So that he wouldn't irritate Muriel even more, William smiled at the girl, before saying to Rogas, "Let's talk outside, so we don't have to shout."
The young man took Rogas out and walked away.
In the middle of the courtyard, after getting quite a distance from the workshop, William said, "Someone's looking for you."
Rogas frowned upon hearing that. And that's not his only expression. The man had a characteristic. He had a facial expression that can change drastically. Sometimes when he was cheerful and laughing, his eyes curved as if it was laughing too. But if he's angry or upset, that face could turn sinister with emotions that seemed like they're about to explode. This last thing usually happened quite often when he's drunk. Earlier, when he had expressed his condolences, his grief had seemed genuine, almost childlike. Now, when William told him that someone was looking for him, Rogas' face turned suspicious. His eyes were piercing, his smile turned sour.
"Who?" asked the man.
"Mornitz, the one who ordered the sword last week. He's looking for mercenaries to help him catch criminals. Someone good with the sword."
The suspicious expression on Rogas' face was replaced with curiosity. "How much is he willing to pay?"
"It seems big. He gave me two sazets yesterday, and will give me another three if you're willing to come with him," William answered honestly. A moment later he wondered to himself, why did he have to be so honest? Rogas shouldn't need to know about these two and three pieces, right?
"What else did he say?" asked Rogas.
"If interested, you should meet him at Horsling's Tavern tonight."
"When did he ask for this?"
"Two days ago."
"Why didn't he ask us to meet him that day?"
"Maybe he went somewhere first. How would I know?"
Rogas scratched his chin. His eyes stared at William without blinking. "Well, let's see about that first. If the offer is attractive, I'll take it. Otherwise, I will return to Alton and rejoin the royal army."
"Hmm … yes, good luck."
Rogas' eyebrows rose, his eyes staring in surprise. "You don't want to come to town? Isn't he going to give you more money?"
William hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't know. Frankly, at first, I was even interested in joining as a mercenary, but now I don't think so. You go, I'll stay."
"Hey, I think you should go too. At least you come with me to Horsling's Tavern and take the money from him. After that, you can go home if you want. Come on. Pretty good, right? You can get three pieces for a bit of fun!"
William was pensive. Yes, that's right, he thought. There's nothing wrong with just coming to Horsling's Tavern. He just needs to get the money, then go home, and doesn't need to go with them. What's important is the money.
Finally, he nodded. "Okay..."
"Good. Let's go. If we leave now, we can reach the tavern shortly after sunset." Rogas patted William on the shoulder with a big smile. "Hey, I'm telling you, if someone is at their saddest time, that's also the perfect time to let go a little bit and try to have some fun. Come with me, we relax for a while there. You'll feel better later, trust me."
A person with a bad reputation like Rogas gave advice? William looked at him suspiciously. "You want me to gamble with you, don't you?"
Rogas laughed. "You know I can help you do that if you want. I'm the expert. But if you don't want to, then you don't have to. We'll just have a drink. Agree? I heard the drinks are pretty good over there, you know?"
"I don't know. I only know the place, but have never been in."
"Well, now is the time to know."
William hadn't answered yet. Suddenly he hesitated again. Should he go? Shouldn't be a problem, right? Even a few drinks shouldn't be a problem. After all, no one was harmed.
Finally, he said, "I told Muriel first."
"I don't think you need to tell her. She's not your mo—" Rogas held back his words as soon as he realized something, then grumbled softly. "Okay. Hurry up. We have to get going so we don't get there too late."
William walked into the workshop. It was only then that he realized that Muriel's metallic clanging sound had stopped. The girl was now taking off her gloves while frowning.
William replied with a wide grin. "Are all the work done?"
Without feeling guilty he approached the girl and looked at the long, freshly forged iron plate. "Yeah, just a little more work here, this part is still not thin enough. Let me finish it later."
"What is he doing here?" asked Muriel curtly.
William looked at her for a moment, then quickly apologized, "Mmm… sorry, I left you to work alone earlier."
"That's not the problem. I don't like him. Neither did my father. Father said he was a bad influence on us. For you."
"I'm fine," William said slightly annoyed. He wanted to tell Muriel that his father might have judged Rogas too badly. "Mornitz wants to see him. Rogas agreed to meet him at the Horsling's Tavern. We both. I'll go there."
"That's the tavern north of the city, right?" Muriel was shocked. "Isn't that a place for adults? If my father was here, he wouldn't have permitted you!"
"Well, I'm an adult too. I'm free to go wherever I want," William replied. "Your father knows that. Instead, he said I should try to have fun outside instead of continuing to work in the workshop. Something like this is a good example."
Muriel immediately scowled again, between belief and disbelief.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen," William continued. "Your friends also usually go out at night, even as far as Prutton. Maybe I'll meet your friend in town too."
"Then I'm coming."
William gaped. "You? Come with me? What for?"
"To keep you from doing stupid things!"
"This is precisely the stupid one from you. I don't need you to take care of me!"
"I'm coming!" Muriel exclaimed, even more insistent.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes!"
"But… Uh, whatever." William shrugged. "As long as you don't do anything stupid." In his heart he regretted. Maybe he shouldn't have stopped Muriel too harshly. If the girl was banned, it would only challenge her even more. "If your father was around, he wouldn't have given you permission."
Muriel stuck out his tongue mockingly. "Well, I'm an adult too. So you don't have to worry either."
"I don't believe it," William grumbled. "You're still a little girl, and now I have to take care of you!"