Chapter 6

The tavern was lively. Raucous singing bounced off the rafters, and sailors of every race and species spent their hard-earned gold on booze and food. 

The king leaned over to me, a tankard in one hand, a massive turkey leg in the other. 

"Well? What do you think?" He said, swaying with the music as the bard went into another bawdy verse about an amorous tavern wench and a priest. 

Her voice was angelic, strong, sweet and clear, and it pulled at me. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. 

"A great song isn't it?" the king asked as he joined in for the last verse. 

"Sure is, Mr. Shipley," I replied, pulling my attention back to the table. I took another gulp from the tankard in front of me and sighed as the ale warmed it's way to my belly. "The sailors seem to enjoy it."

"This is just a rendition of it, Lukas, the original was far more filthy. The Church was not happy about it."

"I can imagine. They tend towards the stuffy." I replied, taking another swig of ale. 

"Now, if you don't mind." The king replied, his stance a little unsteady, "I'm going to use the privy."

I stood up, but he waved me down. "Relax, relax, I've got plenty of protection." He pointed to a nearby table, and three men dressed in rough peasant outfits stood up and followed the king out. 

I sat back and watched as the minstrel, a gorgeous half-elven woman with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, danced and sang on the stage. She was thin and tall, and she obviously took after her elven parent because she lacked the telltale curves that made human women so popular. 

I didn't mind that. She was pretty enough for me.

She caught me staring. Her eyes met mine, and a simple understanding passed between us.

I wouldn't be going home tonight. 

The king stumbled back into the tavern and collapsed in his chair next to me. 

"So, lad, tell me about life in the Academy. Is it still as strict and uptight as it was when I went there?"

"Even worse, Mr. Shipley, they closed down the Golden Flute, and now the students have to sneak out in the middle of the night to let off some steam."

"That's outrageous!" The king sat back in his chair. "What were they thinking, closing down the Golden Flute? I have so many fond memories of that place."

"They have some fond memories of you, sir. There were plenty of bard songs that originated from your exploits."

"I'd have to hear one or two sometime. As for now, our guest has arrived."

I cast a spell on myself and the king, sobering us up instantly. 

We watched as a dark-cloaked figure crossed the tavern floor to where we were sitting. 

"Is he even trying to hide?" I asked, watching as he bobbed and weaved through the crowd, finally pulling up a chair at our table. 

"Hey, Shipley!" the man said, dropping his hood to reveal a sharp-featured human with dark hair and darker eyes. 

"Thomas. It's good to see you." The king replied evenly. "What news?"

"Well, same same, sir. There's been no push on either side, though there are rumours that the rich bastards are thinking about petitioning the king for something."

"Really?" The king stroked his beard. "And what could they possibly want from him?"

"Probably trading rights, if I've any guess. There's been a new gem mine discovered in the backend of nowhere. Now they want the king to give them rights over it."

"I'd heard about that." The king replied. "I was under the impression that the king wanted to leave the rights to…what was his name…Count Dreth? It was on his land the gems were discovered after all."

The sharp-featured man shrugged. "I wonder if I should maybe send a couple of my boys over to give them a bit of a fright. They seem to be getting too big for their own good."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea." The king said thoughtfully. "What do you think Lukas?"

"I'm not sure. If I were the king, I'd wait and see, you know. Let them send their delegation, host a few galas, maybe a feast or two, and let Count Dreth handle it. He's a master at negotiation, after all."

The king nodded. "It's a pity you're not the king, lad." He said with a faint smile. "That could work. But the king would have to let Count Dreth know beforehand."

He looked at me thoughtfully. "Don't you have a few relatives in Corel, Lukas? How long has it been since you saw them?"

"It's been a few years, Mr. Shipley, sir. I think it's about time I give them a visit. Maybe I'll take my student along with me."

The king coughed. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Lukas your student, as I recall, wouldn't know diplomacy if it kicked her in the arse."

"Colourful, sir, I would have put it a little more delicately."

"I wouldn't." The king said, with a hint of pride in his voice. "We had a few business partners over from across the Luden, and she got into a fistfight with one of the children. Almost caused a corporate merger that particular stunt."

The king's eyes were sparkling at the memory. 

I smiled. "Very well. I'll leave in the morning."

The blonde minstrel finished her set and sauntered over to me. 

"Hey." She said, her voice warm and inviting. "Buy me a drink?"

I turned to the king, who grinned boyishly at me. 

"Go on, I'll let your student know that you'll be gone for a few weeks."