted.

“What?” Kenric asked, turning around.

A large fist smashed into his nose. He went flying into the mud.

Kenric looked up and saw a large, muscular man standing with his fists clenched. Kenric was a little larger than most men, but this man made him look small in comparison.

It’s Brian Sawyer and he struck me. In fact, it feels like he broke my nose!

“That’s for how you treated my Jessica!” Brian exclaimed. “And I’ll do worse if you ever touch her again. In fact, why don’t I teach you a lesson right now, you noble brat?”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Kenric shouted, getting to his feet. Brian grinned.

“Come on prick. Show me what you’ve got,” Brian taunted. Kenric pulled his sword from its sheath and lunged at the larger man.

Brian Sawyer sidestepped the lunge and punched Kenric in the jaw. The young nobleman went crashing into the mud again. His sword flew from his hand as his head swam.

“I always knew you were a wuss!” Brian taunted. “So much for your vaunted skills and training!”

Kenric lost his temper and pulled his dagger. “I’m going to kill you!”

Brian gazed at him calmly and pulled a hand axe from his belt. Kenric lunged once more. The woodcutter once more sidestepped the attack.

This time, he trapped Kenric’s wrist and brought the axe down onto Kenric’s outstretched arm. The sharp blade sliced through the forearm’s skin, muscle, and bone.

Blood spluttered. Kenric screamed in pain.

He grabbed the stump of his arm, trying to stem the blood. Brian gazed at him with cold eyes.

The large man spun the axe in his hand and struck Kenric in the side of the head with the blunt end of the axe head. Kenric went down like a sack of potatoes.

“You will never touch my Jessica again, hear me?” Brain Sawyer said. Kenric muttered something incomprehensible. Brian slammed the blunt end of the axe head into Kenric’s left knee, shattering it. Kenric screamed again. Brian did the same to Kenric’s right knee. “I’ve always wanted to do something like that to you.”

Kenric passed out from blood loss and pain. Brian stood, glanced at the inn, and ran off into the woods.

Jessica and Jon ran out of the inn a moment later.

“Get some towels so we can tie off his arm!” Jon ordered. Jessica ran back into the inn. Edward arrived with Kenric’s horse. “Edward, go fetch the healer!”

“Yes pa!” the boy shouted. He dropped the reins and took off towards the other side of the village.

2

Viscount Donovan Blackwood was led into the inn by Tanner and Bruce. Blackwood’s eyes roamed the common room. People shrunk and tried not to draw his eyes. Blackwood’s eyes landed on the innkeeper standing behind the bar.

“Where is my son?” the viscount demanded.

“Upstairs in a room being tended by Agatha, the village healer, my lord,” Jon answered.

“I know who Agatha is. I brought her here after all,” the viscount replied.

“Of course, my lord,” the innkeeper said. “Apologies my lord.”

“Take me to my son,” Blackwood said.

“Right away my lord,” Jon replied, moving around the bar. He called into the kitchen while walking, “Jessica, watch the bar.”

The innkeeper led the viscount up the stairs and to the room Kenric had rented the night before. Bruce and Tanner followed. Two more of Kenric’s men were standing in the hall outside the doorway. Ruffus, the shorter of the two, knocked on the door and opened it.

“Damnation! Stop interrupting me!” an older woman’s voice shouted. “I’m working here!”

Donovan’s mouth quirked up at the outburst, but he quickly squashed his humor. He assumed that Agatha was in a mood. She hated being called away from her home. He strode past Jon and into the room.

“How is my son?” Donovan asked. Agatha spared the viscount a glance but didn’t bow. For his part, the viscount dismissed the disrespect. If she didn’t push things, he could let her behavior slide. The old crone was set in her ways and Kenric needed her skills after all.

“Bad,” she answered as she continued to work. “He has two crushed knees, a broken nose, missing teeth, and he lost his sword arm below the elbow. Plus, he’s drunk.”

Blackwood cinched his fist. He would make whoever did this to his son pay and pay dearly. He would also have to talk to Kenric about drinking so much. Again.

Donovan considered sending for Jason, his personal healer. But Jason was helping Amee, his’s second wife, as she delivered their first child. The health of the child was paramount, especially if the babe turned out to be a new son. A spare heir never hurt and if Kenric continued to be a disappointment, the new child might not be a spare. Donvan also knew he could send for one of the healers that was with his army, but he would only do so if Agatha wasn’t up to the task.

“What have you done so far?” Donovan asked.

“I’ve stabilized him, cleansed him, put him into a healing slumber that will utilize his energy to accelerate any healing, and started to set his nose.”

“Can you fully heal Kenric, including restoring his hand and teeth?”

“I know the spells, but I don’t have the mana,” Agatha replied. “That’s why I haven’t done more than I have. My mana pool is simply too small.”

Donovan didn’t doubt that was also why she was working in this small village instead of a larger village, town, or for a higher ranked noble. He pulled a large mana crystal from his inventory. The crystal was the size of his fist.

“Will this be enough, or do you require more?”

“That will be more than enough,” Agatha answered. She could feel the mana in the stone.

“Use as much of the crystal as you require. I don’t care if you use the whole thing,” Donovan instructed. “I need Kenric whole as quickly as possible.” Agatha nodded. “If he is restored and back on his feet by this afternoon, I’ll pay you another crystal this size for your efforts.”

Jon, Ruffus, and the other men gasped in the hallway as did the healer. Even the smallest mana crystals were expensive, and a fist sized one was worth more than most people made in a year.

“It will be done, my lord,” Agatha said, finally addressing Blackwood with the proper respect. He nodded and exited the room as she held the crystal in her left hand while laying her right hand on Kenric’s stump.

“Come innkeeper. We must discuss this attack on my son and who did it.”

*

“I find it hard to believe that no one saw whoever attacked my son,” Viscount Blackwood stated as he paced back and forth in front of the bar in the common room. None of the customers or the serving staff said a word.

“The only one that we know of that had issue with Kenric was some caravan guard named Irvin,” Tanner said.

“Oh?” Donovan said quietly.

“Aye my lord,” Bruce said. “Lord Kenric had me and a couple of the lads rough up that pig licker for badmouthing your lordship.”

“And where is this Irvin now?” the viscount inquired. Donovan didn’t mind that Tanner didn’t address his son properly since the man was loyal to him and kept an eye on his… unruly son.

“At Agatha’s hut in a deep recuperative sleep like what she put Kenric under since Bruce and the boys dropped him there last night,” Tanner answered.

“Was there anything else that happened last night,” Donovan asked.

“Kenric was a bit different than his usual prebattle self, my lord,” Bruce answered.

“Meaning?”

“That he got drunk and spent some time with one of the wenches,” Bruce answered. Then he added, “my lord.”

“Come to think of it, Kenric did grope Jessica, the innkeeper’s daughter, and tried to get her to go upstairs with him as well,” Tanner added. “That’s not in his normal behavior at all.”

“Did he now?” Blackwood asked, turning to face the innkeeper. “Kenric has known her for years.”

“He did, my lord,” Jon confirmed. “But I’m not a violent man and my Jessica knows how to handle herself when it comes to men that… have been in their cups.”

“And did you, girl?” Blackwood inquired.

“Aye, my lord,” I gently refused lord Kenric’s advances and got him interested in Becca, whom he took upstairs to his room.”

Tanner snapped his fingers.

“Tanner?” Donovan said.

“Jessica’s betrothed is a big woodcutter named Brian Sawyer,” Tanner replied. “I don’t recall seeing him in the common room last night, but he still may have heard of Kenric’s advances on his fiancé, and he does have the strength to cut off a man’s hand.”

“Interesting,” Blackwood mused as Jessica’s eyes widened in fear. The ceiling creaked and then a voice could be heard.

“Take it slower you oaf! You’re healed, but you’re not ready for battle.”

“I’m fine,” Kenric’s voice replied. A moment later, he and Agatha could be seen descending the stairs.

“Son,” Donovan said. “Are you whole?”

“Father,” Kenric replied, flexing his regrown hand. “I am.”

The Viscount nodded. “Did you see who assaulted you?”

“I’m afraid not,” Kenric lied, staring at Jessica. Oh no, Father. You won’t be killing or enslaving Brian. If anyone does anything to him, it will be me. “Someone shouted my name, and I turned right into the fist that broke my nose.”

“Hmmm. We will still question the woodcutter later,” Donovan said. He turned his attention to the healer. “Agatha, you did as you promised.”

“Aye. There’s a bit of mana left in the crystal I used.”

“Keep it,” Blackwood said. He pulled a second fist sized mana crystal from his inventory and tossed it to the old healer. “Your payment.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Agatha replied. She even bowed.

Donovan turned his attention back to his son. “Hawthorne has agreed to a champion’s duel instead of a battle. You will be my champion as always. It is time for others to see what our line is capable of once more.”

“Of course, Father,” Kenric replied, hoping he kept the bitterness out of his voice. He wants me to make an example out of Hawthorne’s champion in the cruelest manner possible.

3

“Blackwood,” Viscount Hawthorne greeted Viscount Blackwood with a nod of his head.

“Hawthorne,” Donovan replied returning the nod with one of his own.

“My counselor has drawn up the agreement,” Hawthorne said, getting right to the business at hand. “Our champions will duel in place of our armies battling for the marble quarry on our shared border. The winner will be the champion left in fighting shape.”

“And death is allowed?” Donovan Blackwood asked, dismounting from his horse.

“Indeed,” Hawthorne replied with a smile on his face. He gestured to a nearly seven-foot-tall muscular man wearing chainmail and carrying a battleaxe. “Derian is my champion and I know your son is yours.”

“Let me see the contract,” Blackwood replied. Hawthorne handed him a copy. Kenric’s father examined the document and signed both copies. Hawthorne signed both copies as well. The two viscounts then shook hands and put their copies into their inventories.

“Bring out the meat. My axe is ready!” Derian shouted as he stepped forward after the two nobles retreated to their men. Hawthorne’s men cheered their champion’s taunt.

“Kenric,” his father said, waving him forward.

“Father?” Kenric inquired, clenching his regrown hand. I may be physically whole, but something feels off inside of me.

“Make an example out of that oaf,” Donovan said, frowning as he noticed his son clenching and unclenching his hand. “Finish him quickly.”

“As you command,” Kenric replied, dismounting his horse. He equipped his chainmail armor from his inventory. The armor appeared on him. He then pulled his sword and shield out as well.

I need to remember to add a couple of points to my inventory space the next time I level up so I can carry more. Currently, I’m at my limit. Kenric turned his attention to the huge man in front of him. This Derian reminds me of Brian Sawyer.

Kenric grinned. Derian noticed and scowled.

“Something funny meat?” Hawthorne’s champion asked.

“You’re about to find out,” Kenric answered, walking into the fighting circle that had formed between the two fighting forces. He pulled up his stats and skills. Most people just think of me as a spoiled braggart. While I am that, I have the skills to back it up.

Kenric Blackwood

Class: Warrior

Level: 10

Vitality: 500

Inventory: 100 pounds

Mental: 30

Physical: 50

Spiritual: 30

Skills:

Bladed Weapons

Blunt Weapons

Dueling

Archery

Defender

Swift Stride

And that’s what irked him most about the woodcutter. It shouldn’t have been possible for an untrained person to humiliate him like that.

Perhaps I overestimated my skills and underestimated Brian, Kenric thought as doubt creeped into his mind. Perhaps I am doing the same now.

No. I was caught unaware and blindsided while drunk. This is different. Kenric took a deep breath and cleared his mind after dismissing his stats.

Mirabel, a local priestess stepped forward. “Is there no way to peacefully resolve this conflict?”

“No,” Hawthorne answered.

“We are beyond talking at this point,” Blackwood replied.

“Very well. And may the Heavens be praised that you both have sense to use single combat instead of a full-scale battle to resolve your dispute,” the priestess said. She held up her arms and called to the heavens. A barrier appeared around the two combatants, separating them from the rest of the armed men. She turned her attention to the chosen champions. “May the heavens guide and protect you. You may begin when I count to 10.”

*

Kenric waited as the priestess counted. He returned his sword to his inventory and pulled out his mace. He grinned at his larger opponent. I will do as father demands and do to this man what Brian Sawyer did to me.

Just as soon as her count was finished, he activated Swift Stride. The skill was rare and allowed a person to move far more quickly in short bursts than one could normally move.

In Kenric’s mind, he wasn’t moving faster. It was the world that had slowed down.

He dashed to Derian’s right side swinging his mace at the big man’s knee. The spiked ball mace head slammed into Derian’s kneecap, shattering it, and drawing blood. Hawthorne’s champion dropped his battleaxe and fell clutching his ruined knee.

Viscount Hawthorne cursed loudly as Kenric’s father cheered. Blackwood’s men started chanting Kenric’s name as Hawthorne’s men booed.

Kenric ignored them and slammed his mace into Derian’s other knee, destroying that kneecap as well.

“Please have mercy!” the large man begged. Father wouldn’t like it if I showed mercy. In answer, Kenric swung his mace into the other man’s left shoulder. Bones broke loudly.

Kenric put away his mace and picked up the fallen battleaxe. He stepped onto Derian’s shattered shoulder, making him scream. The larger man passed out.

Kenric kicked Derian’s right arm. He stepped on the man’s elbow and raised the axe over his head. He froze. The booing from Hawthorne’s men became louder as did the cheers from Blackwood’s men. Over them all, he could hear his father’s laughter.

“Finish him,” Kenric’s father’s voice carried over the noise. Kenric stared at Derian’s arm. He brought the axe down and stared at his own regrown arm, stopping his swing.

Can I keep doing this? Kenric asked himself. He suddenly felt like he wanted to throw up. It’s not right. He dropped the axe, spat on the ground, and started to walk to the protective barrier’s edge.

“He’s done. Let me out,” Kenric said. Mirabel nodded and lowered the protective barrier. He walked past the priestess and towards his father.

“What are you going boy?” Donovan hissed. “Finish that huge pile of dung.”

“He’s finished,” Kenric replied. He pulled a wineskin from his inventory and drank from it. “And right now, so am I.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Donovan asked.

“Away from here.”

Donovan watched in disbelief as his son mounted his horse, kept drinking from the wineskin, and rode away.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

4

Kenric looked over his shoulder to make sure he hadn’t been followed. He dismounted and vomited into some bushes beside the dirt road. He drunk some more from his wineskin. His stomach rolled a bit and he retched into the bushes again.

What is wrong with me? Kenric thought. I’ve never felt like this before. Usually fighting and humiliating an opponent is just something that is done to make father happy. It’s never bothered me before.

He pulled a piece of jerky from his inventory and ate it. His stomach rolled, but he didn’t retch. Kenric drank some more from his wineskin. That stayed down as well.

Better, Kenric thought. He looked at his regrown hand. It started to shake. Kenric clenched his fist until the shaking stopped. I know just the thing I need to do and it’s not getting revenge on the woodcutter.

Kenric put his wineskin in his inventory and mounted his horse. The willing serving girls at Jon’s inn would take his mind off whatever was going on in his head.

*

Kenric entered the inn and waited for his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light. Jon was talking to some merchant, at least Kenric thought the man was a merchant by the way he was dressed. Jessica looked pensive behind the bar as she realized who had just entered the inn. The other serving girls weren’t in sight. He shrugged and walked to Jessica at the bar.

“I need wine, mead, ale, and any other spirits you have behind the bar and in storage,” Kenric said. “I also need… what was her name… Becca, yes, Becca.”

“Is that all, my lord?” Jessica sarcastically asked. She grinned and looked at his regrown hand. “You don’t want food and someone to feed you by… hand?”

“In time,” Kenric replied, clenching his fist. “And drop the sarcasm. I’m not in the mood.”

She must have heard something in his voice because Jessica dropped the grin and bowed. “The girls are sleeping but I can get you all you want to drink.”

“I should take you upstairs,” Kenric said.

“You wouldn’t after what Bri… after what happened to you,” Jessica replied, placing a mug of ale in front of Kenric. “Besides, we both know that’s not who you are.”

“Do you really think your betrothed would have stood a chance against me if he hadn’t caught me unawares and half drunk?” Kenric asked.

“Half drunk?” Jessica asked.

“Alright, I was more than half drunk,” Kenric admitted.

“You need to lay off the spirits.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Jessica. As I said, I’m not in the mood,” Kenric replied. “Are you going to do as I asked or not?”

The merchant Jon had been talking with walked over to the bar along with the innkeeper and a girl before Jessica could answer. Jessica and Kenric turned to look at them. The merchant wasn’t too fat, but overweight. The blonde-haired girl was pretty with piercing blue eyes. She was perhaps a couple of years younger than Kenric was. Some would say she was willowy.

Calling her willowy is being kind. That girl is malnourished.

“My lord,” Jon quickly said. Kenric nodded and drunk the rest of the mug. “Jessica, take Claire here and give her a bath and something to eat.”

Kenric tapped his mug on the bar. Jessica glanced at him and refilled his mug. Kenric’s regrown hand started to shake again, so he pulled it down so the others couldn’t see.

“Of course, Father,” she said to Jon as she placed the mug in front of Kenric. She gestured to Claire. “Come with me.”

Jon went behind the bar after Jessica led Claire upstairs. The merchant used the bar as a desk and wrote out something.

“Here you go Jon,” the merchant said. The innkeeper took the parchment and read it. He nodded and signed his name at the bottom.

“Right. And here’s your coin Randel. Don’t spend it all,” Jon said. The merchant laughed. He counted the coin, pocketed it, and left.

“Did you buy the girl from him?” Kenric asked.

“It was that or he would try and sell her to your father’s men at their barracks,” Jon answered.

“And you wouldn’t want to miss out on the extra profit another new girl would bring you,” Kenric said, his voice slurring slightly. He burped after draining his mug. “Another.”

“It’s the way of the world. She was evidently one mouth too many,” Jon shrugged. He refilled the mug and handed it to Kenric. “Claire is a half elf, so she’ll make my coin back and then some once she’s cleaned up and put on a little weight.”

“Does she know all that she’s here for?” Kenric asked.

“Yes. Randel bought her from her parents in Viscount Vonder’s lands. He… broke her in while on the road,” the innkeeper replied.

“I bet,” Kenric said. Jon shrugged. Kenric drank.

“She hasn’t been raped,” Jon said.

“Not that your flesh peddler is willing to admit to,” Kenric muttered. The innkeeper shrugged again. Jon truly doesn’t care as long as the coin rolls in.

“Jessica will find out and tell me,” Jon said. Kenric shrugged and finished his mug. It’s none of my business.

Ah! There’s the muddleheaded feeling that takes away most concerns. His hand stopped shaking. Kenric checked his inventory and was pleased to see he still had half a dozen coin pouches. He selected the smallest and tossed it on the bar. Jon refilled the mug and placed it in front of Kenric.

“I want a room, a bath, and the half elf if she hasn’t been raped,” Kenric slurred. “That should cover this week.”

I won’t rape a girl or try to sleep with one that had been recently. Ha! Some would say that’s my one redeeming quality. Then again, they don’t know me, Kenric thought. Since when did I become introspective when I drink? He shrugged. It didn’t matter. I plan on drinking a lot this week, so maybe I’ll figure it out later.

“Your usual room is clean and free,” the innkeeper said. Kenric nodded, making his head swim. He belched and patted his stomach. Nothing came up. He started walking towards the stairs. “And what if Claire has been raped?”

“Then wake Becca or one of the others instead,” Kenric said as he started to make his way up the stairs. “And have them bring food, hot water, soap, and such for the bath.”

5

“Tanner, where is my son?” Donovan asked.

“Still at Jon’s Inn drinking and…” Tanner replied, sparing at glance at Amee, Blackwood’s lady wife, and their newborn son, “…wenching.”

“It’s been a month since the duel!” the viscount shouted, slamming his goblet down.

“Donovan, the babe!” Amee chastised in a hiss. She rocked the baby to keep him from crying out.

“Sorry dear,” Donovan said. He turned back to his underling. “We are presenting Elric publicly for the first time tomorrow. Tanner, bring Kenric home and make sure he’s presentable.”

“As you command, my lord,” Tanner replied. He bowed and exited the hall.

*

“Another round for everyone!” Kenric exclaimed, holding his mug over his head. The half-filled room cheered. Most people worked during the day and didn’t drink heavily until their labor was done, but Kenric didn’t care about that. They would drink on his coin or not as it suited them.

Kenric flopped back into the chair, nearly falling over. Claire caught him while giggling and helped him to sit upright.

“I have you, my lord,” the half elf said, reaching for his crotch.

“Yes, you do,” Kenric slurred as she grasped his member. There’s that itch again. “Scratch the right side.”

The girl did as she had been told with her left hand while her right maintained its grip. Kenric’s head slumped forward. Jessica approached his table with a frown on her face. Kenric’s breathing became heavy.

“My lord?” Jessica asked. She glanced at Claire. “Is he asleep?”

The half elf lifted Kenric’s head and then let if fall forward again. He didn’t stir.

“Yes ma’am, he is,” the serving girl answered.

“See if you can wake him… gently,” Jessica instructed. “That round of drinks used the last of the money he had paid my father.”

“I’ll wake him,” a man said from behind Jessica. She turned.

“Tanner!” Jessica said in surprise. Hope had been in her voice as well. Kenric paid well, but he monopolized the new serving girl, which meant the inn didn’t make as much money as it would have with her addition. “Have you come to take him home?”

“Aye,” the warrior answered, stepping around the woman.

Before he could get to the table, Kenric jerked awake. He rubbed his crotch and noticed Tanner.

“Tanner!” Kenric bellowed, slurring the man’s name. “Have you come to drink with us?”

“No. The viscount requires your presence,” Tanner replied.

“Bah. You can fight for my father,” Kenric said, picking up a mug and drinking from it. Was that my mug or someone else’s? Eh, doesn’t matter.

“Viscount Blackwood requires you to attend the public unveiling of your new brother,” Tanner said.

“I’m enjoying myself,” Kenric said, scratching himself again. That itching in my crotch is getting worse and is starting to burn a little.

“You can come along peacefully, or I can force you to come,” Tanner replied.

“I’d like to see you try,” Kenric slurred. He tried to stand but fell back into the chair and then to the floor. He scratched his crotch again.

Maybe it’s a good thing Kenric was the only one that had been sleeping with Claire, Jessica mused. With that itch, she might have passed something to Kenric that would have ruined the inn’s business. She would have to mention it to her father so he would pay Agatha to examine the girl and treat her if necessary.

Tanner shook his head and walked around the table. He knelt beside Kenric and whispered, “Come my lord. Let’s get you to Agatha to see about that itch.”

“That’s a good idea,” Kenric said, scratching himself again. He tried to stand and failed. “Help me up!”

*

“Who’s paying for this?” Agatha asked as Tanner helped Kenric to the old healer’s examination table.

“The viscount through me,” Tanner answered.

“And you have the coin or mana crystal on you?” Agatha asked.

“Aye. I have the coin,” Tanner replied.

“So do I,” Kenric told them. At least I think I do.

“Fair enough,” Agatha said. She pulled a small mana crystal from her inventory and grabbed Kenric’s right hand. Kenric started to snore. Tanner shook his head. Agatha snorted a laugh. She then shook her head.

“What is it?” Tanner asked.

“So much wasted potential,” Agatha whispered. Tanner snorted. He doubted Kenric had potential for anything other than drinking and making a fool of himself. The healer then recoiled from Kenric.

“What’s wrong with him?” Tanner asked.

“He has the pox,” Agatha answered. “I’m surprised he’s not pissing blood yet.”

“Can you cure him?” Tanner asked. Agatha nodded. “And sober him up?”

“Aye,” Agatha answered. “Who’s he been sleeping with?”

“The girls at Jon’s Inn,” Tanner replied. “When I fetched him, some half elf that I haven’t seen before was hanging onto him.”

“That would be Jon’s new girl. I was told her name is Claire,” Agatha said. “Several of the village idiots have been complaining about not getting a go with her since she is supposed to be the looker.”

“I’m not surprised,” the warrior said. “And she is, if you like them skinny.”

“Idiots!” Agatha spat. She put the small crystal into her inventory and withdrew one of the large ones the viscount had paid her with a month ago.

“This healing is going to be expensive, isn’t it?” Tanner asked.

“Yes, but not as expensive as I’m going to charge Jon for treating those girls,” the healer answered.

“Get on with it then,” Tanner laughed.

“Get on with what?” Kenric asked.

“Just lay there,” Agatha said. Then under her breath, “Idiot!”

6

“You have 15 minutes to get presentable,” Donovan said just as soon as Kenric dismounted from his horse. Tanner stepped up to his lord’s side and whispered something to him after two stableboys took away their mounts.

Here we go, Kenric thought as his father looked surprised.

“This way my lord. I’ll lead you to your chambers and bath,” one of the servants said to Kenric. Kenric held up a finger as he saw his father mouth “the pox?” and the man nodded.

“Really son? A pox ridden half elf?” Viscount Blackwood said, shaking his head. Kenric shrugged. “I am most disappointed.”

“So am I,” Kenric muttered under his breath. I had been expecting someone with elven blood to be wilder than Claire was. She was good enough, but I had hoped for something different. Then again, I was drunk most of the last month, so I’m most likely not remembering our time together correctly. That thought made him grin.

“Something amuses you?” the viscount asked.

“Just my lack of proper memories of the last month,” Kenric answered.

“You’re wasting time,” Donovan stated. He pointed at the clock tower. Kenric nodded and gestured to the servant. The man led him past his father.

Kenric’s grin became a smile as he noticed his father’s eye twitching on his way past the older man.

*

“Are you sure you want to do this, my lord?” Connor, Donovan’s counselor asked.

Donovan considered the question. He nodded to himself after confirming his decision in his mind. He picked up his old will and testament. He ripped the document in half and threw it into the fireplace. The two men watched it burn.

“I am, Connor. I am,” Blackwood said as he signed his new will and testament. “Kenric is too much of a disappointment.”

*

Figures he would be late to this after rushing me, Kenric thought as he stood beside his stepmother and new brother. He noticed his father’s healer, Jason, lurking behind them. Father must not want the babe to even sneeze.

“Isn’t he just the most precious thing?” Amee asked. She made cooing noises at the baby.

“Adorable,” Kenric replied dryly. He looks too much like my father if you ask me. “Have you and father named him yet?”

“We have,” Amee answered. “My husband will announce it when he presents his son.”

Hopefully, your life will be kinder little brother, Kenric thought. Then again, our father isn’t a kind man. So, good luck.

“Tanner, quiet the crowd. Connor, you may begin once the peasants have fallen silent,” Donovan commanded as he and his counselor arrived.

*

It’s about time. I’m ready for a drink, Kenric thought as his father took his new brother from Amee. The viscount held the baby boy up over his head. The baby started to cry and Kenric choked back a laugh as he caught the viscount’s posture stiffening.

Father can’t be happy about the crying. Blackwoods are supposed to be stoic in public which is one reason I keep being a disappointment for him despite my victories in combat.

“Good people, I give you Elric Blackwood, my son and heir,” Donovan shouted. The crowd cheered.

“What? You can’t!” Kenric exclaimed. Donovan ignored his outburst and handed the baby back to Amee.

“Kenric, come with me,” Connor quietly said. Bruce and Tanner stood behind him.

“I will not!” Kenric said, his anger boiling over. “I’m to be discarded after all I’ve done?”

“You’re making a scene,” Connor hissed.

“I don’t care!” Kenric exclaimed. Finally, his father turned his attention to Kenric and the others.

“Get him out of here,” Donovan said. “Tanner, make sure he only leaves with what he can carry.”

“What?” Kenric asked in disbelief. “You’re kicking me out as well?”

“Come Kenric,” Bruce said, reaching for Kenric.

“You dare?” Kenric said.

“My lord has issued a command,” Bruce said as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Never touch me!” Kenric shouted. He activated his Swift Stride skill and punched the other man in the chest. Bruce went flying into Tanner. The two men fell to the ground. They got to their feet but didn’t attack as his father signaled them.

Amee screamed. Donovan moved in front of his wife and baby. Kenric shook his head and walked into the keep. I wouldn’t attack the baby or your wife. But you want me to leave only with what I can carry, huh? I can do that.

*

25000 should be enough for a good while, Kenric thought as he put the last coin pouch into his inventory. He was taking a fourth of his father’s treasury. I can use my skills as a mercenary and make more silver as I need it.

“You can’t take that!” Connor exclaimed, entering the treasury. “That’s Viscount Blackwood’s money.”

“It was my fighting as his champion that made this money,” Kenric retorted. “I’m taking my share and you’re welcome to try and stop me.”

Connor sucked in a breath.

He’s going to scream.

Kenric surged forward, punching the counselor in the jaw. Connor fell back into the treasury wall and then slumped to the floor. Kenric checked him for a pulse.

Thankfully, he’s just unconscious. Now it’s time to leave. Kenric put action to his thoughts and slipped out of the keep through an escape tunnel. He doubted if he would ever return to his father’s keep again.

7

Kenric

Class: Warrior

Level: 10

Vitality: 500

Inventory: 100 pounds

Mental: 30

Physical: 50

Spiritual: 30

Skills:

Bladed Weapons

Blunt Weapons

Dueling

Archery

Defender

Swift Stride

Father really disowned me, and the system removed my family name, Kenric thought. He dismissed the information. I suppose I should give myself a new surname.

Kenric looked around the inn’s common room. He had traveled north and then east for weeks after leaving his father’s lands to escape with the money he had taken.

Like Jon’s Inn, Crossville’s Inn was unimaginatively named and filled mostly with workers, merchants, and a few guards. The guards must be caravan guards in the employ of some merchant house because they’re all wearing the same surcoat, and I don’t recognize their colors and emblem. I could ask them if they’re hiring, but if they’re heading south back toward Blackwood lands, that wouldn’t be good for me.

A serving girl arrived with his lunch. She sat the bowl of stew down in front of him along with a quarter loaf of bread. She refilled his mug of mead too.

“Will you be needing anything else, sir?” the attractive girl asked, smiling. She placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in, giving him a view of her cleavage. “Perhaps a bath and someone to wash your back and other… parts?”

“Food and mead are all I need for now,” Kenric answered. She frowned slightly. He grinned. “I’ll most likely take you up on your offer before I leave though.”

The girl’s smile returned. “Of course. I’ll come back to check on you in a few minutes.”

Kenric watched walk away and stop at another table. He appreciated the sway of her hips. She didn’t even look his way as she made the same offer to the men sitting around the table. Kenric shivered a little.

Didn’t take her long to make that offer to others, Kenric thought. Pah! Getting the pox is still on my mind. Perhaps I should take her up on her offer instead of just lying so as not to upset her. Then again, rumor has it that some of the poxes can make a man’s member rot and fall off, so maybe I should be more careful.

Kenric shivered again and dismissed those thoughts as he turned his attention to the stew. He ate a spoonful. A little too salty, but not bad. They probably used salted meat that had been stored before it went bad. Or maybe the cook just likes things salty. He tried the warm bread. Hmmm. Light and buttery. Now that’s great bread!

Kenric gave the stew and bread his full attention.

*

Kenric was nursing his third mead refill and had just a bit of lightheadedness as he listened to the merchants talk. The caravan was returning from the Carolina Kingdom in the east. Most of the merchants were returning further west into the heart of Knox’s Empire. A few were heading north along the Empire’s border with the Commonwealth.

“I’m just glad to be out of the mountains and back into civilized lands,” Scott Hancock, one of the merchants, said. Kenric had caught a few of their names during their conversation.

“Aye,” Clay Campbell, another merchant agreed. A few of the remanding others agreed as well.

“I don’t know,” one of them disagreed. “The dwarves had some things worth sticking around for.”

“Spencer, you just want more of that dwarf courtesan you were messing with,” Clay countered. The merchants laughed.

“Aye! She was about half my size, but I haven’t had better,” Spencer replied. “And she didn’t have a beard either like the stories say about dwarven women.”

The merchants laughed even harder.

“If you don’t mind my asking, what’s so bad about the mountains?” Kenric asked the merchants. They fell silent. Maybe I shouldn’t have opened my mouth without introducing myself first. The serving girl came back around. “A round of drinks for my new associates.”

“Aye sir,” the girl said, taking Kenric’s coin and walking back to the bar.

“I’m Kenric,” Kenric told the merchants.

“Monsters, dwarves, and Carolinian bandits,” Scott answered after a moment. “You look like a fighting man. Are you a mercenary?”

“Haven’t been one yet,” Kenric answered. “Who knows what tomorrow may bring though.”

The merchants laughed and agreed.

“Third or fourth son of a noble most likely since he doesn’t look like a scoundrel or starving peasant, Clay muttered. Kenric smiled. Introductions were made.

They can think what they want if they provide me with information I want.

“Kenric, if you’re interested in mercenary work, the mountains are the place to be,” Scott said.

“That’s a possibility,” Kenric replied, finishing his mug. He held it up and waved, catching a serving girl’s eyes. Kenric gestured to the merchants. She nodded. The merchants smiled and finished their drinks. “What’s a Carolinian bandit?”

“Never been east before?” Spencer asked. Kenric shook his head. “The bandits here in Knox’s Empire are more civilized and will ransom a merchant off if they can or at the least just take enough to tax us, like.”

Kenric nodded his understanding.

“But those bastards from Carolina will kill you just as soon as look at you,” Clay explained.

“I think they raid across the border and attack caravans on orders of the Carolinian queen,” a different merchant said. “We rarely get attacked in Carolina.”

“That’s possible, Alexander, Spencer agreed. “But it doesn’t make sense to add extra troops and mercenaries to the border. She can’t attack Knox from any other direction.”

“So, why journey to Carolina if it’s so dangerous?” Kenric asked.

“For the only reason that matters,” Scott said.

“The money!” the merchants chorused before drinking their cups and laughing.

Interesting, Kenric thought. He listened to the merchants and paid for more drinks, which kept loosening their tongues, for the rest of the afternoon. I think I’ll venture east into the mountains. It might be worth my while.

8

Kenric woke and yawned. He disentangled himself from the pretty redheaded elf he had been sleeping with. She murmured something and fell silent, except for her breathing. He couldn’t recall if she was one of the Hamblen Inn’s serving girls or just a prostitute that he had found. Kenric shrugged. It doesn’t really matter where she came from. I made the same mistake I always make and let my little head do all the thinking while getting drunk.

He walked to the window and opened it. The sun was just rising over the mountains in the clear blue sky. The magnificent view captured his attention.

This is a beautiful land, and this is the first time I’ve been sober enough to realize it. All the flowering plants and trees just add to the beauty. The cooler air does as well. I’ve fought a few monsters, but these mountains have been more peaceful than I had been told they were.  He stood there enjoying the view until his bladder demanded his attention.

Over the past eight months Kenric made his way east into the mountains drinking and wenching the entire way. He had also made regular visits to healers to make sure he hadn’t contracted any diseases from his entertainment.

His journey had included a two month stay at a pleasure house in Knoxville, which had been the capital of the empire before Knox had conquered a kingdom to the west and moved his capital to a more central location in the middle of his lands. At least that is what Kenric remembered being told. He didn’t know if it was true or not. And it really didn’t matter. Knoxville was behind him now.

“Ahh!” Kenric sighed as he sat in the bathtub filled with hot water. Indoor plumbing was something he had come to enjoy more than the women he paid to entertain him and the booze he often drank. Hot water delivered through pipes was a thing of wonder and not something found in the western parts of the empire or south in Augusta, where he was from. The same was true for the indoor toilet and sinks.

The dwarves must be true master craftsmen to have invented such things, Kenric mused as he relaxed in the bathtub. Too bad it’s not winter or late fall. I would like to see if it’s true that the inn has a dwarven way to keep warm without large amounts of firewood. That makes me wonder if the dwarves can do the same for keeping a building cool. His thoughts drifted. I bet Knox has these pleasures in his palace. If I were a merchant, I think I would try to get the dwarves to teach me how to do these things or work for me to sale them far and wide.

His stomach rumbled. Kenric pushed his thoughts aside and washed himself. It was time for breakfast.

*

“What do you have for breakfast?” Kenric asked the innkeeper.

“Grits, bacon, biscuits and gravy, eggs, ham, and sausage,” the woman answered.

Kenric tried to remember her name but couldn’t. And it wasn’t like it really mattered to him anyway, so he stopped trying.

“What are grits? You also said biscuits and gravy as if it were a dish of its own. What is that?” Kenric asked.

“Grits are a type of porridge made from maize or hominy,” the woman replied. “They’re quite good, especially with butter and black pepper added. Biscuits and gravy are exactly what it sounds like. You get two biscuits served covered in gravy. It’s very filling and a favorite of the locals.”

“I’ll have both of those along with two eggs and some bacon,” Kenric said.

“Will you be wanting ale or mead with your breakfast?” the innkeeper asked.

She has been paying attention to me. Kenric checked his coin. His eyes widened in alarm. He only had 10000 silvers left. How did I burn through 15000 silver coins in less than a year? At this rate, I’ll be out of silver in another couple of months. I need to find some work!

“Are you alright?” the innkeeper asked.

“Fine. I’m fine,” Kenric answered after a moment spent composing himself. I should lay off the spirits though. “Do you have something that would go better with breakfast than ale or mead besides water?”

“We have yaupon tea,” she replied. “It’s a bit of an acquired taste, but people like it.”

“What is it?” Kenric asked.

“Yaupon is a holly plant. The leaves are roasted, and ground. The grounds are then boiled in water. The resulting beverage has an earthy, perhaps grassy, and herbal taste,” the innkeeper explained. “We also have some fresh apple juice.”

“Thank you. I’ll try the yaupon,” Kenric said.

“You’re welcome. I have a question,” the woman said.

“Yes?”

“You didn’t hurt Cynthia, did you? She hasn’t come down yet.”

“Not that I know of. She was well and still sleeping when I got up to take a bath and come down for breakfast,” Kenric replied.

“Very good. You’re new to these parts and some men are a… little rough with the girls,” the innkeeper explained.

“I promise you madam, I’ve never hit a woman,” Kenric declared. That is an afront to my honor. And my honor is the only thing I really have.

“I had to ask. The girls are my responsibility,” the innkeeper said.

And you don’t make as much silver if you must pay for a healer and they can’t work, Kenric cynically thought. “I understand. Think nothing of it.”

“Thank you,” the woman said. “Find a seat. I’ll have your breakfast brought to you.”

Kenric nodded.

*

“What did you think of breakfast?” the innkeeper asked.

“It was great, Mrs. Hancock. Please give my compliments to your cook,” Kenric answered. She smiled, looking pleased. “The grits, biscuits, gravy, and yaupon tea were especially good.”

I can’t tell if she is pleased, I know her name or for complimenting her inn’s food. Most likely the former, Kenric mused. Thank you, local customers! If not for you loudly saying her name, I wouldn’t know it.

“I’ll pass the word along to Elizabeth. She will be happy to receive the compliment,” Mrs. Hancock said. She had a thoughtful look on her face. “If Elizabeth wasn’t betrothed to my son, Edward, I would introduce her to you.”

“That’s kind of you madam,” Kenric replied. No doubt she is only saying that because I’ve spent a lot of silver here. “But I’m not ready for marriage or even courting yet. I need to make my fortune first.”

“Oh? Aim to do that with a sword?” she asked. “You don’t look like a merchant and didn’t arrive with a group of guards.”

“Yes ma’am,” Kenric answered. “You wouldn’t happen to know of any mercenary or guard work in the area, would you?”

“You’ll want to go up to Mountain City,” Mrs. Hancock replied. “Mountain City is a small town, but they do business with the dwarves there and always need warriors. The beasts tend to be more aggressive the further up in the mountains you go though.”

“Ah. I’ve heard that… ruffians from Carolina also abound near the border,” Kenric said.

“That’s true,” Mrs. Hancock agreed. She grinned. “Lots of work for those inclined.”

“Sounds like Mountain City is where I need to go for a while,” Kenric said.

“It’s a four-day journey,” the innkeeper advised. “Stick to the Johnson Trail so you can pass through other small towns and villages.”

“And I suppose the Johnson Trail is patrolled by guards.”

“Indeed.”

“I’ll heed your wisdom and advice,” Kenric said. “I’ll also stay until the beginning of the week.”

The innkeeper smiled.

9

Kenric smiled as he took in the view from horseback. Mountain City spread before him in a small valley. The small town was ringed by a large stone wall.

Hmmm. There’s maybe 2500 people living there. And that’s counting the mercenaries, adventurers, hunters, and outlying farmers, Kenric thought. Still, it’s a pleasant enough looking place and if people are right about the opportunities it holds, I’ll be happy enough.

Kenric urged his horse forward.

*

The Chicken Licker Inn, Kenric read on the inn’s sign. That’s creative as far as inn names go, but who names their inn that?

“Can I take your horse to the corral or stable?” a human boy sitting on the steps asked.

“You work for the inn?” Kenric asked.

“Yes, my lord. My ma and I both work for the inn,” the boy said. “I’m a stableboy, and my ma works as one of the cooks.”

“I’m no lord,” Kenric said as he dismounted and handed his reins to the stableboy. And I never will be, Kenric thought bitterly.

“Yes sir,” the boy replied.

“Stable the horse,” Kenric instructed. He handed the stableboy a silver coin.

“Yes sir. I’ll take extra good care of your horse, sir,” the boy said with a huge smile on his face.

 I guess he doesn’t get much in the way of tips. Kenric nodded and watched as the stableboy talked to and led his horse around the inn. The building itself was a large wood and stone built structure with the top floor being wood while the lower floor was built of stone.

Kenric started walking up the front porch. This is a bit different. I’ve never seen an inn with a porch before.

The door burst open and Kenric stepped to the side, pulling his sword as a big body went flying out of the inn. An older dwarf followed wiping his hands against each other.

“And don’t come back,” the dwarf warned the taller, fatter man that scrambled to his feet and took off running. The dwarf turned to Kenric, barely glancing at his sword. “You plan on using that pig sticker or should I stick it in you where the sun doesn’t shine?”

“Habit, especially with bodies flying,” Kenric replied, returning his sword to his inventory. The dwarf grunted. “Are you the owner of this establishment?”

“Nah. I’m the bouncer,” the dwarf replied. Kenric paid attention to the shorter man. The dwarf was just under five feet tall and had solid muscles under a chainmail coat. He had a short neatly cropped beard. His long graying brown hair was tied back into a low ponytail. The bouncer’s brown eyes were observant. “I’m Beorn.”

“I’m Kenric,” Kenric said. They shook hands, both appraising the other. Hopefully, he notices I’m a warrior not to be underestimated because Beorn is dangerous. “Well met.”

“Aye. Same,” Beorn replied. “You’re welcome to drink all you want, but don’t give Ursula a hard time.”

He knows I like ale and mead. How? Is it a skill or just experience?

“Ursula?” Kenric asked, shaking off his thoughts. “Is she a serving girl?”

“Nah lad. She’s the owner of the Chicken Licker Inn,” Beorn answered. He grinned. “And my wife.”

Kenric laughed. “But you’re not the owner?”

“Nope. Ursula opened this place 10 years ago while I was doing mercenary work. The inn is all hers,” Beorn replied. “I retired two years ago and started helping her however I can, mostly by taking out the trash.”

“And that’s why you say you’re the bouncer,” Kenric said. I get his point. Cause trouble, and he’ll beat you black and blue before tossing you out the door.

Beorn laughed. “Aye lad. I’m glad you take my meaning. Are you looking to stay at the inn or just looking for a meal?”

“Both if the beds are clean and the food is good,” Kenric answered. “And some information.”

“You won’t find finer food, beds, or bath in Mountain City,” Beorn boasted.

“I’m eager to see that for myself,” Kenric said.

“You’re a warrior,” Beorn stated. Kenric nodded. “Looking for mercenary work?”

Kenric nodded again. “That I am.”

“Cone on then. Let me introduce you to Ursula and she’ll help with the first two things you want. Then you and I can talk about the third.”

*

“If you were a dwarf, I’d recommend the Iron Foot Company,” Beorn said after Kenric finished his meal.

That was the best beef stew I’ve ever had­, Kenric thought. And this ale is something else!

“Go easy on the ale, lad,” Beorn suggested. “Dwarven ale has a kick that takes a while for humans to get used to.”

“I can feel that already,” Kenric replied. “This is my first one and it’s great, but I’m starting to feel a little lightheaded.”

“Maybe we should get you some yaupon tea or water,” Beorn said.

“I’m alright,” Kenric said. “I’ll drink this slowly.”

“Have it your way, but I’m not carrying you up to your room.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to,” Kenric replied. Beorn laughed and Kenric joined him. “What made you say if I were a dwarf when you mentioned the Iron Foot Company?”

“The Foot is the finest mercenary company in the region, but they only take dwarves,” Beorn explained as Kenric took a sip of his ale.

“Ah. So, who would you suggest I contact?”

“The Crimson Ravens. They take human, dwarf, and elf,” Beorn answered.

“Elf?” Kenric asked with a laugh. I’ve never met an elf that was a good fighter.

“Don’t be fooled,” the older warrior said. “Before our races united in overthrowing them 500 years ago, the elves had a long history of war and conquered several kingdoms. They’re still fine fighters and the best archers if trained.”

“But who would allow an elf to fight, much less train them? Every elf I’ve ever met has been a servant of some sort. And they seem born to the role.”

“Who said they were allowed?” Beorn countered. He shrugged. “Some people always want to fight regardless of race and well, mercenary companies always need bodies.”

“I suppose,” Kenric said noncommittedly. I’m not sure how I feel about elf warriors. The notion seems ludicrous.

“You wouldn’t have a problem with elves, would you?”

“Never have before,” Kenric answered. “I’m used to the female elves being under me or on top of me, but I’m not sure how I feel about elves fighting beside me.”

“Eh, you get used to it,” Beorn said, shrugging his shoulders again. “Anyway, the Ravens are the best non dwarf mercenary company in the region. That’s who you want to join if you can get over your biases.”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Kenric said, shrugging his shoulders. “Can you give me directions to their headquarters?”

“Aye. I’ll even through in a letter of introduction,” Beorn said.

“Thank you,” Kenric said. His head swam. He burped.

“You’re welcome. I’ll have the letter ready for you in the morning,” Beorn said.

10

“The rest are running!” Tara, the Raven lieutenant in charge of this escort job, shouted as the bandits fled into the hills around the convoy. “Make sure the merchants are alive.”

Kenric grunted as he pulled his bloody sword from a bandit’s chest. He dropped the sword, doubled over, and threw up. Kenric wiped his mouth, pulled a wineskin from his inventory, and rinsed his mouth out with the spirit.

“Are you alright Laddy?” Osric, a Raven sergeant, asked. “You’ve been throwing up like that after a fight quite a lot the last few weeks.”

“I’m fine,” Kenric replied to the dwarf. “Maybe something I ate isn’t sitting well with me.”

“Don’t look fine and you ate the same breakfast the rest of us did,” Orvyn, one of the elven archer’s in the unit, commented. Kenric glared at the man, who smiled in return.

“That’s true,” Tara said, walking up to them. “Orvyn, get a few others and loot the bodies. Don’t let the merchants beat you to it. Then stack them up and start a pyre.”

“Yes ma’am,” the elf replied. He signaled to two other Ravens, and they started their work.

“Make sure you start that pyre upwind!” Osric yelled at the retreating mercenaries.

“We know!” Orvyn shouted back.

“Kenric, go see Pascal, and find out what’s wrong with you,” Tara ordered. “You haven’t done that,” she said, gesturing to his vomit, “until a few weeks ago since you first joined us five years past.”

“It’s nothing some wine won’t fix,” Kenric said. He started to lift the wineskin to his lips when strong hands stopped him and took the wineskin away. “Hey!”

“You’ve had enough of that,” Osric said. He wiped off the mouthpiece and upturned the wineskin. He belched and grinned at the others after draining the wineskin. “Kenric always has the good expensive stuff.”

“You could have given it to me if that’s the case,” Tara complained. Osric laughed and shrugged his shoulders. Kenric stared at the dwarf. “Don’t just stand there Kenric. Go see the healer now!”

Kenric saluted, picked up his sword and cleaned it. He returned the weapon to his inventory and went in search of the healer.

*

“Kenric, you don’t have food poisoning or any diseases,” Pascal said after finishing his examination. “You’ve always been a heavy drinker, so, it’s not that even if I had to cure your hangover again this morning. And you’re still in surprisingly good health.”

“Thanks a lot,” Kenric muttered.

“Now, don’t be like that,” the healer replied. “All I’m saying is that maybe there’s something else going on with you.”

“Seriously? Like what?”

“Yes. There comes a time when people get tired of seeing blood, gore, and fighting,” Pascal answered. “Maybe you’ve reached your limit.”

“So, my vomiting after a fight is some sort of psychological reaction?”

“I’m surprised you know that big of a word, but yes,” the healer dryly answered. Kenric balled up his fist. Pascal gazed at him impassively. “Don’t even think about it. I’d have you in a deep sleep before you could even stand.”

What does it mean for me if he thinks I’m done fighting. If Pascal thinks that, does that mean the Ravens will throw me out? The Ravens’ compound has been my home these last five years. And why did he insult my intelligence? That pisses me off!

“I wouldn’t hit you, healer,” Kenric lied. “But I don’t appreciate insults.”

“You’ll get over it,” Pascal replied, not concerned in the slightest.

And how can he not be concerned? Healers aren’t warriors. Then again, good healers are highly prized and well paid. Maybe that’s why. He knows if it comes down to a choice, I’ll be gone before he will.

“So, if I can’t fight…”

“I’m not saying that. Maybe you just need a break,” Pascal countered. “I’m going to suggest to Tara that you be given guard duty at our barracks or perhaps a training job for a while.”

“So, we can determine if my vomiting is a psychological issue or not,” Kenric concluded.

“Exactly,” Pascal agreed. “Don’t worry. Bogdana won’t toss you out on your backside even if you can’t fight any longer.”

“She let Beorn go.”

“Beorn chose to walk away when he retired so he could help his wife. Besides, that was Randolf before that old bastard retired and turned over the Ravens to Bogdana.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“I’m also going to recommend you be allowed rest in a wagon for the rest of the day. Even with this delay, we’ll reach Mountain City before nightfall.”

*

“Ready to go upstairs?” Kenric asked Erika, one of the Chicken Licker’s serving girls, as he ran a hand along her thigh. It had been a year since he had been taken off the Ravens’ active-duty missions and he had found himself wenching and drinking more than ever before.

“Do you have the coin?” Erika asked from his lap, picking up his hand before he could slide it under her skirt.

“I have coin,” Kenric answered, his voice slurring. I’ve developed a thing for elven girls over the years. That surprises me.

“Good. But can you get it up?” the elf whispered into his ear, pulling him from his thoughts. She rocked her hips. “Because I don’t feel anything.”

“I’ll show you once we get upstairs,” Kenric replied. Is taunting me? I’ll do more than show her once we’re upstairs. Then again, maybe she made a good point. I can’t recall the last day I wasn’t drunk.

“Kenric, if you want to take Erika upstairs, you must pay upfront,” Ursula said as she arrived at his table.

“Huh. I’m out of silver,” Kenric slurred after checking his inventory. He picked up his mug and finished it. He slammed the mug down. “Come on, Ursula! You know I’m good for it.”

“Lad, can you remember what I told you six years ago when you first arrived?” Beorn asked as he joined his wife.

“Yes,” Kenric answered after giving it some thought. “Don’t cause trouble.”

“And you’re causing trouble now,” Beorn said.

“I’ll trade you my horse for a month’s room, board, and time with the girls,” Kenric said. Erika got off his lap and retreated behind the dwarves.

“You did that six weeks ago,” Ursula countered.

“I’ll trade my sword then!” Kenric exclaimed.

“You did that two weeks ago,” the innkeeper reminded him.

“Then I’ll trade my mace and armor,” Kenric replied. “Wait. I don’t have my armor and it seems I only have this stick in my inventory. Where is my mace?”

A three-foot-long stick appeared in the drunken human’s hand. He dropped it on the table. Ursula exchanged a look with her husband.

“Right. I figured spirits would be the end of you when we first met,” Beorn said. He hauled Kenric up and carried him to the door. The dwarf threw Kenric out the inn’s front door. Kenric landed face first in the mud as rain continued to fall. He sat up, spitting mud from his mouth, and turned to look up at the dwarf. Beorn wiped his hands against each other as he shook his head. “Don’t come back. Ever.”