Eyisha and Kitsi moves through the streets, reaching one of the biggest barracks in the kingdom. They didn't enter, turning right two blocka and entering a corner a doorway was hidden in this small alleyway. They opened the door to reveal a room full of old men, most of them missing a little something, an eye, a leg, a soul.
The first thing that assaulted them was the smell, a rancid mix of puke and alcohol, but they dare not show any disgust despite it. This was the veteran's bar, an place where the tired old gathered. It was established by a king two generations ago who was extremely deep with his army comrades.
It was a sad story, a old companion came home to a dead wife and children who didn't want him around. They had taken the money given to the warriors families only for themselves and left him on the street with nothing.
The king was informed of this in a gathering which ignited his fury. He wanted to put the ungrateful bastard to death but was stopped by the father. "Even if the little shit deserves it, in the end he's still my son..." the comrade said which troubled the king.
So he decided to create this little piece of heaven for forgotten warriors. It would always welcome any of them and supply them with food and drinks as they wished. Above were lodges for those who could no longer accustom themselves to the peaceful country.
Even if they didn't live here, many veterans did come around to visit old mates and tell stories of the good old days amidst a few rounds of alcohol to wash the sorrows away.
Kitsi couldn't help but feel pressure as she followed Eyisha who walked forward with a stoic face to the countertop. Countless eyes or eyeholes followed them as they moved forward.
Behind the circle bar, a hulking figure completely filled the space. Either the person grew to fit the space or the bar was made to fit the person. "Could I have a drink?" Eyisha asked.
The figure turned, something under the person groaned in response. It was a woman, if she could be called that. What people could mistake as a turtle neck bridged the gap between her head and torso.
The massive head framed large round blue eyes, soft lips and a cute button nose. Any who saw her could imagine the face on an unparalleled beauty but on her it just seemed mismatched. But people didn't need to try to imagine, behind her on the wall was a picture of a drop dead gorgeous woman with the same face but in a wholly different time.
"What's a dainty little girl like you doing around these parts," the voice that came out was a little raspy, probably worn out by an unhealthy dose of alcohol, a finger that was probably thicker than her wrist reached out and brushed Eyisha's face. "It'd be a shame if something were to happen to you. I imagine that that frail body would snap like a twig."
Kitsi tensed at the sight ready to move at a moments notice. Eyisha just smiled. "Well I'd have to ask you to share some of that weight you have under you to make sure that doesn't happen right?" Kitsi was shocked, did the Princess really just provoke the figure, with such crass words at that.
The whole bar began to stir, a lot of old men stood up and circled them. Kitsi was getting more nervous by the second. Suddenly the woman behind the counter laughed, "Ahahahahaha! You've gotten better at it little girl."
Eyisha gently grasped the finger that was outstretched, "Well I learn from the best Myr, hey guys what've you been up to so far, I hope you've taken care of yourselves."
The bar went into an uproar, "Hey!!! Girly you've grown up to be quite a looker haven't ya." "I've got a grandson out there, maybe you could meet him." "Girlie my shoulder's been stiff since you haven't come." Several similar
"You guys just get cheekier as you get older, Ile I hope you've been drinking less... Zuzhei how's the leg... and Anjat I'll think of meeting him if you can remember his name..." Like this the princess greeted the old men of the Veterans bar.
Kitsi was watching this go on in admiration. The lady behind the counter passed her a glass. "Oh, I don't drink on the job."
"Don't be so tense, it's water," Myr replied while she watched Eyisha as well. "The girlie's always been a naughty one, but she keeps all these old bones company, probably the only one who's interested in their stories."
Kitsi nodded in understanding, ever since young, she knew the princess always moved around somewhere but she didn't know the exact places as the princess learned early how to escape her guard's notice to the dismay of the whole family. But to think that her adventures brought her here.
After greeting everyone and having a short chat Eyisha returned to the counter. "Anything I can do for you girly?" Myr asked.
"Well... it's a little difficult..." Eyisha hesitated a little.
"Kid don't be shy, we might be a bunch of old bags, but we're still enough to beat a bunch of useless offsprings!!," one of the men shouted, some of the men hollered in support, "heck if we lose one we'll just make another one, we might've lost an arm or a leg, but none of us has lost our third leg yet!!!" The whole bar roared into laughter.
"Old Krankha, what are you speaking in front of the girlie," Myr roared, "Don't teach her those vulgar things... your so old when you shoot out another one he'll be fully grown and you'll die of a heart attack." Again the bar roared into laughter at the expense of the one of their own.
"Ok then... I need Chora," instantly the whole bar died down and a crash was heard, somebody dropped their glass. Now Eyisha finally looked troubled.