IronGuard

CHAPTER 6

Loud laughter fill the taverns as the recruits and the Icehold's soldiers drink and eat. Every table in the tavern is filled with goblets and tankards filled with ale and beer.

The city had four taverns and all of them were filled. With all the enjoyment and clamor the IronGuard did not noticed they were separated. Only a few them are in each tavern with many soldiers surrounding them. Outside the taverns some soldiers are discussing the whereabouts of Marcus and Rithia.

Dello and Finn and with eight others drink with over thirty soldiers inside the biggest tavern in the city, The Frozen ale. Dello is familiar with drinking and Finn as well, the two of them keep a close eye on their comrades but a closer eye on the soldiers who they see drinking but with one hand on their swords' hilt. Highly suspicious to them. Dello remembers back in his old village, when a man drinks and a hand on his sword that means he's either expecting trouble or preparing to make one.

"Where is Marcus? Dello" Finn whispers.

"I don't know but something isn't right here, Marcus missing aside. These soldiers look a little tense"

"I hope sir Owen comes back soon, I'm getting this strange chill up my spine again"

As more barrels of drinks were brought in, began the drunken songs of soldiers bringing more noise inside the taverns, the recruits could barely hear each other. 

Dello becomes restless and decides to go outside but soldiers stop him.

"What's wrong lad? There are no drinks outside! Come enjoy!" The drunk soldier yelled out and the soldiers cheered but Dello doesn't care and insists to go out.

This time two more soldiers block his path and he notices there hands are ready to draw their blades, behind him the celebration continues but some have already noticed them.

"You know, we here don't like when people turn away our generosity" The soldier's captain warns. "Even if they are little snot IronGuard like you"

"Say that again -" Dello steps closer to the captain. "- and I'll kill you"

Finn overhears what Dello said and immediately rushes to pull away Dello. The songs stop and all stare at them. The other IronGuard recruits join Finn and Dello

"Alright fellas it seems we have had enough drink for the day" Finn declares as he tries to keep Dello from punching the captain

"No not yet -" The captain replies, "you're not drunk enough to feel nothing as we peel off the meat from your bones!"

The tavern falls silent as eyes linger to one another, waiting for what happens next but they can already feel it, the fight coming.

"What does he mean?" Merriell asks.

"It means exactly as he said" Dello replies and they let him go. He grabs hold of his long sword and the others do too, they take off their cloaks to be able to move better, good thing the big fireplace keeps the tavern warm. The IronGuard form a circle, facing toward the soldiers. Each of them have at least three to five soldiers to deal with.

"Now now little IronGuard, you sure you want to feel your skin getting peeled piece by piece?" The captain threatens. "We can let you drink the entire tavern if you'd like but drop your swords first"

"The only thing that will drop inside this tavern -" Dello and the others draw their long swords, the heavy steel make a sweet ring once pulled out of the scabbard. " - is your head" The tavern doors closed.

In the dark alleys of Icehold. Marcus and Rithia rush to warn the others but with every street corner guarded they have reached the edges of the city and what makes their situation worse is the sounds of yelling and swords clashing.