One Eternal Ember

Chapter 3

They don't hover for long though. They silently move four spots to the left of me at the bar. They don't even bother to hide their curiosity or their piercing stares. I try to listen in on their quiet conversation, but come to no avail.

"I'll be darned, that was by far the longest trip to the restroom I've had since I first came here." Lilith says, walking back to her spot next to me. She plops down with a sigh and grabs her glass, lifts it to her lips and levels an even stare at the men to our left. "When did they get here?" she mumbles.

"Not too long after you left for the restroom. They're a curious sort of pair aren't they. I don't see a Royal Crest on either of their jackets. They must not work in the Capital."

Lilith grunts, and replies "I'll thank the gods for that. I wouldn't want to start a fight in Jax's Tavern." she takes a swig of her beer, and avoids her gaze from the two men. I nod slightly in response, just as Jax swiftly moves past us with a smile, and walks over to the two men.

"Welcome in gentlemen. I haven't seen your faces in here before, and I always remember faces. What'll it be for you two tonight?" Jax says casually leaning on the counter. The brown haired man casually glances over at us then looks back at Jax. "I'll have what that lad is having. Double tall." His voice was deep and rich, and had a slight accent but I couldn't place where it was from.

"Ah, very well. As for you?" Jax looks to the blonde with a scar with a kind smile.

"Nothing. Smile at me like you pity me again and you'll be wishing you didn't." The blonde man states, barely lifting his gaze from the wall. Lilith tenses next to me, and sets her glass down. I look to Jax to see him completely calm, thankfully he isn't smiling anymore.

"It wasn't in pity. I could care less about your scar. I just like the business. You two have money no? Therefore I care about what you do in my Tavern."

The blonde stiffens, and the brown haired man sticks his arm out. "Can we not? We've had a long travel and we are very low on patience. I just want a drink, and my comrade here wants rest." He says calmly. Lilith glances over at them, and snaps. "The next time you come in this Tavern disrespectfully will be the last time you ever come here again. Travelers or not. Have some manners." She then turns away and grabs her drink again, her knuckles white on the handle.

The blonde man finally glances over here and openly stares at Lilith. "And you are?" He asks to her. She glances over at him a cold look in her eyes and responds, "Lilith. That's all you need to know." She looks him up and down then continues, "Who are YOU?"

"Roman." he responds flatly. Lilith nods her head and completely dismisses him, grabbing her drink again. Roman then glances to me and asks, "Who's your friend Lilith?" I stiffen and Lilith looks to him again. "Why don't you ask her?" she says calmly.

Roman and the brown haired man both glance to me quietly. "Who are you?" The brown haired man asks quietly to me. I slowly turn and look at him, pulling down my hood, revealing my silver hair in a braid, and my multicolored eyes. "Kasdeya."  The brown haired man stares for a few heartbeats then looks away.

"Kasdeya. So you're a traveler as well?" Roman asks blatantly staring at me. "I am." I respond. The brown haired man leans on the counter and looks at me once more. "Where are you from then?" His accent thick.

"Hendrix."

"Hendrix?" Roman says to himself, running my words through his head. "I've never been but I've heard it's a small shitty port."

"It is."

"You don't talk like you're from a small shitty port." The brown haired man chimes in. I look over to him and reply "Where are you from then?"

"Where do you think?" he responds.

I shrug and take a sip of my glass. "Wouldn't know. Your accent is hard to place."

"That it is. I'm from Koraja. The City of Eternals."

"Makes sense, and you Roman?"

"Kolenti." Roman replies calmly.

"You asked where I'm from but I don't even know your name." I say flatly to the brown haired man, looking over at him. He smiles, showing his pearly white teeth. "Zuko."