The bitter-sweet taste of the wine slid down his throat. Pathun slammed the bottle down with a boisterous laugh. No one in the tavern blinked at the man's actions. The patrons had grown used to him and his drunken behaviour. Those who shared a table with him joined him in his laughter. The sound mixed well with the chatter and rowdiness of the tavern.
Pathun called the young waiter to serve them more drinks. Observing that the bottles and glasses are nearly empty. He knew that mouths were looser the more intoxicated people were. His lidded gaze slid from noble to noble. A little more, and he'd have what he needed.
Nobles were the worst sort of human, rich bastards who thought the world owed them. Pathun hid a scowl by taking another long swig from his wine bottle. It's why this sort of job suited him fine. The bastards would get what was coming for them. He got to drown in money while knowing he caused them problems.
"Don't- don't you have the strongest hold to keep things in? I heard that." Pathun leaned woozily on the table and pointed at Viscount Hun. The buffoon grinned and tried to hold himself up in pride. Pathun wanted to sneer as if it was something he should take pride in.
"Shhh, it's a secret," Viscount Hun tried to quiet Pathun, who let out a giggle as the other nobles commented.
"No way, I don't believe it." Baron Reys shook his head before letting out a loud hiccup. Hun tried to glare at Reys, who didn't notice the look.
"We have the best places to hide things," Viscount Hun insisted.
"Who would even give you anything to hide?" Viscount Iathan laughed and shook his head in disbelief.
Viscount Hun took another long drink from his glass, his flushed face getting even redder. Pathun stayed silent as he listened to the other nobles urge the man on.
"Powerful people, hehehe,"
Pathun's laughter was bright. "lucky," He sang. He wasn't talking about the Viscount. Pathun got the final confirmation. Whether it was a vague statement or not, it was all he needed for this job.
The man played with the nobles for another hour before excusing himself. He didn't drop the drunk act once and wouldn't until he was away from the tavern and its gossipy people. Pathun knew better. He had been playing this game for years.
"… a lucky bastard to find Terry's books."
Pathun stopped dead in his tracks.
"It could be faked. That's why they're looking for someone to verify if it's really Galia Terry's works," the man who spoke chuckled. "Probably is fake. They say the books look new. What ancient text would look like it was written yesterday? They scammed the poor man."
He slammed the wine bottle on the table tucked into the corner close to the exit. He grabbed the shirt of the man who had spoken.
"What's this about Galia Terry's books?"
"What the hell!?"
"Answer, or you lose a hand," Pathun growled.
"I don't know much, man. Someone in the Hosyn territory is looking for someone who can verify if some books are Galia Terry's." The man clutched at Pathun's hands with wide eyes.
"You said they looked new?"
"Yes! Yes! Completely new."
"Any titles?"
"Using monsters for healing and most potent poisons!" The panicked man almost shouted. Pathun dropped him as a grin took over his face.
"Where in Hosyn?"
"Baira, the capital of the territory," the man spat.
Pathun didn't spare anyone a glance as he rushed out of the tavern. Pathun forgot his previous drunk game in his excitement. Pathun wanted the books, but Monsters for Healing, he needed that one.
The door slammed open and hit the wall with a loud bang. Shouts and curses sounded from Pathun's neighbours, but the man ignored them without a problem. He grabbed his bag and shoved his meagre belongings into it.
Pathun wouldn't be able to wipe off the grin on his face even if he tried. Galia Terry, the legend, The Hero. Pathun has been looking for the man's written works for years. He's found leads before, but all came to dead ends, except one. From that one, Pathun learned a lot. His healing skill, which he'd painstakingly worked to get and improve. It levelled up by leaps and bounds after studying this one book. How much better could Pathun be with two more?
He knew this lead could be false, but they said the books looked brand new. From the short experience Pathun had with Galia's work, it had god magic woven into its pages. This allowed it to look like it was just written and bound. If the one was like that, why not all the others? His excitement doubled as he thought about it.
Pathun left a note with a bag of coins on the old, chipped dresser. It was enough to pay his bill and then some. He grabbed his luggage and left the room to find the closest travel point. It would be far cheaper to travel to Baira by carriage, but Pathun did not have the patience for it. He had enough coin to spare for a magic trip most of the way there. He'd take a carriage then.
Dodging past the burly people of the territory, he made his way to the travel point. At most, Pathun should be able to get to Lubretrone with the amount he's willing to spend. Since the territory was next to Hosyn, it would only take him five days by caravan to get to Baira.
Along with the excitement of getting his hands on Galia Terry's book, the travelling added to it too. He had never been to the Hosyn Territory before. He heard they were very showy regarding their clothes and bodies. Those from Hosyn were said to have no shame. Pathun was curious to see for himself.
He almost hopped through the portal. Pathun's eyes flicked from one thing to the next as he came through the other end. There wasn't much for him to see. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and the moonlight lit up some of the areas, but it was still the dead of night. Pathun could make out the rows of well-kept buildings. Made of stone, most likely. He wouldn't know for certain until he saw it in better lighting or felt the building with his hands.
"Welcome to Monteleo."
Throwing a coin at the man that greeted him, Pathun kept walking. It was dark, as expected. Pathun sheepishly walked around until he spotted an inn. In his excitement, he hadn't realized that it was this late. Pathun cursed his memory. In the dead of night, he would not find a carriage. It was better to rest and gather his energy.
Tomorrow Pathun would find the fastest carriage he could and make his way towards Baira.
Falling onto the bed, Pathun released a sigh. His body was still very wound up from his excitement. He lay there in silence until a thought crossed his mind. A look of realization crossed his face, and Pathun turned to scream into the single pillow on the bed.
He had no idea who had the books.