The first thing I noticed when entering the Broken Sword Tavern was the sunlight from a window shinning on this exquisite woman with a soaring frame. Her short dark hair was pulled back tight and shined like finely woven silk. My sight fell upon the sway of her curvy hips and the allure of cleavage through her simple clothing. Her movements were fluid as she visited each table with elegant and grace, honoring every guest with her presence. I was invisible in a room full of people and not worthy to be here. It was then destiny called as she approached. Our paths would finally meet. I stood frozen in the room and not even the brightest star in the universe could melt me, but maybe her touch would. She stopped abruptly, as if hitting a wall and our gazes met. Her soft, brown eyes bore straight into my soul and I feared she could read everything about me. I was helpless in her stare. Time slipped away like sand through an hourglass. Her lips parted and I knew her voice would be that of an angel asking for a discreet meetup. My thoughts were disrupted when she shouted, “God damn it, get the nine hells out of my way!”
“My-re!” General Pol barked running up. “Apologies Captain Fae, please take a seat. Your first drink is on the house.”
“No need to apologize. Please, the name is Vomarian Fae.” The Shagornan elf said and sat at the table Pol indicated.
“Vomarian Fae it is. It must be exhilarating to captain a flying ship. The Unsinkable III, is it?” Pol questioned and sat down at the table with the captain.
“Yes, the Unsinkable III is a wonderful ship, but no different than any other sailing vessels. The decks need to be scrubbed, the ropes and rigging need to be secured and if you fall overboard, you’re pretty much dead,” Fae said.
General Pol grimaced at the statement. He scratched his chin and squirmed a little uncomfortable in his chair before asking, “I’ve heard tales of the Unsinkable II and the effort it played in the Rirorni war, but didn’t realize another had been commissioned. Did something happen? Did it sink?”
Vomarian Fae sat back and in turn shifted in his chair anxiously and ran his hand through his dark hair. His skin went red in perceived uncomfortableness. “No, it did not sink and a tale worthy telling to be sure my Rirorni proprietor. However, that one will be saved for another time.”
“Ah, I see. So, how long are you going to remain on the Isle of the Eye?” Pol asked.
“A while still it seems. Supplies need to be purchased, maps need to be charted, and a crew signed on.”
“I’m not going,” My-re said passing the table and delivering a round of beverages and a basket full of bread to a table with three very large Shewish Giants.
The Shagornan elf captain and Rirorni general stopped their conversation and watched as My-re passed.
“Ignore her,” General Pol said. “But where are my manners. What can I get you to drink? Wine, liquor, or a fine ale?”
Looking around Pol to the table My-re was serving, Vomarian said, “I’ll have whatever the Shews are having.”
“Mushroom mead?” Pol said, as well as My-re, in unison as she turned around from the Shewish Giant’s table.
The giants laughed at the Shagornan elf and their leader stood. “Gromp think tiny elf be better off sipping some fruity wine.”
Vomarian Fae’s brow rose in amazement. “It seems there is finally a drink worthy of my palate.”
“Gromp want to see this,” Gromp said and approached the table and sat heavily resting both mighty elbows on the table.
My-re shook her head and poured three mushroom meads. Returning, she placed one in front of General Pol, Gromp, and Vomarian Fae. She smiled in amusement to herself as she pushed the drink glass in front of him. The Shagornan elf wore exquisite and tailored dark clothing. His skin was smooth and without blemish. It was perfect and almost child-like in appearance. His dark hair was pitch black and shiny. It seemed slick, but not oily. She then became conscious of her own body’s flaws and scars on her hands and forearms from bouts in the gladiatorial arena. She quickly pulled back as he noticed it.
“Join us will you?” Vomarian Fae asked her.
“Might as well, I’m not drinking this,” Pol said and pushed the glass full of mushroom mead away from him and towards her.
“Hah!” Gromp said and downed his drink. He then smirked at the elf and waited.
My-re sat and quickly retrieved the glass. Noticing Vomarian Fae watching her, she drank. It had a burnt, smoky cork taste that took her breath away as it warmed her stomach. Finishing, she said, “Wow, that’s smooth.”
Vomarian Fae breathed in and out heavily. He retrieved the rounded glass and studied the brownish liquid for a moment. He then sniffed it. Then to My-re’s surprise he slammed it back and downed it in one gulp. He sat the empty glass down. For a moment the elf rested his hands on the table and took in the taste. He then began to slowly bang on the table, which started to become quicker and louder. “Of all that is unholy in the nine hells!”
“Gromp thinks it good too. Here eat this. It will help absorb the liquor, so you can drink more.” The Shewish grinned then pushed a basket full of triangle shaped bread towards the Shagornan elf.
“What is it?”
“Rirorni sweet bread,” Gromp said.
My-re opened her mouth to warn about its spicy, hot nature and, if anything sweat bread would be a better description of the food. However, Vomarian shoved a piece into his mouth. It was then his eyes turned to each and gave them a sad expression of betrayal. With tears streaking down his face, Vomarian shot straight up from the table and knocked over his chair. He frantically looked around and spotted a large mug of beer at the next table. Grabbing the tankard, he impressively downed the contents. However, not noticing or caring, there were three burly gladiators that were enjoying the beers. They didn’t seem to be taking kindly to the intrusion.
The three rose from their seats. My-re did as well and they noticed her. Her gaze slowly turned to a bucket filled with fresh sawdust next to the bar, useful for absorbing blood spills, and back to them. Her eyes narrowed and she mouthed, “sit”. They complied.
After a few moments, Vomarian Fae composed himself and while still trying to catch his breath, his features were turning back to normal. He placed several pieces of silver on the table with the three gladiators. He nodded an apology.
“Let Gromp know when elf ready for another,” Gromp said and returned to his table with his companions where they were chuckling at the elf’s predicament.
“Once again my apologies captain,” General Pol said swallowing hard. “My-re, please get him something less harsh, wine?”
Regaining his composure, Vomarian Fae sat and spread his hands and arms across the table. “Mushroom mead. A fine drink to be sure, but I should have known something amiss about the bread. There is nothing ‘sweet’ about the Rirorni.”
“Yeah, it’s their kind of morbid humor,” My-re said. “However, it’s the best translation from Rathiri.”
“Speaking of Rathiri? Who do you know that speaks the Rirorni native language?” Vomarian Fae asked Pol. “Besides yourself of course.”
General Pol said proudly and pointed with his chin, “My-re does, fluently. She was raised in the Empire as a child.”
“Interesting.”
“Why?” My-re questioned cautiously.
“The destination of the Unsinkable III.”
“Where’s it going?” Pol asked.
“Rithakar, the very heart of the Rirorni Empire.”