Tooth and Blade by Shad Callister

Author:Shad Callister [Callister, Shad]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barde Press
Published: 2019-09-24T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19: REST IS FOR CIVILIANS

In Dura, the company was received with shouts of praise and admiration. If the locals noticed how many of the soldiers were now missing from the ordered ranks that marched back toward the great inn, they did not mention it. The reuniting of the six hostage women with their kinfolk was a scene that brought tears to many surrounding them, and warm grins to the grizzled faces of many a soldier watching.

Haila welcomed the captains back into the Tooth and Blade, taking a moment to embrace Rafe and hang her head in sorrow at the loss of Ireth.

“Where is Brannon today?” Argaf asked. “He’ll be interested to hear the tale of how we outmaneuvered the scoundrel Black Tur and put an end to his machinations forever.”

“He ran downstairs the moment he saw your victory banners,” the woman replied. “He’s bringing up a new barrel of last year’s coppernut, and I think he means it to be poured out upon the lot of you in open celebration.”

“Praise be to Yaff and Pellia,” the man answered, eyes rolling in anticipation. “We are a thirsty mob.”

The men spent the next few hours relaxing and making merry with the townsfolk, who were eager to let go of all the tension built up during the past week. The ale flowed freely as promised, there was food and comfort at every turn. The Durans let go—for the moment, at least—of all inhibition and mistrust of the mercenary company.

As the happy afternoon wore on toward evening, the officers and senior members of the company sat around the inn’s central room, picking at the remains of the sweetmeat trays and refilling their cups at the third ale-barrel to be brought up from Brannon’s cellar. Every detail of the successful campaign had been relayed to enthralled audiences of villagers, and now the town’s children were out in the streets taking the parts of brave soldiers or of the evil outlaw and his men. Most families had left the main celebration to be together in their own homes with the women returned to them, or to see to the last chores of the day out in the fields.

Damicos stood to refill his cup along with two other men. He cocked an eyebrow at the innkeeper, seated by Meldus and the other elders. “We may run you dry, sir, but I offer my men in the labor of preparing more of your fine drink, if it is needed.”

Brannon smiled. “All that I have is free to you today, Captain. Tomorrow… well, tomorrow I expect to make a great deal of money from your company.”

Those around him laughed.

“This tasting has us all hooked, I think,” Damicos said, slurring his speech only slightly as he returned to his seat. “We’ll never drink another inn’s ale again.”

“You mean to take up here permanently, then? In the ruins outside town?” the innkeeper asked.

“Considering it very strongly indeed,” Pelekarr replied. “You’ve a fine town here. A fine inn, a fine town, a healthy region.

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