Mr Holmes and Miss Winters excused themselves before we reached the gates. They had things to take care off, now that they joined me and left the magic association.
When we reached the gate, Tavish told his daughter to report back to her commanding officer and she reluctantly agreed but before she left, she asked me to watch over him and handed me a bag.
Tavish and I made our way to a tent that was overcrowded with soldiers. There was no sign indicating that this was the pub, however with steins in their hands filled with a golden liquid, I had an inkling that this must be the place. The soldiers nicknamed Haven.
When we entered the tent, I was astonished at the amount of soldiers cramped in here. It was close to lunch and yet this place was packed. I could barely move an inch before someone either bumped me whilst exiting the tent or the smell of alcohol intoxicating me and giving me a second hand drunk headache.
Tavish whom his daughter had repeatedly told me was a lightweight with alcohol seemed to be fine and just walked causally to the counter like he was a regular.
"What will it be gentlemen?" Asked the bartender with a cut lip.
I looked at the drink selection. Korr Fruit Ale, Dragon Stone Rum, [Outgrowth] Clearwater Moss Gin, Lashwheat Beer and Muskstom's Wine.
"Try Korr fruit ale," Tavish recommended.
"What's a Korr fruit?" I asked curiously.
"Looks like a Paisen pear but taste like a mellowed Ladies Red apple." Answered the bartender.
"Okay, I'll give it a try."
"Two Korr fruit ale please!" Tavish gave the order and the bartender gave him a quick nod in reply.
I watched as the bartender take two steins from a wooden tray with a cloth draped over them. The bartender then walked over to the taps and started to fill each stein with the golden liquid.
"Here you are, Korr fruit ale."
"Thanks Lawson." Tavish took a whiff of the bubbly ale and smiled.
"Thank you." I too did the same and when the smell hits me, I felt my mouth started to salivate. It smelt like a mix of apples and Chinese pears.
The bartender looked amused as he stared at the both of us.
"Tavish, how's your daughter?" The bartender asked as he watched Tavish take his first sip.
Tavish looked up from his drink.
"Lawson, don't think about it. She's already taken."
The bartender narrowed his eyes.
"By who?" The bartender eyes then shot me a glare.
I looked away from him and took my first sip. When the liquid entered my mouth, the strong taste of freshness and crispness overwhelmed my senses. Oh fuck… I've never tasted anything like this before.
"Tavish who is the man that stole her heart?"
Tavish nonchalantly sipped from his drink.
"Who is he?"
"Lawson. Your handsome and young. There are plenty of other girls to choose from. Why my daughter?"
"Because shes real. I've never met a girl like her before. Even the girls in the Silver Hawks isn't comparable to her."
"Oh?" Was all Tavish said as he took another sip.
"The last time we talked, she said she wasn't seeing anyone, she told me that her first priority was doing well in training so she could be in the guards."
"Yes, that's sound about right."
"Then what do you mean by she's taken?"
"It's exactly what I meant by it and right now she's in a group much better than the guards."
"What's better than the guards?"
"My group?"
"The king's guards?! She joined the King's guards?!"
"What's so shocking about that? She takes after me and I'm proud of her. What's more could a father want then to see his little girl achieve her dream." He took another sip.
"Then I'm also happy for her."
"Ryan are you also happy for her?" Tavish asked me, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"I uh yes. As a teacher, I'm happy for your daughter."
"Tavish, I want to know who has taken Valah?"
"No one has taken her… well besides my boss."
"Your boss? The king!"
"What? No."
"But the king is your boss."
"My boss is my boss and the king is the king."
"Okay, then tell me, who is this boss?"
"I can't tell you that."
"If his not the king then why not?"
"Boy your persistent…"
"Lawson! Give me another dragon stone rum!" Shouted one of the soldiers to my left, a strong scent of alcohol drifted over to me and burnt the nose hair in my nostrils. I nearly chocked on the burning fumes. What the fuck is dragon stone rum? Was it made by the breath of a dragon or something?
"Fine… fine… enjoy your drinks. I'll go and attend to my other customers." Lawson shook his head and left to attend with his other patrons.
Tavish went back to sipping on his drink and I did the same. It seems like the bartender has a thing for Valah.
"So that's a nice ring you gave to my little girl, son-in-law."
I nearly spat my drink out at his words. I caught myself but coughed repeatedly as the bubbles tickled my throat.
"Tavish… it's a power ring. I had forgotten I had it and gave it to your daughter… there is nothing behind it."
"Oh?" He took another sip before looking back at me. Then his demeanour changed. "Ah! Boss, I would like to thank you for saving my daughter."
He turned towards me and bowed his head.
"No, no, I'm just glad I made it in time."
"Thank you, thank you… thank you." Tears fell from his eyes. He wiped them away with his sleeves.
Everyone was now watching us, wondering why the captain of the king's guards was bowing his head and crying.
"Tavish, want to find a place outside to chat? Hm?"
I wanted to leave, it was getting awkward and embarrassing with so many stares.
"Oh yes let's go."
Tavish picked up his stein.
"Lawson, we'll bring the mugs back!"
Lawson just raised an eyebrow. "They're steins, not mugs! And don't break them! They belong to the kingdom!"
I picked up mine and made our way out of the haven. We carried out brew to a nearby tree and sat down.
Once we sat down, Tavish started to laugh.
"Why are you giggling over there?"
"Oh nothing…"
I fished out the bag Valah gave me and opened it. She said that we should use this to accompany the booze. I looked inside and to my surprise there was two sweet potatoes in there. They were a bit smushed but didn't look too bad and I was a tad bit hungry.
"Tavish, want a sweet potato?"
"Where did you get sweet potatoes?" Tavish asked as he laid back against the tree trunk.
"Your daughter gave them to me."
"I am a bit peckish. I could use something to accompany my beverage."
I handed him one of the sweet potatoes. I took mine and was about to peel the skin when I looked over and saw Tavish already digging into his whilst sipping on the brew.
Without a moment longer, I peeled the skin exposing the white flesh underneath and bit down on the fluffy goodness. I then chased it down with the ale and was pleasantly surprised by how well the sweetness from the sweet potato combined well with the fruity sourly notes from the ale.
"Ah! So good!~" Tavish wiped his mouth as he leaned his head upwards and watched the sky move.
He took another bite of the sweet potato from his left hand and drank the cold bubbly brew from his right. He looked at peace in that moment. Not even a moment ago, he was on the brink of dead and yet here we are, drinking and eating underneath a tree and watched the morning approaching noon.
"Oh?" Tavish suddenly spoke after a moment of quietness.
"Hmm?" Was my only reply. I was way to relaxed to say anything else.
"Isn't that the little prince? And who is that beside him? Looks like a girl."
I turned my head and saw him pointing his finger.
I followed his aim to the location he was pointing at and my eyes widened.
In the far distance, Marlos was sitting underneath a tree, the same as ours and in his arms, leaning up against him was Fina.
I smiled uncontrollably at the heartwarming scene I was witnessing.
"Her name's Fina. It's a long story."
"And right now is a perfect moment to tell it. We have booze and food, all we need now is a good story."
"Okay…"
I started the story off with me being interrogated by Faron and how the prince saved me. The prince asked me if I wanted to accompany him and I agreed. He took me to a jewellery shop where a granny greeted us. The prince picked up some earrings and we were about to leave when a girl flew through the door, right into Marlos. After some talk, they agreed to come to the palace to say their final farewell to the queen.
Tavish gasped when he heard that the Queen was actually the daughter of a chief.
I continued the story by stating that Marlos became their new chief and explained what a snow flower was.
All Tavish said when he heard this was, 'unbelievable' with a smirk.
I finished the story by saying that Fina had carried Marlos off back to his room for some rest.
"I see. Well I'm happy for him. Little prince has indeed grown up. And it's all thanks to you boss."
"Me?" I asked as I took a sip from the stein.
"Of course. You changed us both. For the better. In one week, you have changed so many lives and for that cheers." He raised his stein up and saluted me.
"Thank you."
"Oh? Why hey there boys." Tavish smiled and I notice two shadows and I looked up.
"I'm sorry to bother you sir but could we have a moment to talk with our mentor?"
Liam and Graves looked nervous under Tavish's gaze.
Tavish shrugged, got up and asked for my stein. I gave my stein to him as I already finished the brew and he walked off, back to the tent with both steins in his hands.
I turned my attention to the two new recruits in front of me.
"Liam, Graves?" I was about to get up but Liam and Graves just walked up and sat next to me, so I just remained where I sat.
The cool breeze that passed by gave me comfort as the hot sun tried to aim it's rays at us.
"It's nothing serious, we were wondering if we could join the Knight's Order?"