Now that the group had mostly sorted themselves out, it was time.
"Expect a warm welcome." Desdemona said. She marched up to the pub's door and shoved it open. The heavy oaken door squealed on its hinges, banging off the inside wall with a resounding thud.
The inside of the pub was larger than The Branch and Barrel. It sat several dozen people, and was nearly full even now. Disturbing sounds of pleasure gurgled out from all directions as the transfixed patrons guzzled a thick purple wine by the bottle. All seemed ecstatic, yet wore unusually tired faces for the time of day. Had they been there all night?
Planted throughout the crowd were various mercenaries, no doubt hired to insure this operation, whatever it was. Desdemona counted at least six of them across the room, taking no part in the revelry and not at all disguising their weapons and equipment. While none of the patrons looked up from their drinks, each of the mercenaries eyed the door at the sound of its opening.
Desdemona scowled deeply as she stepped into the haze of perfume and smoke and alcohol. She set a driving rhythm with the thud of her boots on the floorboards, taking the most direct route to the bar where stood the cockiest prick you'd ever seen.
"Asterion, you worm. What are you doing here?"
"Desdemona! I knew you'd be along sooner or later."
Both spoke at the same time, fighting for the first word. It wasn't clear if either had heard the other.
"Skip the small talk. What is this?"
"Come to try my wine, have you?"
Again, they spoke over each other.
"Start talking. What are you doing to these people?"
"It's a fantastic batch, best in the whole of the capital!"
And again.
Desdemona finally stopped. She was stubborn, but not stupid.
"Have a bottle, and then we can talk about whatever you want!" Asterion proposed, producing a flagon from beneath the bar. "And one for each of your mercenaries, too! The success has got me feeling generous!"
11-Jun-2020 17:27:15
