As noon approached, Fenric's anger toward the delinquent Mara and Alan had turned to worry. Thanks to his intuition, he had survived countless battles, and at this moment, his intuition was shouting that something was wrong.
Stepping out of the command tent, he searched his camp for his underling Kale, whom he had spoken with earlier.
"You said you heard Mara and Alan say they would get drinks, right? Did you happen to hear where they were going?" Fenric asked once he found Kale eating with some soldiers of a nearby camp.
"They're still not back yet?" Kale crumpled his brow. "No, they just said they'd go get drinks... Do you want me to rally the men to search for them?"
Fenric shook his head. "No, it's probably nothing. I'll head into the city and drag 'em back. Keep watch over the camp, will you?"
Fenric took a step before suddenly stopping. "And make sure no one else leaves."
"Got it, captain!" Kale replied with a salute.
After the short exchange, Fenric proceeded to his camp's makeshift stable and unlatched his trusty mount before hopping on.
The trip to Munn's southern gate didn't take long, yet there was a short line to get into the city when he arrived, so he had no choice but to dismount and wait like the rest of the commoners. It took fifteen minutes before he finally arrived in front of a gate guard.
"Three Riis and your right to travel." The guard said monotonously after a yawn.
Fenric pulled out a small parchment displaying his status as an empire-approved mercenary before counting eight little copper coins from a pouch and handing them to the guard.
After receiving the items from Fenric, the guard looked down and quickly looked back up with a greedy expression.
"The extra five Riis are for you." Fenric laughed. "Where can I get a decent drink around here?"
The guard seemed slightly disappointed that Fenric could count but still appeared happy enough with the result to answer the simple question.
"There's only two spots worth drinking at in Southend. You got The Fool's End and The Cat's Cradle." The guard pointed through the gate. "Head down the avenue and turn left when you see a crooked old sign that says Benny's. Keep walking down that street for 'bout half a mile, and you'll see a signboard with a crying fool on it. Can't miss it.
"If you want The Cat's Cradle, keep heading down the same street a ways, but if you start seeing whores you went too far. It's got a signboard hanging out front in the shape of a cat. If you got the coin, I'd be inclined to take you there myself."
Fenric laughed. "Thanks, friend. But I think I can manage."
The guard frowned. "Suit yourself. Be on your way, then. You're holding up my line."
Once inside the busy city, Fenric followed the avenue as directed before coming across a sunbleached wooden sign dangling unevenly in the breeze. He could faintly make out the word "Benny's" on it, so he made a left on the side street nearby.
It wasn't long until he found a sign with a crying fool on it, and once he did, he tied up his mount outside before entering.
The sounds of laughter met his ears as he walked inside the lively tavern. Half a dozen men sat around a table playing cards while the rest of the patrons ate and drank in groups of threes and fours.
Fenric walked over to the bar and placed five Riis on the counter before calling for the barkeep.
"What'll you have?" The barkeep asked, grabbing the coins Fenric had left out.
"Nothing for me, friend. I'm actually looking for a girl—"
"—Aint we all!" The barkeep laughed. "Head down the street about a mile and ask for Monica. Tell her I sent ya. She'll do you right."
"Appreciate it, friend." Fenric smiled as he placed another five Riis on the counter. "But I'm looking for a specific girl. She might've come in here last night with a young man about four to five hours after sundown."
The barkeep quickly scooped up the coins. "What's she look like?"
"She has hair like fire, pretty, and so loud that you wouldn't be able to miss her if you wanted to." Fenric replied.
The barkeep scratched his eyebrow as he searched his memory. "Na, no one like that. We don't get very many women, 'cept whores mostly. I'd remember if a pretty young girl came in."
Fenric placed five more Riis on the counter. "How about a skinny kid in his twenties, short grey hair, and just as loud as the girl."
The barkeep grabbed the coins before shaking his head. "Na, not ringing any bells. Mostly regulars last night, and it wasn't louder than any other night either."
Fenric sighed before pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "How much to buy them a round of beer?"
He wasn't too worried about the cost of this trip. Ultimately, the money he spent today would come from his delinquent youth's monthly pay for making him worry about them.
The barkeep raised his brow. "You're a generous guy, huh?"
"Hardly." Fenric smiled. "But it's easier to make friends when everyone has a fresh drink in their hands."
"You're right about that." The barkeep laughed before looking over Fenric's shoulder and quickly counting the tavern's occupants. "Since you're a friendly guy, I'll cut ya a deal—twelve Riis flat, how about it?"
It was hardly a deal as there seemed to be about twenty patrons and a cheap beer generally cost between 0.4 and 0.6 Riis, but since it was coming out of Mara and Alan's pay, he didn't mind the price.
Fenric placed twelve copper coins onto the counter and turned to face the patrons. "Friends! The next round's on me!"
The tavern quieted down for a moment as a few eyes looked to the barkeep for confirmation. Once he nodded, the patrons cheered.
"Friends, I hope you don't mind. I just have a quick question to ask you all. I'm looking for a girl and a young man who might've come by last night..." Fenric said before describing their appearances briefly.
"Ay, I was here last night, and I think I remember those two..." A drunk patron called out as he rubbed his chin. "Yeah, I'm sure of it. I was outside taking a piss when they rode by. Looked like they wanted to come inside, but after they saw me, they kept riding down the road. I was worried me size scared them off! BAHAHA!"
A row of laughter broke out but was quickly cut off by the barkeep. "Manny, I warned you a dozen times to keep your little pecker in your pants when you're here!"
Another row of laughter erupted as the barkeep handed out drinks.
"It ain't small!" Manny shouted as he punched the man sitting beside him in the arm for laughing.
"It ain't." Manny muttered under his breath.
Fenric felt satisfied that at least someone had seen them last night, so he said his goodbyes and left. According to Manny, it seemed as though Mara and Alan had gone to The Cat's Cradle, so that was where he headed next.
As he rode down the street, it became quieter, and he noticed an absence of people walking around. The area around The Fool's End wasn't exactly crowded, but people became a rare sight as he neared the area where The Cat's Cradle should be.
An elegant carriage drawn by a ruik rode toward him. It looked far too out of place in such an area, adding to the surrealness he felt. The driver nodded as they passed, and Fenric returned the gesture before continuing down the street.
He wasn't sure what, but he was certain something was wrong. His intuition was tying his stomach in knots by the time he approached the black cat signboard hanging above a swinging door.
He tied up his mount and let himself in. The tavern was completely empty except for the table closest to the door, where four men sat.
"Here for a drink?" The largest of the four men asked.
Fenric looked the man over. "Are you the barkeep?"
"That's right." The largest man nodded and made his way behind the counter. "What'll ya have?"
Continuing his routine, Fenric walked over and placed five Riis on the counter. "I'm actually looking for someone..."
Fenric briefly explained the reason for his visit as he watched the man's reaction, but by the time he had finished, the five copper coins remained where he had left them.
"Na, haven't seen 'em." The man shook his head. "Sorry I couldn't be of more help. How about this? I'll buy you a round, and you can wait a bit for more customers to arrive. Maybe one of them saw your friends last night."
Fenric casually glanced at the five copper coins as his suspicion rose. He had never known a working man to turn down free money.
Fenric shook his head. "Thank you, friend. But I wouldn't feel right having a drink while my people are missing."
"They'll still be missing whether you drink or not." The man urged him again as he turned his back to Fenric and filled a cup out of view.
"I insist." He said, placing a full tankard in front of Fenric. "Wouldn't be right leaving a good man like yourself waiting sober."
Fenric didn't reach for the beer. Instead, his gaze fell upon the five Riis that had remained unclaimed.
The man behind the counter followed his gaze before sighing. "Hah... I guess Ivan's more suited for this role."
As the man's word exited his mouth, Fenric heard a chair creek from behind him and jumped into action. He began casting a spell as he kicked the barstool beside him backward, sending it tumbling toward the three men as they tried to stand up.
The man behind the counter raised his hand in front of him, and a magic circle instantly formed, producing numerous stone blades. The man's bored expression suggested that he was convinced that the blow would end Fenric.
Yet, as the stone blades began to move, a wall of blue light appeared before Fenric as he finished casting his mana shield spell. The stone blades collided with the shield, ricocheting in all directions as Fenric began casting another spell with his free hand pointed behind him.
A spark ignited between the three men as they charged at him with blades drawn. It began as a slight crackle before a flash of flames burst outward, incinerating them and shaking the very foundation of the tavern.
Fenric didn't rest and immediately began casting another spell with the hand that had just extinguished three lives, this time pointed toward the man behind the counter.
A magic circle formed in front of Fenric's palm as the man behind the counter turned to flee in a panic. However, the crescent of water that shot out was quicker. It surgically separated the man's right arm from his shoulder, and before he could even scream, a second crescent separated his left.
Now that the man could no longer sling spells at him, Fenric glanced around the chared tavern, looking for any more enemies. Once satisfied that he was alone, he focused on the man shouting profanities below him.
"—All you Ollerinian bastards are gonna die! You mutts! You fucking dog bastards!"
"Sure, friend. Now tell me where my friends are while I'm asking nicely." Fenric demanded unhurriedly before drawing the yet-to-be-used sword from his hip.
"Dead! They're all dead! And you'll be joining them soon, you dog bastard!" The man hollered before bursting out in laughter.
"Tsk. That's unfortunate." Fenric shook his head. "I asked nicely, didn't I, friend?"
"My god is—" The man attempted another tirade, but Fenric tore some fabric from the man's shirt and stuffed it in his mouth.
"Shh." Fenric pressed his finger to his lips. "I already gave you a chance to speak, friend. The time for that is over now."
Through frantic, muffled shouts, Fenric casually cast another spell as he watched the man below him. Flames spewed from the magic circle as he doused his blade with its fire.
"But you see, friend." Fenric knelt beside the man once the spell ended. "I imagine you believed you would meet your god sooner by refusing to answer my questions."
Fenric pressed the now white-hot sword to where the man's right arm used to be, sealing the bleeding wound as the man released a series of muffled wails. "Unfortunately, that was a mistaken belief."
After Fenric seared the left side as well, he walked over to the counter and eyed some utensils before picking out a few that he liked. However, as he returned to the man's side, he saw a door slowly open beside him.