A Man's Challenge

The next day, the caravan came to a screeching halt once again. They took refuge under the cover of some nearby trees, much to Kyle’s confusion.

He finally understood when he saw it. A great green scaley beast flapped overhead, larger than anything Kyle had seen. It was easily longer than an eighteen wheeler from the snout to the tip of its tail, with red leathery wings to match.

Kyle didn’t need to call on knowledge from this life to know he was seeing a dragon fly through the air. One of the most fearsome creatures to walk this world.

The better question: “What’s it doing here?”

Fiona shrugged. “It’s probably going back to its hoard.”

Abagail poked Kari with glee. “Careful, princess. We don’t want to have to rescue you a second time.”

“I-I resent the implication that dragons would immediately kidnap a princess the moment they happen upon one,” blathered Kari. “Besides, I’m sure they would rather have someone rich with magic.”

Fiona shook her head. “It’s never a good idea to assume you know what a dragon wants. Rule one of dealing with a dragon: always assume they’re a lot smarter than you – because they’ll always be a lot older.”

“Let’s just hope it leaves us be,” said Kari. “We’ve already had enough excitement this journey.”

----

While the dragon had passed by some hours ago, they’d remained under the cover of those trees. Kari had insisted on being sure the dragon was gone. Kyle had assumed that joke from Abagail had spooked Kari, but neither Abagail nor Fiona seemed too worried about taking offense.

For Abagail however, it was proving to be quite boring. And while she’d love to really get smashed right now, that was going to have to wait a few more hours until they got into town.

“Gold piece for your thoughts?” Benny walked up to her, rapping her on the arm with his blue hand.

Abagail looked at it, and smiled. “I see I left my mark. You here to tell me you’re going to get your revenge?”

“I’m not interested in getting turned into a frog.” Benny wobbled back and forth a bit in thought. “What’s the deal with your boyfriend? ‘Cause for a peasant he’s got way too many toys to play with.”

Abagail didn’t deny the boyfriend label. “He paid for a blessing from the gods and then my crystal ball hit him in the face. That’s when he got his ‘toys’.”

Benny whistled. “You’re the real deal, then.”

“I wish I could take credit for it. But I’ve done that service hundreds of times and never seen that happen. It’s been nonstop since then.” She sighed happily. “Can’t say it hasn’t been a blast.”

The two looked back at Kyle trying to get back onto a horse and failing. Eventually Fiona had to lift him up and place him on the horse.

“…Him?" Benny asked. "Really?”

-----

When the caravan finally arrived at Trunsit, everyone was happy to finally get off their horses and do something that didn’t involve waiting around to avoid get burninated to a crisp.

Coming back here felt like a lifetime ago to Kyle. Arguably, it was. It was the last day he’d spent before he got his memories back. But while it was still nice to people watch…

“It’s not the same now. Remembering everything,” said Office Kyle.

Peasant Kyle had to agree. “It was walking into a whole other world. We guess we did, just not the way we expected.”

Real Kyle was about to reply, but he nearly ran face first into that guy with the blue arm.

“You. Alright, now that you don’t have your girlfriends around, we can talk.”

Several parts of that sentence confused Kyle, but the most confusing part of all… “It’s Benny, right?”

“Don’t ‘it’s Benny’ me. Come on. We’re gonna settle this like men.”

Kyle would’ve said something snarky, except the people around him were rapidly proving to be part of Fiona’s band of bandits. “Can we wait to kill each other until after we get paid?”

Benny frowned. “Kill each other? No, I’ve got something much better in mind.”

----

Kyle was pulled into a nearby tavern and put down into a seat at a table with Benny. York had been talking with the tavern owner for a good ten minutes before dumping a bag of gold pieces on the bar and coming back with two pitchers of beer with matching glasses.

“What is going on here?” he asked.

Benny leaned in. “Look, it’s this or we do it with knives. You get me?”

“I get that, just not what we’re doing here.”

Placing the glasses on the table with them, York clapped his hands together. “Come ‘round, come ‘round, ye gents! It’s time where we separate the boys from the men, and the lads from the lasses!” The dwarf then slammed his hand on the table. “Today we’ve got our own fearless Benny!”

Benny waved around his blue arm to a mass of cheers.

“He’ll be challenging the peasant with all the nice toys and gals, give it up for Kyle!”

Kyle looked around at the mass now booing at him.

York now turned to Kyle and spoke in a deep whisper. “Ye’re new, so I’ll check. Ye’ve done a drinkin’ contest or two in your day, right?”

Office Kyle shook his head. “I could barely touch the stuff. I needed mixers and cocktails badly."

Real Kyle and Office Kyle turned to Peasant Kyle, who looked ecstatic for once. “I’ve been drinking every day since I was old enough to work the fields. I’m gonna crush this.”

-----

The drinking contest had gone for three hours and neither of the men sounded ready to quit. The table Kyle and Benny were seated at was littered with emptied glasses and pitchers and surrounded by bandits cheering on the show.

“You’ve got more on ya than I expected,” hiccupped Benny. “I thought peasant beer was supposed to be weak.”

Kyle laughed until he burped. “I’ma mop a floor wif ya.”

York put another two pitchers on the table. “Boyos, not that I’m not entertained, but I’ll remind ye we ain’t made of gold.” He slapped Benny on the back. “Finish ‘im, will ya?”

Benny wobbled in his seat before slumping off his seat and crashing to the ground. By the time he got back up, Kyle had not only gone through his entire glass but he’d picked up Benny’s and was polishing that one off too.

York couldn’t believe it and raised Kyle’s hand. “The winner, boys! Let’s hear it for our peasant king o’ the drink, Kyle!”

“Kyle! Kyle! Kyle! Kyle!” The bandits were cheering his name now, which Kyle was more than drunk enough to appreciate.

He raised his empty glass to the bandits, grinning. “A toast! To the best payday we’re ever gunna get!”

“Here here!” The bandits to a man raised their glasses, even Benny in his inebriated state.