The women stood in front of the Kernot tavern. A large man in ragged clothing stumbled out the door and staggered down the street. The place was well known for its ale, but it also held sleeping quarters above the bar. Vivian remembered learning of it after Edgar and she had gotten married. He said the drinks were so good that people tended to pass out at the bar and oftentimes had to be given cheap lodging for the night else they'd have piles of people drunkenly sleeping on their sidewalks.
The bright lights and lively sounds of chatter coming from the inside of the bar were in complete contrast with its outward appearance. The wooden sign hanging from the grey brick building had seen better days. The weathered wood was darkened and missing pieces. The door was no exception, the blue paint was flaking and dull.
The women didn't speak as they approached the door. Vivian pulled back the handle ready to enter when Crystal placed her hand on Vivian's wrist.
"Wait... maybe I should do the talking. If you talk it'll be painfully obvious you're a woman."
Vivian hesitated before nodding her head. Her friend was right, of course, but she didn't know how comfortable she'd feel with her friend tagging along to a place like this.
"Okay, I will get one room."
Another man stumbled from the bar. This one was tall and slim. The attire made it obvious he was a knight. He still wore his chest plate despite it being hours since the cavalry returned.
Vivian had a feeling this would be a popular meeting place for the group tonight.
Walking inside the bar, the two were met with the heavy scent of liquor and male musk. The bar was packed with men in armor and women scandalously clad, leaving little to the imagination. The roars of laughter and cheer were spread throughout.
Vivian and Crystal approached the frantic barkeep, who was juggling multiple drinks in one hand with money in the other.
"Hello, would you be able to-"
"My apologies, miss, but the place has been nearly drank dry. I have nothing to spare," the barkeep pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
"That's okay, I wasn't asking about-"
"Damn it all!" The barkeep lost his footing and stumbled to the ground. His light brown hair darkened, being soaked with the beverages he carried.
Upon seeing the man take a nosedive into the floor, the bar erupted in laughter. There were two men who seemed to be displeased as the drinks belonged to them.
A petite dark-haired woman rushed to help him from the floor.
"Gerald, I warned you to be careful."
"I know, I guess I just got a little ahead of myself." He stood up, dusting off his now-soaked black shirt.
The woman sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "I warned you that the two of us couldn't handle the crowd that was coming. Now look, it's too late to find help."
The two women eavesdropping on the conversation looked at each other at the same time. A silent communication passed through their eyes.
"We'd be glad to help."
The man and woman looked back at the two as if they had forgotten their presence.
The woman looked Crystal up and down. "You hardly seem dressed for the occasion."
Crystal's face turned crimson upon the realization that she didn't change her night clothes.
The woman smirked then directed her next statement to Vivian. "Two escaped lovers, I'm assuming running off into the night?"
Vivian began to open her mouth to reply, but Crystal spoke before she could.
"My apologies, but my companion is incapable of speech right now."
"Is he mute?"
"No... he just lost his voice for a short period of time. He..." she glanced at Vivian. "He was so excited when our heroes returned that he yelled until he lost his voice."
Vivian narrowed her eyes at Crystal then looked at the man and woman in front of them. 'There's no way they'll believe that.'
"Hm... then you are in luck, most of the knight's arrived here to drink," replied the man.
"I'm Gerald, and this is my wife Lynn. We'd be happy to accept your help."
Lynn nodded and smiled. "May I ask you two your names?"
Crystal beamed back. "Crystal and Vi-"
Vivian coughed roughly while banging her fist on her chest.
Crystal patted Vivian's back, trying to appear concerned. "Seems like the lad could use a drink himself." Gerald quickly turned and filled a glass with water and handed it to Vivian.
Crystal nodded and thanked the man. "My name is Crystal, and my companion's name is Luke."
"It's nice to meet you both and thank you for your offer to help. Anything you may need, we'd be glad to provide."
A man sitting at the tables began to whistle upon noticing Crystal in her night clothes.
Crystal wrapped her arms around her waist, attempting to hide her embarrassment.
"I've got some clothes you can borrow." Lynn placed a hand on Crystal's shoulder and guided her back to the door behind the bar counter.
*** (I will now be referring to Vivian as Luke sometimes, but I will still say she instead of he. I don't want anyone to be confused)***