Crestfallen

Keith

The Kingdom of Altea was as frantic as usual. People were rushing to get home or to reach the market before the pickings were slim. Knowing that yet another war was to come, the cities stayed hard at work. Fisherman practically drained the surrounding waters dry of sea creatures, the blacksmiths were dishing out beautifully crafted swords and shields, it was an organized chaos. 

Even with the frantic and busy lifestyle that had taken root in Alteas' subjects, Altea had always been Keith's favorite city. He found it increasingly harder to leave every time he was paid for a job. He simply loved the clean city streets and the kind people in town and there were no serious taxes on the goods that were distributed throughout the land. Altea's leader was not a tyrannical one.

Keith spent his time when he was off a job either out exploring or in a pub. He preferred the quieter pubs at night. Not that a quiet pub had ever existed but Keith was introverted and mysterious which caused drunken men to approach him looking for a fight and he preferred to avoid any altercations. He just wanted to be left alone. He was tired of people trying to "defeat" him, not to mention he was bored by the fact that no one had what it took. 

Long story short, Keith narrowed the list down to a few (mostly deserted) bars. He usually switched things up by going to a different one every night but in his last visit he found one he was very fond of. It was a small hole in the wall but it had an incredible menu and the beer was particularly tasty. The last time he was in Altea he bumped into the tiny restaurant and had been coming ever since.

Keith was already downing his third round that night when a drowsy man burst through the door. Keith had never seen this person in there before. He rolled his eyes as the lanky, drunk stumbled toward his spot at the bar, curling into himself as he got closer. "Hunk!" the man yelled, slamming his fist down on the wood. There was a long pause but eventually a larger man stepped out of the kitchen, a dirty apron tied around his waist. He was darker skinned and smiled warmly when his eyes laid on the man. Keith guessed that this cook was a friend. 

"Lance!" Hunk replied, reaching over the bar to hug the man. When they pulled away, Hunk continued. "I haven't seen you in months. How have you been?" Lance laughed and set his hand on the cook's shoulder. "I've been doing just fine, Hunk. I finally managed to get out of work on the family farm and I've been trying to get into the guard." Lance said, sitting down on the stool by Keith. Hunk turned to pour Lance a drink, completely ignoring Keith's empty glass.

"You've been trying to become a knight for years. What makes this time any different?"

"Well...you see.." Lance leaned over the bar and pretended to whisper. "I have a new invention that's going to change everything. It'll boost our man power immensely." Hunk chuckled at this.

"Okay there hot shot. When do I get to see this amazing invention?" he slid the cup over to Lance and pulled up a chair.

"Soon, my friend. Soon!" Lance took a big sip of his drink before his eyes widened. His words  tumbled out faster than his lips could carry them. "You should sign up with me!"

"No, no, no. I can hardly hold a knife without being terrified. What makes you think a sword will be any better." Hunk sighed. "Besides, I've got the pub to look after."

"But you've got a successor don't you? Someone under you who'll take care of it when you can't anymore. Why not start early?" Lance whined, excitement in his eyes. Hunk glared at the man. 

"Look. Just think about it for me. Please?" Lance pleaded with the cook, popping his lower lip out. 

Hunk just stood there for a moment, nervous gaze looking Lance up and down before he finally spoke. "Fine. Fine but you have to promise me you'll stop getting into fights. You don't need any bad rep if you're going to be in with the Garrison Knights."

"Yes!" Lance held up his beer as if to say cheers. "You're the man, Hunk."

The night went on like this for sometime. Keith eventually got some food and a couple of beers before he decided it was time to head out. The bar was practically empty, chairs and tables flipped over onto the floor. There were empty glasses scattered about and plates piled high.

Jumping down from his stool, Keith threw some money onto the counter, a coin rolling across the wood and hitting Lance's drink. "Thanks again. I'll come back tomorrow." He muttered, starting towards the door. Hunk looked at Keith with wide eyes. "Sure thing." He replied, looking at Lance with a confused expression. Lance got down from his chair and moved towards Keith, setting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey man, you could've just handed the money to my friend. That was a little unreasonable." Lance said, giving Keith a side smile.

"Oh. My bad." Keith growled. He brushed Lance's hand away and pressed on. Lance frowned. 

"Look, I've been watching you all night and I don't think I like your attitude." Lance put his hands on his hips and scoffed. Keith stopped at this and turned, glaring at the man.

"Lance was it?" He hissed, pulling off his hood. Keith stepped up and got in the man's face. Despite their height difference, there was no doubt that Keith was intimidating. 

"If you want to fight me about it then we can go right now, but let me tell you something first. You won't be able to beat me, you worthless drunk. I would bet my life on that. And I don't want to waste my time on some washed up farm boy but if you want to spend the next few weeks with a splint then be my guest. If not then I suggest you walk away." Keith waited for a moment, giving the man a chance to speak. Lance just stood there, staring at Keith's face, unable to find the words to express himself.

Keith simply laughed. "That's what I thought." 

With this, Keith walked out of the bar, and into the dark streets. He didn't think he would ever have to deal with the wannabe knight ever again. Never have to deal with the idiotic drunk.

He couldn't have been more wrong.