Chapter 3: Stupid Drunks

Joa couldn’t be bothered with the mysterious figure the only thing on her mind was the fate of her village and her people.

She bursts through the doors to the Inn, and races to one of the crew members

“I overheard them! They said they were coming for our villiage!” She screams

“Whoa! How did you hear of this?”

“The Ebony soilders, I overheard them talking.”

Joa says, the seriousness evident in her voice.

“It could just be rumors. Let’s wait for your father and keep this quiet for now.” He suggests.

Joa swallows and nods.

She walks through the back door looking for a distraction. The alley behind the Inn is quiet, away from the business of the streets. She exhales, leaning against the cold brick wall, hugging her arms to her chest.

They couldn’t invade their village. They’re so small, they wouldn’t even be a target on a map. She reasons.

Before she could finish the thought, she hears soft footsteps echoing through the alleyway. Joa felt numb. For once she wasn’t afraid. At that moment, nothing seemed worse than the possibility of her village being invaded.

She faced towards the source of the footsteps waiting for the person to reveal themselves.

They wore a black cloak, standing only a couple inches taller than Joa. As he came closer she he recognized the eyes from the roof earlier. He pulls the hood down, revealing short cropped golden hair and ears ending in a sharp point similar to her own.

“Most people don’t look up.” He comments taking a step closer.

Joa backs away, he freezes.

“What were you doing up there?” Joa asks

“Enjoying the view.” She couldn’t tell whether he was lying.

“I’ve never seen elvish folk coming from Efrea.” He comments

“Yeah, listen I’d love to chat but, I really do have other things to worry about right now.”

“So important your wandering random alleyways?”

“Yes.” She says and makes her way towards the door.

“What’s wrong? Maybe I can help.”

She raises an eyebrow

“You never know.” He shrugs.

She buries her face in her hands, unsure how to start.

“I overheard a couple Ebony Soilders. It sounded like they were planning on invading our village.”

“How do you know its not a rumor?”

“I don’t, that’s the problem.”

“Well if it is true, you may have uncovered a huge advantage.”

“Did you forget the part where my country is being invaded?”

“Hey! I’m just trying to look on the bright side.” He says his hands in the air.

“It just seems too convinent.”

“Maybe we can find the truth.” He says thoughtfully.

“How?”

“We have to find them.”

“They’re bound to have guards, and why would they tell you of their secrets?”

“Right, but they might be more lenient if I buy them a drink or two.”

She rolls her eyes. “Sounds like a long shot.”

“You’d be surprised how convincing I can be.” He says with a grin

“I hope your right.”

“I never caught your name.” He says

“Joa. Yours?”

“Gael.”

“Alright Gael. Now or never.”

It wasn’t hard to find a group of Ebony soilders crowded into a small tavern.

“Here’s the plan,” he explains, “We’re both rich idiots and we want to hang out with the cool Ebony soilders. Got it?”

Joa didn’t have time to respond

They entered the tavern and approached the soilders who all seemed to be laughing at something halarious.

Gael struts up to them, chin held high and attempts to put his arm around one of their shoulders, yet only managing to wrapp it halfway around his back.

The soilder immediately takes notice of Gael’s presence

“Get off me!” He yelled, his face twisted in fury

Gael only smiles. “Come on! I just wanted to talk to you guys.”

“The elf wants to talk to us you guys!”

One of them exclaims sarcastically.

They laugh.

“My cousin is a bit shy,” he says gesturing to Joa who’s face flushes red from embarrassment, “ but uh, we made some cash doing odd jobs over the years, and thought what better way to spend it than with the Ebony soilders? I swear the king is the only sensible person who knows how to run a kingdom.”

Gael pats his pouch of gold. “Free drinks on me! Whadda you say fellas?” He says raising an eyebrow

Joa physically cringes, as he makes a fool out of himself.

The soilders exchange confused glances before one finally speaks up.

“I’m not one to turned down a free drink.”

“It’s against protocol.” One argues.

“Relax John, it’s only one time, besides we wouldn’t want to disappoint the poor elf.” He adds sarcastically

The other men roar in agreement.

Soon Gael finds himself buying drinks for all the soilders all the while rambling on about his pet donkey. The soilders try pushing their luck.

“Say.. elf, You got any change for some refills?”

“Course!” He exclaims as if elated to be spoken to directly, they laugh and hand him their empty glasses.

Gael sat near the bar grinning stupidly. She watched as he received the refills but instead of handing them directly to the soldiers, he pulled out a small vial and emptied a drop into each glass.

Meanwhile the soilders we’re having a loud conversation,pounding on the table, causing it to wobble.

“Refills!” Gael calls out holding the mugs

As the next hour passed the drug began to take effect. They all seemed heavily drunk after only two drinks. Gael began to question them.

“So… is it true what they say? Your really going to invade Efrea?”

“Hey you ain’t supposed to knows that!” A slurred voice accuses, pointing a shaky finger towards Gael.

“Just a rumor I heard.” He repeates

“We gonna take over the harbor, they ain’t never gonna see it comin.” One says with crazed eyes

“It’s about time.” Gael says, urging for more information

“Hah, yeah.” Yells one man, his head looking to the side

Suddenly one soilder begins sniffling, a fat tear drips down his face.

”I really miss my mom! She was so ni-nice!”

he wails.