Laughing Dragon's unexpected guests

As the tavern emptied, Ava and Leios settled at one of the customer tables, facing each other. Ava, practiced and efficient, began counting the day's earnings, the clink of silver coins punctuating the stillness.

"57, 58, 59, 60... Sixty silvers, not bad, not bad," Ava declared, nodding with satisfaction.

Leios, palm cupped on his cheek, observed, "Those drunkards couldn't hold their urges for long. They have started coming out from their homes."

"That's the power of liquor gramps used to talk about!" Ava exclaimed, her enthusiasm carrying her voice.

"Easy now, you're getting carried away," Leios cautioned, his voice a gentle reprimand.

Ava, undaunted, challenged him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Are you perhaps trying to bully me?"

Leios, amused, replied, "You speak interesting things." He paused before adding, "What do you think that girl Nemesis is doing right now?"

Ava's gaze lingered on Leios for a moment before she frowned. "How should I know?" she replied, her voice betraying a touch of annoyance.

Leios's eyebrows arched in confusion. "You were the one worried about her this morning. What's changed since then?"

Ava ignored him, rising from her chair. The stained white apron she'd worn as her uniform for the day fell to the floor. "We're leaving," she announced in a serious tone.

But before she could turn, she froze and began rubbing her left eye.

"Something in your eye?" Leios asked, concern infusing his words.

"I think so," Ava replied, her voice turning soft and humble. "Can you help me out, Leios?"

Leios leapt to his feet without hesitation, moving towards Ava with purposeful strides.

She met him halfway, tilting her head back and closing one eye, revealing the eye that was giving her trouble. Leios peered intently into her eye, his face inches from hers.

"Looks like it's your eyelash," he murmured, his gaze intent.

Ava inhaled sharply, the anticipation of his touch sending a tingle through her. "Can you get it out?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

***

As the wind rustled through the dry leaves, the Old Man and his group continued their cautious trek. Their hearts yearned for shelter before dusk, but the danger of their surroundings kept them on edge.

"Even if we find that tavern," Omiros whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind, "are you sure they'll welcome us?"

Camilla, her voice low but determined, replied, "Please don't be pessimistic. We've come too far to doubt ourselves now."

Caius, bringing up the rear, chimed in, "We have children with us. You should try to be more optimistic for their sakes."

The Old Man turned, a twinkle in his eye, and gave Caius a wink and a thumbs up. "Teach him the way, my friend," he said before turning back to the path.

Omiros, abashed, replied, "I'll try this optimistic thing."

The group laughed, their tension easing in the face of Omiros' embarrassment. With newfound confidence, they continued forward, the promise of the tavern and the possibility of shelter drawing them onward into the encroaching night.

As they moved, the Old Man's eyes were drawn to a black blade sign a few meters away, the bold white letters proclaiming 'Laughing Dragon' emblazoned across the front. He came to a halt, and the group followed suit, their expressions twisting in confusion.

Slowly, he lifted his arm, his finger pointing at the sign. The group's eyes followed, tracing the unfamiliar words.

A palpable anxiety settled over the group, their hearts racing and their minds racing with questions. Could this be it? Was this the breakthrough they'd been searching for?

Their initial elation at the sight of the sign was quickly replaced by uncertainty.

"That's the place," Omiros whispered, his voice laced with trepidation. "The drunk man mentioned it."

"I'm surprised he was able to remember anything while inebriated," Caius remarked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"What should we do?" Juniper asked, a tremor in her voice. "We don't know anything about the people here. Is it safe?"

The Old Man, sensing their hesitation, offered a reassuring smile.

"There comes a point in every journey when you have to take a leap of faith, to trust in yourself and your companions," he said. "Since we left the forest, we have been making choices that could be seen as gambles. So we will do the same here."

He turned, leading the way towards the tavern, his posture exuding confidence.

"Trust in me, and in yourselves. Let us see where this new path takes us."

Omiros, nodding in agreement, spoke in a low, but impassioned voice, "How could we doubt ourselves now?"

The group exchanged looks of determination, and followed in the Old Man's wake.

They crept toward the tavern's large, split wooden door, apprehension filling the air. The door was wide open, beckoning them in.

Inside, Ava and Leios stood close, Leios' back turned to the door, and to the group who stood agape, transfixed by the scene unfolding.

"Are you done yet?" Ava asked, her voice urgent.

"Almost," Leios replied, his voice soft and intimate.

"We can't do this forever," Ava complained.

The group stood, suspended in time, listening to the mysterious exchange. Then, from their midst, a loud, guttural noise shattered the silence—"Grrrrrrrr!"

Ava leapt backwards, startled, her eyes wide with surprise. The group turned to Omiros, whose stomach had betrayed their presence. Leios also turned, caught off guard by the interruption.

Ava stood frozen, her eyebrows arched, her mouth agape. Then, recognition dawned on her face.

"Gramps!"

She exclaimed, her surprise palpable.