I waited until she was halfway across the room before telling Sani to stay at the table and monitor Kiri from afar. Then I slowly headed to the bar. By starting a conversation with the lute-carrying man, I could get close enough to hear without drawing Tobie’s attention to me. I didn’t want to fluster her by listening in, but wanted to be close in case she needed backup.
Once at the bar, I said, “It sounds like it’s tuned properly.”
The man twisted the end of his thin mustache. “I’m not tuning. Plucking while I wait is a nervous habit of mine.
The bartender handed a drink to the man.
He stopped plucking long enough to swirl it around and smell it. “Nothing like a whisky to get nice and lubricated before playing to a new crowd.”
“Are you a bard?” I asked.
“I don’t carry this around for fun.” He strummed a jolly melody. “Joklo is my denotation. Barding is my occupation.” He bowed.
“That’s amusing,” I said.
“I joke, though. Perhaps that’s why they call me Joklo.” He went back to periodically plucking a string.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Necro.”
I watched Kiri out of my periphery. She finally walked up to Tobie and asked, “Do you mind if I sit here?”
“Go ahead,” he said.
Joklo continued talking. “First, I will serenade the crowd with an oldie. Then I’ll hit them with my newest piece.” He raised his eyebrows. “What do you think?”
“I’ll have to hear them before I can give my opinion.”
“Allow me to begin then.” He strummed his lute and sang.
I strained to hear Kiri over Joklo.
“Do you come here often?” she asked.
I shuddered at the line. Not only was it overused, but anyone hearing it knew instantly that they were being hit on. I always heard a seductress could seduce a man without him realizing her attempt, getting them to think he was the one who picked her up.
Joklo stopped playing for a moment. “I got a reaction out of this guy.” He pointed at me. “Not an appropriate reaction, but at least the crowd is alive tonight.” Snickering he added, “You see, I played at a graveyard last night.” He went back to playing.
People around us laughed and clapped at Joklo. More trickled in the door as his tunes filled the air.
“I really like your shirt,” Kiri said. “This linen looks expensive.”
I shook my head. Saying that, sounded like she was more interested in money than him. Her clumsy flirting highlighted her inexperience. She wasn’t practiced as a seductress or a harlot.
Tobie smiled. “I appreciate your attempt, but I’m not interested in your services.”
Her jaw clenched. “I’m not offering anything other than some friendly conversation. Nor do I charge money for my time.”
“I didn’t mean to...” He put his hand on her arm. “You’re a very pretty girl, with the loveliest green eyes I’ve ever seen. If I didn’t have a wife at home...” He paused. “...and two wonderful children, this would be a different conversation.”
Joklo stopped again. “Now he’s not even listening to my song. Lyrics he practically begged me to sing.”
Boos from the crowd stole my attention. I scanned the room, surprised so many people were enjoying his song. Joklo might be one of the most annoying people I’ve met, but he knew how to capture the attention of the crowd. I tried blocking him out so I could concentrate on Kiri’s conversation.
“Simone,” Tobie said, “can you get my friend a drink on my coin?” He turned his focus back to Kiri. “I have some single friends who may be interested in having a conversation with you.”
She shook her head. “But it’s you I can’t take my eyes off.”
I wanted to slap myself on the forehead. She was definitely laying it on too thick. While most knights would sleep around like it was part of their job duties, this one gave off loyal vibes. She couldn’t turn him with simple compliments. I remembered the few harlots that almost convinced me to pay coin for their services. Their ploy nearly worked because they were good at making their target think they were truly interested in him.
Joklo sang louder as he stepped closer, preventing me from hearing the rest of Kiri’s conversation. But her facial expression screamed embarrassment. She hurried from her seat and hiked back to the table, plopping down next to Sani and crossing her arms.
I turned and went after her. Joklo followed me, plucking his strings and singing about a soldier who nearly gave his life only to come home to find his wife in bed with his brother.
As I got to the table, I turned to face Joklo. “Do you mind if I talk in private with my friends?”
“You have friends,” he said while still plucking his lute. I’m shocked.”
Sani stood up and glared at him. He put out a hand in surrender. “This one is mean. Look at that intensity. He backed up while dancing and singing until returning to the bar.
“That could have gone better,” I said to Kiri.
“I should have approached in a subtle fashion.”
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
I shook my head. “He wasn’t looking to stray on this night. I wonder why Layla didn’t realize it wouldn’t work. She seemed to know just about everything else.”
Simone hustled back to our table with a bottle of wine. “From the gentleman who bought you a drink earlier.”
Kiri glanced at the yaksha. Like Tobie, he also wore linen, but his had less wear. She mouthed the words “thank you” to him.
“Are you going to pour a glass?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve already had two.”
“At least pretend to drink some, that way he doesn’t think you are being rude.”
She sighed and then poured some into her empty glass. “Happy?”
People in the bar clapped as Joklo finished his first song.
“Now for something new.” He scanned the crowd. “I’m dedicating this to my new friend, Necro.” He pointed at me, then strummed his lute. “Even though he asked for a song and then walked away. Still, I dance. Still, I play.” He smiled as he began singing.
The Bandits of Palla Cahua, of them be three
After burning their village, they took off to flee
Killing the council with fervent glee
A shiver ran through me as I hung on his every word.
“Is he talking about us?” Kiri whispered. Her hand dropped to her glass. She ran her finger across the rim.
Sani shook his head. “He speaks of someone who killed and burned. We did neither.”
The bard continued.
Their leader, a master of the dark arts
Making potions from human body parts
Those who fall victim risk losing their hearts
“See,” Sani said. “Tye isn’t a master of anything. He’s talking about someone else.”
I glared at Sani as Jokle continued to sing.
The harlot has tricked many men to her bed
Using her wiles, she gets in their head
Her pretty green eyes will lure you dead
Kiri began to stand up.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the chair, remembering that she said she would punch the next man who called her a harlot.
She scoffed. “I’ve done nothing with any man, let alone many.” She lifted her drink and tipped it back. I watched as the level dropped. She wasn’t pretending to drink.
A thick lump formed in my throat, making it hard to breathe. We weren’t safe in this village at all. News had traveled faster than I thought possible. More importantly, we were being accused of crimes much more significant than having magic paraphernalia and stealing some horses.
The pisser is a human, or so they say
His urine did cause the wall to decay
If he whips out his spear, you best run and pray
Sani crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
Kiri poured more wine. Before she could drink it, I reached out and stopped her hand, shaking my head.
A royal decree was ordered by they
Alive or dead, turn them in either way
A king’s ransom the royals will reportedly pay
My heart felt like it dropped from my chest, landing in my stomach, causing it to bubble over. “We need to leave.”
“What about the arrangement with Layla?” Kiri asked.
Tobie stood from his seat and glanced around the bar. He stopped when his gaze landed on us. While saying something to his friend, he pointed in our direction. The friend squinted as he peered at us.
“You can’t seduce him. The plan failed. Staying will only deepen our woes.” I stood and motioned for Kiri to do the same. Tobie couldn’t know we were the three in the song, not for sure. He only knew that Kiri had green eyes. While that was enough for him to question us, he’d have a hard time organizing a search with such little information. Our best option was to disappear before he approached.
Kiri pushed herself out of her chair, then snatched the wine glass. I reached out to stop her from drinking it, but the man who had bought it for her interrupted. While I was concentrating on Tobie, he must have approached without me seeing him.
“Let her drink.” He smiled at Kiri. “That is why I bought it.” He bowed. “My name is Joffrey.” He took her hand, pulled it toward him, and kissed her on the knuckles. “A custom I picked up when selling my wares in other realms.” He grinned. “I lived among the humans for a winter.” He leaned close to her, as if sharing a secret, and whispered “They call it a year.”
“You’re so nice.” Kiri said as she lifted the glass to her lips. Some of the red liquid dripped down her chin and onto her clothing. She attempted to wipe it away, but managed to rub it into her yellow blouse. Lowering the glass, she focused her attention on me. “Isn’t he so nice?”
“We have to go now, Kiri.” I glanced back at Tobie. He and his friend had stood up and were paying the bartender.
“The lady wants to stay.” Joffrey lifted his hand as if presenting the room. “We are all having such a good time.”
Kiri peered at Sani. “Isn’t he so nice?”
Closing my eyes, I hoped this was the extent of the annoyance she claimed to portray when having three drinks.
Tobie was halfway to us, with his hand resting on his hilt. I lost sight of his friend and was scanning the room, trying to find him.
The crowd clapped as Jokle finished his song. He moved toward our table. Conversation erupted all around us, almost as loud as Jokle had been singing.
Sani stood and grasped Kiri by the arm. “We leave.”
Joffrey grabbed her other arm. “She isn’t going anywhere.”
“Let her go,” I shouted while poking my finger at him.
“So many men fighting over me.” Her eyes widened as she glanced over my shoulder. “Are you here to battle for me also?”
“Come with me,” Tobie said from behind me.
“You had your chance.” Joffrey stepped between Kiri and me, not only blocking me from advancing, but putting another barrier between Kiri and Tobie.
Tobie grabbed my arm and twisted it. A jolt of pain shot through my elbow, making my knees buckle.
Sani moved forward, but Tobie’s friend seemed to come out of nowhere. He pushed Sani, making him fall into the table.
The bard stopped advancing, put his hands up, and started walking backwards. “Looks like we have a tavern fight. Joklo will quietly step out of sight.”
Tobie dragged me to the front door while his friend attempted to grab Kiri. I wanted to resist, but he twisted my arm anytime I stopped moving.
As soon as we were outside, he threw me to the ground and drew his sword. “Don’t move.”
With the wind knocked out of me, I struggled to pull in a breath. The village road was eerily quiet when compared to the noise inside the establishment. Peering up at Tobie, I considered the best way to deflect any accusations he might make.
The door flung open, letting out a burst of noise. Kiri spilled out, led by Tobie’s friend, who had her by the arm. Joffrey followed, yelling and pointing as they moved.
Tobie’s friend punched Joffrey in the stomach. The man let out a huff, then swung toward him. I thought he simply returned the favor, punching Tobie’s friend in the stomach, but he withdrew a dagger, blood dripping from its blade.
Tobie’s eyes widened as he glared at Joffrey. “Do you know what you just did?”
His friend staggered a few steps, then fell flat on his face. A yellow pool formed around him.
Joffrey pointed at the felled man. “I stopped him from attacking a lady.”
“You stabbed a knight.” He pointed his sword at Joffrey. “I’m well within my rights to serve instant punishment.”
Joffrey pulled his own sword, holding it in his right hand while he kept the dagger in his left. The two men circled each other, searching for an opening.
I pushed myself up as my heart pounded. If Tobie were killed, our deal was void, but if he won, he would arrest us. I grabbed Kiri’s arm and tugged. “Let’s go.”
She pulled away. “No.” She pointed her finger at me. “You’re being mean, but he is so nice.” She lowered her voice a pinch, as if attempting to whisper, but everyone could hear her words. “I think Tobie knows who we are. Joffrey will protect me from him. He’s so nice.”
Joffrey lunged forward, the tip of his blade barely missing Tobie’s torso. Tobie parried, sidestepped, then swung.
Joffrey, obviously no match for the knight, dropped his weapons as he stepped back. He pressed his hand against his chest, trying to stop the yellow that spread across his shirt.
Tobie turned to face me. “Dead or alive.” He raised his eyebrows. “My friend is gone because of you. Many men would slay you on the spot for such an outcome. But I will allow you to come alive if you stop resisting.”
Sani burst through the door with his spear raised and charged him. Tobie pivoted, turning and slicing the air with his sword, missing Sani by a hair.
I drew my sword and positioned myself behind them. As Sani circled Tobie, I lunged forward, bonking Tobie on the head with the hilt.
Tobie collapsed onto the ground. A moan escaped his lips, but his eyes didn’t open.
“Let’s get him back to the room,” I said.