Page 94 of Eternally Rare
I hold up my hand to stop him. “It is fine. There is no one else around. I am glad you two are having a good time. Freletch is on? It has been since I was in my early hundreds that I watched it. Is the team doing well?” I ask, eying the cave to the right that has a wooden sign nailed above it.
Ockard’s Tavern.
“Yea—Yeah,” he stammers, swallowing nervously. “Graveleers and Snowtops are playing. Did you hear? Now that the portals are opening again, they might take Freletch dimension-wide?
“Really? That’s interesting news. Thank you, Ravarie… and?” I step forward, wanting the young elf’s name and he steps back, oddly afraid of me.
“Tasar,” he replies.
“Tasar,” I repeat, nodding my head to his friend who nearly bumped into me. “I think I will go in and watch the match. Thank you.”
“What— Huh— no— I mean— you—” Tasar grabs my shoulder and I cut my eyes to him, lifting a brow.
“Touching royalty without permission could mean your head.”
A bead of sweat plays on his temple. “Apologies, Prince. It is that you are alone. You are vulnerable. This bar is for the villagers. It gets…”
“Unkept?” Ravarie answers. “Wild.” He hiccups again. “Definitely wild.”
“Perfect. I need to get my mind off things. I think I will get a pint of ale or wine. I have not decided.” I smile, clapping my hands together in excitement. I have not been on my own in too long. It is freeing to do what I want without someone breathing down my neck.
The two young elves follow me inside the dark tavern. It is a cave of ice painted black on the inside and out. The lights inside are dim followed by a few candles lit on the tables. The moment I step inside, the crowd inside roars, cheering in happiness while downing their drink of choice.
The happiness is short-lived because all eyes fall on me.
One man burps, covering his mouth in horror. No one moves. I am not sure if anyone breathes. The live footage of the game still plays on the large wall to my left. In order to get the game, the elfwho owns this must pay a witch to siphon the live footage to the bar with her magic.
I remember watching games like this when I was younger, but only now do I know how illegal it is. Matches should only be seen live. If someone is caught, they could be thrown in the dungeon if found guilty.
The giant man behind the bar tugs on a rope and a sheet of canvas falls down, covering the wall— as if I have not seen the game.
“Please, turn it back on. Your secret is safe with me.” I begin to walk through crowded tavern, inching my way by people who continue to stare at me. “Excuse me. Apologies— oh my—” I chuckle, smiling at their confused faces.
Finally, I make my way to the bar.
The counter is a long tree trunk. It is not sanded down, but there are worn places in the bark where drinks have been made and poured.
I tuck my robe and take a seat on a wobbly stool. A giggle slips free.
It wobbles.
I sigh in content and tap my fingers on the bar. “Can I have a glass of your best wine? And please, turn the game back on. I am not here to get anyone in trouble. I am just passing through.”
“You will not arrest me for siphoning magic?” he asks, his hand on the rope again.
“I have more important things to worry about than you siphoning a little magic,” I mumble. “Please, I need that drink.”
“Of course, Prince Cailian.” He rushes, tugging on the rope to lift the canvas to show the match. The large elf has a scar running down the side of his face and a lip ring that he is nibbling on while he pours my wine. “On the house. It isn’t every day I get royalty in here. We appreciate the living wage increase. You really do help your people. It is good to see.”
“Nonsense. I will pay just like any other customer.” I dig into my robes and grab a few elements for the bartender. “How much?”
“For our finest wine, that is fifteen eles,” he states, shortening the term for what we call our money.
“Not a problem.” I hand him a hundred. “Is that sufficient for a few more glasses and a tip?”
He gathers the elements and stuffs them in his pocket. “You can’t flash around that kind of money, Prince. Not here. You’re safe, but this isn’t the castle. Everything is up for grabs here.”
I nod, feeling more out of place the longer I sit here, but I refuse to leave. “Understood. Thank you….?”