ONEIRAL: The Witch, The Book and The Mirror

Chapter 12: The Bar

"It's...a bar,"

"Tavern." Sel corrected.

"Same principle. You know what happens in bars?"

"Let me guess, drinking?"

"Bar fights." He hissed.

"You're worried about that? That stuff only happens on books," she shrugged.

"But- okay fine, just promise we won't get into a bar fight," he said nervously, and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Just remember, head down, no magic; she's already after me, we don't need extra attention," she said, tugging him along the entrance of the place.

They had arrived at the place signaled in the map they bought from the smuggler, only to find it was a tavern. It was composed of a small wood building; splatches of green here and there from where plants started to grow. The inside had a warm light coming through the windows, and the costumers chatted animatedly along the tables.

A very large man stood behind the bar cleaning glasses, and Sel nudged at Korem so he would follow her, both sitting in the stools nearer to the bartender.

"We're looking for 'The Uncle'," Sel said in a low voice when the bartender approached them, and the man smiled widely.

"Why dear, that would be me," the man said cheerfully, while Korem and Sel exchanged similar confused looks "What can I do for you darling?" the man asked said warmly.

"I was told I could buy forget-me-not from you," Sel said uncertain, and the man nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course dear, let me go get it for you," the man said, and excited through the back door.

"I thought he would be more...threatening," Korem whispered to her.

"So did I," Sel responded, but quickly got quiet when the man reappeared.

"Here darling," he said passing a tiny wooden box to Sel, who put it in Korem's satchel "Still alive, and everything,"

"Thank you, sir," Sel replied gratefully, extending him a few golden coins.

"Oh! Wait a second! There's another flower that, combined with this one, can make a delicious perfume! The princess always orders them together!" he said excitedly.

"Ilio orders forget-me-not?" she asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Oh, but of course! Let me get the other flower so you can try it! On the house!" the man added, and quickly disappeared again.

"I thought Ilio was the one that banned the forget-me-nots," Korem said.

"She did." Sel confirmed, and was startled by the sound of smashing next to her. She turned to see the origin of the intrusion, only to find two tall, not friendly looking fellas. One had a large scar along his cheek, and a quick inspection revealed the other was missing a finger from his left hand.

"You're in my seat." scar-guy growled, and Sel raised an eyebrow at him.

"Really? Original-much?" she said, and the guy stepped closer.

"You don't belong here, missy." The guy said menacingly, and Sel squinted at him.

"Oh, my sincerest apologies, I didn't know you had to be stupid to enter this establishment," she said in a mocking apologetic tone, grinning when she heard Korem snicker behind her.

"What you laughin' about berk?" missing-fingers barked, and Korem looked up at him.

"Nothing I care to share," he replied calmly, a smirk playing at his lips.