Bad Blood: An Epic Fantasy Gamelit Adventure (Darkthorn Academy Book 8) by Robyn Wideman & Shannon Wideman

Author:Robyn Wideman & Shannon Wideman [Wideman, Robyn & Wideman, Shannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-03-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Stann

Stann sipped the ale in his large mug. He was perched on a stool at the bar, behind him groups of men sat at round tables eating and carousing. The door opened and the bell rang. From the reaction of the crowd, whoever had entered was well known in Buxom. Stann kept his hood up and hunched his shoulders, trying to blend in with the dock and warehouse workers. He had been careful to not be seen with Talia or her family and with Buxom’s increasing trade ships Stann didn't stand out as much as he expected. The ships that came in were loaded with goods and workers from all over the empire. He listened to the various names and greetings being tossed around behind him.

Several dirty sweaty workers pushed up to the bar. One of them bumped Stann and his drink splashed on the counter. “Sorry mate,” the orc said.

“No problem,” Stann muttered and moved his chair to the right.

Stann kept his head down as the workers ordered drinks and waited for the bartender to deliver them. They smelled of the sea and had probably just been released for their shore leave. They had that ‘tired but just got paid’ energy and they still swayed even when they were standing still.

“Man, I’m going to get me some food, a lot of drinks and then find me a pretty girl to kiss,” one of the workers said with certainty.

“Good luck Smitty, there isn’t a girl in this city, pretty or not, who’d let you kiss her.”

“I’ve got coins and once I’ve been fed I’ll charm the prettiest girl to sing with me,” the seaman bragged.

“You’re going to sing?” The two friends roared with laughter. “Just because we let you sing on the ship doesn't make you a crooner worthy of attracting a pretty girl.”

The friend seemed genuinely surprised. “You guys hummed along to my songs.”

They laughed. “After months at sea, we were desperate for any entertainment. The girls in this fine city won’t be.”

The bartender slid three drinks to the newcomers and swiped the coins from the counter, into his apron. “Food is on the side, find a table and Alice will be over to serve you.”

The sailors gulped their drinks and craned their necks to see where the food was. The orc who had bumped Stann slapped him on the back. “Later, mate.” Stann let the men walk away. He was hoping to hear something about a particular ship, The Mistic. Oppie had told him that Lance Travis had acquired several new ships and was moving all kinds of goods in and out of Buxom. He had built a reputation for being able to find unique or rare items. Stann wanted to find out if he was still working for the Dixons or the Quarnon.

Stann listened to the different conversations around him. As always in portside taverns, there was a lot of complaining about captains, wages and conditions on the ships, as well as bragging about their prowess around the ladies or the card table.

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