Chapter 10: A Bet's A Bet

If Wyn was asked, she’d say that the party hall was not her cup of tea. It was too loud, too drenched in the smell of alcohol, and most importantly, too loud. There wasn’t a single sense of decorum in the whole place, as though there wasn’t a sense of culture in the whole place. And worst of all, it was a den of the worst vices she could imagine. Not to mention, it was filled with the disagreeable sort, those that made their animosity towards their betters all too obvious. If it was up to her, she wouldn’t step a single toe into that room ever again. Unfortunately, it wasn’t up to her.

Even after waking up in the aftermath of the battle, she found that she had neither the energy nor the strength to walk on her own, so Magus had been carrying her on his back the entire time. Unfortunately, as soon as he returned to the guild, it was not the mess hall that he went to first, nor was it her room. It wasn’t even the reception to collect his reward for a commission well completed. No, it was straight for that den of debauchery, and Wyn hadn’t even the energy to resist. Now, she found herself at a table filled with strangers, four other adventurers all sharing drinks as they bragged of the exploits they achieved that day. At the very least a single familiar face was at the table, as it seemed that Finn had joined them as well.

“There’s no way! You’re totally lying!” Finn exclaimed. The other adventurers murmured in agreement. Even when Magus laid out the Speireri Oich’s feather, they still found it hard to believe. Even the boldest, most prideful of the adventurers found it hard to match their quarry with the bird.

They were like curious school children, flooding Magus with question after question. And Magus, stoic as always, answered in the most boring, plain and matter of fact answers one could possibly muster. No one paid any mind to the adventurer clinging to his back like a sloth. Not that Wyn paid it any mind. If she had to be there, it’d be better if she didn’t have to talk at all.

“The battle wasn’t that difficult.” Magus said. At that statement, Wyn couldn’t help but interject.

“Not that difficult, hmm? Easy for you to say. I was the one who did all the work, after all.” That caught everyone’s attention. Wyn, who was forgotten, now the center of attention.

“Well…” Wyn started, after being begged for elaboration. “I mean, he was getting bounced around like a ball, until I came and stabbed the thing in the eye. “

“While that is true, the vacuum created by the creature’s flapping was hardly dangerous…”

It seemed that in his attempt to defend himself, Magus had started to speak gibberish, making up words like vacuum and air pressure. He hadn’t seemed to be the boasting sort, but Wyn guessed not even he could handle being upstaged. And so, Wyn continued, describing in humiliating detail how helpless Magus really was. At some point, Wyn had felt she was being a bit too mean, but with how the table was laughing, she couldn’t really bring herself to stop. At some point, it had shifted from making fun of Magus to bragging about her own accomplishments. Magus, though, seemed to take everything in stride, nodding along as he sipped his drink, interjecting with some details every now and then.

“So basically, Wyn did all the fighting and Magus came in and stole the final hit.” Finn summarized.

“Basically.” Wyn nodded in agreement.

“I think you’ll find that that is a very reductive summary of the conflict.” Magus countered, though no one at the table agreed with him at this point.

“Which means, there’s no way we can let Magus win this bet!” He continued. Bet? Thinking back, Wyn supposed that Magus had mentioned he had a bet with some adventurers.

“Now that’s hardly fair—” Magus started, but was quickly overshadowed by the adventurers cheering Wyn’s name. She found herself hoisted from Magus’ back, paraded on the arms of the adventurers, who proceeded to march her around the party hall, announcing her achievement to any who would listen. Which, to be fair, was not much, considering how many were busy gambling away their livelihoods and drowning their sorrows. Though with how flush her own face was, one wouldn’t me remiss to assume that Wyn hadn’t also had her fair share of beer.

After running a full circle around the hall, they finally decided to return back to the table, where they divvied up the winnings from the bet. And by divvied up, what actually happened was Wyn had a bunch of copper coins tossed at her. They wouldn’t even let her refuse. And so, Wyn walked out of the room 16 guls richer. She bet that it was more money than anyone else would be making tonight.

After finishing rounding up their bet, the whole group began to move to one of the free tables. Wyn let out a sigh. Only a week after being freed, Magus already was a lowlife hooked on booze and gambling. Wyn could tell that a kid like him would have a poor future, growing up to be one of those corrupt nobles, who lived for their vices and taxed their lands until nothing was left but barren fields, before ending up on the wrong side of a spear in a revolution. Wyn had to put a stop to this now. With as much effort as she could, she tugged on the back of Magus’ cloak.

“Magus, I’m tired.” She whined.

“Oh, right.” He turned to the group. “Sorry, but I have to bring her to bed. Have a good night.” After waving them off, Magus left the party hall, carrying Wyn to her bed.

The door to Wyn’s room creaked open, and Magus gently laid her on her bed.

“Are you able to move? Do you need me to wash you?”

“Hah?” Wyn panicked. “Don’t be ridiculous! I’ll wash in the morning.”

“Do you need to change—”

“I’ll be fine!”

Magus nodded, tucking Wyn into bed.

“Well then, good night.”

Far away, within the white walls of Emijilucan, a figure clad in armor rang a small, silver bell. The sound resounded throughout the building, alerting four other figures. They sprang to action, gathering a large, marbled office.

“A new mission?” One asked.

The armored figure nodded. She passed the letter around, allowing each to take in the details.

“Any questions?” The armored figure asked. It wasn’t a question. Not really. The four in their room were not fools who’d question their captain.

“Ready your gear. We move out immediately.”