Enchantment of the Bow

Chapter Ten

I am assailed by a flying mug before I even shut the door to cut the night breeze out. I duck, and then turn to stare at the object as it crashes into the wall behind me, ale splashing out into the air and onto a few grumpy men to the table nearest me. They curse loudly and flick the liquid off of their hands, looking down at their shirts in disgust, and I watch them, amused, while untying the cloak strings at my neck.

I slowly turn to look in the direction that the mug was originally thrown, kicking the door shut behind me and draping the cloak over my arm.

A clearly drunk Adolin is half standing in his chair at a table near the back of the inn, a happy grin on his face. I am surprised his aim was so good in this state. "Aye, Navani, were ya been at? Your missin' all the fun!" I roll my eyes at the commotion he is making and glance back at the red faced, angry men to my right before starting over to the table.

The inn is made completely of wood on the inside, save for the stone layout on one of the far walls, with rafters that arch like a cat in the sunshine. The tavern is partially full, and the rest of the men had stopped their idle chatter to watch as I hear one of the men stand, scrapping his chair back.

"Oi! What do ya think your doin' ya sard?!" One of the ale soaked man sounds very pissed as he stomps towards Adolin with the graceful swagger of a whiskey filled sailor.

I pinch the bridge of my nose at the pounding in my head, and I half turn to him over my shoulder with a bored look. "He's drunk, leave it be." I am in no mood to deal with idiots, especially since Lance isn't among any of the men at the tables to calm me.

"Leave it be? No, I don't think I will." He speaks slowly with his liquor induced tongue.

I turn to look at the table were Kaladin, Adolin, Jed and Syl all sit with ale in front of them, and hear the man behind me scuffle on the floor boards as he comes at me, quick as his drunken stupor will allow him. I pause to give my group an amused look at this, before turning to grab the man's slow punch. I catch it with ease, and use my injured arm to throw my own blow back at him, hitting him in the cheek with a slight crack.

My fists are harder than usual with annoyance, and I ignore the pain that shoots up my arm and into my torso with a growl. I bend his arm behind him and lean over to whisper in his greasy hair. "Listen friend, I am not in the mood to deal with this. I recommend you go up to your bed and sleep this off before it gets ugly." As I speak, I hear the man's friend get up and rush at me as well, apparently not as soiled as his company, he moves much quicker.

I sigh, throw the first man down to the ground with a swift knee to the back of his head and bring my elbow back to catch the second in the gut full force. He flops over with a whoosh of air and both men lay on the floor pathetically, now passed out with the blows and alcohol.

I turn to my group, where Adolin had half stumbled out of his seat on his way to help me, but I had finished faster than he could come. The others watch like it was an opera play with amusement, though when my eyes flicker across Jedidiah's face, he sips his ale and glances away, apparently not enjoying it as much as Kaladin and Syl.

I shrug and dust off invisible particles on the dark green satin of my cloak, which I had managed to keep with me during the mild scuffle. I look to Adolin with a raised eyebrow. "I think you've had enough drink now. "

"But Navani..." He pouts like a stubborn child.

I walk the rest of the way over to him, grab him by the back of his neck, and pull him up to stand from his chair, which he was slowly retreating to like a kicked puppy. "Adolin, don't argue with me. I'm tired and don't want to have to knock you out as well." Then to Kaladin. "Glad to see you enjoyed that. Now, which rooms then?" It is hardly a question, but I try not to be terribly disrespectful, as he is now my leader as well.