Chapter 69

The baron pondered.

"Forest, it seems."

"Will you allow me to go and inspect the places you mentioned? And tomorrow we'll meet again and conclude the agreement?" Alexander bowed very low.

"Yes, of course, I'll assign escorts for you, they will show you the places, and tomorrow we'll continue our conversation."

Alexander bowed even lower and left the baron's office. The business negotiations went well. It remained to consolidate the result and hope that the decision to deal with the locals was correct.

Sergey and Eugene rode through a familiar town, where they were for the first time in their lives. The memories of the comrades suggested places and nooks, and it was strange to realize that they were here for the first time.

"Straight-up schizophrenia," Sergey simply nodded in agreement with his companion's words.

They stumbled upon the tavern "Old Nag." Sour wine, crappy beer, affordable girls. No bandits. What else was needed for unpretentious local entertainment? Gambling? But without bandits, it was impossible.

Only the locals used this tavern, preferring to relax here after a hard day's work, although they did not miss the opportunity to pop in during work hours to have a mug or two and exchange a few words with the regulars. The appearance of two new individuals was met with a complete lack of interest. By the looks of it, they were obviously not bandits, and that was fine.

The owner continued his conversation with the blacksmith. And only when the strangers approached the counter and ordered wine did he come up. Well-groomed faces, clothes that not every nobleman could afford, a disdainful-squeamish look. The visitors were not so simple, but what did they forget in his tavern?

"Wine."

"Everything will be ready in a moment, gentlemen."

Setting out two cups, the owner quickly ran to the cellar and poured his best wine from a small barrel into a jug. Of course, not the red from Bokhor or the spicy island one, but this was also quite decent. Even His Lordship, the Baronet, did not disdain it when he dropped by. Hurrying back, he poured it into the cups.

The elder of the two took the offered wine and took a sip. Then he grimaced as if he had swallowed a toad. After a second, he spat the wine back into the cup. And he stopped the hand of the second, who also intended to try the wine.

"Better not."

The latter looked at him in surprise, but followed the advice. They walked past and sat down at a free table. The slim maid immediately jumped up to them.

"Eat, or do you want something else?"

The younger of the two pinched the girl's bottom and smiled at her.

"Will there be roasted chicken in this establishment?"

"We have everything," the girl assured him and rewarded the guy with a inviting look.

"Well, then bring the chicken for starters!"

As soon as the nimble maiden stepped away, his carefree behavior turned into a serious and cautious one.

"Zhenya (Eugene), what were you doing at the counter?"

"The wine burned me!"

"What?"

"The wine burned me."

Sergey looked incredulously at the triumvirate. Then he cautiously sipped the wine, touching it with the tip of his tongue.

"Oh, damn! That's true. Apparently, alcohol. And how am I supposed to gather information here now when I can't quickly bond with anyone over a shared drink of spirits?!"

"I think it's too late for that. We've clearly been exposed. By our clothes or behavior. But they're wary of us, look around."

And indeed - people, though trying not to pay attention to them, kept throwing very unfriendly and wary glances, which were not there just a minute ago.

"We shouldn't have come to a tavern for locals."

"We'll be smarter next time."

"Maybe we should seduce the maid?"

"And what information do you expect to get from her?" Eugene smiled openly.

"Well, you're wrong. I could take a light bite of her and get a little blood."

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