5. Trouble At The Adventurer's Inn
As Riven was polishing tankards by the counter, a loud, rough voice cut through the murmur of the inn, sending a ripple of unease through the patrons. This was no rare occurrence at Orpheus's Inn— adventurers from all over passed through its doors, most with egos as large as the creatures they claimed to slay. However, tonight felt different. A burly adventurer, half-man and half-boar, with bristling black fur and sharp tusks, was becoming more than a nuisance.
The boar-man, known as Barlock, pounded his fist on the table, rattling the mugs and spilling drink everywhere. "Bernadine stole my kill, the rat! When I find him, I'll split him like a log!" He sneered, showing a scar over one of his piggish eyes, the mark of countless brawls and bloodshed.
"Shouldn't we do something?" Riven whispered to Orpheus, his voice laced with concern.
Orpheus shook his head with a grin. "Let it play out, lad. This is an adventurer's inn. They're bound by old oaths here, and none would dare spill blood under its roof."
Despite Orpheus's words, the tension thickened as Barlock grew louder, his voice turning heads and making the other patrons shift uneasily. Waiters moved cautiously around, casting wary glances. Riven watched with a creeping feeling of dread as Barlock's rant escalated, spilling into threats and slurs directed at anyone who met his gaze.
Amidst the chaos, Riven's thoughts drifted, finding a strange calm in focusing on the pulse deep within his core, the spark of power that had slumbered since his first night at the inn. He'd been training with Orpheus for days, each time trying to harness this energy that felt like holding lightning in his hands. Tonight, though, his frustration made him want to try harder, to reach deeper. He closed his eyes, imagining a swirling, silver vortex coiling within him, the core of his magic pulsing stronger and brighter with each heartbeat.
Why did the dragon choose me for this? he wondered. He felt a warmth spreading, as though his very soul was vibrating with an unknown force.
Opening his eyes, Riven noticed a few drink caps strewn on the counter. Curious, he picked one up, holding it between his thumb and middle finger. Channeling a sliver of power into the cap, he flicked it across the inn. It didn't go far, merely skittering along the wooden floor. He tried again, this time with a second cap, channeling a bit more energy. It whizzed farther.
On his third try, Riven felt a spark ignite as the cap shimmered with his magic, then shot through the air like an arrow, catching the edge of Barlock's rough, bristled cheek. The boar-man spun around with a furious snort.
"Who's the little pest throwing things?" he bellowed, his voice a furious growl.
Riven ducked, heart pounding as he tried to shrink beneath the counter, regretting his experiment. Maybe no one noticed, he hoped. But then Barlock stomped toward the counter, his hoof-like feet thudding loudly. He banged his fist on the counter, causing the mugs to rattle.
"Hey, kid! Show yourself!" Barlock shouted. "One of my boys saw you throwing stuff. Do you know what happens when you mess with a mad boar?"
"I, I'm sorry I didn't mean to." Riven said as he rose to his feet.
But the mad boar brought his face closer and huffed out the thick stench of ale and something worse, an even fouler odour. "You think I care brat? You just challenge me didn't ya now man up to the challenge before I eat your head."
Before Riven could stammer a reply, Elise, the innkeeper's daughter, stepped forward, fearless in her approach. "Leave him alone, Barlock. If you touch one hair on his head, I'll make sure my father throws you out for good. There you go picking on someone again."
Barlock snorted, laughing. "You think I care about your father, whore? One of these days, someone will put you and your fancy inn in its place."
Riven clenched his fists, his anger flaring. How dare he speak to Elise like that. Electricity hummed in his veins, sparking with his growing rage. He could feel the power building, a storm crackling beneath his skin, and with a gasp, he realized it wasn't slipping away this time— it was his to wield.
"Apologize to her," Riven said, his voice quiet yet intense, his eyes sparking with energy that seemed to cast a faint glow.
Barlock leaned in, snorting his foul breath in Riven's face. "Oh, look at this. The kid wants to be a hero. What are you going to do, little man? Beat me up till I apologize to the weetle whore?"
Riven clenched his fists tighter, feeling the magic coil and surge, burning hotter. He barely recognized his own voice when he growled, "I said, apologize."
Barlock sneered, dismissing Riven as a harmless annoyance— until Riven struck. His fist, enveloped in a crackling aura of white-blue lightning, shot forward. The impact exploded with a boom, a shockwave that rattled the walls and threw Barlock clear across the room, his massive frame smashing through tables and chairs before crashing against the far wall. Silence followed, thick and palpable, as every eye turned to Riven, wide with disbelief.
Breathing heavily, Riven looked down at his hand, the remnants of lightning flickering over his knuckles, the air around him buzzing. The once dormant power now surged within him, fully awake, and for the first time, he felt its full, raw potential. It was exhilarating— and terrifying.
Barlock, groaned as he rolled on the floor holding to his chin. Orpheus drawn by the noise came back a moment later and quickly analyzed the situation. He found it hard for Riven to have sent an adventurer flying with one punch and a demihuman at that.
Riven huffed out with pride and said. "No one talks to Elise like that."
Barlock rose to his feet and cluthxed to his face snorting angrily. "Why you little shit, I won't let this off. Mark my words."
Orpheus jumped over the counter and approached him with an aura of his own. "Now, now. What's this about someone badmouthing my little angel."
Barlock started to tremble. "Actually it was a bit of child's play you know."
Orpheus smiled. "Oh really?"
"Right kids?" Barlock boomed.
Riven yelled back. "He called Elise a whore!"
Orpheus smiled and waved him off. "Thanks a bunch Riven I will take it from here."
Barlock was then beaten up and banned from the adventurer's inn for life. As for Riven he would have to answer to his actions at a letter time.