Darkness once again broke upon the Broken Flask. Despite the scare that they had gotten the previous night, the usual drunks were back in their places like nothing had ever happened. Juna was behind the counter serving drinks while keeping a wary eye on the men, and Khaman was sitting at the bar sipping at his drink, while watching someone completely different.

Two strangers had arrived at the tavern about an hour beforehand, and doing his duty as lord, Khaman wanted to make sure that they kept out of trouble.

Of course, it would probably help if we didn’t have a thieves guild here. Khaman thought, taking another sip of his drink. Then there’s that silver-haired guy with the girl. He said that they were being chased by something. What could possibly make a person run all day?

He took another glance at the two strangers. They didn’t look TOO threatening. The man, from the looks of it, had two average looking blades strapped to a belt around his waist, while the young woman with him was merely carrying a plain, wooden staff. Both of them were wearing hooded, green cloaks, the woman wearing hers so that it was pulled over her head.

As Khaman took another glance at the woman, he couldn’t help but feel as if he had seen her somewhere before.

It doesn’t matter. Just let them be and everything will turn out fine.

***

What the hell is he looking at? Dhamon thought, giving Khaman a glare, annoyed at the lack of privacy in the tavern. Some people have no decency at all.

He glanced over to his companion, who was currently digging in to her stew as if she hadn’t eaten in days. I really don’t know why she insists on dragging me all over the place. We always stop at some town for a few days and then we leave, with nothing happening. It’s almost like she looking for something.

“So, are we staying here tonight?” Came the woman, bringing Dhamon out of his thoughts.

“Well, I don’t think that either of us wants to travel much farther. But what’s with you asking me all of a sudden? Normally you just decide where were staying and don’t give me much of a choice.”

“I figured I’d be nice for once.” She said happily before attacking her stew again, “And besides, it will feel good to sleep in a real bed and not just on the ground.”

Despite all the annoyances he had been put through lately, he couldn’t help but be amused at how she could always be so happy. Ah well, that’s Ritz for ya. Always unpredictable.

“Well, I’m going up to the room.” He said as he stood up, throwing a few silver pieces onto the table. “Hurry up, alright?”

“Hey, I’m done, wait up!” She placed the now empty bowl on the table and rushed after him.

Dhamon allowed a small smile to filter onto his face. Yup, always unpredictable.

***

The time to close down had once again come upon the Last Keg, and Juna had been able to get all of the evening drunkards out. Surprisingly, she was even able to get Khaman out earlier then usual. But much to her sorrow, the arrival of two men in black cloaks signaled the last of her night’s peaceful moments.

“Sorry, but all the rooms are filled tonight, and I’m not serving anymore.” She told the newcomers tiredly.

“This won’t take long, I assure you. We’re just looking for some people.”

I knew those two would bring in trouble. Damn you Khaman.  “Whatever your business is, I’m sure that it can wait till morning.”

“I’m afraid that it can’t” said one of the men, heading towards the stairs. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

“You’re just going to go up there!? There are people sleeping here you know!”

“I would shut up if I were you,” The man closest to Juna said, pulling out a strange knife that had glowing red runes carved on the blade, “That is, if you don’t want yourself and everyone else here to die.”

“Just kill her and get it over with, Dom.” The other man chuckled, reaching the stairs. “I doubt anyone will miss her.”

The man called Dom then let out a chuckle, chilling Juna to the center of her bones. “Just find those two Nume.”

“I wouldn’t even try to find those two Nume.” Khaman said mockingly, appearing at the top of the stairs, knowing exactly who the two men were looking for. “I don’t know why you’re trying to catch them, and personally, I don’t care. But as long as they are in this town, they’re under my protection.”

“Do you and me both a favor, and get out of the way.” Nume said, pulling a sword out from under his cloak. “Killing you would be too easy.”

“Sorry, but I stick by my words.” He said, unsheathing a sword of his own from his hip and charging.

“This is way it’s going to be then?” He chuckled, meeting Khaman’s charge with an unnatural strength. “I can kill this guy, right Dom?”

“Might as well.” Dom looked over at Juna, making sure that she didn’t move. “It’s not like he really matters.”

Khaman used the moment of distraction and plunged the blade into his opponent’s gut. “You’re not going to be killing me or anyone else tonight.”

“Oh really?” Nume smirked, right before he bashed the hilt of his sword into the lord’s face, causing him to lose the grip on the impaled sword and stumble back, clutching at his face.

“How come every person with some sort of blade has to think that they’re invincible?” Nume groaned, ripping the sword from his chest out.

Wiping the blood from his face, he quickly pulled out a katana that he had strapped to his back.

“You don’t know when to give up, do you?” Nume grumbled, breaking the captured sword over his leg.

“I guess I don’t.” The lord muttered, giving the thin blade a little flourish and charging the cloaked man, driving him into the main part of the tavern.

“Was that supposed to be impressive of something?” Nume said as he kicked Khaman in the chest, knocking the wind out of him and sending him to the ground. “Last chance,” Nume sheathed his sword and once again started to head for the stairs, “Stay down, and you’ll live to see tomorrow.”

Slowly, Khaman got to his feet, not looking as cocky as he did at the beginning of the fight. “Stay down? I’m afraid I don’t know that term.” He bent down and picked up his sword. “For me, it is either fight or die.”

Copyright © 2005 by Devin La Salle