Torren was no grand capital, but it was lively in its own way—a bustling town where merchants, mercenaries, and thieves coexisted in a fragile balance. Wooden houses lined the dirt roads, dim lanterns casting flickering shadows on the streets. The smell of roasted meat and cheap ale filled the air, mixing with the less pleasant scent of unwashed bodies and filth.
Leon took it all in with a smirk. A city of scoundrels and survivors. My kind of place.
Iris led him toward a lively tavern near the town square. A weathered sign read The Howling Wolf—a fitting name, given the loud voices and off-key singing coming from inside.
"Try not to get yourself stabbed," Iris said, pushing open the door.
Leon chuckled. "That's usually my line."
**†*********
The moment they stepped inside, all eyes turned to them. The tavern was packed—mercenaries boasting about their victories, drunk soldiers arm-wrestling, and barmaids dodging groping hands with practiced ease.
Leon's sharp gaze scanned the room. Most of the patrons looked like typical hired swords, but a few carried themselves differently—calm, dangerous, the type who killed for more than just coin.
Iris led him to a table near the back and waved at a barmaid. "Two ales. And something strong for my friend here."
The barmaid winked. "Got a taste for fire, huh?"
Leon leaned back. "You could say that."
A few minutes later, their drinks arrived. Iris downed hers in one go, sighing in satisfaction.
Leon took a sip of his. The burn of strong liquor spread through his chest, familiar and welcome.
"So," he said, setting his cup down. "You're good with those daggers, but why were you fighting those mercenaries alone?"
Iris smirked. "Curious, are we?"
"Let's just say I like knowing when someone I'm drinking with has enemies."
She leaned forward, her green eyes glinting in the candlelight. "A noble playing mercenary, skilled with a blade, but not dressed like a soldier. You seem more interesting than me, Leon."
He chuckled. "You first."
Iris sighed, leaning back. "Fine. Those bastards worked for a nobleman who thought he could hire me, then decided to cheat me out of my pay. I politely disagreed."
Leon raised a brow. "Politely?"
"I might've burned his stables."
Leon laughed. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."
Iris grinned. "Too late. You already did when you said I needed saving."
Their banter was interrupted by a heavy hand slamming onto their table.
A large man, his breath reeking of ale, grinned at Iris. "Been a while, Red. You owe me a rematch."
Iris groaned. "Not now, Garth."
Garth, a hulking brute with a scar across his nose, ignored her protest and turned to Leon. "You her new boy toy?"
Leon smirked. "Jealous?"
The surrounding tables went silent. A few men chuckled, others watched with interest.
Garth's grin faded. "You've got a sharp tongue, noble boy."
"And you've got a thick skull. Must make thinking difficult."
Laughter erupted around them.
Iris leaned back, sipping her drink. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
The Tavern Brawl
Garth snarled and swung. Leon didn't even flinch.
His body moved instinctively—ducking under the massive fist, he grabbed Garth's wrist, twisted, and slammed his other hand into the man's elbow.
A sickening crack echoed through the tavern.
Garth roared in pain, staggering back. Before he could recover, Leon kicked the chair out from under him, sending the brute crashing to the floor.
Silence.
Then, someone whistled.
Iris grinned. "Damn. I like you."
Leon smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Told you I could handle myself."
Garth groaned from the floor, cradling his arm.
The tavern slowly returned to normal, the tension replaced by laughter and bets on when Garth would wake up.
Iris leaned closer. "You're full of surprises, Leon."
"I try."
Her smirk turned into something more dangerous. "I like men who can hold their own."
Leon met her gaze, feeling the tension shift into something entirely different.
This town might be a den of scoundrels, but it had its… perks.
The Night is Still Young
As the night wore on, drinks flowed, laughter echoed, and Iris's sharp eyes never left his.
Power, allies, and temptation…
Leon had just begun his journey, and it was already proving to be quite the adventure.