Two days passed by since the tavern incident, Dalbert Estian and Tika still staying at the side of Gunnir. Whose condition has luckily stabilized, even regaining consciousness late in the day prior. The first thing to do was to feed him, the tavern-keeping couple prepared to provide. For a price, of course. The second thing is to ask him how he felt. "Weakened but alive." The ex-mercenary replied, oftentimes touching his new eye patch. A prescription came from Aren who told them "Carelessness and infections have killed more men than any weapon."
With the two primary things now done the last and most anxious one remains. Waiting for the others whilst waiting for another attack. The feeling of inevitability mixed with doubt and fear hung in the air as the until now near invincible team had finally shown its first crack. The same despair they felt a long time ago, reopening old wounds.
That same day the three others from the team arrived. Each side explained what had transpired and their worries. Sol admitted that the beast had survived, unable to slay it. Marking the forest as dangerous territory. Tika explained the assassin attack, the sudden death of their defeated opponent, and how one who should have been unable to move somehow managed to still attack Gunnir.
"Bronze daggers and white poppies? It matches with the first assassin I encountered." Sol says, thinking back to the assassin he faced on the ship with Aya.
"So two more of The Forgotten Cabal? Either the assassins are sending its low-ranking members or they've been in a steady decline since the Western Wars Of Devastation." Cristal adds on as they enter the room where Gunnir stays. The conversation comes to a stop as they see their wounded companion. Immediately Cristal goes over and uses some of her divine power, scanning the body for any abnormalities. "Unfortunately, I'm not a healer otherwise I could've made this all feel a lot easier." She laments, unable to use her strength when it truly matters.
"I might not look like it, but I'm quite tough." The Goliath of a man says whilst trying to stop his laughter. Elevating the somber attitude of the room.
"Indeed you are… Besides, we promised Sol to let you sing soon. We can't break a promise for something this small and inconvenient."
"Urgh… Perhaps I should rest some more." Gunnir grumbles loudly, sleep overtaking the large ginger-bearded man again. The quiet breath was as loud as the entire room, tiredness, and relief mixed together.
"Everyone… Go get some rest. Let's look in the early morning at his state. If needed we can stop in Wra'thez… If further treatment should be required." The grand duke says, choosing his words carefully as the sentence takes some time to finish. Only receiving some solidarity nods in reply.
Reunited at last, another night approaches. Hiring even more rooms to accommodate them all. Downstairs the grand duke is still busy drinking from the cup of mead he started an hour ago. Sol and Hellas sitting at the same table, playing a game of "Armies and might." Hellas is unable to hide his smile as he gathers another victory making it 12-0.
"Drink up." The pink-haired ranger says as the twelfth cup of mead is drunk by Sol.
"This game is shit." Sol says getting annoyed at the continuous one-sidedness of this card game.
"And I've even been so kind to give you some cards to play with. Normally one should have its own deck and travel around with it. But look at the bright side, at least you're building an alcohol tolerance."
"Got that already. Are you sure you're just not giving me all the bad cards whilst keeping the good ones?"
"Never said, I wasn't."
Sol returns the cards, realizing he had been had. His eyes dart between the empty cup and the pink-haired man in front of him. Contemplating if it's worth injuring another of the party.
"Rule number one of "Armies and Might." Never trust your opponent." The grand duke says, hearing the friendly banter between his protectors. Recalling how he used to be in his younger years.
"Do you play?" Sol asks, the emerald-colored eyes shining with a passion-filled fire, the potential strongest of the group clearly unable to accept defeat easily.
"Do I play? You're not talking to the grand duke of Creseytesia but the emperor of the world when it comes to "Armies and Might."" Dalbert Estian replies pulling out his own deck from his satchel. "I do hope you're ready. My knight-based deck has been undefeated for a century."
"How about this then? You teach Sol how to play, and we will have ourselves a nice little game. The loser of each round has to answer a question to the others." Hellas says as he shuffles the card of his own deck. The cards dancing between his hands, as elegant and dexterous as their owner.
The grand duke looks into the em blazed emerald eyes. Not coming closer, an uncertainty still looming in the air.
"What are you waiting for? Come here." Sol says as he pulls the chair next to him.
Permission given, Dalbert Estian sits next to Sol. Whispering an explanation of the game and all the tips and tricks. The first round passes by slowly as the green-eyed mage-like man constantly whispers questions. Leading to whispered answers in response. The first round ends, slightly in the favor of the grand duke and Sol.
"So I get to ask a question?" The grand duke asks.
"Indeed you do… You two can switch asking questions each round you win. How about that?"
"Fine." They both respond.
"Have..... Uhhhmmm... If people could agree on one thing to remember you by. What would you want it to be?"
Hellas takes another gulp of the local mead. "Starting off deep, huh?" He says before he takes another gulp. "I would like people to just remember me with a slight smile on their face, it doesn't matter for which reason…. What about you, Sol?"
"Me? I won this round?" Sol asks, truly trying to understand the rules.
"Two minds versus one. At least also answer, I'll start to feel shy otherwise." Hellas says with a slight smile, the one he probably wishes others to have when they think about him.
Sol finishes his cup of mead in one go before he replies. "Fine, I guess. But the next round we win, it's the old man's turn to answer."
Small laughter escapes the mouths of the two sitting next to Sol as he thinks about his reply.
"I don't need people to remember anything grand about me… I just want the people who do remember to be those who actually cared, I guess."
"Quite the modest replies." The grand duke says.
"What would it be for you?" Sol decides to ask, seeing the grand duke reshuffle the deck.
"I'm sorry, I haven't lost yet."
"Neither have I!"
With more drinks ordered and a peal of small laughter, the second round begins.