A new chapter of Scars is here! Our mercenary friends have returned to Allona, and Khy-kala has some business she needs to take care of. (Cue Jilene in a shirt that reads ‘Business’). There’s an excerpt from the first scene down below, but for the full story, check out the link above and enjoy!
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“Three strong drinks!” Kevac shouted as Justir opened the doors to the Black Goat. “And a spiced water to go with a cut of your bloodiest meat! You’ve thirsty monster hunters upon the premises, fresh from saving another town and laying low an unholy abomination!”
The dwarf’s announcement brought conversation in the tavern to a halt, all eyes turning towards the new arrivals. Tylli, Kevac’s current paramour, skipped towards him, shooting an ‘i told you so’ glance at Yenny as the bartender leaned over the counter, glowering at the group. Gistuv poked his large, scarred head out of the kitchen doors and grunted in acknowledgement of the mercenaries’ return before going back to his cooking.
“Unholy abomination, is it?” Yenny demanded as she got three mugs of ale ready. “What shite are you peddling now, little man?”
Justir interceded on Kevac’s behalf as he and Letha took a booth. “No shite this time,” he assured the bartender. “There was something unpleasant in Jachenbreg, but we dealt with it, with a little help…” from an old friend. “…from a paladin of the Iron Monastery,” he finished instead.
Kevac, with Tylli’s lipstick on his face, smiled. “A tale of bravery, a fiend most foul, a bright and noble hero saving the day-”
“You mean it wasn’t you?” Tylli said with a pout.
The dwarf’s expression froze for an instant before he barked a laugh, wagging his finger at the young woman, a wide smirk on his face. She grinned back at him. Kevac gave the girl a genteel swat on her backside. “I played a vital role,” he assured her. “But the final strike… ah, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Be a fine lass and get my friends and I our drinks and I’ll be glad to tell any and all who’ll listen the story of the Haunting of Jachenbreg.”
Yenny passed the ales and water onto Tylli’s tray. “And who’ll get the meat?” she demanded as the waitress sashayed over to the group’s table, ruffling Kevac’s hair. The barmaid made a pleased sound as she appreciatively stroked the dwarf’s short beard.
“Why of course that’ll go to-” Kevac began, then looked around. It was only him, Justir and Letha at their table. Khy-kala had been with them when they’d stopped at the inn, but he hadn’t even seen the elf leave. He’d never met any other living thing so light on its feet or able to elude his practiced thief’s eye as the she-elf, and he was self-aware enough to know that it pricked his pride… which was, he knew, one reason why she did it.
Justir sighed, noticing Khy-kala’s disappearance at the same time as the smaller man. “I hate when she does that.”
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