Medusa Isn't So Bad

Heroes are Annoying.

Entering the inn was an experience. Heroes of every kind of annoying got drunk at the bar counter. They exchanged stories and slurred every other word. Their cheeks were flushed from booze and they laughed so loud the sound echoed in my head. Angry murderous thoughts clouded my mind, recalling how many faces just liked this barged into my home, excited to terrorize and slay me.

"So the rumor is the girl humiliated him!" One of them laughed. "Rekeles came to her home, looking for her, and instead found her handmaiden pretending to be her! Sleeping in her bed!"

They spoke of Constance while staring at a drawing done of her. It captured her in full detail, with a blindfold around her eyes. I should have known when she told me she came from a noble family. All noble families had portraits done of them, a perk of being wealthy. Rekeles would have taken that portrait and just updated it with what she currently looked like to have men searching for her.

"Hellfire." I muttered to Constance, reaching out to tug her hood further over her face. I knew it was annoying, but we had no choice. "There are men here who know about you. Hanging on to me and keep quiet."

She nodded.

I put my hand on her shoulder and guided her around men, stumbling by. An inn keeper spoke softly too a young man, clearly too distracted to get to us right away. I took us to a nearby table and chairs, helping her to sit down.

"Queen Lede drives a hard bargain." A hero snorted. "But having a Spartan Queen reward me is worth it's weight in gold! No need answering to a pampered Prince."

A server came over to us, offering up water and bread. I flipped him a coin. I cut up the bread and slide it to Constance, curling her fingers around it. She shook, probably nervous, but manage to take small bites. Good. We might not be able to stay here tonight and she needed to eat. I listened to the drunkards once more.

"Isn't he afraid of divine punishment?" One grumbled. "Artemis is not known for her mercy. If he bullies the girl too much, we'll have another Calydonian Boar running wild."
"That's why the Queen makes more sense. We'd be taken her to another woman. Surely Artemis would forgive that right?"

They continued to mutter and my eyebrows furrowed even more. They didn't want to take her back to Rekeles, they wanted to take her to Sparta. To be honest, that wouldn't have been so bad if they didn't continue to speak and once again remind me why I do not trust men.

"Shame though." One grinned, his cheeks red. "She's pretty. It's a waste to just give her back."
They continued to grumble to themselves and my grip tightened on Constance. We would definitely not be staying here. I started to move us when one of the idiots stumbled around, crashing into our little table, barely catching it before it crashed to the ground. Bread and water shifted, and I snatched them back, steadying them with a sneer.
"Watch it, mate," I hissed, hoping I sounded like a man. My hood covered me well, and my armor was not typical for a female. As such, our drunken companion blinked at me, confused.
"You're a strange looking man." He mumbled. "All dressed in armor with such a small lass. Is she important? Why hold her so tight?"

"This lass?" I chuckled lightly. "She's a trouble maker, this one. Determined to pin me down she followed me into a Hydra's nest. The damn things spewed their hideous venom and hurt her eyes. Her father is a good friend of mine, so I'm escorting her to him. Should earn me a nice bronze coin."

"A bronze coin?" He hiccuped. "Ain't worth it."

"It's honest work." I snorted. "Something I wouldn't expect you to understand. What sort of hero let's themselves get wasted?"

He wrinkled his nose. "What a sour attitude! Dionysus hasn't graced ya with a good time I see. Well off with ya! There is more wine to be had."

He staggered off, and I let out a breath of relief.