Dwarfslayer

6

It was always a special occasion when the young adults of Royston were able to scrape up enough money to rent out Chadwick's Pub.

Damon sat at the empty bar, watching his peers mingle around the dance floor. Whoever had set up the party had also been able to pay for a live band.

Not that it mattered for Damon. He never talked to anyone at these parties, let alone dance.

So why did he come?

For the free drinks, of course.

How could he pass on that? It was a chance to drown out his sorrows while staring them straight in face.

He would have loved nothing more than to at least exchange words with someone, but that was an impossibility. He had garnered somewhat of a reputation among the locals as a vulgar drunk who thought he was better than everyone else because he came from a Named family.

It also didn't help that he wasn't particularly attractive.

But Amos.

Amos, on the other hand, was everything Damon wasn't. For one thing, the women loved him, and, at that moment, Damon watched as they seemed to be fighting for his affection.

He tore his eyes away, and took a sip of his drink.

The pub door opened. Damon glanced over and saw a girl he didn't recognize step inside. She looked at him, and smiled.

"Hi," she said, walking towards him. She took a seat in the stool at his left."I heard that all the young people were getting together here, and, well, I'd like to consider myself young, and..."

Damon caught himself staring.

"Sorry," she said, "I probably should introduce myself." She extended her arm. "Nice to meet you. I'm Glynis Merchant."

"Damon Dwarfslayer," he said, shaking her hand.

"You're Named! That's fascinating! I've never met someone Named before!"

Damon chuckled. "Well, since we're on the topic of last names, are you a merchant? Is that why I've never seen you before?"

She laughed, and shook her head. "No. My father is. I just travel with him."

"Oh. So how-"

"Where have you been all my life?" Damon looked over, and saw the person who'd spoken.

Amos

And he seemed to be transfixed on Glynis, the only pretty little thing in the pub he had yet to put under his belt.

Literally.

From the look on Glynis' face, it seemed possible that he would be successful, and this crushed what little hope Damon had inside him.

She had discovered the best Royston had to offer. Damon didn't stand a chance.

Damon was too busy fuming to hear the enchanting words Amos said that convinced Glynis to stand and walk away with Amos, but Damon knew they wouldn't be of any use to him if he said them.

Damon watched the two leave, and continued to stare as Amos made his advances.

After a little, Amos leaned in for a kiss, and was met with Glynis' lips.

Damon stood up, and flung his chair across the floor. He stomped towards the door, threw it open, walked out, and slammed it shut behind him.

Once outside, he began his sprint home.