The next day

Ivan pulled the string on his boots until they sat tightly around his feet and then made a knot. The brown leather armour he choose as his daily attire needed a lot of preparations of that kind. It was all worth it though. The leather was sitting perfectly, not hindering his movements at all, and a layer of cloth underneath provided some comfort.

Afterwards he picked up quiver and bow, making sure both rested firmly around his shoulder. Then he grabbed the blades and inspected them. They were the only thing that still remained from his time in the army. They had handles of wood that grew naturally into a light, crystalline blade of green colour. They were sharp, rare and beautiful. The twin blades even shared the same imperfection, a small notch were he had blocked an attack of him once.

Ivan drove away the feelings of hatred as he remembered the blue eyes and blonde hair that he had seen moments before lightning struck him. This was not the time to think about the ‘hero’ of that war. There was never a time to think about him.

Monaka had left as soon as she had awoken so Ivan was alone when he went over his equipment a last time and put the blade at his waist, each on one side. Then he opened the door of his room and walked down into the taproom.

“Ah, the Dark Blade returns.” The innkeeper said when Ivan sat down at the bar. “Hope you had a nice night, I will get your breakfast in a second.” “I thought I was unknown in these parts.” Ivan shouted after the innkeeper as he vanished in the kitchen. Beside himself the room was mostly empty, safe for Ugo, Zustus and Belebi who sat at the same table as yesterday playing cards.

“You are.” The innkeeper shouted back, his words accompanied by the rattling of pots and wooden utensils. “It’s just members of the mercenary guild that know who they have in front of them. Good to be informed you know.” Ivan hummed and tapped on the bar. As the innkeeper put down a bowl of steaming hot soup, a loaf of dark bread and a mug of water Ivan asked, “How does Monaka fit into that then?” “Ah, well, she is my daughter.”

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “You helped me fuck your daughter?” The innkeeper just shrugged. “Ye, you remember that Glodint’katak I told you to order? Just a key word that somebody is clean in my eyes…not that she cares most of the time.” “You orcs are a strange bunch.” Ivan said and ripped of a piece of bread. “And you treehuggers aren’t?” The innkeeper replied and spat out. “This is a lawless shithole at the edge of our fallen empire. Least I can do is have my daughter have some fun.”

‘He isn’t wrong about that.’ Ivan thought and continued eating in silence. ‘I wonder how Lerilie is…’ his thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he heard the trampling of footsteps down the stairs. Terli fell into the room. Her robes were a mess of wrinkles, even more so then usual, much to Ivan’s disdain. “Get away from me, creep!” She said. The warning was meant for the person behind her, a lizardman wearing only a loincloth.

“Ah, come on Terli, just one more time.” He insisted and stepped closer. “You liked it much last night.” “Yeah, last night. Now is tomorrow morning, we had a deal!” Terli said and tried to kick away his leg. She did land a painful hit at his knee. “Don’t be such a bitch.” He hissed and raised his hand. Ivan drank his water and watched the whole scene, there was no reason for himself to intervene.

As the lizardman threw his punch he suddenly lost the ground under his feet. Ugo had pinched his head between three of his enormous fingers and raised him up. “Didn’t take you for a coldblood lover.” Ugo grumbled. “I just picked the first cock available. I was drunk and horny!” Terli defended herself “it was okay last night but he won’t stop bothering me.” “Mhm, now normally I would just throw you out with a warning.” Ugo said, “But this being the lawless city, maybe I should just pop your head and be done with it.” If scales could pale the lizardman’s would have changed from crimson red to a very light orange.

He struggled against the merciless grip around his head as fingers started pressing down. Eyes started to grow bigger, alarmingly so almost popping out of their head. “Ugo.” Ivan finally said, the simple word an unmistakable order. “He bothered our Terli, commander.” Ugo said. His grip wasn’t letting up but neither was he pinching down further.

“I think the guy learned his lesson. Let him run we don’t know the bad publicity. Also I don’t want to clean up the mess you are going to make and I doubt this inn has towels that fit into your hand.” Ivan said, half-jokingly. With a grunt of understanding Ugo let go. The lizardman fell to the ground, holding his head. “Urgh, you fuckers.” He mumbled. “I’ll get you for this.”

“You will do nothing.” Ivan waved for another mug of water. The innkeeper gave it to him. He looked rather amused, surely, he saw situations like this turn out a different way regularly. “Somebody of your calibre can’t harm us.” “Arrogant prick.” The lizardman shouted as he stumbled towards the exit. “You dark elves are all the same. Spit around how great you are until somebody slaps some sense into you. Great thing the Alliance are occupying you, honourless bastards.”

The room froze. “Run.” Ivan warned. “Before I forget myself.” To put some weight behind his words he pulled his left sword half out of its sheath. The lizardman finally realized what he had gotten himself into and ran off. As Ivan turned back to his meal Zustus sighed. “I told you a thousand times already Terli. Just – kick – them – in – the – BALLS!”

“B-but, I don’t want to hurt them.” “Then ya just freeze them, girl.” Belebi added. It was really a common occurrence with Terli that she would drunkenly fuck some stranger. Scenes like these usually ended when Ugo simply moved towards them though. The giant was a bid overprotective of the team and the usual stranger was intimidated enough by some knuckle cracking. “You okay, boss?” Ivan snorted, “Like words could bother me.” The mercenary said as he scooped up the last bit of soup.

“Use this day to prepare for the journey. It will be a long time before we hit a city again.” He said and slammed some coins on the counter. “Terli, you come with me.” The mage just nodded. “Can I come too?” Ivan looked over to Monaka. She was wearing the same uniform as yesterday. “Shouldn’t you ask me?” Her father said in an amused tone. “I already know your answer.”

“Whatever.” Ivan growled. “Just don’t slow me down.” “You are much less friendly now.” “Indeed.” Was all Ivan had to say to that. “Now get moving. Terli!” “Yes?” She asked, slightly confused. “Get that dirt of your robes.” She looked down on yourself and then dusted off her butt.

“We’ll be here then.” Zustus said, closed one eye and spied into Ugo’s hand as the giant waved the trio goodbye.