Quin still wasn't convinced this was the best way to prove Rya's trustworthiness to the dwarves, especially after seeing her become a slobbering mess after one mug of ale.
"Quin... I'll be alright. Just make sure that I don't embarrass myself too much," Rya said while smiling at him.
Quinus wanted to protest, but he didn't have any other ideas at this moment. So he relented and gave her a nod.
"Okay, Rya... I'll be there for you," Quinus said before turning to Hajdah. The Crown Prince was pissed that the Guild Master didn't believe that Rya wasn't a threat to the Domain.
"So, shall we go to the mess hall then?" Hajdah asked as he pointed down the stone path leading to the large palace building.
"Yes, please lead the way," Rya nodded.
As the group walked towards the mess hall, Hajdah explained the dwarven etiquette to Rya.
"Oh, so there are rules for how you eat here in Ironside?" Rya asked as she looked around at the people eating.
"Yeah. We usually sit on the floor here as it's easier to keep the mess clean by mopping it up. But it also allows us to talk to each other without being interrupted by those walking through. Also, we have a separate area for nobles and knights in case they want privacy, which is more typical of a human setting. We'll go there to see if you speak the truth about liking our ale, Dark One," Hajdah said as he gestured to a small door on the far side of the vast room.
Rya followed Hajdah's lead and sat down with the rest of the dwarves.
"Alright, everyone! Bring out the Dwarven Stein! It's time for Lady Rya to demonstrate her integrity and honor!" Hajdah yelled as he stood up and grabbed a stein from someone sitting beside him.
He handed it over to Rya, who took the stein and looked at it. The thing was huge and easily held over two liters of liquid. It also had beautiful craftsmanship, as the silver and gold griffins were engraved into the stein.
"U-Um... Wh-What should I do?" Rya asked as she glanced over to Quinus.
Quinus sighed as he felt powerless to stop the dwarves from getting Rya drunk while Dalia gave her friend a thumbs up. Percy looked worried and wanted to help, and Sir George seemed very serious.
"Well, drink it!" Hajdah said as he held out his stein to her.
'Great... There's nothing quite like a bit of peer pressure to push me into doing something I know I'll end up regretting... I thought I was done with this crap back in my early 20's.' Rya thought as she looked at Quinus again. He wanted to help, but his hands were tied unless he fought everyone.
"Well, I guess there is no time like the present," Rya said as she found a seat before she started the challenge.
The Dwarven Mage looked like he was sizing her up before he spoke again, "Aye, but we must toast first. I'll let you be the one to decide what we toast to."
She then looked to Hajdah and lifted up her stein, "To the good health of the people of Ironside."
The dwarves were surprised and a bit impressed by Rya's toast. They nodded their heads, and Hajdah smiled.
The Dwarven Mage raised his stein and said, "To the good health of the people of Ironside!"
They lifted up their steins and tapped them against hers. Then they began drinking their ales.
A Dwarven Stein could easily hold more than four standard pints, and Rya had to drink the whole thing in one go. As the ale touched Rya's tongue, she found it tasted as good as it had yesterday. It was refreshing, sweet, and smooth. Then, the warmth of the ale made her feel happy.
YOU ARE READING
I Got Isekai'd, Well Shyt! Vol. 1, 2, and 3
FantasyA 27-year-old American named Ryan was doing his usual morning run through a forest in the United States Midwest when he was attacked by a magical orb that transported him to another world. While in this other World, he finds himself captured by a tr...
