Moonlight

Chapter 6: Black Ivy

Alexander's POV

Entering the village, I noticed a completely different pallet of colors all over the place. A mix of light blue and grey. Something that somehow reminded me of Her.

I shake my head and pick up the pace. I look around and notice a Tavern. This could be a good way to get some information before the confrontation.  

Black Ivy. Said the sign. This can't be good. I Tied the horse's reins to a post and entered.

I walk in and a wave of smoke brushes on my face. I wave it away as i try to see what this place is. Black seems to be the theme here. Not surprising. I spot the bartender with his wide shoulders, bold head and well-brushed mustache. I walk up to him and before i could open my mouth he beat me up to it.

"Looking for trouble?" He said dryly while serving another man and without looking me in the eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Are you deaf?" Now he caught my eyes, i immediately knew that he is not to be messed with.

"I'm just here for a drink" 

"Nobody is ever here for just a drink" He replied with a grin

"I'm afraid i don't know what you mean"

"You're not from here and you don't even know where you just walked in. You are either bold as a lion or a fool"

"I'm neither. I just want my drink and if i can't have it here then i will have it elsewhere" I say as i pick up my hat and get ready to leave

"If you say so." He says as he hands me a drink.

"So, is it so obvious that i'm not from around or did my accent give it away?" i say jokingly

"You smell like babies. We don't smell like babies here. We smell like MEN." He made sure to put pressure on that last word.

"Not offended" I said with my glass raised high

"Passing by i presume"

"Indeed. Here to tend to some family business, rice wine kind of business. I'm from the East you see and i would like to expand the family business. I tried to make a proposal to the Northlanders but they just seem to have a stick up their arse, acting all high and mighty"

"Don't get me started on those silly folks, thinking they can own all the lands. Can't wait to watch them all beg. Won't be long."

"I'll make sure to be here to watch them parade"

"You might even still be here when it all starts" He said with a chuckle. He knows something.

"I'm going to meet your Lord in a while, for the business of course, and i was wondering if i could be part of whatever it is you're planning"

"If you're trying to get information from me just give up the thought before you get my knife inside one of your limbs"

"God forbid i should hope not, i only want to teach them what it means to disgrace an Eastener" I said while bumping my fist on the table to make a point. And it worked. 

"Well if you're so keen to mark your presence, wait here."

He left for a couple of minutes and came back with another man, same size but different eyes, piercing grey eyes.

"I heard you were interested in our so-called business" He said while eying me up and down after letting out a small chuckle

I am not one to accept superiority but i had to keep up my act and play dumb until the very end. I felt my knuckles go white so i tried to relax my hand before planting my fist in his jaw and ruin the whole plan.

"I would love to take part in it, yes." I said with defiance.

"What does the East has to offer? Rice?" He laughed and the others followed

"More than rice i'm afraid, but if all you have to offer back is mockery then i better go back"

"Come here have a seat. Tev! Pour the man some wine. On the house" He then held a challenging eye contact as if he was trying to read me.

"What's this business about?" I asked very naively 

"A business of information"

It's him. He knows. He's my key.

At the moment he was going to start laying down all the information i needed. I hear a glass shattering and i turn around to see a man grabbing a young Lady's wrist. Back to me wearing a long hooded black cape. Something about her figure...

"Excuse me for a while..." I said as i left the table and started moving towards her recognizing slowly that smooth velvety voice

"I said let me go at once!" She cried

"You were the one to walk in, you brought it on yourself little lady"

"She said let her go" I made sure to mark each word

"Go back to your palace. Boy."

"Now it's personal" I said as i raised my sword to his neck 

The moment i let my actions take over reason, i realized i made a huge mistake. The whole room stood up, each man rising his weapon against me. Luckily for me, the information gentleman unexpectedly came to my rescue.

"Come now Kaz, let's not get ahead of ourselves, we must treat our guests with respect mustn't we?"

"But Boss, he started it"

"Let our guests go Kaz. Now. Don't make me repeat myself twice" He said in a more serious tone

After a couple of seconds of trying to act stubborn, they ended up stepping back and he ended up letting go of her. I tried to fight the urge to cut him open and barely held myself back.

She looked terrified. Trying to act all strong but failing miserably as i saw her fists clenched and shaking like a leaf. 

I didn't wait for them to change their mind again. I grabbed her arm and dragged her outside. She didn't fight back.

"Would you have the kindness to explain to me what you're doing here exactly?"