Reincarnation ➵ The Witcher

v.

NOT long after Geralts departure did Edith's father join her in the tavern with a massive smile on his face and a jump in his step. He had explained rather excitedly how he had bargained a deal with Gandry, who had offered an exchange of meat and wool for a hefty sum of gold that would continue to happen as long as her father continued to provide his end. He had saw this as a solid way on income; saw it as a way that neither his two daughters or younger son would never have to go with a hungry stomach or without roofing over their heads. Edith was also pleased hearing the news, however, she was more pleased knowing that she might get the chance to see the strange man, Geralt again if she decided to accompany her father. And she would, only for the feat of having another interesting conversation with the white haired man who shrouded himself in that awfully intimidating cloak of his. The deal would occurr daily Edith's father had said, and to say Edith wasn't the smallest bit excited she would be lying.

Her father had perched himself in the seat Geralt was in moments earlier, Edith immediately passing the drink over towards her father.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy it more than I did." She smiled, and she was right too - her father often did enjoy a little bit of ale on the rare chance he got any free time. And today was indeed a day to celebrate, as long as he didn't go too far with it as he often did.

"Thank you, Edith." He didn't give a second thought before downing the rest of the contents in the cup that filled his mouth the bitter taste of ale before signalling over the lonesome barmaid, Mace, for another refill.

Edith frowned, "I don't like it when you do that."

"It doesn't matter what you don't like, Edith, as I am an old man now and if I wanna drink like a drunkard I will."

Edith bit her lip in hesitation, "..Yes, father." She knew this was a bad idea. A very bad idea as drink often clouded his thoughts and turned him into a confrontational asshole when putting it in less polite terms. Edith could remember the many times she had to collect her father from her own towns tavern for over drinking past his limit, but if there was one thing John Flayers hated more than thieves or murderers, it was someone telling him no. So Edith shut her mouth and sat like the good daughter she was expected to be - a good daughter she often didn't want to be as the day turned dark and John got drunker and drunker and even more confrontational at anyone who even so much as looked at him in a way he didn't like.

Edith knew John was way past his limit, hell, even Mace knew from the sidelong glances at his antics but Edith was too afraid to say anything to John in this state of mind, especially whilst he was currently mid argument with one of the towns locals near the other end of the tavern. Mace glanced at her father before looking at Edith who was still sat at the bar watching her father warily.

"You alright, girlie?" Mace asked, a piece of cloth in her hand as she wiped some of the cups clean.

Edith shook her head, hearing the increased volume of argument only a few meters away from her, "He's going to end up drinking himself to death one day,"

Mace snorted, "That's wha' all men do now a days, lass." But not Geralt.

Edith nodded, looking away from her father to the rest of the tavern. To say it had gotten completely packed was an understatement of the century, the tavern was full of life even more so since Geralt had left. There was a joyful atmosphere to the whole place, most of the residents singing along to the tune of the bard on the stage. Edith knew her siblings would begin to get worried about their where abouts now, if they weren't already worried to begin with. She knew it was time to fetch her father, and as she stood from her seat she gained the confidence needed to speak to him.

Edith weaved through the tables and mass of people over to the opposite end of the tavern where her father stood shouting at a group of men that seemed to be half his moons. Edith approached from behind slowly, like a frightened animal before tapping him on his shoulder. John staggered on his feet at first, before turning and squinting his eyes at Edith almost as if he didn't recognize her.

"It's time to go. We've been here long enough now." Edith spoke with conviction, and John looked as if he was going to agree with Edith until one of the men refused to shut his mouth and snickered in John's face.

"That's right Flayers, listen to your whore of a daughter and run back home to the shitty little farm of yours," Without warning, John swung at the man in a drunk induced anger, and Edith could do nothing but watch as a brawl broke out, and soon enough when John accidently hit an onlooker, the whole tavern errupted into chaos.