Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
What surprised me was the stage that stood at the far end of the room with an old upright piano and an assortment of instruments. Maybe this tavern was the center for entertainment and culture for Misty Pass, allowing for the occasional traveling minstrel or bard to ply their trade here for some coins and a hot meal. My hopes briefly lifted that I might see some of this entertainment, but a peek over at my companion reminded me that there were other things that needed my attention.
Nylian deftly navigated his way through the tables loaded with people. Some were playing cards, others were telling stories over their alcohol, and a few were shoveling thick stew into their mouths without looking up, content to keep their noses out of the business of others. He settled at a table near a dark corner, dropping into the seat that put his back to the wall and gave him an excellent view of most of the floor.
As I was claiming the seat across from him, a barmaid with curly red hair and a smattering of freckles across her cheeks appeared at my elbow.
“Been a while since I’ve seen your kind around these parts,” she announced, her eyes sweeping over Nylian before giving me a quick glance.
“I’m only passing through. What are you serving tonight?” Nylian replied.
“We’ve got a wild boar stew and the cook’s special pot pie.”
“Two bowls of your stew and a bottle of wine, please.”
I stared at the elf. Not even going to allow me to order for myself.
When the barmaid disappeared, Nylian leaned toward me. “The stew is most likely fresh, made with something that was killed today. Anytime a tavern offers something in a pie or calls it special, they’ve scraped together whatever hasn’t sold from the previous day.”
“You make it sound like you travel a great deal,” I said.
“And you don’t remember shit. This is the last free lesson you’re getting from me.” Nylian leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his stomach. “Tomorrow, we go our separate ways. I’ll leave you with enough money to pay for a few nights at this inn and food. Judging by your clothing, I’m sure there are people searching for you even as we speak.”
“Maybe, but how do you know that I’m not on the run from something? It might be safer for me if those people didn’t find me.” I countered.
“That sounds very much like a you problem. I’ve got enough problems of my own.”
“And maybe I can help you with your problems,” I pressed, infusing my words with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. Nylian opened his mouth to argue, but I held up a hand, stopping him. “Look, I know I’m a hindrance, but I’m sure my memory will return soon. In the meantime, I can help watch your back. Give you a hand with things. It’s got to be easier to travel with someone there to help than to do everything alone.”
Nylian clenched his teeth and quietly bit out, “I can handle things on my own.”
“Oh, I’m sure you can, but why do that if you don’t have to?”
The return of the barmaid with our food and wine halted our conversation. The stew smelled better than it looked. It was clear it had been bubbling away in that giant metal pot all day so that it was now reduced to a thick brown substance that was becoming more solid than liquid. I took a test bite, which sent me scrambling for my cup of wine. The alcohol was tart and strong, but it did a great job of stealing away the scalding heat from my tongue. As the pain faded, I caught the slightest hint of a smile lifting the corners of Nylian’s mouth as he picked at his bowl of meaty lava.
“See! You’d be so bored on your journey without me.” I pointed my spoon at him, and Nylian’s face returned to its usual blank stare. “We’ve already had a fun adventure with that crazy healer, and it could very well be your fault that my soul has been knocked out of whack.”
“I am not accepting responsibility for that,” Nylian argued.
“Sure, but you never know what exciting new thing I can bring to your journey. It’ll be fun, plus I can be helpful.”
“Helpful? You? The man who can’t remember how to ride a horse?” Nylian’s left eyebrow inched higher and higher up his forehead with every question. “Do you even remember how to use that sword you carry around?”
“It’s coming back to me, I swear it. I’ll be helpful in unexpected ways.”
Nylian pushed his nearly empty bowl into the center of the table and picked up his cup but didn’t drink from it, his eyes narrowing on me. He said nothing as I inhaled my stew now that it had cooled enough that it could be eaten without giving me second- and third-degree burns.