The Dreamer's Fall

Chapter 17 - A Man of the People

As noon approached, Fenric's anger toward the delinquent Mara and Alan had turned to worry. Thanks to his intuition, he had survived countless battles, and at this moment, his intuition was shouting that something was wrong.

Stepping out of the command tent, he searched his camp for his underling Kale, whom he had spoken with earlier.

"You said you heard Mara and Alan say they would get drinks, right? Did you happen to hear where they were going?" Fenric asked once he found Kale eating with some soldiers of a nearby camp.

"They're still not back yet?" Kale crumpled his brow. "No, they just said they'd go get drinks... Do you want me to rally the men to search for them?"

Fenric shook his head. "No, it's probably nothing. I'll head into the city and drag 'em back. Keep watch over the camp, will you?"

Fenric took a step before suddenly stopping. "And make sure no one else leaves."

"Got it, captain!" Kale replied with a salute.

After the short exchange, Fenric proceeded to his camp's makeshift stable and unlatched his trusty mount before hopping on.

The trip to Munn's southern gate didn't take long, yet there was a short line to get into the city when he arrived, so he had no choice but to dismount and wait like the rest of the commoners. It took fifteen minutes before he finally arrived in front of a gate guard.

"Three Riis and your right to travel." The guard said monotonously after a yawn.

Fenric pulled out a small parchment displaying his status as an empire-approved mercenary before counting eight little copper coins from a pouch and handing them to the guard.

After receiving the items from Fenric, the guard looked down and quickly looked back up with a greedy expression.

"The extra five Riis are for you." Fenric laughed. "Where can I get a decent drink around here?"

The guard seemed slightly disappointed that Fenric could count but still appeared happy enough with the result to answer the simple question.

"There's only two spots worth drinking at in Southend. You got The Fool's End and The Cat's Cradle." The guard pointed through the gate. "Head down the avenue and turn left when you see a crooked old sign that says Benny's. Keep walking down that street for 'bout half a mile, and you'll see a signboard with a crying fool on it. Can't miss it.

"If you want The Cat's Cradle, keep heading down the same street a ways, but if you start seeing whores you went too far. It's got a signboard hanging out front in the shape of a cat. If you got the coin, I'd be inclined to take you there myself."

Fenric laughed. "Thanks, friend. But I think I can manage."

The guard frowned. "Suit yourself. Be on your way, then. You're holding up my line."

Once inside the busy city, Fenric followed the avenue as directed before coming across a sunbleached wooden sign dangling unevenly in the breeze. He could faintly make out the word "Benny's" on it, so he made a left on the side street nearby.

It wasn't long until he found a sign with a crying fool on it, and once he did, he tied up his mount outside before entering.

The sounds of laughter met his ears as he walked inside the lively tavern. Half a dozen men sat around a table playing cards while the rest of the patrons ate and drank in groups of threes and fours.

Fenric walked over to the bar and placed five Riis on the counter before calling for the barkeep.

"What'll you have?" The barkeep asked, grabbing the coins Fenric had left out.