Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
It’s a nice thought, but it also doesn’t sound much like the Jay I know. Some teachers are strict with their fledglings about drinking, but Master Jay has always done his own thing. And yet…is this too convenient? Does this mean he’s got something going on I need to investigate as well? Do I need to notify Rooster about him, too? My mucking dance card is pretty full as it is.
The others seem excited, though. Gwenna sits at the bar next to Kipp, and Hemmen pulls up a stool on the other side of her. I resist the urge to growl at him, but he doesn’t know we’re a thing, so I can’t get mad. It must remain a secret, at least for now. Reluctantly, I take a seat on the other side of Kipp, and Arrod sits next to me.
“Why does everyone come to this bloody tavern?” Arrod asks, wrinkling his nose at the beer put before him. “The brew is nothing special.”
“Free onions.” I reach over and pluck the wedge of onion off his mug and pop it into my mouth. I love onions. I could eat them all day long. It’s one reason why this is my favorite tavern, but one reason amongst many. There’s a Taurian-friendly menu, the beer is cheap, it’s close to home, and I can chat with Naiah when I need potions. I’m here a lot.
Arrod makes a face, wiping the spot where the onion was on his mug. “Just between you and me, if you want to impress the ladies, maybe you don’t shove a ton of onions down your gullet. Makes for terrible kissing.”
“I’ll take my chances.” I’m amused that he’s giving me advice on women—him, a human nobody all of ten years younger than me. Then again, he might have a point. Gwenna and I haven’t kissed, and I wonder if my scent would offend her if I did eat as many onions as I wanted.
I glance down the bar at her. Gwenna has clearly overheard our conversation and takes the decorative onion wedge off her mug and bites down on it, giving me a challenging look. “Real women aren’t afraid of a little flavor.”
And she winks at me.
Even though it’s just her baiting Arrod, I’m filled with a strange sense of pleasure at her response. Like she’s going out of her way to make sure I’m aware it doesn’t bother her. Like she’s got my back. I appreciate that.
Kipp hands his onion to me. It’s no more than a sliver, but I eat it all the same.
“Why are we here?” Hemmen asks, slouching on his stool on the other side of Gwenna. “What sort of training can we possibly get in a tavern?”
Master Jay gets up from his seat and puts a handful of gold crowns down on the bar. “This should cover my students. Get them as much as they want today. Make sure they have a good time.” He turns to us. “Some of my best memories with my Five were getting drunk together. Bonding doesn’t always come in a tunnel or on a job. Sometimes it comes in a place like this.”
Arrod grins. “Now, this is the kind of schooling that’s more my speed.”
“I thought you might enjoy this.” Jay’s expression turns stern, and he eyes each one of us in turn. “I don’t want to see you back before sunset, and I expect everyone to be ready to go again first thing in the morning for Prellian glyph lessons.”
Old Softy’s going easy on us. Glyph lessons in the morning? He’s practically inviting us all to show up hungover.
Jay walks away, patting me on the shoulder. It’s a subtle reminder that even though we’re given free rein today, I’m the most senior on the team and expected to look after the others. It’s fine. I’m not in the mood to get sloppy anyhow. I’m distracted with other things, like watching Gwenna lick a drop of beer from the side of her mug.
“That’s it? We just get drunk today?” Hemmen gives us a confused look. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s about us becoming friends,” I say. “Getting to know one another. Like he said, we need to start thinking like a Five at some point.” At least until I determine if one of these fledglings is the thief. If they are, it means they’re fucking over the chances of the others, but it’s a risk we all take when we sign on. Can’t be helped.
Today should give me a good chance to watch everyone, especially if tongues get loose from too much beer.
“Well?” Arrod asks. “What do we do now? Share stories? Arm- wrestle?”
“I know a drinking game,” Gwenna says.
It’s my turn to be surprised. “You do?”
“Don’t act so astonished.” Her nose goes in the air. “Learned it while I was a maid. The staff gets bored and likes to kick back just as much as anyone else.”