Drumwe Isles

chapter seven

Dillac city wasn't a terribly far journey to make. The trio reckoned they'd be upon it by early morning if they kept a steady pace. Around the third hour of travel, Cael had pulled out his drinking flask and offered it to his fellow companions. Enid had started to chastise the man like a mother hen until he mentioned its being firewhiskey.

"Firewhiskey? Well then, give it here."

Cael grinned toothily and handed it over, being a few swigs in himself. Kieran thought it best that one of them should keep his senses, and declined to join them. Their drinking carried on for a span of two hours before they'd run out. By that time they were comfortably drunk and had slung arms across the others' shoulders. They tumbled this way and that but still moved along the trail to Dillac nonetheless.

They hummed old sea shanties back and forth to each other joyously and whether he'd admit it or not, Kieran was amused. Enid and Cael made an interesting pair. There was an unspoken mutual respect between them and, for all his flirtations, Cael would never seek to bother the woman. She was a solid five years his senior anyhow. Cael's hazel eyes shone with glee and Enid's cheeks were rosy red, they seemed gleeful as children and Kieran was certainly relieved. He hadn't initially been fond of the idea of mixing whiskey and a long journey, but it seemed nothing was amiss thus far.

Cael had shouted he needed to relieve himself, a notion which Enid seconded, and so they gathered around a set of bushes. When they'd just about finished, a pack of wolves happened upon them.

"Bastards!" a drunk Cael shouted, as he kicked one of them away and yanked his trousers up. Kieran slashed at the one nearest to him and Enid drew her dagger. After a kerfuffle of slashing and shouting later, they'd ended the four wolves. Minimal damage was done to them, one of the damned creatures had scratched Cael's forearm when it jumped at him but all in all, they were fine. It was impressive really, that Enid and Cael had managed to fight off their respective creatures, trashed as they were.

They carried on, having settled back into their groove. The signs read for Dillac kingdom now and they couldn't be more than an hour or so off. Morning dew was landing about the shrubs and grasses, a violet purple coming up around the mountain.

"We're close." Kieran muttered.

By now the drunkards had their wits back, for the most part, and their pace began to quicken. Partially in anticipation for a warm bed and a hot meal, and partially out of unease at wandering a secluded part of the mountains with just the three of them.

Soon enough they'd come upon the edge of the city. Enid and Kieran looked on boredly at the all too familiar sight while Cael perked up a bit. The cabins were dim for the most part, most of the townspeople still tucked in for the night. Though the tradespeople were already up and working on their crafts. They passed three different metal workers in the first few minutes.

"I'm starting to see a bit of a theme here."

"Dillac is a trade city. Most of the residents work their own craft."

Cael's eyes darted about curiously.

The strangest thing about the warrior was how he somehow managed to look spritely and boyish while dawning the body of a brooding man. Cael dawned hooded eyes and stern brows. His frame was a firm one with decent height but incredible strength. His hair was wild and ebony black, hanging around his shoulders. If you spotted him from afar, strong jaw and wide shoulders, he'd be quite the intimidating form. Though his shield brothers all knew him to be a sweetheart and, occasionally, an oaf.

"Hey, Enid, don't you hail from here as well?"

Enid smiled a knowing smile and nodded.

"Well if we can't visit Kieran's folks, maybe we could swing by yours."

The woman chuckled airily. For a moment he feared he'd struck a nerve.

"I doubt they'd be too fond of that."

Cael bit his tongue and shot prying eyes her way. She could practically sense the questions burning at him, but all the same he wasn't the kind to meddle.

"They told me they had no use for me last time I saw them."

Cael's eyes went hard and Kieran froze.

"Why would the bastards say something like that?"

"I'm barren."

Cael cocked his head, a bit lost. Kieran bristled.

"Now why would-"

"Family is very important in Dillac. Carrying on the name, carrying on the business. It's considered an expectation here and if you can't fulfil it, well..."

Kieran was deathly quiet and Enid's eyes were distant as she trailed off.

"Damn this city. Damn it all to hell!"

A few tradesmen shot their heads in his direction, but Cael couldn't be bothered to mind them. They were making quick work of the way to Dillac's palace.

"That's complete bollocks."

Cael muttered, a bitter taste on his tongue.

"Bollocks indeed."

They were quiet the rest of the way.

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Comment question: Which character from any series best describes your bestfriend?