21. Jamtara's forge

Jamtara’s Forge sat wedged between two taller buildings, soot darkening its stone walls. The wide chimney still towered above the roof, now inactive, as the pub was repurposed from an old forge after the old blacksmith died, but no heir was chosen to continue with the business.

Strange place for a tavern. Heron thought.

When Heron stepped in, voices rose over one another, mugs slammed against wood, the scrape of chairs, a group of adventurers arm-wrestled on a scarred workbench.

Then his gaze shifted toward the far side of the room, where a large table sat beneath an old rusted sledgehammer mounted on the wall. Everyone from Valiant Cry except Richard was already there, scattered around mugs and plates, their eyes turning toward him as he approached.

“Hikki,” May shouted and frantically waved her hand.

“Hello everyone,” Heron said with a salutatory bow.

“Come sit here,” May cheerfully invited him while patting an empty spot next to her.

Heron sat down next to her with a dose of uncertainty.

Don’t give her any more coins, Heron. He was already scolding himself.

“There is a gambling game tonight, Hikki, but don’t worry. I don’t need your coins; I’m going to return your investment,” May proudly said while tapping Heron on his back.

“It is fine, May. I don’t require you to return the money,” Heron said.

“I wouldn’t get my hopes up,” Icarus interjected. “She has yet to win any games. She’ll be cleaning up the stables for the next week just to pay for her room.”

May’s face paled at the mention of the stables. “Ikki, you know, you can be a comrade and find me something better. I don’t see why the newbie needs to know about it.” May hissed at Icarus.

“Well, if you were to save the money you earn or beg for, there would be no need for any additional work.” Icarus stated.

“But look at those people. The pints, the cheers, the banter! How can I stay away?” May said joyfully.

“By trying to be me first, then playing with someone who actually sees.” Icarus rebutted.

"You lost to a blind person?" Heron gasped, regretting giving away his coins.

"Details, details," May waved dismissively, "and it was only one time. I got kind of too drunk."

May suddenly perked up, her attention drawn to a group of adventurers at another table.

"Oh! They're playing for higher stakes over there," she said, counting the coins from her pouch. "Time to turn these coins into something worthwhile!"

"May," Icarus warned, but she was already heading toward the other table, practically bouncing with each step.

"Should we stop her?" Heron asked, watching as she charmed her way into their game.

“She wouldn’t listen. When she focuses on something, it is hard to stop her. She’ll be back soon enough.”

“So where is Richard?” Heron asked.

“He is running late. Said he needed to finish up some business regarding the funds for the quest.” Irene said.

“Probably went to sell off the item to the church,” Almir said.

“Makes sense. I guess he wouldn’t want to wait.” Heron nodded.

“Well, new guy, care to tell us a bit more about yourself while we wait for Richard? You are the star of the evening.” Lucia said smiling.

“Yes, of course. I just don’t know where to start,” Heron said.

“Maybe a bit about what skills you have and how you got to Jamtara,” Almir replied.

“I guess I can do that,” Heron pondered.

And so the time passed as Heron spoke briefly about his past, his life after Haugstad and his goal to reach Tiwaz. His speech was drowned out sometimes by occasional bursts of cheering or groaning from the other table. May's voice carried across the tavern, alternating between excitement and theatrical dismay. When she finally returned to their table, her earlier enthusiasm had been replaced with an awkward smile.

"So..." she began, rocking on her heels. "Funny story about those coins..."

"How much did you lose?" Icarus asked flatly.

"All of it?" May offered with a sheepish grin. "But wait! It gets better. There was this sweet old man who'd lost everything, even bet his beetle, and I felt so bad that I... might have borrowed some extra coins from Heron's purse to help him buy it back."

"You what?" Heron patted his coin purse, finding it significantly lighter. “When?!?”

“Well, I may have snuck my hand when I patted you on the back,” she grinned embarrassingly.

"Don't worry! He was going to pay us back... except he went and bet the beetle again. And lost. Again." She smiled hopelessly at their unamused faces. "But think of the good karma we just earned!"

"Let me understand this correctly," Icarus said, his voice carrying a cold tone that suggested barely contained frustration. "You took money from our provisional member, and lost it all gambling with strangers?"

"Well, when you put it that way..." May pouted. "But the old man was so nice! And sad! And—"

"And probably playing you," Richard cut in, with an anger in his tone. "May, we've talked about this. Not everyone with a sad story needs your help."

“Richard, you are here!” May tried to emulate excitement, but she was just trying to divert the situation.

“Too late it seems! We’ll talk about this later.” He replied coldly.

Heron watched this exchange with a mix of emotions. He should be angry about the stolen coins, but something about May's genuine distress over the old man's plight struck a chord. "It's fine," he found himself saying. "Though maybe ask next time before 'borrowing' from my purse."

"See?" May brightened immediately. "Hikki understands! This is why he should join us!"

"Don't call me that," Heron protested weakly.

"Too late, Hikki!" May grinned. "You bought that nickname fair and square with those coins I lost."

"That's... not how that works," Heron muttered.

Irene, who had been quiet through most of this, finally spoke up. "Well the stolen coins can be easily resolved. We’ll just deduct it from May’s cut this month and give it to Heron." she gave May a pointed look. "Perhaps this can be a lesson about responsibility."

May’s protest hung in the air, her voice carrying a mix of indignation and desperation. "I was just trying to help the old man. You can’t dock my pay for that!"

Almir leaned back, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "Fair or not, May, you took coins that weren’t yours. And if you’re so concerned about your pay, maybe you can work off Heron’s bills in the lodging. Marcus did warn you last time we were there that if you needed to do extra work, it’d be cleaning the stables."

“Please not the stables again!” May cried.

“Alright everyone, listen up,” Richard fought with his voice against the ruckus of the pub. “I’ve secured the funds for our voyage to Tiwaz. The first run of the journey will be partly on foot and partly by railroad. We’ll try to secure additional funds through quests and train Heron along the way.”

“So, selling the item covered only the travel costs, or are we talking lodging and supplies as well?” Almir asked.

“Hmm… too early to plan it all out, but I think we’ll be covered.” Richard responded.

“How much did you get for it?” Lucia was curious.

“I’d rather not speak of details here. Let’s convene tomorrow in the guild headquarters and discuss the matter in more detail.”

Richard then stood up from the table. “Alright, today was an eventful day for me, so I am heading out. Rest of you, don’t stay up too late. The meeting is at twelve o’clock.”

“I think we may have overdone it,” Lucia said as she, Heron, Almir and May exited the pub. “My legs are a bit wobbly.”

“Well, at least you got four of them,” May giggled. “I can’t even raise my head…hiccup…to see anything.”

“Geez, you two are drunkards,” Almir sighed. “Luckily, I am your escort, and I’m not drunk.”

“It’s because you are so big and strong,” Lucia threw herself at him. “You could pack an entire barrel into your stomach and you still wouldn't flinch. Now let me feel these abs.” She tried to lift his shirt, but got slapped on her wrist.

“Behave now; we’re not alone,” Almir told her quietly.

“We’re among friends, let's have a bit of fun,” Lucia continued.

“If you don’t cut it out, I’m leaving you here to try your luck with the rest of the drunks.”

“I mean, it wouldn’t be my first time with strangers,” Lucia said while wobbling. “But okay, I’ll behave.”

Almir said nothing to rebut her. Just nodded away in shame.

“Heron, how are you feeling?” Almir asked.

“I’m fine. I drank a little. It’s not like I had coins to cover my drinks though,” Heron said, his glare making May shiver.

“Good,” Almir nodded. “So can I ask you to help me out then? I’ll carry Lucia, and you carry May?”

“I guess that is fine with me,” Heron replied. He crouched in front of May. “Alright, hop on.”

May grumbled a bit, then slowly slid her arms around Heron’s neck. Her entire body seemed boneless, a dead weight that ‌felt warm against his back.

"Oof. You’re heavier than you look," Heron muttered, carefully straightening up. Almir, already carrying a giggling Lucia bridal-style, chuckled.

"Tell me about it. Lucia’s a dense little thing when she’s had too much ale."

"Stop talking about me like I’m a boulder," Lucia slurred, poking Almir’s cheek. "I’m light as a feather."

Heron was focusing on the steps required to navigate the cobblestones with May draped across him. He could feel her unsteady breathing on his neck and the slight, sweet scent of cheap pub beer mixed with something floral, her perfume, maybe. He tried not to show it but he was stiff from such close body contact.

"Are we there yet?" May’s voice was a low mumble right next to his ear, her eyes closed, almost asleep.

" It’s not far now," he answered, keeping his voice level.

"Mmm, good. I like your back. It’s warm. Like a nice, warm bed." She nestled her head more firmly against his shoulder.

A faint blush touched Heron’s cheeks, only visible as they passed under street lamps. He glanced at Almir, hoping for a distraction, but the tall man was too busy cradling Lucia in his arms.

"We are almost there." It was as if Almir read his mind. "Just ignore her drunken flirting."

"I’m not flirting!" May suddenly announced, raising her head slightly. "I’m making an objective observation! Comparing the beds I slept on… Hikki’s back feels like a premium!" She dissolved into a series of giggles, followed by a soft "hiccup."

Heron sighed as he resigned the idea of saying anything. This was certainly not how he’d imagined spending his first evening as a member of the Valiant Cry. He just hoped May wouldn't vomit on him before they reached the front door.