I'd woken up on top of a table on the first floor, at least someone had put a blanket on me.
Last night after everyone got back the drinking began. Seemingly I was not the only one on a table, there was a handsome man, I assume who was around my age, passed out on the table beside me.
He had long red hair and a strong build. He had a strong facial structure and a scar along his right eyebrow.
I had no clue who he was.
I started to get up when a hand stopped me. I turned to see and it was the man reaching over and pulling my arm.
"You're not just going to leave me here after what you did to me last night." The man's voice was raspy and hoarse. "You forced me to come inside and drink with you, do you not remember?"
I sat there. On top of the table, head pounding trying to remember what happened.
I had no recollection.
He had a long sigh. "You ran outside with two other people and grabbed me by the collar and dragged me inside. Your two friends convinced me to challenge you to a drinking competition and I think we tied. I have no idea what happened after that happened." He said raising an eyebrow.
"Is that so.." I laughed nervously "At least we're not outside." I got up fully this time and stretched. "My head is killing me, just how much did we drink…"
The man looked at me again, I just now noticed it but he was shirtless and I was missing my armor layer. Seems like I won in some type of stripping game, I started looking around the first floor and saw Sabira and Rye passed out in their underwear.
I won the game. Well, I'm assuming I did.
I walked over to them and kicked them with my foot. "Get up before anyone sees you." I groaned from my now-pounding headache.
I felt a sudden presence behind me and turned around to see the man standing directly behind me. He'd been abnormally tall,(I was about 5'11 the last time I checked) from where I was standing I was guessing he was near 6'5.
It was clear he was trained in the art of sword fighting. His body's physique gave it away almost immediately. He had to have gone through some intense training though. It was almost inhuman.
"So what are you doing out here in this small village anyway, it's clear enough to see you've been trained?" I asked, nudging Sabira to wake up.
"I was a knight of the empire. I wanted my freedom, so I headed to the kingdom of Leone, " he said, staring at me.
Our eyes finally met, I'd never seen a person with such golden eyes. It was quite a rare trait across the continent.
"See something you like Ms Emerald's eyes?" He raised his eyebrow.
"You wish," I said sarcastically patting the man on the shoulder.
"Alice….." A groan behind me said.
"Good morning Rye, I recommend bringing Sabira upstairs and getting her changed, my father most likely stayed out late at the actual tavern and passed out there. You have about a good 15 minutes till he gets back." I sighed saying this.
Rye looked at me half asleep and scared. "Yes, Ma'am.." He said frowning
"Bossy much?" The red-headed man said.
"Shall we introduce ourselves? I'm Alice Valnorn, daughter of Pax Valnorn, child of mercenary." I said smiling slightly.
"Oh, I'm Dante Lynn Valine, now a former knight from the empire." He said this a bit awkward.
I noticed from my side view Rye trying to pick up Sabira, he looked very uncomfortable and decided to drag her limp sleeping body up the stairs. She's going to wake up extremely sore and confused.
"Well, it was pleasant meeting you, I think?" I chuckled. He just watched..
Awkward…..
I stretched again and looked back at Dante. I now noticed the sword that was still sheathed to his waist. It was a beautifully crafted sword. You didn't have to see the sword to know it was most likely enchanted. Any skilled fighter would know immediately.
He must have noticed me staring as he shifted his weight around.
"It's a sword crafted by the elven people. It was gifted to me by the Crown prince." He said unsheathing the blade; allowing me to get a better look.
The sword glistened, the metal was so pure and clean. It must have taken years to make it to such a standard of near perfection.
I was quite intrigued by the mysterious Dante; It was as if he'd just decided to appear in front of us. Curiosity got the best of me.
"Oh, If you don't mind me asking where do you plan to go after this?" I asked genuinely curious.
He couldn't be much older than 23, the same as me.
"I was planning on-" Dante stopped mid-sentence as the first-floor main entrance door opened.
My father opened the door and peeked in to see me standing there with an unknown shirtless man.
His face was that of pure terror.
Me and Dantes eyes met and we also had a face of pure terror.
"It's not what you think, Rye and Sabira; picked him up outside and forced him to drink with us.." I said looking at my father. "And we played a drinking game and I won so-"
"Oh? You won?" My father said raising an eyebrow.. "At least you won…" He looked very upset.
My father glared at Dante and me with no other words. He gave me a look and I understood what he meant.
"Alice, wake up all of our men here. We leave for out base in the Leone kingdom In two hours." My father spoke sternly to me.
"Sir," Dante unexpecting spoke. "If it's alright with you. I would like to accompany your group all the way to the kingdom." He said putting his hand on his chest and bowing before slowly letting himself up.
"And, who are you?" Father stood up tall and looked at Dante closer. "My shadows will start a background check.
"I am Dante; a former knight of the empire," Dante spoke with utter respect for the man before him.
"Is that so? Might we see the skills of this so-called former knight?" My father's eyes struck with curiosity. I see where I get it from.
"I accept. Dante said looking at me and grinning
Sadly I was chosen as his fighting partner.
This wasn't going to be good.